Description
This Slow Cooker Corned Beef recipe offers a tender, flavorful corned beef cooked effortlessly in a slow cooker. Perfect for a hearty meal, the beef is infused with aromatic spices and cooked until melt-in-your-mouth tender, making it ideal for St. Patrick’s Day or any occasion.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 5 pound corned beef (with pickling spice)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 6 whole cloves
- 6 cloves garlic (peeled)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Prepare the brisket: Rinse the beef brisket thoroughly under cold water to remove excess salt and pat dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear and even cooking.
- Cook the brisket: Place the corned beef fat side up into your slow cooker. Add bay leaves, cinnamon stick, whole cloves, peeled garlic cloves, red pepper flakes, and 2 cups of water around the beef. Do not stir. Cover the slow cooker.
- Slow cook: Cook on low heat for 8 hours until the meat is tender enough to shred easily, or alternatively cook on high heat for 4 hours for a quicker result.
- Finish and serve: Carefully remove the corned beef from the slow cooker using tongs or a large fork. Cover the meat with foil and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Slice against the grain and serve warm or cold as desired.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container or freezer bag in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave in 30-second increments or warm slices in a skillet over medium heat.
- For long-term storage, wrap corned beef tightly in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container for freezing up to 2 to 3 months.
- Thaw frozen corned beef overnight in the refrigerator before reheating or serving cold.
- Adding vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and cabbage in the last 2 hours of cooking will make a complete one-pot meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 6 oz)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
