Easy Instant Pot corned beef and cabbage and potatoes recipe is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any other day of the year! Moist and flavorful corned beef brisket cooked in your pressure cooker is simple to do with potato trivets. If you haven’t tried this dinner idea in your pressure cooker you’re in for a treat.
Here is our easy Instant Pot corned beef and cabbage recipe we put together this year. Now we could make it lickety split fast and add it to our list of the best Instant Pot recipes around! (affiliate links present)
Table of Contents
- Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
- Pressure Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
- Corned Beef and Cabbage in Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage and Potatoes
- Do you rinse corned beef before cooking?
- Pressure Cooker Corned Beef
- Does cooked corned beef freeze well?
- Leftover corned beef recipes
- What do you serve with corned beef?
- What condiments goes with corned beef?
- Instant Pot corned beef
- Easy Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe
Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
We don’t do a lot to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, but I will say one thing I enjoy is this traditional dinner! It isn’t just for the holidays, and it isn’t just made in the oven anymore. You can use these instructions for the Ninja Foodi pot too.
This one explains how to get this cut nice and tender starting from fresh or defrosted. If you have had a forgetful moment I get it. That is why I also wrote instructions on how to cook Instant Pot frozen corned beef as well. Turns out great as well!!
If you are new to pressure cooking we have a lot of easy one pot meal recipes for you here. To begin with let’s start with a few basic tips:
- Make sure to Bookmark our InstaPot recipes page. We add new ones each week!
- Then PRINT this —–> Instant Pot cooking times cheat sheet that will help you understand how long meat, vegetables and beans take to cook in your pressure cooker.
- I HIGHLY recommend you buy this non stick pot.
- You should know how to deglaze a pressure cooker after sautéing but it won’t have as many issues with this better liner.
For reference, this is the model I have (a 6 quart) and use for all recipe creations.
Pressure Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
Like I said, we’ve made this dish for years but in the past stuck with this slow cooker corned beef brisket recipe which is fantastic, but really does take all day to make.
Cooking corned beef and cabbage used to take about 8 hours. Now it’s closer to 1 1/2 hours! It is sure nice to know that if I had a hectic morning and forgot to throw it in that I can still save dinner. I wouldn’t want to bypass this fun day of the year.
Not only was the corned beef full of flavor, but the potatoes I used as a trivet of sorts were probably the most amazing taters I have ever made (and I literally did nothing but throw it all together).
You see most people use a trivet when making Instant Pot corned beef and cabbage but you are really missing out if you do it that way.
I like using a few large potatoes cut in half as a trivet because then they soak up all the drippings of the meat as well as the liquid you use to cook / “steam” it.
Corned Beef and Cabbage in Instant Pot
Ok so I have done some research on carbonated beverages and pressure cookers. It states there is no problem pouring it in as is straight out of the fridge but I just leave it out overnight so becomes flat.
It maintains the great taste that will then permeate into your meat and vegetables but the fizz is pretty much gone. Your choice.
If you’ve never made a corned beef brisket it is not hard. You really should pick one up at the store. I choose a smaller piece (2-3 lbs). It will come with a little packet of spices like you see here on the top.
Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage and Potatoes
If yours doesn’t come with it here’s how to make corned beef spices. Overall it is a rather inexpensive and healthy meal too.
- Corned beef brisket – ours was 3 lbs.
- plus pickling spice seasoning packet that comes in bag
- Cooking liquid – beer, beef broth, or cold water
- Head of cabbage
- 2 large potatoes – or a trivet can be used but it’s not as tasty
- Use 2 large russet or 4 medium size red potatoes for this so meat lays flat on top
- 1 onion quartered
- Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or any other brand of pressure cooker (this is the one I have)
Watch the video in this post so you can see how I make it and how I make edible trivets using potatoes that taste amazing when they’re done!
Do you rinse corned beef before cooking?
NO! I mean some people do in order to minimize the overall sodium content but it will drastically change the taste since the brine is really where it’s at with this.
- Just remove it from the bag and put the small seasoning packet aside, I do rinse that off. Place it into your pot, or in this case on top of your potato trivet.
- Use some sort of liquid to essentially steam it, beer is best in my opinion.
If you’re concerned about the alcohol, it really is cooked off in the process so you’re just getting the flavor.
Pressure Cooker Corned Beef
Here are quick instructions. We have exact ingredients and step by steps below in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Cut baking potatoes in half and place at bottom of your Instant Pot or pressure cooker with the cut side down. (could use 4 red potatoes to and use those as trivets)
- You can rinse off your corned beef after removing it from it’s package (or not) and set it on top of the potatoes. We will use these as our trivet. Make sure it’s flat so it doesn’t fall over.
- Pour your beer, beef broth or water on top. Sprinkle corned beef seasoning packet on top of meat and close lid and steam valve.
- Set to manual, high pressure for 90 minutes cooking time. (timing good for a 3 lb piece)
- Do a natural release for 10 minutes, then let rest of steam out. Open lid and remove corned beef, set aside covered with foil. Quarter your onion and put into pot with liquid.
- Use the largest cabbage leaves. Place on top of potatoes the carrots and cabbage leaves (or omit carrots).
- If you test potatoes and don’t want them softened further then remove them at this time and put cabbage in liquid with onions. OR cook Instant Pot cabbage or red cabbage coleslaw separately.
Put lid on, close steam valve, cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. Do a quick release, cut meat, and serve vegetables on the side. Pour some broth inside pot on top of everything when serving.When everything is done slice your corned beef. Serve with some potato from the pot, onion, and cabbage. It is fork tender I tell you!
I kid you not everyone will fight over the potatoes once they taste them. They’re incredible! If you need a Crockpot Express or Ninja Foodi corned beef and cabbage recipe the directions below will work fine. Just set to pressure high.
Does cooked corned beef freeze well?
An uncooked corned beef brisket can be frozen if it is drained and well wrapped in tinfoil and then inside a freezer bag. Keep in mind that salt encourages rancidity and the texture will change, but it is still safe to eat after being frozen
After cooking, store your leftover corned beef for up to 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze cooked beef 2 to 3 months
Leftover corned beef recipes
I tend to make a batch of Ninja Foodi cabbage or some air fryer cabbage wedges with the leftovers, or make one of the recipes below.
- We have 2 different homemade corned beef hash recipes, one is traditional and the other is creamy.
- Of course you can make Reuben sandwiches with some Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing. Grill it between 2 slices of rye bread.
- Our corned beef soup is more like a chowder and comes out so good you could really add any type of meat to it.
You can make dutch oven corned beef and cabbage too if you’d like to try a different method each year!
I feel like you can add more vegetables to this version. It takes much longer of course but the meat comes out just as tender and the potatoes, carrots and onions are beyond amazing.
What do you serve with corned beef?
Artichoke hearts right out of the jar that have been marinated, then dressed with lemon juice and/or butter are pretty amazing and something different to add to your plate.
You should definitely make our mustard sauce for corned beef too. Brush it on top of the brisket and then have on the table. Then everyone can put more on each bite.
Any vegetables really go with everything including a bowl of green peas that have been buttered or herbed.
- Instant Pot Spinach with just a bit of salt and pepper is a great healthy side dish.
- If I can find fresh asparagus, you can steam it and serve it hot or cold.
Air fryer garlic bread is great. Traditionally people will serve an easy Irish soda bread recipe with it though…no question about that.
What condiments goes with corned beef?
I mean you can really serve it with anything but typically regular and a variety of gourmet mustards are known to pair well with this cut of meat.
- I personally like regular yellow to add just a dab to each bite, but that is typically what I use for ham as well. With all the other items none of these are really necessary but they’re nice to have on hand and try.
Instant Pot corned beef
The nutritional information is included here as well, the calories, saturated fat, etc. are calculated by the recipe card itself. Like I said, you can use this for any brand of pressure cooker or Ninja Foodi.
Keep in mind that beyond the 85 minutes to 90 min. it takes a bit to reach pressure. Overall I would leave 2 hours to have this finished to perfection and ready to serve.
Easy Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
Ingredients
- 2-3 lb corned beef
- 1/2 head cabbage
- 1 onion
- 2 potatoes, large baking potatoes
- 12 oz beer, or water or beef broth
Instructions
- Cut baking potatoes in half and place at bottom of your Instant Pot or pressure cooker with the cut side down. (could use 4 red potatoes to and use those as trivets)
- Remove your piece of corned beef from it's package and set it on top of the potatoes (so it's like a trivet, make sure it's flat so it doesn't fall over). Have the fat side facing up.
- Pour your beer, beef broth or water on top.
- Sprinkle corned beef seasoning packet on top of meat and close lid and steam valve.
- Set to manual, pressure, high for 90 minutes. (timing good for a 3 lb piece)
- Do a natural release for 10 minutes, then let rest of steam out.
- Open lid and remove corned beef, set aside covered.
- Quarter your onion and put into pot with liquid.
- Cut your cabbage head in half so you are using the top half and bottom half with core is left over.
- Separate leaves and place on top of potatoes and onions. If you test potatoes and don’t want them softened further then remove them at this time and put cabbage in liquid with onions.
- Put lid on, close steam valve, and set to manual, pressure, high for 3 minutes.
- Do a quick release, cut meat, and serve vegetables on the side. Pour some broth inside pot on top of everything when serving.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’m cooking for one, so I cut my 3-pound corned beef into three 1.33# slabs and froze two and cooked one the old crock pot method. How would you adjust the time for 1.33 pounds of corned beef in the Instant Pot? Thanks for your guidance.
@Liz, what an absolute amazing idea. I, too, cook for one and I never thought to cut into portions. Thank you, Liz, I now longer need to eat my corned beef for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I found an inconsistency that might confuse some people. In your general discussion of the recipe you say not to rinse the corned beef because it will loose flavor. However, in the instapot instructions you say to rinse the corned beef.
This is the second time I have used your recipe. We loved it the first time Abd I am sure we will love it again.
I guess I’ve done it both ways but yes I will clarify, thanks for the note. 😉
I would like to add carrots to the recipe. So when would I add them?
I would wait and cook with the cabbage. Otherwise they’ll be too overcooked.
I had a 2.5lb brisket and cooked for 80 min. Used only water. Just perfect. Thanks so much. I’ll never cook one covered in water for 8 hours again.
Yay for a success
The corned beef was very good. I always use Guinness when I fix in the crockpot and we love it. This was my first time to use pressure cooker. When I let the steam out it looked it looked like the beer was foaming out with the steam. The Guinness wasn’t flat, could that have effected it?
I also used smaller potatoes and they were a little mushy but good.
I will definitely keep this recipe.
I make corned beef every year for St. Patrick’s Day. I bought two this year, made one for St. Patrick’s day in the Instapot with another recipe: turned out great! Tonight I made the other one using this recipe: turned out AMAZING! The potatoes were to die for, as well!!! Thank you for sharing!
Yeah!!
I’m really excited to try this out but had a quick question: approximately how much time should I adjust it to for a 3.5 to 4 lb corned beef?
We just finished a 4.3 lb one at 2 hours.
How’d it turn out at 2 hours?
You obviously are American , what would corned beef be in English?
Salt Beef
Haven’t made it yet, need clarification. “Cut your cabbage head in half so you are using the top half and bottom half with core is left over.” You mean, cut it on the equator, not lengthwise, and discard the bottom half?
Yes exactly
@The Typical Mom, I’m not at all clear with directions like “cut on the equator” etc. Could you say again what to do with the cabbage? I haven’t made corn beef in years and would love to try this!! Thanks!
So I just slice the cabbage in half with the stem on the left and top of cabbage on the right, so you’re just using the top half and not the half with the stem attached.
I always use a 12oz bottle of Guiness Stout for my corned beef and it is soooo darn good!
Good to know!