Corned Beef and Cabbage (IP)
Yield: 6
Spruce Eats
The Instant Pot pressure cooker is a fast and easy way to make a complete corned beef and cabbage meal. The beef cooks in less than 90 minutes and the vegetables take only two minutes. Be sure to allow extra time for the cooker to come to high pressure—about 15 minutes for the beef and 10 to 15 minutes for the vegetables—along with an extra 15 minutes of pressure release time. If you simmered the same cut of corned beef on the stovetop, it would take about 3½ to 4 hours to make it perfectly tender. Not only do you save time; you save energy.
Cook: 87 Pressure Build/Release: 30 Total: 2 hrs 15 mins
- 4lb corned beef, preferably flat cut
- 1medium onion
- 2TBS mixed pickling spices
- 2bay leaves
- 4cups water
- 1½lb potatoes, red-skinned or fingerlings
- 1lb carrots
- 1head cabbage
For garnish and serving:
- parsley, for garnish
- whole-grain or spicy brown mustard,
Peel and slice the onion. Put the onions and corned beef into the Instant Pot. Add the mixed pickling spices and bay leaves, followed by 4 cups of water.
Seal the Instant Pot and set to MANUAL HIGH pressure for 85 minutes.
Meanwhile, scrub and peel the potatoes (or leave them unpeeled) and cut them into 1½-inch to 2-inch pieces. Peel carrots and cut into 3-inch lengths. If the carrots are quite thick, halve them horizontally. Cut the cabbage into six to eight wedges.
When time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then carefully move the knob to “venting.” Remove the meat to a cutting board and slice thinly. Transfer the meat to a platter and cover with foil to keep warm.
Strain the liquids into a large bowl or gravy separator and skim off any excess fat. Discard solids and return liquids to the Instant Pot. Add the vegetables to the Instant Pot.
Seal the Instant Pot, making sure the venting knob is set to “sealing.” Set the Instant Pot to MANUAL HIGH pressure for 2 minutes.
When time is up, carefully turn the knob to “venting” to release pressure quickly. With a slotted spoon, arrange potatoes and carrots around sliced corned beef. Arrange cabbage wedges in a separate bowl. Garnish corned beef, cabbage, and vegetables with parsley and serve with a spicy brown or whole grain mustard.
Tips:
If you don’t have mixed pickling spices, it’s easy to make it at home. Combine 1 TBS of mustard seeds with 1 tsp of whole allspice berries, about ½ tsp of coriander seeds, ¼ tsp of ground ginger, ¼ tsp of crushed red pepper flakes, and about 1 inch of a cinnamon stick.
Corned beef comes in a few different cuts. The most common corned beef is from the brisket. If you want corned beef that can be neatly sliced, choose the flat cut. For more tender, easy to shred corned beef, choose the point cut. If you prefer a much leaner beef, look for a corned eye of round. You might also choose to do it yourself and cure the beef at home.
Corned beef leftovers offer many creative possibilities. Aside from sandwiches, corned beef makes fantastic hash, delicious casseroles, and tasty soups. Or try something a little different, like these corned beef and cabbage rolls or these crescent roll Reuben bites.
