Crockpot corned beef brisket with potatoes and carrots

Although you will need to intervene a few times to add the veggies, cooking corned beef in the crockpot is one of the easiest ways to make this brisket.

Cook Time 9 hrs

Total Time 9 hrs 10 mins

Crockpot corned beef brisket with potatoes and carrots

This crockpot corned beef with baby carrots, potatoes, and cabbage is slow-cooked for 9 hours creating an incredibly tender and juicy slab of salt-cured brisket.

Crockpot corned beef brisket with potatoes and carrots

Why this recipe works

Although you will need to intervene a few times to add the veggies, cooking corned beef in the crockpot is one of the easiest ways to make this brisket. It’s tender, juicy, and flavorful when the ingredients have plenty of time to mingle together in the slow cooker.

Crockpot corned beef leftovers are fantastic for using in other dishes. Use leftovers to make a corned beef sandwich with pickles and sauce, a delicious party appetizer like Reuben dip, or for breakfast, corned beef hash.


Crockpot corned beef brisket with potatoes and carrots

Ingredients you will need


Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Crockpot corned beef brisket with potatoes and carrots

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions


BEEF – There are a two different types of corned beef brisket you can use for this recipe. There is point cut and flat cut. I prefer to use flat cut as it cooks more evenly compared to point cut. Point cut has more fat, producing more flavor, however, the flat cut will give you more beef + a bit of fat for flavor. It’s the best of both worlds.

BEER – Chicken or beef broth can be substituted for the Guinness, as well as other types of beer. There is no taste of beer in the finished dish.

How to Make Crockpot Corned Beef


These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

  1. Cover the bottom of a 6 qt crockpot with sliced onions.
    Crockpot corned beef brisket with potatoes and carrots
  2. Drain and rinse the corned beef, then place it fat side up on top of the bed of onions in the crockpot. Sprinkle with the seasoning packet and drizzle with the honey.
  3. Pour beer around the sides of the corned beef and drop garlic cloves into the beer.
    Crockpot corned beef brisket with potatoes and carrots
    Crockpot corned beef brisket with potatoes and carrots
  4. Cover and cook on low for 5 hours.
  5. Add carrots and potatoes to the slow cooker, season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low for 2 more hours.
    Crockpot corned beef brisket with potatoes and carrots
  6. Add cabbage, cut side facing up, and season to taste. Cover and cook on low for another 2 hours.
    Crockpot corned beef brisket with potatoes and carrots

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips


Do I have to use beer?

Beer adds depth and flavor, though you will not be able to taste it in the finished meal – similar to how you cook with wine. If you prefer not to use beer, you can simply substitute it with chicken or beef broth.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Can I make it in the instant pot?

Yes, you can make corned beef in the instant pot. Check out our instant pot corned beef recipe on how to do so. We can also show you how to make your corned beef and cabbage in a stockpot with homemade brine.

Crockpot corned beef brisket with potatoes and carrots

Serving Suggestions


Slice your corned beef against the grain. You can cut it thin or thick, depending on your preference. Serve with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley if desired.

While corned beef does have roots in Ireland, it’s mostly popular in America and typically enjoyed during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. It’s an Irish-American tradition curated from immigrants in New York that’s mashed together with Jewish culture (salt-cured beef purchased from kosher butchers) and has since been a mainstay during the holiday, but can certainly be enjoyed year-round.

More St. Patrick’s Day Recipes


  • Irish Stew
  • Fried Cabbage
  • Irish Soda Bread
  • Reuben Sandwich
  • Boozy Leprechaun
  • Colcannon Mashed Potatoes

I love to bake and cook and share my kitchen experience with all of you! Remembering to come back each day can be tough, that’s why I offer a convenient newsletter every time a new recipe posts. Simply subscribe and start receiving your free daily recipes!

Crockpot corned beef brisket with potatoes and carrots

Although you will need to intervene a few times to add the veggies, cooking corned beef in the crockpot is one of the easiest ways to make this brisket.

IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!

Print It Rate It Save It

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American, Irish, Kosher

Servings: 6 servings

9 hrs 10 mins

Calories: 625

  • 1 medium onion sliced into rings
  • 3 lbs corned beef brisket 3-4 lbs, flat cut with spice packet
  • 2 Tbsp honey or brown sugar
  • 14.9 oz Guinness or beef/chicken stock
  • 6 cloves garlic whole
  • 3 cups baby carrots
  • 1 lb baby potatoes cut in half
  • 1 head green cabbage small head, quartered
  • salt and pepper or seasoned salt to taste

  • Cover the bottom of the crockpot with sliced onions.

  • Drain and rinse the corned beef, then place it fat side up on top of the bed of onions in the crockpot.

  • Sprinkle with the seasoning packet and drizzle with the honey.

  • Pour beer around the sides of the corned beef and drop the garlic cloves into the beer.

  • Cover and cook on low for 5 hours.

  • Add carrots and potatoes to the slow cooker, season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low for 2 more hours.

  • Add cabbage, cut side facing up, and season to taste. Cover and cook on low for another 2 hours.

  • You can substitute the Guinness beer with other beer brands or chicken/beef broth. We prefer Guinness draught. The corned beef will not taste like beer.
  • If you don’t like honey, you can substitute with an equal amount of brown sugar.
  • There are a two different types of corned beef brisket you can use for this recipe. There is point cut and flat cut. I prefer to use flat cut as it cooks more evenly compared to point cut. Point cut has more fat, producing more flavor, however, the flat cut will give you more beef + a bit of fat for flavor. It’s the best of both worlds.
  • Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 625cal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 2843mg | Potassium: 1443mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 8976IU | Vitamin C: 136mg | Calcium: 116mg | Iron: 6mg

  • About
  • Latest Posts

Amanda Formaro

Amanda Formaro is the crafty, entrepreneurial mother of four grown children. She loves to bake, cook, make kid's crafts and create decorative items for her home. She is a crafting expert and guru in the kitchen and has appeared online and in print publications many times over the years. She is also a craft book author five times over and product developer as well as the owner of FunFamilyCrafts.com. You can find her on social media by using the buttons to the left!

Latest posts by Amanda Formaro (see all)

  • Lobster Bisque - November 17, 2022
  • How to Cook Bacon in the Oven - November 16, 2022
  • French Toast - November 15, 2022

Reader Interactions

Free RecipesBy email every week

Latest recipes straight to your inbox!

Should corned beef be covered with water in slow cooker?

Place corned beef brisket, fat side up, into a slow cooker; sprinkle with pickling spice. Place whole cloves throughout the brisket. Add garlic, bay leaves and 2 cups water, or more water as needed to cover the brisket by at least 1 inch. Cover and cook on low heat for 4-5 hours.

Do you Rinse corned beef before cooking?

Do You Rinse Corned Beef Before Cooking? Yes, it's best to rinse it before cooking it. Rinsing it helps remove the extra salt, so you don't end up with a dish that's way too salty. Don't worry about rinsing off all the flavor!

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

Not Cooking the Meat Long Enough Brisket, the cut typically used for corned beef, is a naturally tough cut of meat. Cooking corned beef is a process that cannot be rushed. Even when the meat is cooked through, it still needs more time to transform the chewy bite into one that's beautifully tender.

Should you sear corned beef brisket before slow cooking?

Sear on all sides, about 5-10 minutes per side. Place the seared beef in a Crock Pot (fat side up). Add the vinegar, water, Worcestershire sauce and pickling spice. Put the lid on top and cook on low for 4-6 hours.

Why is my slow cooker corned beef tough?

If you allowed too much of the water to evaporate in cooking, this can make the corned beef tough (or even too salty). Add extra water to the pot and cover the pot with a tightly fitting lid.

Do you drain the juice from the corned beef package?

Instructions. To make the corned beef, open the sealed package right over the slow cooker, because you want to include the brine in the cooking liquid. Don't discard the brine. Place the meat into the cooker and add enough cold water to cover.