Can You Cook Two Corned Beefs in One Pot? A Guide to Multi-Meat Instant Pot Cooking

Corned beef and cabbage is a beloved St. Patrick’s Day tradition for many families. For those who cook this dish in an Instant Pot or other multi-cooker, a question arises – can you cook two corned beefs together in the same pot? With some strategic planning, the answer is yes!

Cooking two briskets simultaneously can help feed a crowd efficiently. However, there are some important considerations to ensure both pieces of meat turn out properly cooked and flavored

Benefits of Cooking Two Briskets Together

Here are some of the potential benefits of cramming two corned beefs in one Instant Pot:

• Efficient – Cooks two briskets in the same time as one, saving time and effort. Great for batch cooking

• Space Saving – Only requires one cooker instead of running two units. Convenient when cooking for a lot of people.

• Even Cooking – Briskets stay stacked during cooking, leading to more even heat exposure.

• Flavor Enhancing – Meat juices combine to increase savoriness. Veggies at bottom absorb richness from both.

• Economical – Maximizes expensive cooker by doubling capacity per use. Saves on electricity costs.

With a bit of forethought, two briskets can be cooked beautifully together in one pot safely.

Tips for Successfully Cooking Two Briskets

Cooking two corned beefs together takes some finesse. Here are tips for making it work:

• Trim excess fat – Trim briskets so that only a thin layer of fat remains to allow flavors to penetrate meat.

• Add extra liquid – Increase amount of broth or water by about 1 1/2 cups to account for extra meat.

• Use a trivet or steamer basket – Keep meats elevated above vegetables and liquid to prevent sogginess.

• Stack meats – Place one brisket on trivet, top with second. Keeps them compact.

• Wedge tightly – Snugly wedge briskets in cooker to stay stacked. May need to cut in half.

• Increase time – Add 15-30 minutes to ensure center of meat reaches safe temp. Check with a thermometer.

• Turn meats – Partially through cooking, swap position of the briskets for even exposure.

• Let rest before slicing – Allow meats to rest 15+ minutes after cooking before attempting to separate and slice.

With a few simple adjustments, two briskets can become corned beef perfection together.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps to successfully cook two briskets in an Instant Pot or other multi-cooker:

1. Prepare the Briskets

Rinse briskets if excessively salty. Trim excess fat. Cut in half if needed to fit cooker. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.

2. Apply Spice Rub

For flavor, briskly rub meat with a spice mix like coriander, mustard, pepper. Press rub into meat.

3. Prepare Vegetables and Liquid

Place rinsed potatoes, carrots, and onions in bottom of pot. Add broth, garlic, bay leaves, and other seasonings.

4. Add Briskets

Place a trivet or steamer basket on top of vegetables. Add one brisket flat-side down. Top with second brisket, also flat-side down.

5. Wedge Briskets Tightly

Push briskets together tightly so they stay stacked during cooking.

6. Lock Lid and Cook

Lock lid and pressure cook on high pressure for recommended time plus 15-30 extra minutes, allowing for natural pressure release.

7. Remove Briskets and Rest

Carefully remove briskets from pot and transfer to a cutting board. Tent with foil and let rest 15+ minutes.

8. Finish Vegetables

While briskets rest, return cooker to saute mode to reduce juices. Mash vegetables as desired.

9. Slice and Serve

Separate briskets and slice across the grain. Serve with vegetables and cooking liquid for delicious Reuben-style sandwiches!

Tips for Even Cooking

Achieving identical doneness for two briskets requires a little finesse:

• Place fattier brisket on top – Fat bastes meat below.

• Swap positions midway – Rotates exposure to heat.

• Shield edges – Foil prevents overcooking slim ends.

• Cut away very fatty areas – Allows moisture to penetrate.

• Insert meat thermometers – Monitor temps in thickest part of each.

• Remove smaller brisket sooner – Check for doneness early if size differs greatly.

• Let rest before separating – Makes slicing easier.

With a few simple techniques, two briskets can be cooked to tender, fork-shredding perfection together.

Variations for Other Meats

While corned beef is ideal, other meats can be successfully stacked and cooked together in an Instant Pot or multi-cooker as well:

Pork Shoulder

• Season and rub two 3 lb shoulders.

• Stack with fattier shoulder on top.

• Add liquid and aromatics. Pressure cook 75-90 minutes.

• Shred for pulled pork sandwiches.

Chicken Breasts

• Pound 4 large breasts to even thickness.

• Stack breasts, sprinkle with seasoning between each.

• Add broth to pot. Pressure cook 9-12 minutes.

• Chicken cooks fast so watch time carefully.

Beef Roast

• Use uniform 2-3 lb roasts, rubbed with spices.

• Optionally, tie roasts into uniform shapes.

• Stack roasts, cooking longer one on top.

• Add stock and vegetables. Pressure cook 50-60 minutes.

With the right timing, technique and recipe adjustments, two of many meats can cook together deliciously!

Pressure Cooking Guidelines

To successfully pressure cook two meats, keep these guidelines in mind:

• Use uniform pieces of similar size and shape.

• Stack meats snugly, with fattier on top.

• Increase cooking time 10-15% over recipe for one piece.

• Add extra liquid – about 1 1⁄2 cups more.

• Use a trivet or steamer to elevate.

• Turn or swap positions midway through.

• Use meat thermometer to check doneness.

• Allow proper natural release time.

• Let meats rest before attempting to separate.

With testing, you can adapt any recipe to cook two pieces together.

Troubleshooting Issues

Having trouble getting two briskets or meats cooked perfectly? Here are some common issues and solutions:

Problem: Briskets come out vastly different dones.

Fix: Monitor each with thermometers next time. Remove smaller one sooner if needed. Swap position midway through cooking.

Problem: Meats are jammed in too tight to turn.

Fix: Cut meats in half crosswise so they stack better. Elevate on a trivet to allow steam circulation.

Problem: Briskets fall apart when trying to remove.

Fix: Let meats rest at least 15 minutes before attempting to take out. Use sturdy metal tongs and spatula.

Problem: Meat near bones or edges is underdone.

Fix: Shield bony ends with foil to prevent overcooking. Cut meat away from bones before cooking.

With some trial and error, you’ll master pressure cooking two meats for perfect results every time.

FAQs

Can you cook two briskets in a 6 quart Instant Pot?

Yes, two small 2-3 lb briskets can fit stacked in a 6 quart model. Trim excess fat so meats compress. Cut in half if needed.

How long should you cook two briskets in Instant Pot?

For two 3 lb briskets, increase regular cook time by 15-30 minutes. Aim for 55-70 minutes on high pressure depending on doneness desired.

How much liquid do you need for two briskets?

Use about 1 1/2 cups more than recipe calls for one brisket. The extra meat will absorb more liquid as it cooks.

Should you cook two briskets fat side up or down?

Stack with fattier brisket on top, so rendering fat bastes one below. Put any brisket fat-side down first for flavor.

Can you use a steamer basket when cooking two briskets?

Yes, use a basket or trivet to elevate meats above cooking liquid for best results. This prevents sogginess.

The Takeaway

With the right tools, technique, and recipe adjustments like increased time, liquid and seasoning, two briskets or meats can be cooked together in one Instant Pot or multi-cooker safely and deliciously. While it requires some strategic planning, the efficiency and crowd-feeding ability make it worth the extra effort. Follow moisture, temperature and doneness closely. Now fire up your cooker and double your recipe to corned beef perfection!