Corned beef and cabbage is easiest to make in a crock pot. The beef melts in your mouth after being cooked slowly.
Corned beef brisket is a delicious centerpiece to meals, but it can seem daunting to cook Many recipes call for a lengthy brining and boiling process However, you can easily make tender, flavorful corned beef by cooking it right from frozen in your slow cooker or crockpot!
I love this hands-off method because you can just toss the ingredients in the crockpot in the morning and have a complete dinner ready by dinnertime. No need to defrost or tend to a pot on the stovetop for hours. Let me walk through the simple steps to cook frozen corned beef in the crockpot.
Choosing the Right Cut
When selecting corned beef brisket at the store, look for a flat cut brisket rather than the point cut. The flat cut is a large rectangular piece with a fat cap on one side. This shape sits better in the crockpot and the fat helps keep the meat moist as it cooks down. A 2-3 lb brisket is a good size for the crockpot.
Opt for a brisket labeled “corned” rather than “brisket” to ensure it has been cured properly. The curing process gives corned beef its signature pink color and seasoned flavor.
Preparing Aromatics
Before placing the brisket in the slow cooker, chop 1-2 onions and 2-3 garlic cloves. Spread the onion and garlic in the bottom of the crockpot insert.
This aromatics will provide a flavorful base as the beef cooks You can also add a teaspoon of pickling spice blend for more seasoning
Adding Liquid
Pour 1 cup of beef broth, Guinness beer, or water over the onions and garlic. The liquid will create steam to gently cook the meat as well as a flavorful base for sauce.
For the best flavor, use chicken, beef or vegetable broth. Beer, wine or apple cider also add great taste. Just avoid plain water, which won’t impart any flavor.
Slow Cook Time
Place the frozen corned beef brisket directly on top of the aromatics. No need to thaw! The low, gentle heat of the crockpot will safely thaw and cook the meat together.
Cover and cook on the LOW setting for 8-10 hours, or HIGH for 4-6 hours. Cooking time will vary based on the size and thickness of your brisket.
Aim for an internal temperature of at least 145°F before serving. Then the brisket with be fall apart tender!
Incorporating Vegetables
Consider adding root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, turnips or parsnips to the crockpot to cook alongside the brisket. They hold up well to the long cooking time.
Chop the veggies into large chunks and nestle them around the brisket during the last 2-3 hours of cooking. They’ll soak up the savory flavors!
Making Gravy
Once the corned beef is cooked through, remove it from the crockpot and tent with foil to rest. Pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan to make an easy gravy.
For thicker gravy, mix 2 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water to make a slurry. Whisk this into the cooking liquid and simmer until thickened to your desired consistency.
Serving Suggestions
Slice the rested corned beef across the grain for the most tender texture. Try these serving ideas:
- Pile high on rye bread for Reubens
- Dice and add to hash with potatoes, peppers and onions
- Pair with steamed cabbage wedges and mustard
- Make tacos with sliced beef, tortillas and fixings
- Use beef broth to make veggie packed soup
Helpful Tips
- Cook beef fat side up to baste itself
- Add 1/4 cup vinegar or pickle juice for tang
- Shred leftovers for hash or sandwiches
- Freeze extras to use later
- Cook on low only, high may dry out
How to Make Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
There was corned beef in the slow cooker the first time I tried it. I put everything in the pot and turned it on. The result was overcooked cabbage that turned to mush. The second time around, I added the cabbage at the end, and it was delicious!.
- Besides the cabbage, put everything else in the crock pot with the water.
- How long does corned beef take to cook in a slow cooker? For 4 hours on high, cover the pot and cook.
- After you add the cabbage, cook for another hour and twenty minutes.
- Take the corned beef out of the oven and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before cutting it.
- Onions: Instead of frozen pearl onions, quarter a whole onion.
- Cabbage: Sub green cabbage with purple.
- If you don’t like parsnips, you can use whole baby potatoes or Yukon Gold or red potatoes that have been cut into quarters instead.
- Liquid: Substitute low-sodium beef or vegetable broth for water.
- Spice Packet: If your corned beef includes a spice packet,
Corned Beef and Cabbage Ingredients
- Corned Beef: I bought a 2 ½-pound brisket of corned beef. It was 2 pounds after I cut off all the fat to keep it lean. Once cooked, it shrunk to 18 oz.
- Pearl Onions: You’ll need one cup of frozen pearl onions.
- Parsnips and carrots: Cut up two medium-sized parsnips and carrots.
- Green cabbage: Cut a small head of cabbage into six wedges.
- Parsley for freshness and color
- Bay Leaves add subtle herbal flavor and depth.
- Whole peppercorns slowly release their flavor into the beef and vegetables.
- Water: Put in three cups of water to cook the meat and vegetables.
How to Cook the Best Tender Corned Beef in the Slow Cooker~Easy Cooking
FAQ
Can you put a frozen corned beef in the crockpot?
Can you put frozen beef in a crock pot?
Should corned beef be completely covered in water in crock pot?
How do you defrost corned beef quickly?
Can you cook frozen corned beef in a slow cooker?
I am cooking cabbage separately. Editor: From everything I’ve read, it’s not safe to cook frozen foods in the slow cooker because there’s a risk of harmful bacteria contaminating the meat before it reaches temperature. However, as long as your corned beef was well-packaged and hasn’t developed freezer burn, it should still be safe to eat!
How to cook frozen corned beef brisket in crock pot?
How to cook frozen corned beef in Crock Pot is here! Cooking frozen corned beef brisket is possible in a slow cooker to tender and delicious. Wash potatoes and lay inside pot together in the middle to be your trivet. Slice onions and lay around them. Unwrap and set frozen corned beef on top of potatoes with fat side facing up.
How do you cook frozen corned beef?
Slice onions and lay all around them. Unwrap your package and set frozen corned beef on top of potatoes with fat side facing up. Pour can of beer over the top. Sprinkle seasoning packet that came in that bag with meat on top so it sticks. Cover and cook on low for 9 hours or until it slices easily and is fork tender.
How long do you cook corned beef in a crock pot?
Cook on LOW for 8 hours, taking care not to overcook or the meat will begin to fall apart. (Still delicious, but not sliceable.) If you prefer your corned beef to fall apart, simply cook it a little longer. If desired, add cabbage to the crock-pot after about 6 hours of cooking.