This Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage is the perfect St. Patrick’s Day feast. It’s easy to make because the Instant Pot does all the work and the result is tender, juicy, and delicious.
Being married into an Irish family, it’s been a tradition to enjoy corned beef and cabbage every St. Patrick’s Day. I usually pair it with my homemade Irish Soda Bread and a St. Patrick’s Day dessert to complete the meal.
There are many ways to cook corned beef and cabbage such as slow cooking it in a Crockpot or baking it in the oven low and slow. I typically make it in the oven, but lately with our busy schedule I’ve been using the fastest method, the Instant Pot. It still delivers that rich flavor and melt in your mouth tenderness, and it’s ready in just a little over an hour.
While you can absolutely make this on its own without vegetables, I like adding in potatoes and carrots to soak up all that flavorful broth. It makes it a complete meal in on pot. And don’t feel like you have to save this recipe just for St. Patrick’s Day, it’s hearty and comforting any time of the year.
If you love this Irish-inspired recipe, try my Reuben Casserole and Shepherd’s Pie. They’re perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day too!
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Recipe Snapshot
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Servings: 6-8
- Method: Instant Pot
- Family-Friendly: Yes
- Great For: St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday Dinner, Meal Prep
- Flavor Profile: Savory, Hearty, Slightly Salty, Comforting
- Equipment Needed: 6-8 Quart Instant Pot, Cutting Board, Sharp Knife
- Make Ahead Friendly: Yes
- Freezer Friendly: Yes
Ingredients
- Beef Broth: regular or low sodium.
- Onion: medium, diced
- Minced Garlic: fresh or jarred
- Corned Beef: brisket or round with pickling spice packet
- Potatoes: sliced anyway you want them
- Carrots: baby carrots, sliced or petite
- Green Cabbage: small head
- Salt and Pepper: to taste
How to Make Corned Beef and Cabbage in the Instant Pot
- Add the beef broth, salt, pepper, and minced garlic to the insert of a 6-8 quart Instant Pot.
- Rinse the corned beef under cool water. Place the corned beef brisket on top of the broth mixture.
- Sprinkle the corned beef with the pickling spices that came with the brisket.
- Close and lock the lid.
- Select MANUAL, set to HIGH pressure, and cook for 1 hours and 10 minutes.
- When cooking time is complete, allow for a natural pressure release (about 15-20 minutes).
- Carefully remove the corned beef from the Instant Pot and set aside on a cutting board to rest.
- Add the potatoes, carrots, onions, and cabbage into the remaining juices in the Instant Pot.
- Close and lock the lid again.
- Select MANUAL, set to HIGH pressure, and cook for 5 minutes.
- When finished, carefully quick release the pressure.
- Slice the corned beef against the grain and serve with the cooked vegetables and some of the flavorful broth spooned over the top.
Helpful Tips for Cooking Corned Beef and Cabbage
- Allow the meat to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
- Always slice the corned beef against the grain for maximum tenderness.
- If your brisket is larger than 3-4 pounds, you may need to add 5-10 extra minutes of cooking time.
- For extra flavor, add a splash of apple cider vinegar or a tablespoon of brown sugar to the broth.
Recipe Variations
- Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the broth.
- Guinness Twist: Replace some of the beef broth with Guinness for a deeper flavor.
- Low Carb Option: Skip the potatoes and add extra cabbage or turnips.
- Mustard Glaze Finish: Brush the corned beef with Dijon mustard and broil for 3-5 minutes for a caramelized top.
Storing Leftovers & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Wrap sliced corned beef tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Vegetable are best enjoyed fresh but can be frozen if needed.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or warm in a skillet with a little broth until warmed through. If frozen thaw in fridge overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, rinsing removes the excess salt residue and is a necessary step.
It likely needs more cooking times or wasn’t sliced against the grain.
Yes, you can but they may become very soft. Cooking them separately keeps them tender and not mushy.
Yes, you can! It reheats nicely and tastes better the next day. If too dry, add a little bit of beef broth when reheating.
Recipe
Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
Ingredients
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 medium onion cut into chunks
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 3 ½ to 4 pound corned beef brisket or round with pickling spice packet
- sliced potato's
- carrots
- 1 small head green cabbage
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the beef broth, salt, pepper, and minced garlic to the insert of a 6-8 quart Instant Pot.
- Rinse the corned beef under cool water. Place the corned beef brisket on top of the broth mixture.
- Sprinkle the corned beef with the pickling spices that came with the brisket.
- Close and lock the lid.
- Select MANUAL, set to HIGH pressure, and cook for 1 hours and 10 minutes.
- When cooking time is complete, allow for a natural pressure release (about 15-20 minutes).
- Carefully remove the corned beef from the Instant Pot and set aside on a cutting board to rest.
- Add the potatoes, carrots, onions, and cabbage into the remaining juices in the Instant Pot.
- Close and lock the lid again.
- Select MANUAL, set to HIGH pressure, and cook for 5 minutes.
- When finished, carefully quick release the pressure.
- Slice the corned beef against the grain and serve with the cooked vegetables and some of the flavorful broth spooned over the top.
Notes
- Allow the meat to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
- Always slice the corned beef against the grain for maximum tenderness.
- If your brisket is larger than 3-4 pounds, you may need to add 5-10 extra minutes of cooking time.
- For extra flavor, add a splash of apple cider vinegar or a tablespoon of brown sugar to the broth.
Nutrition Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
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