If you are craving a comforting and hearty meal that practically cooks itself, this Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Potatoes Recipe is exactly what you need. With tender, flavorful corned beef and perfectly cooked baby potatoes and carrots, this dish brings a delightful balance of savory, tangy, and buttery notes to your table. It’s a true weeknight winner that invites you to relax while all the deliciousness comes together effortlessly in your slow cooker. Every bite melts in your mouth and carries a little piece of tradition and homestyle goodness that will have you coming back for seconds, trust me!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Potatoes Recipe comes together from simple yet essential ingredients that each play a starring role in building layers of flavor and texture. From the punchy tang of apple cider vinegar to the soft sweetness of baby carrots, these components work harmoniously in the slow cooker.
- 3-4 lb corned beef brisket with seasoning packet: The heart of the dish, ensuring tender, juicy meat with a blend of spices.
- 1 lb baby carrots: Adds sweetness and vibrant color while softening beautifully during cooking.
- 1 large onion, quartered: Brings aromatic depth and subtle sweetness as it simmers down.
- 2 lbs baby potatoes, halved: Creamy and tender, soaking up all the savory juices around them.
- 4 cups beef broth: The flavorful liquid base that keeps everything moist and infuses the dish with richness.
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar: Adds a bright acidity that balances the meal perfectly and enhances the corned beef flavor.
- 2 tablespoons butter: Added at the end for a silky finish and extra richness.
- Salt and pepper, to taste: Essential seasonings to bring out the best in every ingredient.
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional): Offers a fresh, herbal pop of color and flavor to finish the dish beautifully.
How to Make Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Lay the Corned Beef in Place
Start by placing your corned beef brisket in the bottom of your slow cooker with the fat side facing up. This orientation allows the fat to slowly render down throughout the long cooking process, keeping the meat moist and tender.
Step 2: Add the Vegetables and Seasoning
Sprinkle the seasoning packet that came with your corned beef over the meat, then layer on the baby carrots, quartered onion, and halved baby potatoes. These veggies will cook alongside the meat, absorbing all those beautiful spices and juices.
Step 3: Pour in the Cooking Liquids
Pour the beef broth and apple cider vinegar over everything in the slow cooker. The broth provides needed moisture and savory depth, while the vinegar adds just the right tang to brighten up the dish.
Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. This low-and-slow method ensures the corned beef becomes incredibly tender and easy to shred with a fork, while the vegetables turn wonderfully soft and flavorful.
Step 5: Rest and Slice the Corned Beef
When the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the corned beef from the slow cooker and let it rest for a few minutes. Resting helps the juices redistribute inside the meat, so when you slice it against the grain, it stays juicy and tender.
Step 6: Serve it Up
Arrange the sliced corned beef alongside the cooked potatoes, carrots, and onions from the slow cooker. Drizzle some of the savory cooking liquid over the whole dish and finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a lovely pop of color and freshness.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
A simple handful of chopped fresh parsley is an easy and elegant garnish that complements the richness of the dish with a bright, fresh note. You can also consider a few whole grain mustard dollops on the side for added tang and texture.
Side Dishes
This Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Potatoes Recipe is a fulfilling meal on its own, but pairing it with a crisp green salad or some steamed green beans can add a lovely contrast and freshness. For a true celebratory meal, creamy horseradish sauce or buttery dinner rolls are fantastic accompaniments.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the sliced corned beef on a wooden platter with the vegetables piled high around it for a rustic, family-style experience. Alternatively, use the leftovers as a filling for hearty sandwiches with sauerkraut and melted Swiss cheese to reinvent the dish in a fun new way.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After your meal, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making the next day’s leftovers even more delicious. They will keep well for 3 to 4 days.
Freezing
You can freeze leftover corned beef and vegetables by placing them in freezer-safe containers or bags. Separate portions make reheating easier. Frozen leftovers will maintain quality for up to 2 months, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal later on.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a covered skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave with a splash of broth to keep everything moist. Avoid high heat to prevent the corned beef from drying out.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of meat for this Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Potatoes Recipe?
Corned beef brisket is traditional because of its texture and ability to become tender over long cooking, but you can try brisket flats or even a beef round roast with some adjustments to cooking time.
Is it necessary to add the apple cider vinegar?
The apple cider vinegar adds a bright acidity that balances the richness, but if you don’t have it, a splash of lemon juice or white vinegar can work as a substitute.
Can I cook this recipe on high instead of low?
While it is possible to cook on high, the low setting allows the flavors to meld and the meat to become incredibly tender without drying out, so low and slow is recommended for the best results.
How do I know when the corned beef is done?
The best indicator is when it’s tender enough to shred easily with a fork. This usually takes between 8 to 10 hours on low in the slow cooker.
Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?
Absolutely! Cabbage wedges, parsnips, or turnips work wonderfully and add more variety to your dish. Just add them in during the last couple of hours so they don’t overcook.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Potatoes Recipe is such a satisfying and easy meal that anyone can master. It brings warmth and comfort to any dinner table without demanding hours of hands-on time. I wholeheartedly encourage you to give it a try—once you do, this will quickly become one of your favorite go-to dishes, perfect for feeding family and friends with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
Print
Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Irish-American
Description
This Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Potatoes recipe offers a delicious, tender corned beef brisket cooked slowly with baby carrots, onions, and baby potatoes in a savory beef broth and apple cider vinegar mixture. Perfect for a comforting, hearty meal with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3–4 lb corned beef brisket with seasoning packet
- 1 lb baby carrots
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 2 lbs baby potatoes, halved
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker: Place the corned beef brisket in the bottom of the slow cooker with the fat side facing up to help keep the meat moist as it cooks.
- Add vegetables and seasoning: Sprinkle the seasoning packet that came with the corned beef over the meat. Next, add the baby carrots, quartered onion, and halved baby potatoes around and on top of the brisket.
- Pour liquids: Pour the beef broth and apple cider vinegar evenly over the meat and vegetables to infuse flavor and facilitate slow cooking.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours, or until the corned beef becomes tender enough to shred easily with a fork.
- Rest and slice: Carefully remove the corned beef from the slow cooker and let it rest for a few minutes. Then, slice the meat against the grain to ensure tenderness.
- Serve: Plate the sliced corned beef along with the cooked potatoes, carrots, and onions. Drizzle some of the cooking liquid over the dish for added moisture and flavor. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- For best results, trim excess fat from the brisket before cooking if you prefer a leaner dish.
- If you do not have baby potatoes, regular potatoes chopped into chunks can be used.
- The apple cider vinegar adds a subtle tang and helps tenderize the meat, but can be omitted if preferred.
- Make sure not to overcook as the vegetables could become mushy.
- Leftover corned beef can be refrigerated and enjoyed within 3-4 days.
