Description
This Slow Cooker Corned Beef recipe delivers tender, flavorful corned beef with minimal effort. Using a slow cooker allows the meat to cook slowly and absorb spices like bay leaves, cinnamon, cloves, and garlic, resulting in a deliciously seasoned dish perfect for a comforting meal.
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 with cold water to remove excess salt and pickling spices, then pat it dry completely using paper towels to ensure it cooks properly.
- Cook the brisket: Place the corned beef fat side up into your 6-quart programmable slow cooker. Add the bay leaves, cinnamon stick, whole cloves, peeled garlic cloves, and red pepper flakes around the meat. Pour 2 cups of water over the brisket to keep it moist during cooking. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until the meat is very tender.
- Finish and serve: Carefully remove the cooked corned beef from the slow cooker using tongs or forks. Cover it loosely with foil and allow it to rest for 10 to 15 minutes, which helps retain moisture and makes slicing easier. Slice the beef against the grain and serve warm or cold.
Notes
- Store leftover corned beef in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 to 4 days. It tastes great reheated or cold.
- To reheat leftovers, microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through or warm slices gently in a skillet over medium heat.
- Corned beef freezes well for 2 to 3 months when wrapped tightly with plastic wrap and stored in an airtight container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- You can add vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and cabbage during the last 2 hours of cooking in the slow cooker for a full meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 6 ounces)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
