Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage delivers convenience and flavor in one pot, ideal for St. Patrick's Day or any occasion. With pink, tender meat and savory vegetables, you can enjoy a hearty meal with ease!
The instant pot is the best way to cook corned beef brisket. While preparing it in the oven can take 3-4 hours, this recipe takes just 2 hours. This cooking method also yields incredibly juicy and flavorful meat.
Later, throw in cabbage and carrots for a fitting St. Patty's Day meal. It tastes so good, you'll want to enjoy it year-round!
For more delicious brisket recipes, try my Texas Style Smoked Brisket, Cheesy Brisket Tacos, and Chopped Beef Brisket next.
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What is Corned Beef?
Corned beef is a cured beef brisket infused with rock salt, sugar, and spices like peppercorns, mustard seed, cloves, and bay leaves. The most common cuts are flat cut brisket and point cut brisket. The salt used to brine the beef is so large, that it's often compared to a kernel of corn, hence the name.
Although this preserved meat is commonly associated with Irish cuisine, it became popular in America when people from Ireland immigrated here.
Instant Pot Corned Beef Ingredients
In this instant pot recipe, the corned beef takes center stage, providing rich flavor and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. The garlic paste infuses the beef with aromatic notes and enhances its flavor. And the beef broth intensifies the savory depth of the dish, complementing the meat and veggies perfectly.
- Corned beef, with spice packet
- Garlic paste
- Black pepper
- Beef broth, low sodium recommended
- Bay leaves
- Head Cabbage, roughly chopped
- Whole Carrots, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
- Prepared Mashed potatoes to serve
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Cook Corned Beef in Instant Pot
Rub the corned beef with a flavorful mixture of garlic paste, black pepper, and the seasoning packet.
Then place the seasoned corned beef in the Instant Pot with beef broth and bay leaves to enhance the flavor during cooking.
Pressure cook the corned beef for 90 minutes on high pressure, ensuring it becomes tender and succulent. Allow the pressure to release naturally for about 15 minutes to ensure the meat remains juicy and tender.
Then remove the cooked corned beef and set it aside to cool slightly.
Add chopped cabbage wedges and carrots to the Instant Pot to infuse them with the rich flavors from the cooking liquid. Pressure cook the vegetables for an additional 5 minutes to achieve a perfectly tender-crisp texture.
Perform a quick release of the pressure to stop the cooking process and prevent the vegetables from overcooking. Then slice the corned beef against the grain to maximize tenderness.
Serve it alongside the cooked vegetables over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes.
Hint: Cook the cabbage and carrots while the cooked corn beef rests. This prevents the veggies from overcooking.
How Long to Cook Corned Beef in Instant Pot
The exact cooking time for instant pot corned beef depends on the size of the meat. This recipe uses a 3-pound corned beef, which takes 90 minutes to fully cook, and an additional 15 minutes for a natural release.
Variations & Substitutions
- Liquid - This recipe requires a liquid to cook the meat in. Instead of beef broth, you can use beer (an Irish beer like Guinness is best), chicken broth, water, apple cider, or a mixture.
- Potatoes - You can add whole potatoes to the Instant Pot instead of serving corned beef with mashed potatoes.
- Crockpot - To make this recipe in a slow cooker, season the corned beef and place it in the slow cooker with beef broth and bay leaves, cooking on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours. Add cabbage and carrots during the last hour of cooking, then slice the beef and serve with vegetables and mashed potatoes for a comforting meal.
Equipment
Use an instant pot for cooking, as it allows for tender and flavorful results in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods. The pressure cooking process helps break down the meat fibers, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
What to Serve with Corned Beef
Corned beef and cabbage is the traditional choice but I include carrots for extra nutrients, and mashed potatoes for a more filling meal. It also pairs well with salad and a side of soda bread.
For a saucy finish, serve the beef with either gravy, horseradish, or mustard. Use leftover corned beef to make a Reuben sandwich. It also works for tacos or nachos.
Storage
Allow the food to cool completely then store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat leftovers gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through before serving.
FAQ
Why is my Instant Pot corned beef tough?
What happens if you don't rinse corned beef before cooking?
This dish may be too salty if you don't rinse the meat before cooking.
What is the tradition of corned beef and cabbage?
Contrary to popular belief, corned beef and cabbage did not originate in Ireland but among Irish immigrants in the United States. The dish that inspired the recipe was made with pork (a preferred meat in Ireland) but beef was more affordable in the U.S. So corned beef is a traditional Irish American dish, often served during St. Patrick's Day as an ode to the homeland.
Related
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📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 3 pound Corned beef with spice packet
- 1 tablespoon Garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 cup Beef broth low sodium recommended
- 2 Bay leaves
- 1 head Cabbage roughly chopped
- 4 whole Carrots peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
- Prepared Mashed potatoes to serve
Instructions
- Close the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the sealing position. Select the "Meat/Stew" or "Pressure Cook" setting and set the timer for 90 minutes on high pressure.
- Once the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 15 minutes. Then, carefully switch the valve to the venting position to release any remaining pressure.
- Now Open the lid and remove the corned beef and set it in a bowl or on a cutting board to cool. Add the cabbage and carrots to the Instant Pot. Close the lid and set the valve to the sealing position. Cook on high pressure for an additional 5 minutes.
- After the cooking time is up, carefully quick release the pressure by turning the valve to the venting position.
- Slice the corned beef against the grain and serve with the vegetables over a bed of mashed potatoes, and enjoy!
Recommended Products
Nutrition
Food Safety for Instant Pot Corned Beef
- Cook the beef to a minimum temperature of 145 °F (63°C).
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
Gina says
We made this yesterday and it was absolutely amazing! Thanks for the recipe, it’s a keeper 🙂
Tamara J. says
Happy you love it as much as we do! 🙂