Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe (2024)

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Want to save time and learn how to cook corned beef in a pressure cooker or Instant Pot? You are going to love how quick and easy this pressure cooker corned beef recipe is! In fact, after making Pressure Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage, I don’t think I will ever cook it any other way. It is fall-apart, fork-tender deliciousness that should not be limited to one day of the year!

Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe (1)

Cooking corned beef in a pressure cooker was one of my best discoveries. I started cooking corned beef in a stovetop pressure cooker 20 years ago. Then I got an electric pressure cooker and started using that to cook my corned beef and cabbage. And then the Instant Pot came along and of course, I had to make Corned Beef and Cabbage in an Instant Pot. All of the methods create a delicious and flavorful corned beef and cabbage in a fraction of the time it would take in the oven or slow cooker!

How long do you cook corned beef in an electric pressure cooker?

It only takes 40 minutes to cook corned beef in an electric pressure cooker or Instant Pot. That is abig reduction in cooking time over cooking corned beef in an oven for 2 1/2 hours!

How long does it take to cook corned beef in a pressure cooker on the stove?

I started cooking corned beef on a stovetop pressure cooker back in the day. It takes a little longer for the stovetop pressure cooker to reach high pressure, so the total cooking time will be closer to 50 minutes.

Over the years I have acquired an electric pressure cooker and an Instant Pot. You can cook corned beef and cabbage in your Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker, but depending on the size you may have to use a smaller corned beef brisket and fewer potatoes. Be sure to follow the directions for your cooker and don’t overfill your pot.

Can I cook potatoes with the corned beef?

Absolutely!I addmedium to large red potatoes to my corned beef and let them cook together. If you choose small red potatoes, you will want to cook the corned beef for 25 minutes, then use the quick release method to release the steam. Then add the small red potatoes and cook at high pressure for another 15 minutes.

I don’t peel the potatoes. I just wash them, cut off any bruised spots, and throw them in whole. They will crack open while cooking and all the flavors will seep in, effortlessly creating the most flavorful potatoes EVER!

Corned Beef Spice Packet Recipe

If you don’t get a spice packet with your corned beef, you can make the spices yourself using the following spices.

Ingredients

  • 1 bay leaf, crushed
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 20+ peppercorns
  • 20+ coriander
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice

How to Cook Corned Beef in a Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot

You can quickly and easily make corned beef in an Instant Pot on high pressure or in an electric pressure cooker or stovetop pressure cooker. You will find the directions for each method below.
Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe (2)

Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 – 3 pounds corned beef brisket
  • 10 medium red potatoes, whole
  • 1 medium onion, quartered
  • 8 cloves of garlic
  • 1 cup of beef broth (Homemade beef broth recipe)
  • 1 head of cabbage
  • spice packet (often comes with corned beef purchase)

Instant Pot Corned Beef Directions:

  1. Place the corned beef on the rack in the Instant Pot. Add the onion, potatoes, and garlic. Pour broth over the meat and veggies. Sprinkle spices over it all.Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe (3)
  2. Place the lid on the Instant Pot. Ensure the valve is sealed so that no steam is released.
  3. On an Instant Pot, push meat or manual which should select high pressure then select 40 minutes.
  4. When your Instant Pot has stopped cooking, open the valve to quickly release the steam.
  5. Remove the lid, remove the cooked potatoes, place on a dish and cover to keep warm.
  6. Add the cabbage to the Instant Pot. Replace the lid, close the valve, select manual and set the timer for 1 minute.Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe (4)
  7. As soon as it is done cooking, open the valve to release the pressure.
  8. Remove the cabbage and the corned beef and cover them to keep warm, then use the drippings to make gravy.

Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe (5)

Instant Pot Corned Beef Video Tutorial

Electric Pressure Cooker Corned Beef Recipe

An electric pressure cooker releases a little more steam while cooking than the Instant Post, so I increase the broth by 1/2 cup.

Ingredients:

  • 2 – 3 pound corned beef brisket
  • 10 medium red potatoes, whole
  • 1 medium onion, quartered
  • 8 cloves of garlic
  • 1 1/2 cups of beef broth (Homemade beef broth recipe)
  • 1 head of cabbage
  • spice packet (often comes with corned beef purchase)

Electric Pressure Cooker Corned Beef Directions:

  1. Place the corned beef on the rack in the pressure cooker. Add onion, potatoes, and garlic. Pour broth over the meat and veggies. Sprinkle spices over it all.
  2. Place the lid on pressure cooker. Ensure the valve is sealed so that no steam is released.
  3. On an electric pressure cooker, select high pressure, then select 40 minutes.
  4. When your electric pressure cooker has stopped cooking, open the valve to quickly release the steam.
  5. Remove the lid, remove the cooked potatoes, place on a dish and cover to keep warm. Add the cabbage to the pressure cooker. Replace the lid, close the valve, select High Pressure and set the timer for 1 minute.
  6. As soon as it is done cooking, open the valve to release the pressure.
  7. Remove the cabbage and the corned beef and cover them to keep warm, then use the drippings to make gravy.

Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe (6)

Stovetop Pressure Cooker Corned Beef Recipe

A stovetop pressure cooker releases more steam while cooking than the electric pressure cooker or Instant Pot, so you need to increase the amount of beef broth you add.

Ingredients:

  • 2 – 3 pound corned beef brisket
  • 10 medium red potatoes, whole
  • 1 medium onion, quartered
  • 8 cloves of garlic
  • 2 – 3 cups of beef broth (Homemade beef broth recipe)
  • 1 head of cabbage
  • spice packet (often comes with corned beef purchase)

Stove Top Pressure Cooker Corned Beef Directions:

  1. Place corned beef in the pressure cooker. Add onion, potatoes, and garlic. Pour broth over the meat and potatoes.
  2. Sprinkle spices over it all.Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe (7)
  3. Place lid on pressure cooker.Cook over high heat until it reaches high pressure. Lower flame and stabilize pressure. Cook for 40 minutes. Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe (8)
  4. Remove the pressure cooker from flame and run under cold water to release pressure.
  5. Add cabbage to the pressure cooker. Cook over high flame until it reaches high pressure. As soon as it reaches high pressure, remove from flame and run under cool water to release pressure.

Note about cabbage: The cabbage only takes a few minutes to cook, so you add it at the very end. The cabbage really will cook in just the few minutes it takes to reach high pressure.

How to Make Gravy from the Corned Beef Drippings

Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe (9)

Corned Beef Gravy Recipe

Use the drippings from the pressure cooker corned beef to make gravy. Seriously, it will be the best gravy you have ever had!

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 – 2 cups drippings from Corned Beef
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Directions:

  1. After you have removed the meat and veggies from the pot, add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to the drippings.
  2. Use a whisk to blend the cornstarch into the beef.
  3. Cook on low to medium heat until it reaches a boil.
  4. Lower flame and boil until it thickens, approximately 2 – 3 minutes.

You can mop up the extra gravy with someIrish Soda Bread Recipe.

Printable Directions for Pressure Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe (10)

Print

How to Cook Corned Beef in an Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker

Cooking corned beef, potatoes, and cabbage in a pressure cooker or Instant Pot

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Corned Beef, Corned Beef in a Pressure Cooker, Corned Beef in an Instant Pot, Instant Pot, Pressure Cooker

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Servings 6

Author Alea Milham

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 2 -3 pounds corned beef brisket
  • 20 small red potatoes whole
  • 1 medium onion quartered
  • 8 cloves garlic
  • 1 - 3 cups beef broth
  • 1 head of cabbage
  • spice packet often comes with corned beef purchase

Spices if you don't have a spice packet

  • 1 bay leaf crushed
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 20 + peppercorns
  • 20 + coriander
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice

For Gravy:

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

Stove Top Pressure Cooker Directions

  • Place corned beef in the pressure cooker. Add onion, potatoes, and garlic. Pour broth over the meat and veggies. Sprinkle spices over it all. Place lid on pressure cooker.

  • Cook over high heat until it reaches high pressure. Lower flame and stabilize pressure. Cook for 40 minutes.

  • Remove from flame and run under cold water to release pressure.

  • Add cabbage to the pressure cooker. Cook over high flame until it reaches high pressure.

  • As soon as it reaches high pressure, remove from flame and run under cool water to release pressure.

Electric Pressure Cooker and Instant Pot Directions:

  • Place the corned beef on the rack in the pressure cooker or Instant Pot. Add onion, potatoes, and garlic. Pour broth over the meat and veggies. Sprinkle spices over it all. Place the lid on pressure cooker or Instant Pot. Ensure the valve is sealed so that no steam is released.

  • On an electric pressure cooker, select high pressure, then select 40 minutes. On an Instant Pot, push manual which should select high pressure then select 40 minutes.

  • When your electric pressure cooker or Instant Pot has stopped cooking, open the valve to quickly release the steam.

  • Remove the lid, remove the cooked potatoes, place on a dish and cover to keep warm. Add the cabbage to the pressure cooker or Instant Pot. Replace the lid, close the valve, select High Pressure and set the timer for 1 minute.

  • As soon as it is done cooking, open the valve to release the pressure.

  • Remove the cabbage and the corned beef and cover them to keep warm, then use the drippings to make gravy.

Gravy Directions:

  • Remove meat and vegetables from the pressure cooker, but leave the drippings.

  • Add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to the drippings.

  • Use a whisk to blend the cornstarch into the beef.

  • Cook over a medium flame until it reaches a boil.

  • Lower flame and boil until it thickens, approximately 2 - 3 minutes.

We enjoy Pressure Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage so much that I buy extra corned beef when it is on sale and freeze it. You can store corned beef in the freezer for 6 months.

Do you only make Corned Beef and Cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day? If so, below are some more ideas for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

More St. Patrick’s Day Ideas

Free Printable St. Patrick’s Prayer

Shamrock Craft Using Chenille Pipe Cleaners

Irish Soda Bread Recipe

St. Patrick’s Day Games for Kids

Corned Beef and Cabbage Casserole

Corned Beef Tater Tot Casserole

Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my corned beef not tender enough in the Instant Pot? ›

When there's not ample liquid to cover the meat, your dreams of tender corned beef may be replaced by a tough, chewy result. Instead: Start by filling a large pot with enough water so the corned beef is completely submerged.

How long does meat pressure cook in Instant Pot? ›

I like to assume 20 minutes for every pound of meat. So, for my 3-pound beef chuck, I will need to cook at high pressure for 1 hour. After the hour, I release the pressure and shred the tender beef. When the beef is done, you can make our optional gravy.

What is the best method for cooking tender corned beef? ›

Slow cooker cooking is a popular and effortless way to cook corned beef that results in tender and succulent meat. The slow cooker, or crock pot, lets you cook food over a long period. This lets the meat absorb the flavors of the cooking liquid and spices.

Does corned beef get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

Corned beef is safe once the internal temperature has reached at least 145 °F, with a three minute rest time, but cooking it longer will make it fork-tender. Corned beef may still be pink in color after cooking. This does not mean it is not done. Nitrite is used in the curing process.

How do you fix tough corned beef in a pressure cooker? ›

If your Instant Pot corned beef is tough, it's probably because it was not pressure-cooked long enough. Usually, 90 minutes of pressure cooking time does the trick. But, if it's tough, it needs to cook longer. You can just put it back in the Instant Pot and cook for another 20 or 30 minutes.

Do you cover meat with liquid in a pressure cooker? ›

While you may cover meat almost completely for a conventional braise, use just enough liquid for the cooker to reach pressure – during pressure cooking the meat will release it's own juice and braise in that flavorful liquid, instead.

Can you overcook pork in a pressure cooker? ›

While it is possible to overcook pulled pork in the Instant Pot, it's very unlikely if you are using pork shoulder or butt. The pork should get more tender the longer it cooks. If using pork loin, which is leaner, you can overcook it.

How much water to put in a pressure cooker? ›

Add Liquid

“Jiggle top” cookers need a minimum of one cup of water, while valve cookers need at least half a cup. Put food in the cooker first, then add water. When learning how to use a pressure cooker, make sure the unit is never more than two-thirds full of liquid, so the steam has enough space to accumulate.

How long does it take to cook a 3 pound corned beef? ›

For a two to three-pound corned beef brisket, cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. For a three to five-pound corned beef brisket, cook for 3 to 3 1/2 hours. STOVE: Place brisket fat-side up in a large pot and cover it with water. Bring the water to a boil; then reduce the heat and simmer, allowing about 1 hour per pound.

Should I rinse corned beef before cooking? ›

Always Rinse Corned Beef Before Cooking It

Regardless of whether you cure the meat yourself or buy a ready-to-cook corned beef, chances are there's excess salt lingering on the surface and tucked into folds on the outer part of the meat.

Is it better to cook corned beef in water or beef broth? ›

The corned beef seasoning adds so much flavor to this traditional recipe, and a low, slow cook in beef broth makes this corned beef brisket juicy, tender and melt-in-your-mouth delicious!

What not to do when cooking corned beef? ›

Not rinsing the meat before cooking.

Do this instead: Whether you bought a ready-to-cook corned beef or you cured your own, rinse the meat several times under cool water to remove any excess salt. But don't think this means you're rinsing away all the flavor; by this point, the meat is fully infused with it.

Do you cook corned beef fat side up or down? ›

Place the corned beef fat-side up in a roasting pan with a rack or use an oven-safe rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. If you don't have either, set the corned beef on top of a bed of chopped onions so it's elevated from the pan.

Do you use the liquid in the corned beef package? ›

Place the brined corned beef in a large pot or Dutch oven along with the liquid and spices that accompanied it in the package. Pour in enough water to cover the beef, then bring the water to a boil on the stovetop.

How to fix a tough corned beef? ›

warm - or if you want, Goldilocks warm. This should help you get more tender beef. The other method is to marinade it with a little baking soda. I cut it into pieces and cook in the Crock Pot for 8-10 hours with lots of water and the spice packet.

Does meat get softer the longer you pressure cook it? ›

The pressure will in fact make your meat super tender, almost as if you slow cooked it for the better part of a day. You still have to figure out how long to cook it though so for that I invite you to read a little further.

Can you overcook slow cooked corned beef? ›

You can overcook corned beef in a Crock-Pot if it's cooked for too long at too high of a temperature. Overcooked corned beef can taste tough and stringy. It's best to follow the recommended cook time and temperature within the recipe.

Why is my corned beef floating in the slow cooker? ›

Add water to the crock, covering the corned beef. Note: the corned beef will float, so press it down to check the water level as you fill. You don't want to overfill the crock. Set the slow cooker on high and cook for 4 hours.

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