Description
This classic Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe features tender, slow-cooked brisket paired with hearty vegetables like cabbage, carrots, and potatoes. The dish is infused with savory beef broth and aromatic pickling spice, making it a comforting and traditional meal perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any cozy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 3-4 lb brisket corned beef
Vegetables
- 1 medium head of cabbage
- 4 medium carrots
- 4 medium waxy potatoes (like Yukon Gold)
Liquids and Spices
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 tablespoon pickling spice
- Mustard (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: Rinse the corned beef under cold water thoroughly to remove excess salt. Chop the cabbage, carrots, and potatoes into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and ease of serving.
- Layer in slow cooker or pot: Place the corned beef brisket at the bottom of your slow cooker or large pot. Next, layer the potatoes, followed by the carrots, and finally top with the chopped cabbage. This layering helps cook the vegetables evenly and keeps them tender.
- Add broth and spices: Pour enough low-sodium beef broth to cover the ingredients halfway, ensuring there is enough moisture for slow cooking. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of pickling spice over the ingredients to impart a classic corned beef flavor.
- Cook until tender: If using a slow cooker, set it to low and cook for 8 to 10 hours until the beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft. Alternatively, if using the stovetop, bring the contents to a simmer and cook for about 3 hours, checking occasionally until the brisket is tender.
- Rest and slice: Carefully remove the brisket from the cooker or pot and let it rest for 10 minutes to retain its juices. Slice the meat against the grain for maximum tenderness.
- Serve: Plate the sliced corned beef with the cooked cabbage, carrots, and potatoes. Serve with mustard on the side for added zest.
Notes
- Rinsing the corned beef helps reduce the saltiness typical in packaged corned beef.
- Layering the vegetables in order from hardy to delicate ensures they cook evenly without becoming mushy.
- Using low-sodium beef broth allows you to control the salt level more effectively.
- Resting the meat after cooking helps keep it moist and makes slicing easier.
- For quicker preparation, you can cook the dish on the stovetop but the slow cooker method yields more tender results.
