This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.
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.
Jump to:
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.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Went Here 8 This.
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.
Leslie
This recipe is getting added to my list! I just got a new instant pot and I have a whole list of new recipes to try. I'm so excited! This looks so good!
Danielle
It comes out so well!
Jacquie
I have 3 2 lb corned beef. Should I cook each separately and for how long please. Having an early Christmas party and want to slice it.
Danielle
I've only tested the recipe with a 3 lbs. brisket. If you can fit them all in the pot (I'm not sure what size IP you have), you could try cooking for 2.5 to 3 hours. If you do each separate, I would stick to the 90 minutes. Good luck!
Linda K Tierney
I made this on 6/7/2019. Best corned beef ever - thank you!
Danielle
I'm so glad you enjoyed it Linda!!
KAREN
CAN YOU MAKE IT WITH FROZN CORNED BEEF
Danielle
I don't see why not. I haven't tried it but I would add an extra 15-20 minutes to the cook time. If it's not tender when you remove, put it back in for 15 minute increments. Like I said, I've never made it from frozen, but I'm sure this would come out good.
Yee Kok Siong
Making your own corned beef at home is so much better than those ready-to-eat alternatives
Danielle
Totally agree!
Kari Heron
Danielle!!!!!!! This looks sooooooo good! OK let's make a pact. You move next door and we share that instapot. Better yet, you just make extra corned beef and send over a big bowl for me!
Danielle
LOL thanks Kari! Come on over!!
james
I am going to make this after read your blog thanks for sharing i was looking something like this now i am going to have this thanks
Danielle
Hope you love it James!
C.L. King
I have to admit making your own corned beef at home is so much better than those ready-to-eat alternatives.
Danielle
Definitely!
kelly anthony
I love that you can do comfort food so fast thanks to the Instapot! Thank you for this recipe. Corned beef is offically on my list!
Danielle
Right? The IP is so great!
Healthy World Cuisine
Danielle, thanks so much for posting this recipe. I was thinking about making the corned beef in the pressure cooker but was wondering how low to cook it. 90 minutes seems like a long time. However, it is a full cut and not sliced. Glad you tested this so we can just make it and save us some time this busy weekend. Hope you are doing well. Take Care
Danielle
90 minutes seemed to be the perfect amount of time. Hope it works out for you!
Mateo Pedersen
THANK YOU! You saved my dinner party. I was about to make all the same mistakes as you listed. What a gift you haTHANK YOU! You saved my dinner party. I was about to make all the same mistakes as you listed. What a gift you have given us. Blessings on you in return.
ve given us. Blessings on you in return.
Danielle
I'm so glad your dinner party wasn't ruined!
Lathiya
I can't say enough how instapot has made our lives easier.. This corned beef in instapot looks fabulous
Danielle
Right? It's such a great appliance!
Maman de sara
That looks tender and certainly delicious 😋.
Danielle
Thanks!
Mimi
Thank you - I've been meaning to find a recipe for Instant Pot beef for quite some time but never really had time for it. I don't need to look any longer now because I've stumbled upon yours - thank you!
Danielle
Hope you get a chance to try it Mimi!
April
Kick back and relax? So be it! 🙂 I really like the composition in the images, too. That yellow color in the background contrasts so well with the dish and the overall feel of the images!
Danielle
Thanks so much April! And who doesn't love to kick back and relax right??
Natalie
Oh wow... just look at the colour of that meat. Looks absolutely perfect. So tender and flavorful. I never done beef in instant pot. Must give it a try. SOON!
Danielle
Thanks Natalie!
Michelle
This corned beef looks perfectly cooked! And it's so good that you can get great corned beef with minimum effort! Love it!
Danielle
It's totally convenient!