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Tender, buttery, flavor infused Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage is the perfect dish to serve for St. Patrick's Day dinner. Plus it's sooo easy, made right in the Instant Pot with minimal hands on time!
Buttery, tender and packed with flavor, this Instant Pot Corned Beef is so incredibly easy to make and perfect for that St. Patrick's Day dinner. Or any dinner really.
Using the Instant Pot significantly speeds up the time it typically takes to cook a corned beef brisket. Without a pressure cooker, it can take up to 8 hours to cook a brisket (or even 48 hours with this sous vide corned beef that is FIRE if you have the time) - with the Instant Pot it cooks for only 90 minutes.
That's about 2 hours total before dinner is ready after pressure build-up, pressure releasing and cooking the vegetables. Not too shabby, huh?
**If you have leftover corned beef, don't forget to make this Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup.
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Why This Recipe Works
The Instant Pot speeds up the cooking process and the pressure helps the corned beef to become buttery and tender.
The seasonings add just the right amount of flavor.
Adding just enough liquid in the Instant Pot helps to draw out the salt in the corned beef preventing it from being overly salty.
What Kind of Corned Beef Brisket Should You Use?
There are two different cuts of brisket - flat cut and point cut. Flat cut is the most common cut found in grocery stores, and is the cut I recommend using for this recipe. Read more about the difference between flat cut and point cut in this article from Eat Like No One.
Do You Rinse Corned Beef Brisket Before Cooking It?
You do want to rinse the corned beef before cooking it. Rinsing it eliminates any excess salt and brine from the outside. Don't worry, the corned beef is still plenty flavorful!!
Do You Cut the Fat Off Corned Beef Brisket?
This is optional. I personally like to leave the fat on as I believe it adds a wonderful flavorful to the beef. However, if you'd like a slightly less fatty brisket, trim the fat off, leaving a thinner layer. Be careful not to remove all the fat as you need some of it to help tenderize and flavor the brisket.
Step By Step Instructions
I use a 6 Quart 9-in-1 Instant Pot to make this recipe. Buy it HERE on Amazon if you don't have one yet! (affiliate link)
First off, you'll want to rinse your brisket to get rid of all that excess brine. Place the steamer rack in your IP and set the brisket on top, fat side up. Cooking fat side up allows the fat to add flavor to the beef as it cooks and drips down. Open the seasoning packet and rub it on top of the brisket.
If your corned beef doesn't come with a spice packet, make your own Corned Beef Spice Packet with this recipe from Hilda's Kitchen Blog (use 2 tablespoons). You can also substitute 2 tablespoons of pickling spice.
Place the garlic cloves, bay leaf and crushed red pepper on the corned beef.
Pour the beer and stock over the top.
Set the IP to pressure cook on high for 90 minutes.
Now, go binge on some Netflix while your delicious melt-in-your-mouth corned beef cooks away.
After it's done, let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes then use the quick release to release any remaining pressure. Remove your corned beef, let it sit for 10-15 minutes to cool/rest, then slice against the grain.
How to Cook Vegetables in the Instant Pot
While your beef is cooling, strain the liquid to remove the peppercorns and seasoning and place the liquid back in the Instant Pot. Place the cabbage, carrots, and potatoes in the Instant Pot and pressure cook on high for 5 minutes.
Use the quick release to release the pressure. Place the vegetables and sliced corned beef on a plate, drizzle it with some of the cooking liquid, and serve with whole grain mustard.
If you don't have an Instant Pot, you can also make this in the slow cooker. Try this Slow Cooker Corned Beef from Dinner Then Dessert.
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Serving Options
Potatoes, cabbage and carrots are the traditional sides to corned beef. You can also try some of these dishes that would be awesome with it:
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes;
- Crispy Baked Potatoes;
- Cheesy Cauliflower Bake;
- Hasselback Potatoes;
- Creamed Corn.
Expert Tips
Use a flat cut corned beef brisket for the best results. However, if you can't find flat cut, point cut will work as well.
Letting the pressure release naturally helps the meat to stay tender. Be patient.
Make sure to slice the corned beef against the grain so it stays tender.
If your corned beef doesn't come with a spice packet, make your own Corned Beef Spice Packet with this recipe from Hilda's Kitchen Blog (use 2 tablespoons). You can also substitute 2 tablespoons of pickling spice.
Make Ahead Options
Make the corned beef according to the recipe instructions, and store in the fridge (in a covered container) for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a 350 degree oven until warmed through.
Freezing Options
Make the corned beef according to the recipe instructions and slice. Place in an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave or a 350 degree oven until heated through.
Leftover Corned Beef Recipes
If you're lucky enough to have some corned beef leftover, these are some great ideas on how to use it:
- Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup - Went Here 8 This
- Corned Beef Tacos - Half Baked Harvest
- Corned Beef Hash - The Modern Proper
- Corned Beef and Cabbage Egg Rolls - Grits and Pinecones
- Irish Baked Potato Soup - Host the Toast
- Rueben Sandwich - Foodie Crush
Don't forget to sign up for the email list (don't worry, it's only one a week and it's packed full with AMAZING recipes!) and get your FREE Instant Pot Cookbook!!
More Favorite Instant Pot Recipes
If you're all about using your Instant Pot, check out some of these other reader favorites:
- Chicken Paprika;
- Turkey Chili;
- Pork Ribs (these are sooooo good!!);
- Coq Au Vin;
- Split Pea Soup;
- Browse all the Instant Pot Recipes!!
Did you make this Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe? Rate the recipe and leave a comment to let me know how it turned out!
Recipe
Instant Pot Corned Beef
Ingredients
- 4-5 lbs. flat corned beef brisket (with seasoning packet)
- 5 garlic cloves, smashed
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 beer (ale or other non-bitter beer)
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ tsp. crushed red pepper
- 1 head cabbage
- 1 lbs. carrots
- 1 lbs. small white potatoes
Instructions
- Remove corned beef from package and rinse thoroughly to remove excess salt and brine.
- Place in the Instant Pot on the steamer rack, fat side up. Rub the seasoning packet on the top and place crushed garlic cloves on top.
- Place the garlic cloves, bay leaf and crushed red pepper on the corned beef. Pour the beer and stock over the top.
- Pressure cook on high for 90 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes then use the quick release to release any remaining pressure.
- Remove from Instant Pot, let cool for 10-15 minutes then slice.
- While your beef is cooling, strain the liquid to remove the peppercorns and seasoning and place it back in the Instant Pot.
- Place the cabbage, carrots, and potatoes in the Instant Pot and pressure cook on high for 5 minutes.
- Use the quick release to release the pressure. Place the vegetables and sliced corned beef on a plate, drizzle it with some of the cooking liquid, and serve with whole grain mustard.
Expert Tips:
- Use a flat cut corned beef brisket for the best results. However, if you can't find flat cut, point cut will work as well.
- Letting the pressure release naturally helps the meat to stay tender. Be patient.
- Make sure to slice the corned beef against the grain so it stays tender.
- If your corned beef doesn't come with a spice packet, make your own Corned Beef Spice Packet with this recipe from Hilda's Kitchen Blog (use 2 tablespoons). You can also substitute 2 tablespoons of pickling spice.
Cristina Coroiu
Yum Yum Yum. and what gorgeous images you have. I don't own an instant pot, but I have a slow cooker. I think I can make it in it as well. It looks so yummy.
Danielle
Thanks so much! It can def be made in the slow cooker too 🙂
Swathi
This is perfectly cooked corned beef. great for St. Patrick day. I need to give it try my hubby will like it.
Danielle
Thanks Swathi - hope you enjoy!
Nabanita Dhar
I don’t eat beef but this looks so enticing. Will share this with a friend who eats 🙂
Danielle
Thanks!
Shubh
I don't eat beef.B ut this one really looks good.
Danielle
Thanks!
Megha
Wow you explained it so well and made it easy to make. I am a veg so will show it to my friend.
Danielle
Thanks Megha!
Amanda
I love the idea of using my Instant Pot for this corned beef! We always throw a St. Patrick's Day party, and this will definitely make my life easier. Thanks so much!
Danielle
You're welcome Amanda!
Sarah Bailey
Now this sounds like some delicious corned beef! I bet it tastes amazing having cooked it yourself as well! Amazing what you can do in an instant pot.
Danielle
Totally! Thanks Sarah 🙂
Amber Myers
This looks so good. I don't think I've ever tried to make corned beef on my own. I should. I do have an Instant Pot too.
Danielle
The IP makes it so easy!!
Tara Pittman
I will be making my corn beef this way for my husband. He loves corn beef but I do not like the smell so fast cooking like this would be good.
Danielle
Glad to know this will help!
Dee
wow Daniella this looks so good! always exited to find a new instant pot recipe!
Danielle
Thanks so much Dee!
Tina
It's times like these I wish I had an instant pot. Corned beef is perfect for it since it needs to cook a long time. You make this look so easy, thanks for sharing your recipes.
Danielle
The IP totally makes it so much quicker!
Emmelin
Can you believe I've never had corned beef?! Never had a craving for it either until I saw this recipe - YUM gimme some!
Danielle
OMG - it's so good Emmeline!! I hope you try it soemtime 🙂
Patricia-Ann Que
now you got me craving big time and this really looks very good! I also like that it looks easy to make!
Danielle
LOL! Thanks Patricia-Ann!
Kelly Anthony
I've never made corned beef but this looks so easy and delicious. I can't wait to try something new.
Danielle
It's so simple and eays in the IP Kelly!
Kitty
We don’t eat beef but my friends do... It looks tummm would definitely share this recipe with them 😊👍🏼
Danielle
Thanks Kitty!
Lesli Schwartz
This is the perfect recipe for the Instant Pot! Corned beef is such a pain to make the classic way. Now I absolutely must make it in the IP! Thanks for the recipe!
Danielle
You're welcome Leslie! Hope you love it 🙂