Pressure Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage with creamy baby red potatoes and carrots is a flavorful easy meal with the most tender meat!
A marinated corned beef brisket is cooked in the instant pot with beef broth and Guinness stout. The corned beef completely falls apart and melts in your mouth. This complete meal is great for St. Patrick's Day!
Why this recipe works:
- Quick and easy in the Instant Pot! If you've ever made corned beef and cabbage, you probably used your slow cooker. I will guarantee that this Instant Pot corned beef and cabbage is a million times better than any crock pot recipe you've ever tried. It takes much less time and the Instant Pot infuses the liquid into the meat. This not only enhances the flavor, but makes your corned beef so incredibly tender that it falls apart when you cut it.
- The complete meal. I love this recipe because it comes complete with your meat (corned beef brisket, carbs (baby red potatoes), and veggies (green cabbage and carrots). Nothing else is needed except for maybe a good wine pairing or dark beer.
- So much flavor. Marinated corned beef already has a ton of flavor, but when it is pressure cooked with a dark stout beer like Guinness, the flavor will blow your mind.
- Turn leftovers into another meal. Every time I make this corned beef and cabbage, I use the leftovers to make corned beef hash for breakfast or a Reuben Sandwich!
Ingredients needed:
Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below, but here is a summary.
- Corned beef brisket: I recommend Trader Joe's corned beef because it does not have any added nitrates or nitrites. The roast is marinated. The package instructions say to cook in water, but my recipe packs a lot more flavor.
- Liquid: The roast is cooked in beef broth and stout beer.
- Vegetables: onions, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, garlic, and bay leaf (technically a vegetable?)
How to make Instant Pot Corned Beef:
Detailed step by step instructions are listed in the recipe card below, but here is a summary.
- Cook: Add the corned beef and spices or marinade to the cooking pot of your Instant Pot, or whichever brand you use. Add a quartered onion, beef broth, stout beer, and bay leaves. Cook for 90 minutes on high pressure.
- Release pressure: When the beef is done cooking, you'll allow it to naturally release pressure for about 10 minutes and then you'll quick release the remaining steam. Set the meat on a plate and loosely tent it to keep it warm.
- Cook the vegetables. Add the potatoes to the cooking liquid first. The cabbage and carrots get added later because they need less time.
Cooking tips for perfect results:
- Size of roast: If your roast is too big for your Instant Pot, you can cut it into smaller chunks.
- Corned beef buying tips: The specific cut of meat I used was an uncured corned beef brisket flat roast from Trader Joe's. It already came marinated in spices. I highly recommend finding corned beef that is made without nitrates or nitrites.
- Vegetable cook time: The carrots and cabbage will cook fast. If you like them soft, follow my directions to cook them for a couple minutes. Otherwise, just adding them to the hot cooking liquid will soften them.
- Leftovers: If you have any leftovers, store them in an air tight container in the refrigerator. You can reheat for another meal or you can use them to make corned beef hash or a Reuben Sandwich!
Corned beef spices:
If you're buying a corned beef to make, chances are it will come marinated or with a spice packet.
Most often, you'll find that the spice packet consists of mustard seed, coriander seed, bay leaf, and hot pepper. Sometimes you'll also see allspice berries, dill seed, or even cloves.
The flavor of corned beef spices is indeed unique, and when cooked in the pressure cooker, really gets infused into the meat and vegetables.
Why you should add beer:
I chose to add stout to my cooking liquid because it not only adds flavor, but it helps make the meat even more tender. The darker the beer, the more intense the flavor.
If you don't like Guinness, don't worry. You can't really taste it in the finished meal. Not at all, actually. It's hard to explain, but it will add amazing flavor that will please anyone, even if you hate beer.
All of the alcohol burns off as it cooks, so you can feel fine about serving it to minors or people who don't drink.
Other great recipes:
Here are some other great St. Patrick's Day recipes!
- Bangers & Mash with Stout Onion Gravy
- Irish Cheddar Shepherd’s Pie
- Irish Cheddar Stout Bread
- Guinness Chocolate Sauce
- Guinness Chocolate Cake
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave me a comment and let me know what you think!
Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
Ingredients
- 3 pound corned beef (marinated uncured round flat roast, Trader Joe's recommended)
- 4 cups beef broth
- 12 ounces stout beer (I used Guinness)
- 1 large onion (quartered)
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 pound small red potatoes (halved (quarter if medium sized))
- 4 large carrots (peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 1 small head green cabbage (cut into 6 wedges with core removed)
Instructions
- Cook meat: Put the corned beef, beef broth, stout, onion, garlic, and bay leaves into the pressure cooking pot. Lock the lid in place. Select High Pressure and set the timer for 90 minutes. Once done, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, and then do a quick pressure release to release any remaining pressure.
- Set aside roast: Remove the roast from the pressure cooking pot and transfer to a plate. Loosely cover the corned beef with aluminum foil until ready to serve. Scoop all of the solids out of the pot and discard, leaving only the broth.
- Cook potatoes: Add the potatoes to the cooking pot, cover, lock lid in place, and cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. Instant release pressure so you can open the lid, add the carrots and cabbage, and then cook on high pressure for 1-2 minutes (depends on how soft you like your carrots). Quick release pressure when done.
- Serve: To serve, arrange the cabbage, potatoes, and carrots on a platter. Slice the corned beef against the grain and add to the platter. Ladle the cooking liquid into a gravy boat and serve alongside the meal.
Notes
- If your roast is too big for your Instant Pot, you can cut it into smaller chunks.
- The carrots and cabbage will cook fast. If you like them soft, follow my directions to cook them for a couple minutes. Otherwise, just adding them to the hot cooking liquid will soften them.
- If you have any leftovers, you'll want to make corned beef hash!
NUTRITION INFORMATION
This post was originally published in March 2018 and has been updated with more information, photos, and cooking tips. Don't worry - I didn't change the recipe!
Ernie
Made this corned beef turned out really good
Vickie
Made this today & also last year. So delicious. Also made my Irish soda bread to go with the meal.
Melody
I used the trivet one recipe called for but yours didn’t I might have got confused I think it will be fine right
Krissy
It doesn't need the trivet for this recipe.
Eugene B
Don’t have instant pot. Can I use a large pot ? Boil etc for how long?
Krissy
You can, but it will need to braise for a long time until tender. Maybe 4 hrs?
Gwen
This recipe is awesome. I have used it several times. The stout beer makes all the difference. Meat is very tender and juicy. I cooked my from frozen, but added 10 minutes to the cook time.
Carolyn
Are there different brands or models of Instant Pots, if so, which do you recommend
Krissy
Oh man, I got mine years ago at Costco. I don't think you need a special version, but just get the right size for your family.
Kk
My pressure cooker (Mueller) only let's you cook for up to 30 min, what should I do if the recipe calls for 90 min?
Krissy
Just keep the lid locked and when it's done reset the timer. It should start immediately because it's already at pressure.
Stacy
Did you place the beef on the trivet? Or directly in the liquid?
Krissy
Sorry for the late response, but I just placed it directly on the liquid.
Jennnifer
Do you rinse your Trader Joe's corned beef before adding it to the instant pot? Can't wait to try your recipe!
Krissy
Nope! I just opened the package and tossed it in. Enjoy!
Kim R
Best corned beef I ever had
Dawn
Are you supposed to leave the potatoes in when you add the carrots and cabbage? Or remove them and replace with carrots and cabbage in the liquid?
Krissy
You will leave them in unless for some reason you poke them and they are already super tender. It will depend on their size.
Vicki
I came across this pressure cooker recipe looking for a pressure cooker recipe to make my corned beef and it had 5 stars so cooking now exactly as recipe. Si excited. Bought my ibarra pot over a year and half ago and fussy time using pressure cooker! Thanks!
Vicki
Insta pot auto correct
Kathy
Delish. Never could master a crockpot corned beef but this came out great. I followed the recipe and even use 2 different brands of corned beef, thin cut.
Both equally good.
Marcia
My brisket is a little over 4 lbs. Should I increase the cooking time at all?
Also, when you say check it and increase the time if it’s not done, do you mean bring it back up to pressure again, or use one of the pot’s other cook settings? Thanks. Can’t wait to try this.
Krissy
It should definitely be done after 90min in the Instant Pot, no matter the size. But, if for some reason, it needs more time then yes - lock the lid, set it to high pressure, and cook for another 10, 20, etc. minutes until it's done. Enjoy!
Chris
At the start of your write up, you mention corned beef brisket, but later you said you used corned beef round. Round and brisket are both common for corned beef, but they are not the same. Brisket is more common and gives you that fall apart tenderness many like (especially for some hash the next day!). Round is leaner and therefore more firm, but has a beefier flavor some prefer.
Krissy
I updated my post. Thank you for catching that! I indeed use the brisket cut and it certainly falls apart. Thank you!
Nancy
Very good! I just used a can of beer we had in the refrigerator! Worked out fine!
Michele
☆☆☆☆☆ Happy St.Patty's Day!! We made this recipe tonight and it was absolutely delicious!! The best corned beef I have ever made
Hollis Ramsey
No Instant Pot, no microwave, no toaster. Instead, I use a Dutch oven, a stove, and a griddle. But I WILL taste the Guinness, because that’s what I’ll be drinking with it. Guinness Extra Stout is the only beer that I like. And I’ll be making the corned beef dish in the Dutch oven, I have the time.
Krissy
I have no idea what you look like, but I can totally picture you drinking that Guinness stout with your Dutch oven corned beef! I love braising in the DO, but I just love using my Instant Pot whenever possible.
James C Woodring
Made this for the first time and it will be my Go-To recipe for Corned Beef!!!!
StableRN
I love this recipe.. First... the Trader Joe tip ..
Second... The Stout Beer.. (I HATE beer.. BUT I love cooking with STOUT beer.. it does add so much flavor.. and WHO would know...)
Thank you for Sharing!
Geneva Byrd
I have a two pound corn beef. Do I use the same amount of liquid?
Krissy
That should work
Shari Morrison
Five stars ! By far the very best corned beef recipe I've ever tried . I've made a lot in my life, this one so very moist and tender, full of layers of flavor. Thank you for passing this along.
Morgan
What liquid do you recommend using in place of the beer?
Krissy
Beef broth.