Corned beef and cabbage is a beloved meal, especially around St. Patrick’s Day. The tender, tasty corned beef paired with sweet carrots and earthy cabbage makes for a comforting dish. However, properly timing the cabbage is essential for the best results. Undercooked cabbage can be too crunchy, while overcooked cabbage turns mushy. In this article, we’ll look at everything you need to know about cooking cabbage when making corned beef and cabbage.
Understanding Corned Beef and Cabbage
Corned beef and cabbage is a traditional Irish-American meal. Corned beef starts as brisket that has been cured in a seasoned brine, giving it a distinct flavor. The corned beef is then cooked along with cabbage, carrots, potatoes and other vegetables in the same pot to allow the flavors to meld.
Cabbage is essential for its slightly sweet flavor and texture contrast. Green cabbage is most commonly used, but red cabbage can also work. When choosing your cabbage, look for a tight, heavy head with crisp leaves. Smaller heads tend to be more tender.
How Long Does Cabbage Take to Cook?
Cabbage cooking times can vary based on a few factors
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Cooking Method – Boiling, braising, roasting and steaming are common ways to cook cabbage. Steaming takes the least time while roasting takes the longest.
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Cut of Cabbage – Smaller, thinner cuts like shredded cabbage cook faster than wedges or whole leaves.
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Personal Preference – Some prefer cabbage on the crisper side while others like it softer. Cook time can be adjusted accordingly.
Here are general cabbage cooking times to use as a guide:
- Shredded cabbage: 3-5 minutes
- Chopped cabbage: 5-8 minutes
- Wedges or whole leaves: 10-15 minutes
These times are for cabbage cooked in liquid. Roasting cabbage takes 15-30 minutes depending on temperature.
How to Time Cabbage When Cooking Corned Beef
For corned beef and cabbage, the cabbage is usually added toward the end to cook in the corned beef broth. Here are cooking times to follow:
Stovetop
For stovetop corned beef cooked for 2.5-3 hours, add chopped cabbage wedges during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
Slow Cooker
For a slow cooker on low for 8-10 hours, add chopped cabbage 6-8 hours into cooking. For high heat at 4-6 hours, add cabbage in the last hour.
Pressure Cooker
After pressure cooking the corned beef for 90 minutes, release pressure naturally for 10 minutes. Add chopped cabbage, seal again and cook 5 more minutes.
Oven
When roasting corned beef at 300°F for 2.5-3 hours, add cabbage wedges for the last 30 minutes.
Tip: If the pot is crowded, remove some liquid and vegetables to make room before adding cabbage.
How to Tell When Cabbage is Done
Checking doneness is important to prevent under or overcooked cabbage. Here are some ways to test if cabbage is finished cooking:
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A fork or knife slides into the cabbage easily.
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The edges of the cabbage leaves begin to look translucent.
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The cabbage is as tender or crispy as desired when tasted.
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The cabbage appears bright green. Overcooked cabbage will look more olive green.
Trust your preferences on texture too. Cook a minute or two less for crunchier cabbage.
Serving Suggestions for Corned Beef and Cabbage
Once your cabbage is cooked to perfection, here are some tasty ways to serve corned beef and cabbage:
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Slice the corned beef across the grain and serve on plates with the vegetables.
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Make sandwiches with slices of corned beef, cabbage, Swiss cheese and mustard on rye bread.
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Top cooked cabbage wedges with sliced corned beef, a fried egg and hollandaise sauce.
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Mix chopped corned beef and shredded cabbage into twice-baked potatoes.
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Toss leftover corned beef and shredded cabbage with cider vinaigrette for a hearty salad.
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For an Irish twist, serve with soda bread, roasted root vegetables or colcannon.
Tips for the Best Corned Beef and Cabbage
Follow these tips for fabulous corned beef and cabbage every time:
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Use a lean flat cut brisket for easy slicing.
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Add aromatics like onions, garlic and spices to the broth.
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Cook the corned beef low and slow until fork tender.
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Let the cooked corned beef rest at least 15 minutes before slicing for moisture.
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Chop the cabbage into even sized wedges so it cooks evenly.
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Time the cabbage to retain a slight crunch or cook until very soft per preference.
With the right technique, you can achieve cabbage with the ideal tenderness to complement the savory, robust corned beef. From traditional boils to oven roasts to slow cooker meals, perfectly cooked cabbage takes this comfort food to the next level.
How to Make Corned Beef With Cabbage
- Put the corned beef brisket and spices, and add Guinness and water.
- Cook! it for about 5 hours on the stove top, or 10 hours in a Crock-Pot.
- If you’re using a slow-cooker method: Add the carrots and potatoes after 6 hours of cooking time, and the cabbage 2 hours after that.
- If you’re using the stove-top method: Cook the corned beef until it’s totally finished, and set it aside to rest while you add the potatoes and carrots to the pot to simmer in the juices for 20 minutes. Then, add the cabbage and simmer another 10 minutes.
- After the corned beef has rested at least 15 minutes (regardless of cooking method) it’s time slice is against the grain — slicing against the grain ensures that every bite is super tender — and serve!
Stovetop VS Crock-Pot Method
Corned beef and cabbage is all about a nice, slow cook to tenderize the beef until it’s nearly falling apart, which you can achieve either with a slow-cooker, or using a big pot with a lid (a Dutch oven works great) on top of the stove. Some love the set-it-and-forget-it ease of a slow-cooker, while others feel like it’s a hassle to think so far ahead. And speaking of time, heads up: In the slow-cooker, the corned beef brisket will take 8 to 10 hours to cook, whereas the stove top version takes only 4.5 to 5 hours. A great rule of thumb for the stovetop version is that you’ll need about 45 minutes of cooktime per pound of brisket, but you can always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. Corned beef is done when you see an internal temperature of 145°F on an instant-read thermometer.
How to Make Corned Beef & Cabbage | Allrecipes
FAQ
How long do I boil corned beef and cabbage?
It takes about two to three hours for the corned beef and 15 minutes for the carrots, potatoes, and cabbage to become fork-tender.
Can you overcook corned beef and cabbage?
Can you overcook corned beef? Yes, you can. Corned beef can become very tough and hard to chew if cooked too long. Do not over cook it.
When to add cabbage to corned beef slow cooker?
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YouTube · Allrecipeshttps://www.youtube.comHow to Make Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage | St. Patrick’s …Mar 14, 2014 — now let’s add the three lb beef brisket on top of the vegetables. you can cut it in half if you need to to fit it into your slow cooker. cover the s…
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Spend With Pennieshttps://www.spendwithpennies.comCorned Beef and Cabbage Slow Cooker Recipe – Spend With PenniesMar 16, 2023 — Two hours before serving, add cabbage wedges to the slow cooker. Remove corned beef from slow cooker and let rest 15 minutes before slicing. Serve w…
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The Magical Slow Cookerhttps://www.themagicalslowcooker.comCorned Beef & Cabbage Crock Pot Recipe – The Magical Slow CookerFeb 13, 2025 — Instructions * Add the sliced onion to the slow cooker. * Rinse your corned beef and pat dry. Add to your slow cooker. Sprinkle over the included s…
How many hours does it take to cook corned beef?
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Stovetop:Simmering for about 1 hour per pound is a good guideline, but it’s best to check for doneness using a fork. The meat should be fork-tender.
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Oven:Roasting at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) can take about 5-6 hours for a 3-5 pound corned beef brisket.
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Slow Cooker:Cooking on low for 6-8 hours is a common recommendation, but it’s important to monitor the cooking process and ensure the meat is thoroughly cooked.
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A minimum internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) is safe, but cooking to 190°F (88°C) will result in the most tender meat.
How long does it take to cook corned beef?
Because no one wants mushy cabbage or potatoes, you’ll add those ingredients closer to the end. After five hours, nestle the potatoes around the sides of the corned beef and top with the wedges of cabbage. Cook for two to three more hours until the corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes are tender.
Can you make corned beef & cabbage in a crock pot?
Yes, you can make corned beef and cabbage in a slow cooker. Here’s a brief overview of the process: Place the potatoes, carrots, and onion in the slow cooker and add water. Then, place the brisket on top of the vegetables and pour the beer over the brisket.
How long do you cook corned beef in a slow cooker?
Set your slow cooker to high heat, cover, and cook for five hours. Because no one wants mushy cabbage or potatoes, you’ll add those ingredients closer to the end. After five hours, nestle the potatoes around the sides of the corned beef and top with the wedges of cabbage.
What cut of beef should I use for corned beef & cabbage?
For this corned beef and cabbage recipe, you’ll want to use the “flat” cut, which is typically rectangular in shape, even in thickness and relatively leaner than the “point” cut, which is more marbled, thicker and smaller in size. Make sure to save the spice packet! Carrots and potatoes: These vegetables add heartiness to this dish.
How do you cook corned beef in a Dutch oven?
To cook corned beef in a Dutch oven, first boil the corned beef, then simmer until the meat is tender. Once the meat is cooked, remove it from the Dutch oven and let it rest before slicing across the grain. While the meat is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Cut potatoes in half, cut the cabbage into wedges, and peel and cut the carrots. Add the potatoes and carrots to the Dutch oven and cook until tender. Add the cabbage and cook for about 15 more minutes.
How long do you cook cabbage in a crock pot?
Add cabbage to pot; return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until cabbage is tender, about 15 minutes. Remove vegetables and corned beef; keep warm. If desired, for horseradish sauce, strain and reserve 1-1/2 cups cooking juices; skim fat from reserved juices. Discard remaining juices.