Crock Pot Corned Beef: Easy and Delicious

Corned beef is a staple in many households, especially during special occasions such as St. Patrick’s Day. Traditionally, corned beef is made by brining a beef brisket with peppercorns, garlic, and other spices. However, not everyone has the time to brine a beef brisket from scratch, let alone cook it for several hours in the oven. Fortunately, a crock pot can make the process of making corned beef much easier and more convenient.

Using a crock pot to make corned beef requires minimal preparation and allows you to set it and forget it. This slow-cooking method results in a tender and flavorful meat that falls apart at the touch of a fork. Plus, it eliminates the need for constantly checking and adjusting the oven temperature, freeing up time for other tasks. In this article, we’ll show you how to make corned beef in a crock pot, so you can have a delicious meal that’s low-effort and high-reward.

How to Make Corned Beef in a Crock Pot

Introduction

Corned beef is a delicious and hearty meal that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re cooking it for a weekend family gathering or for a quick midweek meal, it always hits the spot. And what better way to cook it than in a crock pot? This slow cooker method ensures that the meat will come out tender, juicy, and full of flavor. So, let’s get started on how to make corned beef in a crock pot.

1. Selecting Corned Beef

Corned beef is typically made from the brisket cut of the cow, which can be found at any local grocery store. When selecting a cut of corned beef, be sure to look for one that is well-marbled with lines of fat running through it. This will help to keep the meat moist during cooking and add flavor.

2. Preparing the Meat

Before cooking the corned beef, you’ll need to rinse it thoroughly under cold water to remove any excess salt. Then, pat the meat dry with paper towels. Next, trim off any excess fat on the brisket, but leave some fat to keep the meat juicy.

3. Adding Flavorful Ingredients

To add flavor to your corned beef, you can use a variety of ingredients. Some popular choices include pickling spice, bay leaves, garlic, onions, and carrots. You can also include a small amount of beer or apple cider vinegar to give the meat a tangy flavor.

4. Placing the Corned Beef in the Crockpot

After seasoning the corned beef, it’s time to place it in the crockpot. Make sure the meat fits comfortably in the pot and is not bunched up. If you have a smaller crockpot, you may need to cut the meat in half to ensure it fits properly.

5. Adding Liquid

For the meat to cook properly, it needs to be covered with liquid. You can use water or beef broth to cover the meat completely. If you want to add more flavor, you can add a small amount of beer or apple cider vinegar to the liquid.

6. Cooking Time and Temperature

Cooking corned beef in a crock pot requires time and patience. Set the crockpot to low heat and let the meat cook for 8-10 hours, or until it’s fork-tender. Be patient and don’t be tempted to lift the lid too often, as this will increase the cooking time.

7. Adding Vegetables

One of the best things about corned beef is that it pairs perfectly with vegetables. Popular choices include potatoes, carrots, and cabbage. It’s important to add these vegetables during the last few hours of cooking to prevent them from becoming overcooked.

8. Turning the Corned Beef

If you want to ensure the meat cooks evenly, you can flip the corned beef halfway through the cooking time. This will help to distribute the liquid and seasonings evenly throughout the meat.

9. Checking for Doneness

To check if the corned beef is done, use a fork to pierce the meat. If it’s fork-tender, it’s ready. The meat should also be easy to slice and not tough or chewy.

10. Serving and Enjoying

Finally, it’s time to serve and enjoy your delicious corned beef. Slice it against the grain, serve with vegetables and enjoy with your family and friends. Don’t forget to refrigerate any leftovers and enjoy them for breakfast the next day in a corned beef hash.

In conclusion, making corned beef in a crock pot is an easy and delicious meal that is perfect for any occasion. By following these steps, you’ll have a tender and flavorful corned beef that will impress your family and friends. So, what are you waiting for? Get cooking and enjoy your mouth-watering corned beef!

Section 2: The prep work

Gathering your ingredients

Making corned beef in a crock pot is relatively easy and requires a handful of ingredients that you can easily find at any grocery store. Here’s a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make a delicious corned beef in a crock pot.

– 1 corned beef brisket (3-4 lbs)
– 1 onion (peeled and quartered)
– 2-3 cloves of garlic (minced)
– 2 bay leaves
– 1 teaspoon of black peppercorns
– 4-5 carrots (peeled and chopped)
– 2-3 stalks of celery (chopped)
– 3-4 potatoes (chopped)
– 4-5 cups of water

Preparing the brisket

Before we start cooking our corned beef, it’s important to prepare the brisket. Remove the corned beef from its packaging and rinse it under cold water, then pat it dry with paper towels. This will remove any excess salt and will help to prevent the brisket from tasting too salty.

Once the brisket is rinsed and patted dry, it’s time to prepare it for the crock pot. Take a sharp knife and remove any excess fat on the top of the brisket, leaving only a thin layer. This will ensure that the beef is flavorful and tender, without becoming too greasy.

Preparing the vegetables

When it comes to making corned beef in a crock pot, the vegetables play an important role. They not only provide flavor and nutrition to the dish, but they also help to cook the brisket evenly.

Start by peeling and chopping the carrots, celery, and potatoes into bite-sized pieces. These vegetables will be added to the crock pot later on, so set them aside for now.

Peel the onion and quarter it, then set it aside with the minced garlic, bay leaves, and black peppercorns. These ingredients will be added to the crock pot with the brisket and vegetables.

Assembling the dish

With all the ingredients prepped and ready to go, it’s time to assemble the dish. Place the brisket in the crock pot and add the chopped vegetables, onion, garlic, bay leaves, and black peppercorns on top of the beef.

Pour enough water over the brisket and vegetables, so that they are completely covered. This will help to prevent the brisket from drying out and will keep it moist and tender.

Next, cover the crock pot and set it to cook on low heat for 8-10 hours. This will give the brisket enough time to cook slowly and become tender and flavorful.

In the next section, we’ll talk about how to serve your delicious corned beef in a crock pot.

Preparing the Ingredients

When making corned beef in a crock pot, it’s essential to get the ingredients right. Below are some tips on how to prepare the necessary ingredients for the recipe.

Choosing the Right Meat

The first thing that you need to have is good-quality meat. Look for a brisket of beef that is well-marbled, about 4-5 pounds in weight, and has a layer of fat on top. This fat will help keep the meat moist as it cooks.

Cleaning and Soaking the Meat

Before cooking your corned beef, you’ll want to give it a good rinse under cold water. This will help remove some of the excess salt from the curing process. After rinsing, pat dry the beef using paper towels.

Next, soak the meat in a large bowl of cold water for about 2-3 hours to remove more of the saltiness. This will prevent your corned beef from being too salty after it’s cooked.

Preparing the Vegetables

While the beef is soaking, you can prepare the other ingredients. Corned beef is traditionally served with potatoes, carrots, and cabbage. Peel the potatoes and carrots and cut them into large chunks. Shred the cabbage into long pieces.

Making the Brine

You can either use the brine that comes with your corned beef brisket or make your own. To make your own, mix together 3 cups of water, 1 cup of kosher salt, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon pickling spice, and 1 tablespoon minced garlic.

Pour the brine over the meat in the crock pot, adding more water as needed to cover the meat completely.

Choosing the Right Crock Pot

When making corned beef in a crock pot, it’s crucial to use a pot that is large enough to fit the beef brisket and vegetables comfortably. A 6-quart crock pot is typically sufficient. Make sure the crock pot is clean and ready to use before putting the ingredients in.

With these tips, you’re ready to begin making your own delicious corned beef in a crock pot!

Time to Dig In!

Now that you know how to make delicious corned beef in your crock pot, there’s no reason not to try it out. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just a weeknight meal, this recipe is sure to impress. Take your time with the preparation, and soon enough, you’ll have juicy, flavorful corned beef that will be the envy of all your friends and family. Thank you for joining me on this culinary adventure, and be sure to visit again soon for more mouth-watering recipes and cooking tips!