How to Make Corned Beef and Cabbage: A Step-by-Step Guide

Corned beef and cabbage is a classic Irish-American dish that is commonly served on St. Patrick’s Day. However, it can be enjoyed any time of year for a hearty, comfort food meal. Making corned beef and cabbage at home is easier than you may think. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can have a delicious feast ready in about 5 hours when cooked on the stovetop or up to 10 hours if using a slow cooker.

In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to make corned beef and cabbage so you can enjoy this tasty dish in your own home.

Overview of Corned Beef and Cabbage

Corned beef and cabbage features tender, seasoned corned beef brisket paired with cabbage, carrots, potatoes and spices like garlic, bay leaves and peppercorns. It’s a one-pot meal that’s budget friendly and feeds a crowd.

Here’s a quick overview of the process:

• Choose a corned beef brisket and spice packet.
• Cook the brisket for several hours in a pot with beer, water and spices.
• Add the vegetables like carrots, potatoes and cabbage in the last hour.
• Slice the brisket against the grain and serve with the cooked vegetables.

The keys are choosing a quality brisket, slow cooking it until fork tender, and properly slicing it before serving Keep reading for more details on each step

Ingredients Needed

To make corned beef and cabbage, you’ll need the following ingredients

• Corned beef brisket (3-5 lbs with seasoning packet) – Choose a flat cut brisket for the best results.
• Stout beer like Guinness (1 cup)
• Vegetables:
  • Carrots (3 large, peeled and cut into 3″ pieces)
  • Potatoes (2 lbs small red potatoes, halved)
  • Green cabbage (1 small head, cut into wedges)
• Seasonings:
  • Cinnamon sticks (2)
  • Bay leaves (2)
  • Garlic cloves (4, thinly sliced)
  • Dried red chili pepper or red pepper flakes (optional)
• Water – to cover brisket
• Mustard – Dijon or whole grain (optional)

The brisket is the star ingredient, so select a high-quality cut if possible. Look for a flat cut brisket that is well marbled for best results. The seasoning packet it comes with provides plenty of flavor too.

For the liquid, Guinness or another stout beer adds nice subtle malty notes, while the water keeps the meat moist. The vegetables soak up the rich flavors. And spices like cinnamon, garlic and bay leaves complement the beef. Let’s get cooking!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked corned beef and cabbage every time:

1. Add Corned Beef and Seasonings to Pot

Place the corned beef brisket in a large pot or Dutch oven and add the seasoning packet that came with it. Pour the beer and enough water to just cover the brisket over top.

Next, add the cinnamon sticks, sliced garlic, bay leaves and dried red chili pepper or red pepper flakes, if desired. The chili and red pepper provide a slight kick, so leave them out if you prefer it mild.

2. Simmer the Brisket

Set the pot over medium-high heat and bring the liquid to a gentle simmer. Then reduce the heat to low, cover and let the brisket cook for 4-5 hours on the stovetop, adding more water if needed to keep the meat covered.

For the slow cooker method, cook on low for 8-10 hours. The long simmering time allows the meat to become very tender.

3. Add the Vegetables

After the brisket has cooked for 4-5 hours on the stovetop or 6-8 hours in the slow cooker, add the potatoes and carrots to the pot.

Let them simmer for about 20 minutes. Then add the cabbage wedges and continue simmering another 10 minutes until all the vegetables are fork tender.

4. Remove and Slice the Brisket

Once the brisket is fall-apart tender, carefully remove it from the pot and let it rest on a cutting board for 15-30 minutes. This allows the juices to absorb back into the meat.

While the meat rests, use a spoon to skim any fat from the surface of the broth if needed. Keep the broth warm over low heat as you’ll use it to serve the dish.

After it has rested, thinly slice the brisket against the grain. Cutting against the grain ensures maximum tenderness in each bite.

5. Serve and Enjoy!

To serve, place slices of brisket and ladlefuls of the cooked vegetables into bowls. Ladle some of the warm broth over everything. Offer mustard on the side if desired.

Finally, dig in and enjoy this comforting corned beef and cabbage! Leftovers will keep for 4-5 days refrigerated.

Tips for Making the Best Corned Beef and Cabbage

Follow these tips for top-notch corned beef and cabbage every time:

• Choose a well-marbled brisket – This helps ensure tender, flavorful meat after the long cooking time.

• Simmer low and slow – The brisket needs several hours of gentle simmering to reach the ideal tenderness. Don’t rush this step.

• Check for doneness – Use a meat thermometer to confirm the brisket reaches 145°F internally before removing it.

• Let the brisket rest before slicing so the juices redistribute. Never slice meat immediately after cooking.

• Slice against the grain – This produces shorter muscle fibers for the most tender bites of meat.

• Skim fat from broth before serving for best flavor.

• Serve warm – The brisket and vegetables taste best served freshly cooked and warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about making corned beef and cabbage at home:

What cut of beef is best? Choose a well-marbled flat cut brisket to ensure tender and flavorful results. Avoid point cut which has more fat.

Can I cook it in the oven? Yes, bake covered at 325°F but extend cooking time. Check for doneness with a meat thermometer.

Do I need to boil the potatoes and carrots before adding? No need to parboil! The vegetables cook right in the broth.

Should the brisket be completely submerged in liquid? Yes, it’s important the brisket stays immersed for even cooking and moisture.

How do I know when it’s done? Use a meat thermometer to check for 145°F. Or the meat should be fork tender and nearly falling apart.

Can I prepare the dish in advance? You can cook the brisket 1-2 days ahead. Reheat gently in broth before serving.

Enjoy This Delicious Dish!

There you have it—everything you need to know to make perfect corned beef and cabbage at home. With quality ingredients and a few simple steps, you’ll have an amazing meal the whole family will love. The aroma while it cooks is mouthwatering.