Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage – Easy Cozy Dinner with Broth

by
sliced corned beef with cabbage carrots and potatoes in broth

Sliced corned beef with tender cabbage wedges, carrots, and potatoes, with broth spooned over.

This slow cooker corned beef and cabbage is tender, juicy, and mostly hands-off.
Cooking with broth keeps everything moist and gives you a savory liquid for serving and reheating.
Add cabbage near the end so it stays sweet and doesn’t turn mushy.
This is a cozy, classic dinner that’s perfect for busy days.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

Table of Contents show
  • Set-it-and-forget-it: Slow cooker comfort with minimal work.
  • Tender results: Broth keeps the meat juicy.
  • One-pot meal: Meat and veggies cook together.
  • Great leftovers: Sandwiches and hash for days.
  • Holiday-ready: Easy and crowd-friendly.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

ingredients for slow cooker corned beef and cabbage
Brisket, broth, potatoes, carrots, and cabbage
  • Corned beef brisket + spice packet (3–4 pounds) – main protein.
  • Beef broth (3 cups, low-sodium) – cooking liquid; chicken broth works too.
  • Baby potatoes (1 1/2 pounds) – hearty; cut large ones in half.
  • Carrots (4) – sweetness and color.
  • Onion (1) – flavor base.
  • Garlic (3 cloves) – savory depth.
  • Cabbage (1 head) – add later for best texture.
  • Dijon mustard (optional) – for serving.

How to Make Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

collage showing steps to make slow cooker corned beef and cabbage
Layer, slow cook, add cabbage, and slice
  • 1. Layer: Add potatoes, carrots, onion, and garlic to the slow cooker.
  • 2. Add: Place corned beef on top. Sprinkle spice packet over. Pour in broth.
  • 3. Cook: LOW 8–9 hours or HIGH 4–5 hours until tender.
  • 4. Cabbage: Add cabbage wedges for the last 1 1/2–2 hours on LOW (or 45–60 minutes on HIGH).
  • 5. Slice: Rest 10 minutes, then slice against the grain.
  • 6. Serve: Serve with veggies and a ladle of broth.

Tips for Perfect Corned Beef

  • LOW heat gives the best tenderness.
  • Add cabbage late for the best texture.
  • Slice against the grain (this matters a lot).
  • Save broth for reheating leftovers.

Variations & Substitutions

  • Add a bay leaf for extra aroma.
  • Swap 1 cup broth for stout-style beer for deeper flavor.
  • Add turnips or parsnips.

Make-Ahead & Freezing

Fridge: 4 days with broth.
Freezer: Freeze sliced meat with broth up to 2 months.

Serving Suggestions

  • Irish soda bread
  • Mustard and pickles

Recipe Card

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: Irish-American
Diet: Gluten-Free

Reader Review: Adding cabbage late kept it perfect, and the broth made leftovers amazing.

Leave a rating and tell me—sandwiches or hash for leftovers?

Leave a Comment