Ultimate Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage: Tender Brisket & Perfect Veggies for St. Patrick’s Day

Prepare to be amazed by this Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe! Forget the traditional all-day cooking; our method delivers incredibly tender and juicy corned beef brisket in a fraction of the time, all thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a celebration, perfect for your St. Patrick’s Day festivities or any time you crave hearty, flavorful comfort food. Paired perfectly with tender potatoes, sweet carrots, and crisp cabbage, all cooked in the rich, savory juices of the corned beef, this truly is a phenomenal one-pot wonder.

We’re talking about a meal so delicious, it’s better than finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow! The Instant Pot transforms a typically tough cut of meat into melt-in-your-mouth perfection, infusing every bite with deep, savory flavor. Best of all, the accompanying vegetables cook quickly in the flavorful broth, absorbing all those delicious beefy essences in just 4 minutes. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this streamlined take on a classic holiday dish!

The History of Corned Beef & Cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day

When you think of St. Patrick’s Day, corned beef and cabbage almost immediately come to mind. But did you know this tradition is actually more American than Irish? Historically, beef was a luxury in Ireland, far too expensive for most families. Pigs were more common, and bacon was the traditional meat paired with cabbage for special occasions. However, when Irish immigrants arrived in America in the 19th century, they found corned beef to be an affordable and readily available alternative to the bacon they were used to.

Corned beef, typically made from beef brisket, became a staple. Brisket is a tough cut of meat that is traditionally made tender through a long salt-curing process, followed by an even longer slow cooking. This made it a perfect, economical choice for immigrant families, often bought from kosher butchers who used similar salt-curing techniques. Paired with inexpensive cabbage and potatoes, it became a beloved and enduring symbol of their new lives and a way to celebrate their heritage.

Our Instant Pot method respects this tradition while modernizing the cooking process. Instead of an all-day commitment to achieve tender, juicy corned beef, the Instant Pot cuts down the cooking time immensely, making this cherished dish accessible even on busy weeknights. You get all the rich, savory flavor and fork-tender texture in a matter of hours, rather than dedicating an entire day to the stove or oven.

Why the Instant Pot is Perfect for Corned Beef Brisket

The Instant Pot truly shines when it comes to cooking tough cuts of meat like brisket. Its pressure cooking function drastically reduces cooking time while ensuring the meat becomes incredibly tender and flavorful. Here’s why it’s the ultimate tool for this recipe:

• Speed: A traditional corned beef can take 3-4 hours or more on the stovetop. In the Instant Pot, a 2.5-3 lb brisket is perfectly cooked in just 85 minutes, plus pressure build-up and release time.
• Tenderness: The high-pressure environment forces moisture deep into the meat fibers, breaking down tough connective tissues. This results in a brisket that’s so tender it practically falls apart with a fork.
• Flavor Infusion: Cooking the brisket with beef broth, onions, garlic, and its accompanying spice packet under pressure ensures that all these flavors meld beautifully and penetrate every inch of the meat. The vegetables then cook in this super-flavorful liquid, making them taste incredible.
• One-Pot Convenience: After the beef is cooked, you can easily cook the vegetables in the same pot, utilizing the delicious cooking liquid. This minimizes cleanup and maximizes flavor.

What You’ll Need for Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage

This recipe is designed for simplicity and maximum flavor, proving that you don’t need a long list of exotic ingredients to create something spectacular. The key is quality ingredients and the Instant Pot to bring them all together. Below is a detailed list of what you’ll need to make this mouthwatering instant pot corned beef with beef broth.

Essential Ingredients:

• 1 White Onion, quartered: Adds a sweet, aromatic base to the cooking liquid.
• 3-4 Garlic Cloves, smashed: Infuses a pungent, savory depth of flavor into the broth and meat.
• 2 cups Beef Broth: Provides moisture and a rich foundation for the corned beef to cook in. Opt for a low-sodium variety if you’re concerned about saltiness, as corned beef is already cured.
• 2.5-3 pound Corned Beef Brisket, with spice packet: The star of the show! Choose a flat cut for easier slicing and a lean finish, or a point cut for more fat and flavor. Don’t discard that spice packet – it contains crucial pickling spices like peppercorns, bay leaves, and allspice that define the corned beef flavor.
• 1/4 cup Mustard Aioli or Spicy Mustard: This is a crucial flavor enhancer! Brushing it on the brisket before a quick broil adds a tangy, slightly spicy crust that elevates the entire dish. A good quality mustard makes all the difference here.
• 1 pound Red Potatoes, quartered: Red potatoes hold their shape well and absorb the rich flavors of the broth, becoming incredibly tender and delicious.
• 2 cups Colorful Carrots, cut into chunks: Adds natural sweetness, vibrant color, and essential nutrients. Baby carrots or larger carrots cut into 1-inch pieces work perfectly.
• 1 head Green Cabbage, cut into large wedges: Cabbage is the classic pairing. Cutting it into large wedges prevents it from becoming mushy during the short cooking time in the Instant Pot. It becomes tender yet still offers a slight bite.
• Salt & Pepper to taste: For seasoning the vegetables after they cook. Remember the corned beef itself is salty, so season the veggies carefully.

Recommended Mustard Options:

The mustard aioli or spicy mustard plays a significant role in developing the final flavor profile of your corned beef. It adds a delicious tangy, spicy kick and helps form a delightful crust when broiled. Here are a couple of types that work wonderfully:

• Dijon Mustard: A classic choice, offering a sharp, slightly spicy flavor.
• Stone-Ground Mustard: Provides a coarser texture and robust, rustic flavor.
• Spicy Brown Mustard: If you love a good kick, this is your go-to.
• Mustard Aioli: Offers a creamy texture with a milder, garlicky mustard flavor.

Cooking Corned Beef Brisket: Thawed vs. Frozen

One of the beauties of the Instant Pot is its versatility, allowing you to cook delicious meals even from frozen ingredients. This applies to corned beef brisket as well, though it requires a slight adjustment in cooking time.

Thawed Corned Beef Brisket:

For a thawed corned beef brisket weighing between 2-3 pounds, the ideal cooking time in a pressure cooker is approximately 85 minutes. This duration ensures the brisket becomes perfectly tender and succulent, ready to be sliced and enjoyed. Always remember to allow for a natural pressure release for about 15 minutes after the cooking cycle to further tenderize the meat and lock in juices.

Can You Cook Instant Pot Corned Beef Frozen? Absolutely!

Yes, you can absolutely cook a frozen corned beef brisket in your Instant Pot. This is a lifesaver when you forget to thaw your meat or decide on a last-minute St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Simply increase the cooking time by about 20-25 minutes, bringing the total cook time to roughly 105-110 minutes for a 2-3 pound brisket. This additional time allows the brisket to fully defrost and then cook completely through. It’s crucial to ensure the internal temperature reaches a safe 145°F (63°C) after cooking, just to be sure.

Regardless of whether you start with thawed or frozen meat, the natural release of pressure after cooking is vital for the most tender results. This slow release of pressure allows the meat fibers to relax, retaining moisture and making the brisket incredibly juicy.

Savory Leftover Corned Beef Ideas

If you’re lucky enough to have any leftover Instant Pot corned beef (which is a big “if” given how delicious it is!), you’ll find it’s incredibly versatile. Don’t let those flavorful slices go to waste! Here are some fantastic ways to repurpose your leftovers:

• Classic Corned Beef Sandwiches: This is a no-brainer. Thinly slice the leftover beef, layer it on rye bread with Swiss cheese, a generous smear of good mustard (or even some Russian dressing), and crisp lettuce or sauerkraut. Grill it for a hot melt or enjoy it cold.
• Reuben Sandwiches: Elevate your sandwich game with a classic Reuben. Layer corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on rye bread, then grill or pan-fry until golden and cheesy.
• Corned Beef Hash: A breakfast (or brinner!) favorite! Dice the leftover corned beef and sauté it with diced potatoes and onions until crispy. Top with a fried egg for a hearty meal.
• Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup: Transform your leftovers into a comforting soup. Add diced corned beef and any leftover cooked cabbage, carrots, and potatoes to a flavorful beef broth. Simmer until heated through.
• Corned Beef and Swiss Cheese Sliders: Perfect for entertaining! Layer thinly sliced corned beef and Swiss cheese on Hawaiian rolls, brush with melted butter mixed with a little mustard, and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

To store leftovers, ensure the corned beef and vegetables are cooled completely before transferring them to an airtight container. They will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Embracing St. Patrick’s Day Traditions

St. Patrick’s Day is a time for celebration, often filled with green attire, shamrocks, and festive meals. How do you celebrate this vibrant holiday? Do you have unique traditions that your family cherishes year after year?

I have such fond memories of growing up, where my family enthusiastically embraced the spirit of the leprechauns. The entire week leading up to St. Paddy’s Day was dedicated to building elaborate traps, convinced we would finally catch one! My parents were masters of creating a magical atmosphere, leaving whimsical green footprints around the house and mysteriously turning everyday items green overnight. It was truly enchanting and something I looked forward to every year.

Of course, our celebrations always included a feast! Alongside our homemade Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage, we’d bake shamrock-shaped cookies and other delightful green treats, making the day even more special and delicious. These culinary traditions, combined with the playful mischief of the leprechauns, created cherished memories.

In college, I started a personal St. Patrick’s Day tradition by running a beautiful 10K race in St. George, Utah, called “Shamrock Your Socks Off.” The course wound through the stunning Snow Canyon, offering breathtaking views that made the run an absolute joy. I participated for four consecutive years, and the gorgeous scenery and festive atmosphere made it an annual highlight. It was a wonderful way to combine fitness with holiday spirit.

Now, I’d love to hear from you! What are your favorite St. Patrick’s Day traditions? Do you have any special foods you always prepare, or unique activities you enjoy with your loved ones? Share your stories in the comments below!

If you give this irresistible Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe a try, don’t keep it a secret! I’d love to hear about your experience. Please leave a comment below, rate the recipe, or even better, snap a photo and share it on Instagram, tagging @TheAlexDaynes! Your culinary creations always brighten my day!

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