Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe

Whether you are looking for a quick weeknight meal or to celebrate St. Patrick’s day in style, this easy Instant Pot corned beef recipe is what you need. This recipe requires very little prep and everything (from the meat to the potatoes to the cabbage) is made in the Instant Pot. Let me show you how to make this easy Instant pot dinner!

Instant pot corned beef and cabbage

One of my husbands favorite things to eat has always been corned beef. I never quite understood his love of all this corned beef. Every year he requests that we make corned beef and cabbage (his love of cabbage may be stronger than his love for corned beef). I held out for a few years but recently, we’ve been having more corned beef at our house.

Traditional corned beef and cabbage is slow cooked over many hours to produce a tender meat. This version takes the long cook time and reduces it significantly by using an Instant Pot. Now my husband can have his beloved corned beef in a fraction of the time!

Instant Pot Corned Beef

Corned beef is a traditional Irish recipe slow cooked until the meat is tender. Corned beef is normally a salt cured piece of inexpensive brisket meat.

The spices on the beef consist of course salt which helped coin the name “corn”ed beef since the resembled corns. It is served with cabbage, potatoes and carrots.

This version takes the cook time and cuts it down to 90 minutes and some change. All the other regular aspects of this Instant Pot corned beef recipe are the same.

Instant pot corned beef and cabbage recipe how to make it (1)

Corned Beef Ingredients

This recipe is super easy and there aren’t many ingredients. To make Instant Pot corned beef you will need:

  • corned beef
  • spices
  • cabbage
  • potatoes
  • carrots

Corned beef – Corned beef isn’t a true cut of meat that you can get at the grocery store. You can buy a pre-packaged corned beef but it’s really just a brisket with a spice packet attached.

Feel free to grab that one or you can get a brisket, rump or round roast. You will need to add your own spices if you get one of those cuts, but it can be a cheaper route too.

Spices – The main spices used in corned beef are black peppercorns, mustard seed, coriander seeds, dill seed, a bit of allspice, some bay leaves, and possibly some red paper flakes. You can use the spice packet that comes with a pre-packaged corned beef, make your own or buy one like McCormicks pickling spice.

Cabbage – Grab one whole cabbage for this recipe. You will chop it into wedges before adding it to your Instant Pot.

Potatoes – Use your favorite potatoes here. You want to use smaller potatoes that are all about the same size so they cook evenly. Other than that you can use new potatoes, small red potatoes or even yellow.

Carrots – Any type of uncooked carrots will work here. I do not suggest frozen or canned carrots for this recipe.

Instant pot corned beef and cabbage recipe how to

How to Make Corned Beef in the Instant Pot

Once you have gathered all your ingredients you will also want to grab:

Step 1: Add the brisket – Place your brisket in the bottom of your Instant Pot.

the best instant pot corned beef recipe

Step 2: Add your spices – Add the spice packet to the top of the brisket, if you purchased a pre-packaged corned beef. It not, mix together your homemade pickling spice and add it to your brisket. You can also use 1 teaspoon packaged pickling spices here as well.

How to make a pressure cooker corned beef

Step 3: Add your water – Pour 4 cups of water into your inner pot. Put the lid on, set the valve to SEALING and high-pressure for 1 hour and 30 minutes (90 minutes).

Step 4: Cook the vegetables – Allow the Instant Pot to come to pressure naturally and then remove the brisket to a platter. Leave the water and add in the potatoes, carrots and cabbage – in that order.

Pressure cook on high for another 7 minutes followed by a quick release.

Step 5: Remove vegetables – Remove the lid and take out all the vegetables, being careful with the carrots and cabbage as they will be soft.

Instant pot corned beef and cabbage recipe

Corned Beef Side Ideas

While this Instant Pot corned beef recipe is basically a one pot meal on it’s own, you can also add:

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers, place them in an airtight container and store in the fridge. They should be safe to eat for up to 5 days after cooking.

Can I freeze corned beef?

You can! I would suggest only freezing the meat and the potatoes as the carrots and cabbage will not reheat well after freezing.

Place the cooled meat and potatoes in a large ziplock baggy and remove all the air. Place flat in the freezer. It will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Can I make corned beef in the crock pot?

Want to slow cook your corned beef to perfection? You can follow these directions on how to cook your corned beef in a slow cooker.

Instant pot corned beef and cabbage

Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Additional Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

How to make classic corned beef in your pressure cooker.

Ingredients

  • 3-4 pound pre-packaged corned beef brisket
  • 1 teaspoon pickling spices (attached on a pre-packaged brisket)
  • 4 cups water
  • 3 pounds small potatoes
  • 1 cups carrots, chopped
  • 1 head of cabbage, chopped into wedges

Instructions

  1. Place the brisket in the bottom on the inner pot.
  2. Sprinkle the spices over top.
  3. Pour in the water.
  4. Put the lid on, place the vent to SEALING and set to manual high-pressure for 90 minutes. It will take 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure.
  5. When done cooking, allow the Instant Pot to come to natural pressure and wait until the pin drops to remove the lid.
  6. Take out the brisket and set aside to rest, leaving the water in the pot.
  7. Place the potatoes, carrots and cabbage in the Instant Pot. Put the lid on, set to SEALING again and cook for 7 minutes on manual high pressure.
  8. When done cooking, do a quick release.
  9. Slice your brisket, add your vegetables and enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 2 pieces of brisket + potatoes, carrots and cabbage
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 489Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 98mgCarbohydrates: 62gFiber: 10gSugar: 9gProtein: 30g

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Instant pot corned beef
Kelley Easy Instant Pot Recipes


Hey y'all! I'm Kelley!

I am a Texan living in the woods of mid-Michigan with my husband, 4 kids and a whole farm of animals. I heard amazing things about the Instant Pot and knew that I had to give it a try. Many of these recipes are family favorites, and I want your family to enjoy them as well!