Classic Corned Beef and Cabbage

This traditional corned beef and cabbage recipe is perfect all year, not just for St. Patrick's Day!

SERVES: 6

COOK TIME: 3 Hr 10 Min

Nothing says St. Patrick's Day like this Classic Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe. You don't have to be Irish to enjoy a taste of fork-tender corned beef with a hearty helping of potatoes, carrots, and cabbage. Now that's what we call dinnertime goodness!

What You'll Need

1 (3- to 3-1/2-pound) corned beef brisket with pickling spices
8 cups water
4 potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
4 carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
1 green cabbage, cut into 2-inch wedges

What to Do

In a large Dutch oven over high heat, bring corned beef with pickling spices and water to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 2-1/2 hours, or until almost fork-tender.
Add potatoes, carrots, and cabbage to corned beef and continue cooking, covered, 25 to 30 minutes, or until vegetables and corned beef are fork-tender.
Place corned beef on a cutting board and slice across the grain. Serve with vegetables.

Common Questions About Corned Beef

So your corned beef is in the pot, you've checked it with a fork, but you're scratching your head wondering if it's "fork tender" and asking yourself "How do you know when corned beef is done cooking?" Well, the answer is simple! If you have a meat thermometer handy, insert it into the meat (being sure not to touch the sides or bottom of your cooking pot!), and check the internal temperature. Corned beef should be cooked to a minimum of 145 degrees Farenheit for the ideal tender, juicy result.

Another very common question is "Do you rinse corned beef before cooking?" And the answer is yes, absolutely (unless you want a very salty result). Don't worry that this will rinse away all the flavor, though! All you're doing is removing the excess salt which has been infusing the meat with loads of flavor, up until cooking time--it's supposed to be removed before going on the heat! That little seasoning packet will continue adding plenty of delicious flavors to your recipe as it cooks, and you won't miss that excess salt.

BONUS! In keeping with our St. Patrick's Day theme, how about putting out a plate of Irish Soda Bread with your corned beef?!
BONUS! Looking for a couple of other ways to make corned beef and cabbage? Make it in your pressure cooker with our recipe for Fastest Corned Beef & Cabbage, or in your slow cooker with our recipe for Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage.

Up Next:

Fastest Corned Beef & Cabbage

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lsfla11

Mar 15, 2021

The recipe says to add the veggies in for the last 30 minutes (after the meat has already been in for 2 1/2 hours) yet the video shows them being added in the beginning and then "cooking until veggies are tender". Which is it and how long do you cook it all for? Seems like if you leave the veggies in for the full 3 hours they will be mush

Test Kitchen Team

Mar 16, 2021

Hi! In the video Howard says to let the beef cook for a couple hours. He then adds the veggies on top and cooks them for 30 minutes; so the beef is almost done whent he veggies are added. Hope this helps!

hinesd70 3305896

Mar 18, 2019

Is anyone else having a problem logging in to their recipe box? I log in but when I click on "save to recipe box", it goes back to to login screen. Please help!

Test Kitchen Team

Mar 19, 2019

Hi there! There was an technical issue with this feature yesterday, but it has been resolved now.

alanmcgrath53 5060 062

Mar 16, 2017

Its good but we cook it in apple juice its soooo much better

alanmcgrath53 5060 062

Mar 16, 2017

Tried this recipe? What did you think?

jynx

Oct 26, 2015

a family favorite! I occasionally add a med. size onion quartered.

wanderingangel38 9 935781

Mar 16, 2014

what you do not have the packet of spices ???????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Test Kitchen Team

Mar 17, 2014

Hello, Are you asking about the pickling spices? If so, you can buy the pickling spice in a bottle at the store, or you can make your own mixture by combining some cinnamon, allspice, mustard seed, ginger, coriander, and black pepper.

jim3decker 1050734

Mar 09, 2014

I made this last year it was soooo blood.Im cooking it this this is a five star recipe. You will fall in love to :)

cjlavigne3 5383141

Mar 03, 2014

I'm trying to find out if I can cook the corned beef the night before because I'm cooking for 50 people and I won't have enough room for everything that morning. I have to feed them at 12 noon. How would I warm it up for the dinner?

Lmllymatt 9578669

Dec 02, 2013

You never cook corn beef and cabbage without turnip

Lmllymatt 9578669

Dec 02, 2013

You never make corn beef and cabbage without turnip and mushie peas

Test Kitchen Team

Mar 18, 2013

Some of you are looking for corned beef prepared in slow-cooker. Great news, the Mr. Food Test Kitchen has one for you! You can find it here; http://www.mrfood.com/Beef/Slow-Cooker-Corned-Beef-and-Cabbage. Enjoy!

thatsmsb2u 0447514

Mar 17, 2013

i wish reply button worked i want the slow cooker recipe

bandanagold 103371 1

Mar 22, 2013

You can copy the link and then paste it into the brower

CarrolJ

Mar 17, 2013

What do you think?I tried to reply to the person who wanted a slow cooker version but the reply button didn't work.

spauldingpatty 864 9131

Mar 17, 2013

very good i tried