Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Stew - The Recipe Critic (2024)

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Corned Beef and Cabbage slow cook all day with hearty vegetables making one delicious stew! This is a classic recipe with nostalgic flavors, and it’s so easy to whip up.

I just love a good stew, they are so filling and the perfect thing to throw in the slow cooker. I’ve also never heard ANY of my kids complain about stew for dinner, and that’s saying something! If you are on the hunt for more stew recipes, you’ve got to try this Slow Cooker Beef Stew, this amazing Beef Bourguignon, and this tasty One Pot Chicken Stew.

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Stew - The Recipe Critic (1)

Corned Beef Stew

I am sharing a delicious recipe with you today that has been in our family for years. Whether you are Irish or not, this recipe will become an instant family favorite. It is perfect for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration and is hearty and full of flavor. Serve it with some homemade cornbread, this super simple garlic bread, or a refreshing tomato basil salad.

The secret to making slow cooker corned beef and cabbage so flavorful is the pickling spice. Pickling spice hasmustard seeds, allspice berries, whole coriander seeds, and red pepper flakes which add a flavorful and unique taste to this stew. I accompanied it with some other great spices including garlic powder, paprika, and salt and pepper.

Slow Cooker Corned Beef Ingredients

The ingredients are so simple for this slow cooker corned beef and cabbage stew, but I think that’s what makes it such a classic recipe! The flavors really pop once you add the pickling spice. Find the measurements below in the recipe card.

  • Corned Beef: You need 2 pounds of corned beef, then cut them into cubes.
  • Potatoes: I like to use russet. Cut into stew sized cubes.
  • Celery: They add great flavor and texture.
  • Onion: I prefer white onion for this recipe.
  • Carrots: You can buy baby carrots and toss them in, or peel and chop large carrots.
  • Cabbage: You will need 1/2 head of cabbage, and slice it into pieces that make sense to pick up with your spoon.
  • Beef Broth: This is the base of this amazing sauce.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Adds spice.
  • McCormick® Pickling Spice: This is the key ingredient!
  • McCormick® Garlic Powder: Adds savory flavors. You could add fresh garlic if you wanted to.
  • McCormick® Paprika: I like a little spice.
  • Salt and Pepper: Adds extra flavor.
  • Cornstarch: Optional to thicken sauce.
  • Parsley, Salt and Pepper: For garnish.
Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Stew - The Recipe Critic (2)

How to Make Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Stew

This recipe has been in our family for years. But I decided to add my own spin to it. I wanted to make it in the slow cooker, and I wanted to turn it into a delicious and hearty stew. The result was better than I could have expected! The crock-pot brought all of these ingredients together so perfectly. I don’t have alcohol on hand, so I didn’t add any beer to the broth but it would be amazing that way. This is a really simple and delicious dish that the whole family will rave about.

  1. Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Add corned beef, potatoes, celery, onion, carrots, and cabbage to your slow cooker.
  2. Mix Spices in Bowl: In a medium-sized mixing bowl combine beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, pickling spice, garlic powder, paprika, and salt and pepper. Then pour over the meat and veggies.
  3. Cook: Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6 until the vegetables are tender and the meat is cooked throughout.
  4. Garnish: Add salt and pepper to taste and then garnish with chopped parsley.
Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Stew - The Recipe Critic (3)

Tips for Making Corned Beef and Cabbage Stew

There are a lot of recipes for corned beef stew out there, but I’ve never tasted one that I like more than my slow cooker corned beef and cabbage recipe. It’s so simple and delicious. Here are a few additions or substitutions you could make if you have missing ingredients or want to switch things up, and tips for making the recipe.

  • Other Spices: When I think of a stew, I think of bay leaves. Absolutely feel free to throw some in when you get ready to turn the pot on. A sprinkle of dill could be amazing. McCormick has a spice packet for beef stew that you could throw in there too. Really just play with the flavors until they are perfect for you.
  • Cubed Ingredients: One of the biggest tips I could ever share is to pay attention to the size of your cuts. If you have huge chunks of meat, and tiny slices of celery, you are going to end up with tough meat and mushy veggies. Make sure to try to keep your cuts even in one inch cubes so that everything will finish cooking at the same time.
  • Add Beer: This is pretty traditional in the recipe. I don’t ever have beer in the house, so most of my recipes won’t call for it. This recipe tastes amazing with beer in it! You can add up to a cup of beer to help make that broth nice and flavorful.
Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Stew - The Recipe Critic (4)

Storing Leftovers

You better believe that this slow cooker corned beef and cabbage stew makes the BEST leftovers. I seriously love having this one in the fridge, and the freezer because it’s a family favorite and a great one to reheat when you need a flavorful dinner on the spot.

  • In the Refrigerator: You can store your leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.
  • In the Freezer: Put your stew in a plastic bag in the freezer and store for up to 3 months.

More Stew Recipes to Try

No matter what time of year it is, my family is always excited about stew for dinner. It’s a great way to use pieces of meat that would be too tough to chew and turn them into a soft and flavorful dinner. It’s also an inexpensive way to put together a filling dinner, and to get my kids to eat their veggies! It’s all around a win win, so here are some of my other family favorites that you will love.

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Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Stew

By: Alyssa Rivers

Corned Beef and Cabbage slow cook all day with hearty vegetables making one delicious stew! This is a classic recipe with nostalgic flavors, and it's so easy to whip up.

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours hours

Total Time: 8 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 Servings

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds corned beef cut into bite sized pieces
  • 4 large potatoes cut into large pieces
  • 2 stalks celery chopped
  • 1 white onion chopped
  • 1 bag baby carrots 16 oz
  • 1/2 head cabbage cut into small wedges
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons McCormick® Pickling Spice
  • 1 Teaspoon McCormick® Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 Teaspoon McCormick® Paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch optional
  • Chopped Parsley and additional salt and pepper for garnish

Instructions

  • Add corned beef, potatoes, celery, onion, carrots, and cabbage to your slow cooker.

  • In a medium sized mixing bowl combine beef broth, worchestershire sauce, pickling spice, garlic powder, paprika and salt and pepper. Pour over the meat and veggies.

  • Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6 until the vegetables are tender and meat is cooked throughout.

  • Add salt and pepper to taste and garnish with chopped parsley.

Notes

Originally Posted March 9, 2015

Updated March 5, 2023

Nutrition

Calories: 434kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 29gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 2743mgPotassium: 1340mgFiber: 7gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 250IUVitamin C: 88mgCalcium: 116mgIron: 8mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Irish

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Alyssa Rivers and the food blogger behind The Recipe Critic. The blog launched in 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family. Each recipe is tried and true, family-tested and approved.

Read More About Me

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Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Stew - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

Does corned beef need to be in liquid in a slow cooker? ›

You can add seasonings other than salt, like black peppercorns and bay leaves. Keep the brisket submerged at all times as well since it's the water actually transferring heat into the meat and cooking it. Letting the top become exposed will dry out the meat and slow down the cooking process, leading to uneven doneness.

Can you overcook corned beef in a crockpot? ›

You can overcook corned beef in a Crock-Pot if it's cooked for too long at too high of a temperature. Overcooked corned beef can taste tough and stringy. It's best to follow the recommended cook time and temperature within the recipe.

What are the secrets to cooking corned beef? ›

It is often sold precooked, but if you have purchased it raw, the best way to cook corned beef is slowly. You can bake, boil, or cook it in your slow cooker, but the key to a tender, flavorful meal requires at least a few hours.

What happens if you don't put liquid in a slow cooker? ›

Not adding enough liquid can lead to burning.

"It's important to add enough liquid to ensure the bottom of your dish doesn't burn."

Why is my crockpot corned beef tough? ›

Not filling the pot with enough water.

One of the keys to getting there is the amount of water in the pot. From start to finish, when there's not ample liquid to cover the meat, your dreams of tender corned beef might be crushed with a tough, chewy result.

Does corned beef get more tender the longer it is cooked? ›

Information. Corned beef is made from one of several less tender cuts of beef like the brisket, rump, or round. Therefore, it requires long, moist cooking. Corned beef is safe once the internal temperature has reached at least 145 °F, with a three minute rest time, but cooking it longer will make it fork-tender.

How many hours does it take to cook corned beef? ›

For a two to three-pound corned beef brisket, cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. For a three to five-pound corned beef brisket, cook for 3 to 3 1/2 hours. STOVE: Place brisket fat-side up in a large pot and cover it with water. Bring the water to a boil; then reduce the heat and simmer, allowing about 1 hour per pound.

How many people will a 6 lb corned beef serve? ›

If you prefer the rounds, you can usually get two of them to fit in a large slow cooker. Each 2-5lb. package of corned beef, when cooked and trimmed, will serve 4-6 people.

What happens if you forget to rinse corned beef? ›

Depending on the pickling solution used for the meat, you may be in for a saltier meal than you bargained for if you cook the meat without rinsing it. And don't worry: Rinsing won't make the beef taste bland! The flavor is infused deep into the beef during the curing process.

What are the disadvantages of corned beef? ›

Corned beef is processed red meat made by brining brisket in a salt and spice solution to flavor and tenderize it. While it provides protein and nutrients like iron and vitamin B12, corned beef is relatively high in fat and sodium. It's also a source of certain compounds that may increase your risk of cancer.

What cooking method is best for corned beef? ›

Boiling is the most common method, but you can also slow cook, bake, grill, or pan-fry your corned beef. Each method has its distinct flavor and cooking process, so it's worth trying them all to find the best fit for you. The most common method for cooking corned beef and cabbage is boiling.

What gives corned beef its unique flavor? ›

There are two basic steps to corned beef: the spice rub, and the cook. The rub is a mix of spices; mustard, black pepper, coriander seed, allspice, clove, and most importantly, the salt that gives this dish it's characteristic hammy flavor.

Does corned beef need to be fully submerged? ›

Even cooking: Ensuring that the corned beef is fully submerged in water helps to cook it evenly. This is because water is a better conductor of heat than air, so the meat will cook more quickly and evenly when submerged in liquid [2].

Can you cook corned beef in a slow cooker without water? ›

The first step in cooking the corned beef of my dreams involves removing all the water from the cooking process. Thanks to my neighbor I've become a huge fan of slathering my corned beef with a sweet mustard mixture, wrapping it in heavy duty foil and cooking it low and slow in my crock pot.

Can you put beef in slow cooker without liquid? ›

Should liquid cover the meat in a slow cooker? There is no need to cover the meat in liquid when cooking with a slow cooker, you only need enough liquid to cover the base of the slow cooker as the meat and vegetables will release liquid as they cook.

Does beef need to be submerged in slow cooker? ›

To keep a pot roast from drying out, your slow cooker needs liquid to create a moist environment, and that can include meat or vegetable stock, wine or water. This doesn't mean the meat should be submerged; a cup or two of liquid will be enough, since the cooker is covered and liquids stay trapped inside.

Does meat need to be covered by liquid in slow cooker? ›

Water or liquid is necessary to create steam. When cooking meat or poultry, the water or liquid level should cover the ingredients to ensure effective heat transfer throughout the crock. Some manufacturers of slow cookers recommend adding liquid to fill the stoneware 1/2 to 3/4 full.

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