Crispy Slow Cooker Corned Beef with perfectly juicy slices of beef and crispy crust! So easy and delicious, the only recipe you’ll ever use!
I’m creating my St. Patrick’s Day menu and of course it starts with a flavorful, tender corned beef. Using my slow cooker saves room in the oven for classic sides like Roasted Cabbage Steaks, Roasted Carrots, and Scalloped Potatoes.
Sabrina’s Crispy Slow Cooker Corned Beef
The magic of this Slow Cooker Corned Beef recipe is in the liquids. I normally say I don’t add any liquid when cooking meat in the crockpot, but in this case, the vinegar and the bay leaf need a helping hand. The little bit of water you’re using is a vehicle for your bay leaf and vinegar to help flavor the meat.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 3 pounds corned beef , with seasoning packet
- 1 cups water (maybe less depending on size of slow cooker)
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add corned beef, fat side up, to the slow cooker.
- Add the minced garlic, spice packet, sugar, and pepper to the top of the meat and rub on.
- Add the vinegar and bay leaf to the side of the corned beef and add just enough water to come up about 25% of the way to the top of the meat.
- Cook on low for 8-9 hours.
- If for some reason the corned beef is not browned on top, or enough to your liking, put under a broiler (6-7 inches away) for 1-2 minutes.
- Leave the oven door open a bit so you can look in, this isn't something you can leave unattended.
Nutrition
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Chef’s Note
Crispy Corned Beef has been a dish I have made year-round since I bought my deep freezer. Why, you ask? The large freezer lets me stock up during the “seasonu0022 when the beef is on sale so that I can enjoy the classic roast and leftover sandwiches all year long.
Table of Contents
Can this be made ahead of time?
Absolutely, cook the corned beef as usual in the slow cooker. Let it cool, transfer the corned beef to an airtight container with some of the liquid, and refrigerate up to 3 or 4 days.
How to Store
- Store: Store leftover beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days.
- Reheat: Reheat gently over low heat, stirring often
- Freeze: Freeze in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months.
Cooking Tips & Tricks
- You can fill the cooker with water for a more traditional corned beef, but the texture will not become crispy if covered in liquid.
- Add cabbage, sliced carrots, onions, and potatoes to the cooker when there are about 2 hours left in the cooking time. The liquid from the beef will add a ton of flavor to the vegetables.
- For this recipe, you’ll want to buy beef with a seasoning packet. This may look like a lot of extra seasonings, but this beef gets its signature brined flavor from all the spices and vinegar, so use it up!
- If your corned beef or beef brisket is too fatty, cut some off before placing it in the crock pot. Leave a little bit, as this adds a lot of flavor to the dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is possible to overcook beef in the crock pot, but usually when you cook on high versus low heat. Cooking low and slow for 9-10 hours gives the brisket plenty of time to cook, making it tender and juicy.
You can rinse corned beef, but it’s not a requirement. Rinsing the brisket removes excess salt from the meat, resulting in a milder flavor.
You can buy pre-brined corned beef or get a brisket and add the seasoning yourself. I like to go with a flat cut of brisket in the slow cooker, because it holds its shape better than a point cut and shrinks less in the pot. Due to the point cut having more fat, it can turn out more tender than a round cut. It’s a personal choice because, in the end, both are used for this dish.
Related Recipes
More Delicious Corned Beef Recipes
Photos used in previous versions of the post:
This is the absolute best corned beef recipe EVER!!!! So good that I made it last week and had to double back and make it again tonight! I don’t have a slow cooker so I cooked in the oven on 325 for 5hrs (4.5lb flat cut corned beef) the only thing I did differently was used Vernors (ginger ale) in the place of water. So tender and juicy. So flavorful and delicious.
Is there anything to substitute a bay leaf for? Looking to try this tonight but only missing the bay leaf.
You can use 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme or oregano as a substitute. Enjoy!
can you cook your potatoes and cabbage in the same crockpot???
Yes though your corned beef might not crisp up as much.
Sabrina,
This was one of the best corned beefs I have made in many, many years. I always buy the Moseley corned beefs because I thought they were the best but the most expensive.
With your recipe in hand, I bought a corned beef, that with coupon came to $1.65 a lb. as opposed to $3.99 a lb. The inexpensive corned beef was delicious. I bought the brisket cut and the only change I made was using brown sugar instead of regular sugar. My guests (especially, my son) raved about it. Sabrina, I don’t know how you do it but this is the fifth recipe I have used from your collection and I couldn’t pick the best. They all were the best. Next, I am going to make your corned beef hash. Thank you, for teaching an old dog some new tricks.
You are so sweet. Thank you for the kind words. I am so glad you’re enjoying the recipes.
Fantastic recipe! It was tender & moist. I will use this recipe from now on. I received so many compliments on it. Thank you!
When cooking in a slow cooker, do you cook it with the top on or off?
On 🙂
Amazing method and spices. I did cook less than listed. I switched it to warm once the roast hit 140 Deg. 7:45. then crisped it on the broiler.
Holy cow. Best corned beef I’ve ever made.
Thank you ??
Made this today. Only sub was half can of bud light for water. This was the best corned beef I’ve ever eaten! Highly recommend this recipe.
Sabrina, Wow, this was fabulous and my first time making corned beef. After it was cooked in the crockpot I broiled it briefly on both sides. I followed the directions exactly, but my crockpot is a small one, so put in hot water as needed to not cover the meat. I also used all the juices that were packed with the corned beef, next time I will pour a little of it out, 1/3? Due to the salt. The flavor is great. And I saved your recipe. Thank you. Michael
You’re welcome! Thanks for the 5 stars.
This is always sooo delicious. I’m making it again and this time I’m out of Cider vinegar. Should I replace it with something? If so, what? I have regular white vinegar, would that work?
White wine vinegar or rice vinegar would be my first choices. If you want to use plain white vinegar, I would give it a splash of lemon juice since it doesn’t have much flavor apart from the acidity. I’m so glad you love the recipe so much!
I am making this for the first time today. Don’t want the vegetables, onions, potatoes and carrots to get mushy. How long should they cook in slow cooker with beef brisket? Thanks
I recommend cooking them separately.
Can I add my potatoes & carrots to the slow cooker while the corned beef is cooking?
Sure as long as you’re not overcrowding the slow cooker. Enjoy!
What if I do not have a slow cooker? Can I put this in my dutch oven and bake? If so what would recommend for timing and temp on a 3lb corned beef?
Thank you!
Bring it all to a boil on the stove top and then place in the oven at 300 degrees for about 3 hours and 45 minutes. Enjoy!
This is an excellent recipe!
Thanks, Debra.
Could we use beef broth instead of water? And does the sugar make it sweet? Sounds wonderful though.
Yes, you can use beef broth if you’d like. Enjoy!
Hi! If the corned beef I bought is already garnished with the seasoning, do I need to add the seasoning you have listed?
And can I cook 2, 4 -pound corn beefs in the same slow cooker? Thank you so much in advance 🙂
If it’s already seasoned, you’ll just skip adding the “packet” part (which is the seasoning). If you’re cooking two, I would suggest using 2 slow cookers as to not overcrowd them during the cooking process. Enjoy!
Sounds delicious, can’t wait to make tomorrow .
Sounds like an awesome recipe, so it’s literally in the pot right now (first time making a corned beef). I do have a question though, many other recipes suggest adding potatoes and carrots after the first 4 hours of cooking and then add cabbage when there’s an hour left. By omitting these veggies, is that what helps make it crispy? I think, we as a family, would prefer the crispiness over the veggies.
That’s absolutely correct, Hadria.
I love this this recipe, I’ve made it several times. Comes out great everytime! I have omitted the vinegar & bay leaf before just because I didn’t have any hand. Still came out so good. I’m gonna make it today and because I didn’t start it early, I’m gonna cook it on high for 4 hrs. I’ve done it before on high and taste great.
This corned beef is soooo delicious!! My family is very picky when it comes to their corned beef and my mom said it’s the best corned beef she’s ever had! She wants me to make it every year now!! I ended up cooking it on high for about 4 hours and then broiled it and it turned out absolutely amazing. Thank you for the awesome recipe and all the tips!
You’re welcome, Lauren!
I make this ALL the time in my house. This year for St Pattys day, I’m having family over for Reubans! Do you think i can slice the meat and keep it warm in the oven in advance?
Of course!
What kind of sugar?
White Sugar 🙂
I have a brisket. It doesn’t come with a packet, will it affect the cooking?
You’ll want to add your own seasonings then. They also make a pre-made mix in the grocery aisle where you find other seasonings if you want to make it even easier on yourself. Enjoy!
Question, can I replace the water with Guinness extra stout? If so should the vinegar be omitted?
Thank you
Sounds delicious! Yes, leave out the cider vinegar.
Question;
when you say fill with water 25% the way up to the top — just to be clear – that means that 75% of the Corned Beef will NOT be covered by water, yes?
That’s correct. The meat will cook down and release liquid too. Enjoy!
Only corned beef recipe I love. Been using it for 3 years now!
can this be made in the pressure cooker? If so, how long and on which pressure?
I’ve not tested it in one yet so I’m not comfortable giving a recommendation. You could probably find a recipe online with similar ingredients and use that as a guideline. Good luck!
What spices are in the packet provided?
peppercorn, bay leaves, allspice, cinnamon, ginger, coriander, cloves, nutmeg and mustard seed
What quantity of each?
Sorry but I don’t have a recipe for it. Mine always comes with a packet. You might be able to find exact measurements online. Good luck!
I can buy pickling spice at my local grocery store which has the same ingredients that the packet does. I buy my corned beef round at my butcher shop so I have to add my own spices. I just found you when looking online for a new recipe. I’m trying it now. It smells sooooo good.
Such a great idea! Thanks, Jen.
Why add sugar?….don’t want sweet flavor added to brisket.
You can use whatever type of rub you like. 🙂
5 stars even with some tweaks I made. I made this recipe but was pressed for time so I made it on high for 4 hours. I also wanted a lower sugar version so I substituted the sugar with puyre organic all purpose stevia sweetener. It turned out delicious!
This was the first time I ever made a corned beef and I want to give some warning to first timers. When you take the corned beef out of the package, it’s in a slimy substance, not just watery liquid like I thought. I poured all the liquid in the crockpot with the chunk of meat. The spice pack with the meat was stuck to the meat and covered in the slime so opening it was a little messy too. Once that was all done and I rubbed all the ingredients on, then the messy part is over until you take it out of the crockpot. Then you have to scrape the fat off with a fork (or at least that’s how I did it). From the size you start with uncooked to what you have left in the end, the roast is easily less than half the original size. Ours fed four total.
I’ll be making this again and feel better about it next time now that I know what to expect!
Hi Sabrina,
How long would I could a 4 3/4 pound salt beef for? Still for 8-9 Hours or should I cook it for longer (3 hours per pound). Thanks!
It’ll probably take about 9 hours. Just make sure not to overcrowd the slow cooker.
Fantastic! Fantastic! Wife has cooked this recipe 4 times.
Yay!! I’d definitely call that a winner!
I tried the recipe. Turned out awesome….and so easy.
Cooked around eight hours on low then broiled to crisp it up.
Making again right now. Thanks so much for sharing ?
So glad you liked it!
I don’t know of the packet? I asked before about quantity of each ingredient plse ?or do you buy a packet?
Can I buy the brisket, find the seasonings to “corn the beef” and follow your recipe all in one instance? Or do I need to do a separate receipt for the corned part?
The spice packet that comes with the corned beef is the one you want to use with the recipe. Hope this helps!
I have a 12# brisket that I’m applying this method to, except I don’t have a crock-pot big enough, so will be cooking it in the oven. How would you convert it?
Thanks in advance!
ps- I already did this last March, but don’t remember how hot/long I did it!
I would cook at 350 degrees for about 60 minutes per pound, or until it reaches 145 degrees internal temp. Make sure to tent the beef with foil. Bake 1/2 the cooking time uncovered and then the rest of the time with the foil tented around it. Hope this helps!
It
looks so good. I make homemade kraut so the sodium will be a lot less. 40mg sodium compared to store bought 240mg. At least you save that much. I got to fix this asap. Thank you so much f or all of your wonderful recipes,
Let me know if you make this and how you like it!
How would you adjust this to be cooked on high? Or with a frozen piece of meat?
Many thanks!
If you cook on high, the cook time is going to be about half. If you add frozen meat, there is going to be extra liquid and the cook time will be longer.
How big is your your crockpot?
6 qt
Made this for St. Patrick’s day and it was amazing!
Hi when adding water, is it covering 25% of the corned beef or 75%? Thank you!
It’s only covering 25% of the corned beef. Enjoy!
Is this the same recipe you would use to make a Reuben ?
Yes and now I want a Reuben, haha!
Hola buenas tardes que tipo de carne debo usar para este platillo, gracias
carne en conserva 🙂
Hola buenas tardes donde compro esa carne en conserva, con paquete, soy de la Ciudad de México, y gracias por compartir tantas recetas deliciosas
De nada. Espero que lo disfruten.
This is the best corn beef recipe I have found! This is my 3rd time making it. I have always just boiled mine. Wow, have you upped my corned beef game! Thanks!
I’m so glad you enjoy it so much! Thanks for the 5 stars.
I have a 10# corned beef that when bought was already seasoned via injection. Do I need to add anything else? I’m going to cook it in a crock pot. How long should I let it cook?
I’m not sure you can fit a 10 lb corned beef in a crock pot.
Best corned beef I have ever put in my mouth! I can’t say my slow cooker made it crispy; but there was a definite kind of crust on the top. This is my new go to recipe; just wish it was easier to find corned beef more year round.
Hands down the BEST corned beef recipe I have ever made!
Hi! I’m Lauren. This recipe looks divine! I’m from the UK and really want to make it but I’m having issues understanding what a joint of corned beef is. I can buy brisket but it doesn’t come with seasoning but over here you can’t buy corned beef unless it’s in a can! Nor do I understand what it actually is, raw meat that’s brined or is it already cooked?
Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
I’m so excited that you’re wanting to give this a try! Corned beef is a brisket that has been salt cured. If you aren’t able to get the seasoning packet, you can make your own using peppercorn, bay leaves, allspice, cinnamon, ginger, coriander, cloves, nutmeg and mustard seed. Hope this helps clear things up.
Hi could you advise how much of each spice is needed to make the seasoning? That would be great! Might just make it up and hope for the best for tonight’s dinner!
I don’t have an exact recipe for it but I found this one online.
https://hildaskitchenblog.com/recipe/corned-beef-spice-packet-recipe/
Hope this helps!
Awesome recipe! First time in a slow cooker. Normally I would just cook it in a pot on the stove. This was very easy and super delish! Five stars indeed. I added carrots potato’s and cabbage very tender and flavorful. To me its all about flavor and when people enjoy your cooking it’s the best! I had lot’s of compliments on this bravo! Thank you!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for coming back to let me know!
Hello! I just bought a corned beef brisket amd I’m planning on following your recipe. Would it be possible for you to tell me about how salty the corned beef you usually use is? The package on mine said it is 760mg for a 4 oz serving and I’d like to try to figure out if i should rinse beforehand. Thanks!
I’m not sure what mine stated but you could always just rinse it off a few times before cooking just to be safe. Hope this helps!
In Australia we don’t get a seasoning packet with the meat, can you tell me what seasoning to add? Thanks
You can mix together mustard seeds, bay leaves, allspice berries, salt and pepper. Enjoy!
I’ve never heard of the the packets either. I’m vegetarian but I am cooking for a friend. so I won’t be able to taste test. Can you give me the measurements I should use for each of mustard seed, allspice, bay leaf, salt and pepper? It would be greatly appreciated!!
1/2 tsp mustard seeds, 2 bay leaves, crushed, 8 Allspice berries, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper
Hope this helps!