Traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - House of Nash Eats (2024)

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with this classic Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe that the whole family will love! This one-pot meal feeds a crowd with tender, brined and spiced meat and hearty vegetables!

Traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - House of Nash Eats (1)

The Best Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe

We love celebrating St. Patrick's Day! Our kids are at that age where they believe in sneaky leprechauns and are gleeful at the tricks they play. Plus our town has a big parade and festival every year because it was settled by Irish immigrants, named Dublin, and we have four leaf clover symbols everywhere year-round as part of our town decor. And I also have a fairly strong Irish heritage myself.

Corned beef and cabbage is a traditional meal for Irish-Americans, but not so much for the actual Irish, where beef was historically far too expensive for most families to afford.

It was the Irish who immigrated to America (specifically New England where this dish is also sometimes referred to as "boiled dinner"). Beef in New England was plentiful and far less expensive, who popularized this dish, which is made with brisket and spices cooked in a dutch oven on the stovetop with liquid (anything from water to Guinness to beef broth works). Red potatoes and carrots are added towards the end, with cabbage being thrown in for the last 15 minutes. Then the tender meat is sliced against the grain and served with the vegetables and potatoes.

This is my favorite corned beef recipe made using a corned beef roast that you are readily available at grocery stores and Costco. It's my favorite way rather than purchasing a whole packer brisket and doing the longer brine myself. This is a fabulous one-pot meal that is total comfort food.

Wishing for a taste of the Emerald Isle this St. Patrick's Day? Be sure to try our Irish Apple Cake with Warm Custard Sauce, Bangers and Mash, Irish Soda Bread, or as well for a true Irish feast!

Traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - House of Nash Eats (2)

Also, corned beef leftovers are the BEST. Make an amazing reuben sandwich with them or chop them up and throw them in a simple beef or chicken broth with a bunch of veggies and the leftover potatoes and cabbage for a soup. It's SO GOOD.

What is corned beef and cabbage (Irish)?

Corned beef and cabbage is a hearty meal that is made from the flat cut of beef brisket (as opposed to the point cut which is perfect for burnt ends). Historically, brisket has been a relatively inexpensive cut of beef. The meat goes through a long curing process using large grains of rock salt, or “corns” of salt, and a brine. It's then slowly cooked, turning a tough cut of beef into one that's super tender and flavorful.

Traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage Irish Ingredients

  • Corned beef with spice packet. Corned beef is traditionally made with the flat cut beef brisket; you can buy it pre-brined and ready-to-cook from the grocery store. The spice packets usually consist of mustard seeds and brown sugar.
  • Bay leaves
  • Black peppercorns
  • Beef Broth
  • Carrots - You can use whole carrots or chopped carrots. I would recommend keeping the carrots in bigger chunks though so they don’t cook too fast.
  • Small red potatoes (also called new potatoes)
  • Green cabbage - Look for a head of cabbage that doesn't have wilted leaves around the outside so you know it's fresh.
Traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - House of Nash Eats (3)

How to cook Corned Beef and Cabbage (Stove Top Directions)

  1. Remove the corned beef from the packaging, reserving the spice packet and rinsing the meat well with cold water. This step isn't crucial, but I find most corned beef is too salty without being rinsed first of the juices it is packaged in.
  2. Place the meat in the bottom of a large dutch oven, then sprinkle with the contents of the seasoning packet and add a bay leaf or two and ½ teaspoon black peppercorns.
  3. Add 5-6 cups beef broth (my preferred approach) or water to the pot with the corned beef brisket. Really you just need enough liquid to cover the meat completely and I find that the type doesn't make a huge difference when it comes down to it.
  4. Place on the stove and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then cover and reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the meat cook in the simmering liquid for about 2 ½ hours.
  5. Add the carrots and potatoes, making sure to move the meat if necessary and set it on top of the potatoes so the vegetables can cook in the liquid. If needed, add an additional 2 cups of hot water to the cooking liquid. Cook for 30 minutes until the potatoes and carrots are fork tender.
  6. Add the cabbage wedges, pushing them down into the cooking liquid, and cook for 15 minutes longer.
  7. Remove the meat, potatoes, and vegetables from the pot. Slice the meat into thin slices against the grain, then serve on a large platter surrounded by the boiled potatoes, carrots and cabbage. I like to splash a little vinegar on my cabbage before eating it, and I serve the meat with a simple whole grain mustard for extra flavor.
Traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - House of Nash Eats (4)

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe

  1. You can make crock pot corned beef and cabbage in the slow cooker by just adding all of the ingredients except for the cabbage and cooking on HIGH for 4-5 hours or on LOW for 8-9 hours.
  2. Add the cabbage, then cook on HIGH for another 1 hour before removing the meat and vegetables, then slicing and serving.

How to serve this Recipe for Corned Beef and Cabbage

This is a pretty complete meal all on its own, but I recommend serving corned beef and cabbage with a nice crusty bread or a loaf of currant or raisin-studded Irish Soda Bread. Some people also enjoy it with a creamy horseradish sauce, mustard sauce, or even sour cream. And to round out your classic Irish meal with a real Irish dessert, this Irish Apple Cake with Warm Custard Sauce is delicious, as is my favoriteSticky Toffee Pudding Cake.

Traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - House of Nash Eats (5)

Traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe FAQs

What is the history of corned beef and cabbage?

Corned beef was used as a substitute for bacon by many Irish immigrants in the late 19th century. Corned beef and cabbage is the Irish-American variant of the Irish dish of bacon and cabbage. Since brisket is a tougher cut, the salting and cooking process transformed the meat into the extremely tender, flavorful corned beef we know of today. The British invented the term “corned beef” in the 17th century to describe the size of the salt crystals used to cure the meat, which were roughly the size of corn kernels.

When do you put the cabbage in corned beef?

Add the cabbage to the cooking liquid during the last 15 minutes of cooking. This leaves just enough time for it to cook through and be tender but still have some texture rather than being completely wilted and soggy.

More St. Patrick's Day Recipes

  • Layered Rainbow Jello
  • Shepherd's Pie
  • Irish Apple Cake
  • Bangers and Mash
  • Irish Soda Bread

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.

Traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - House of Nash Eats (9)

PrintPinRate

Corned Beef and Cabbage (Stove Top)

4.95 from 20 votes

Amy Nash

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Additional Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Irish

Servings 8 -10 Servings

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with this classic Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe that the whole family will love! This one-pot meal feeds a crowd with tender, brined and spiced meat and hearty vegetables!

Ingredients

  • 3-4 pounds corned beef with spice packet
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ½ teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 5-6 cups beef broth
  • 1 ½ pounds carrots
  • 2 pounds small red potatoes
  • 1 large head green cabbage cut into 8 wedges

Instructions

  • Remove the corned beef from the packaging and rinse well.

  • Place the meat in the bottom of a large dutch oven, then sprinkle with the contents of the spice packet and add 2 bay leaves and ½ teaspoon black peppercorns.

  • Add enough beef broth or water to cover the meat completely.

  • Place on the stove and bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the meat cook in the simmering liquid for about 2 ½ hours.

  • Add the carrots and potatoes, making sure to move the meat if necessary so the vegetables can cook in the liquid. If needed, add an additional 2 cups of hot water to the cooking liquid. Continue to cook for 30 minutes until the potatoes and carrots are tender.

  • Add the cabbage wedges, pushing them down into the cooking liquid, and cook for 15 minutes longer.

  • Remove the meat, potatoes, and vegetables from the pot. Slice the meat into thin slices against the grain, then serve on a large platter surrounded by the boiled potatoes, carrots and cabbage.

Notes

  • You can use just water instead of the beef broth, or water with 5-6 teaspoons of Better Than Bouillon Beef Base.
  • I like to splash a little vinegar on my cabbage before eating it, and I serve the meat with a simple whole grain mustard for extra flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 501kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 2735mg | Potassium: 1643mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 14372IU | Vitamin C: 118mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 5mg

Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram!Mention @HouseOfNashEats or tag #houseofnasheats!

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About the author

Traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - House of Nash Eats (14)

Hi, I'm Amy

I enjoy exploring the world through food, culture, and travel and sharing the adventure with mostly from-scratch, family friendly recipes that I think of as modern comfort cooking.

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Traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - House of Nash Eats (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to the best corned beef? ›

One of the keys to simmering corned beef correctly is the amount of water in the pot. When there's not ample liquid to cover the meat, your dreams of tender corned beef may be replaced by a tough, chewy result. Instead: Start by filling a large pot with enough water so the corned beef is completely submerged.

What is the tradition of corned beef and cabbage on New Year's Day? ›

Many with Irish heritage prepare Corned beef and cabbage dinner on New Year's day. It is associated with the fortune you should hope for in the coming year. Beef or pork is the meat of choice because unlike chickens these animals do not scratch in the dirt for their food.

What cut of corned beef is best for corned beef and cabbage? ›

The flat cut, with its leaner meat and minimal fat cap, is ideal for the classic corned beef and cabbage dish. This brisket section is characterized by a more uniform thickness and less fat, allowing for a more predictable cooking process and easier slicing.

Why do the Irish eat corned beef and cabbage? ›

The Irish immigrants also realized that cabbage was a more readily available vegetable in America than in Ireland, where it was traditionally a fall and winter vegetable. So they combined the corned beef with cabbage to create a hearty, filling meal that was reminiscent of their homeland.

What happens if you don't rinse corned beef before cooking? ›

Many recipes don't include a step for rinsing the meat, but it's worth doing it anyway. Depending on the pickling solution used for the meat, you may be in for a saltier meal than you bargained for if you cook the meat without rinsing it. And don't worry: Rinsing won't make the beef taste bland!

What makes corned beef taste better? ›

To add some flavor to your boiled corned beef, add some vegetables, such as carrots, onions and potatoes, to the pot. These vegetables not only add flavor but also make for a well-rounded meal. You can add some herbs and spices, such as a bay leaf, garlic and peppercorns, to the water for extra flavor.

What day do you eat corned beef and cabbage? ›

St. Patrick's Day is a holiday celebrated by people of Irish descent all over the world. One of the most popular foods associated with this holiday in America is corned beef and cabbage.

Does eating corned beef and cabbage bring good luck? ›

Corned beef and cabbage. Corned beef and cabbage on New Year's is associated with the fortune you should hope for in the coming year.

What is the superstition about eating cabbage on new year's Day? ›

That's right, you probably guessed it—money. This eastern European tradition of eating cabbage on New Year's—either as a dish or as cabbage rolls—is meant to signify luck, particularly on the financial side of things. People who eat cabbage on New Year's believe that it'll help them make more money in the year ahead.

What is brisket called in the grocery store? ›

When buying brisket at the grocery store, it is typically labeled as "beef brisket." It's a specific cut of meat that comes from the lower chest area of a cow. You might also find variations like "whole brisket", "brisket flat cut", and "brisket point," which refer to different parts of the brisket.

Are pastrami and corned beef the same thing? ›

Corned beef is made from the leaner flat brisket. Pastrami is made with point brisket, which contains more marbling and fat. Pastrami can also be made with other cuts of beef, such as deckle (a lean shoulder cut) or navel (aka beef belly, which comes from the plate, a juicy section just below the ribs).

What to serve with corned beef and cabbage? ›

Tips: Serve with a dish of grainy mustard. Serve with boiled new potatoes. Shred the corned beef with two forks if you prefer that consistency! Make a leftover corned beef sandwich with a slice of brisket and a wedge of cabbage on rye.

What do the Irish eat instead of corned beef? ›

According to Regina Sexton, food and culinary historian and programme manager, Postgraduate Diploma in Irish Food Culture, University College Cork, corned beef and cabbage is not a dish much known in Ireland. What the Irish actually eat is bacon and cabbage. "A traditional dinner is bacon, potatoes, and cabbage.

Is corned beef and cabbage healthy to eat? ›

Corned beef and cabbage is a good source of the mineral iron. The high level of vitamin C in corned beef and cabbage helps your body absorb more of the iron from the food as well. Iron helps make up red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body.

Is corned beef healthy? ›

Corned beef's high protein content provides essential amino acids necessary for muscle repair and growth. However, it's relatively high in fat, particularly saturated fat, which can contribute to increased cholesterol levels and heart disease risk if consumed in excess [*].

What is the best method of cooking corned beef? ›

The USDA recommends simmering corned beef on the stovetop for 1 hour per pound of meat. If you're cooking yours in the oven, plan for 3 to 3 1/2 hours for a 2 1/2- to 3-pound cut.

How to make my corned beef tender? ›

Because corned beef comes from brisket, a tough cut of meat. You need its connective tissue to break down so you can have tender results. Some like to braise their corned beef in an all-water liquid, with various spices and salt; others add beer to the mix to further tenderize the meat.

Does corned beef get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

Information. Corned beef is made from one of several less tender cuts of beef like the brisket, rump, or round. Therefore, it requires long, moist cooking. Corned beef is safe once the internal temperature has reached at least 145 °F, with a three minute rest time, but cooking it longer will make it fork-tender.

Why add beer to corned beef? ›

Most of the recipes I've seen for corned beef and cabbage don't include beer. However, since beer can be a powerful meat tenderizer and add more flavor, I don't know why you wouldn't use it.

References

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