This easy Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe comes out perfectly tender every time! Made with corned beef brisket, cabbage, and carrots, it’s the perfect St. Patrick’s Day dinner.
The Best Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe
It may be the most famous dish to eat on St. Patrick’s Day, but this Irish-American corned beef recipe is a favorite in my house any time of the year.
And now, thanks to the Instant Pot, it’s getting made even more frequently. Before, it would take hours to prepare this dish as it simmers on the stovetop all day but this pressure cooker version takes just 90 minutes. And the meat still comes out super tender every time.
Of course, if you wish you could also make this in the slow cooker, see my Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe. Be sure to save some leftovers so you can make this Corned Beef Hash!
Looking for more Instant Pot beef recipes? Don’t miss my Instant Pot shredded beef and picadillo recipes.
Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Recipe
Here are a few reasons you’ll love making corned beef in the Instant Pot.
- Hands-off. Once you add everything to the Instant Pot, this recipe is almost completely hands-off.
- Fast(er) cooking time. Corned beef is one of those dishes that typically takes HOURS to prepare but this Instant Pot version takes just 90 minutes.
- Only a handful of ingredients. Thanks to the corned beef brisket already being seasoned, this recipe requires just a handful of basic ingredients, like carrots and bay leaves.
What You’ll Need
This Instant Pot corned beef recipe is made with just a handful of ingredients. See the recipe card below for measurements.
- Corned beef brisket – Trimmed of any excess fat.
- Veggies – Carrots and frozen pearl onions give this corned beef recipe extra flavor and substance.
- Seasonings – Fresh parsley, bay leaves, and whole peppercorns help to season the dish.
- Water
- Cabbage – Cut into 6 equal wedges.
What Type of Meat is Corned Beef?
Corned beef is made from beef brisket cured in a salt brine and seasoned with spices like bay leaves, peppercorns, etc. It’s a tough cut of meat, which is why it needs to be slow cooked – though the Instant Pot speeds up the process significantly. (While still resulting in tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat.)
How to Make Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
The Instant Pot does most of the work in this corned beef and cabbage recipe.
- Add everything to the Instant Pot. Add the corned beef brisket and the other ingredients, except the cabbage, to the Instant Pot. Top with 3 cups of water.
- Cook. Cover and cook on high pressure for 1 1/2 hours. Allow to naturally release.
- Add the cabbage. Place the cabbage on top, cover again and cook for 3 minutes. Quick release.
- Enjoy. Transfer the meat to a platter, slice into 6 pieces, and enjoy.
Cook’s Notes
Here are a few important tips to keep in mind for this corned beef recipe.
- Cut the meat in half. If you have a larger piece of brisket, cut it in half to fit, the cooking time will remain the same.
- Add potatoes. To add potatoes, cut them into 1 inch chunks then cook once the brisket is done, high pressure for 5 to 7 minutes, and natural release. Then add the cabbage and follow step 3.
- Rest before slicing. Allow the corned beef to rest on the platter for about five minutes before slicing, for the most tender and juicy corned beef slices.
What to Serve with Corned Beef and Cabbage
Wondering what to serve with this Instant Pot dinner? Here are a few of my favorites.
- To keep it low-carb I like to serve it with Creamy Cauliflower Mash with Kale (Low-Carb Colcannon), Cauliflower Mash or Sauteed Brussels Sprouts.
- Also great with roasted or boiled red potatoes, yukon potatoes. You can cook them in the pressure cooker, as noted above.
- Try them with these Whole Wheat Soda Bread Muffins.
How to Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Fridge. Leftover corned beef and cabbage can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat. The easiest way to reheat this dish is in the microwave, though the stovetop would work too. You can also use the leftovers in dishes like corned beef hash.
More St Patrick’s Day Recipes You May Like:
- Shepherd’s Pie, Lightened Up
- Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup
- Bell Pepper and Potato 4-Leaf Clover Fritatta
- Corned Turkey and Cabbage Dinner
- Corned Beef and Cabbage with Horseradish Cream
Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
Ingredients
- 2 pounds trimmed, lean corned beef brisket
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 cup frozen pearl onions
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/8 tsp whole peppercorns
- 3 cups water
- 1 medium head cabbage, cut into 6 wedges
Instructions
- Place the corned beef brisket, carrots, pearl onions, parsley, bay leaves and peppercorns in the Instant pot and add 3 cups of water.
- Cover and cook on high pressure 1 1/2 hours. Natural release then open.
- Add the cabbage to the top, cover and cook on high pressure 3 minutes, quick release.
- Remove meat and slice into 6 pieces.
This was absolutely delicious…followed the directions as written…it was like butter and for the first time in decades, I was able to slice the corned beef without it shredding.
Did I miss salt somewhere in this recipe? Or is it supposed to be assumed to add salt?
No salt, it will come brined and with seasoning.
This was great! It cooked perfectly! I made two adjustments: I added some red potatoes in with the carrots and onions and used 2 cups water, 1 cup beer. So good— thanks Gina!
This was the best corned beef and cabbage that I have ever made. So flavorful and so easy. Love your recipes.
Thanks Rosemary!
Loved this recipe and will make it again, again, and again!
I made this last year, and it turned out really yummy! I can’t remember if anything went awry, but I am making it again today so we shall see.
I don’t have an instant pot. How long in Dutch oven on stovetop?
https://www.skinnytaste.com/corned-beef-and-cabbage/
Amazing! The meat came out tender & juicy. I used two corned beefs, cut off all fat, & cut each in half. I didn’t have cabbage so I left that out. Followed the recipe otherwise. Whenever I make Corned Beef it seems touch & dry. I will only use this recipe in the future. Thank you.
I only had 1-1/2# beef brisket. but it burned in the instapot! So disappointing. If I make it again, I will use slow Cooker.
Did you add the water in step 1? It’s not listed separately in the ingredients.
If I have a 4 lbs corned beef and I cut it into several pieces to fit, will I need to increase the cooking time?
Not necessary. 🙂
The meat was delicious, but the carrots and parsnips were practically mush.
I can imagine…90 minutes of cook time?! I would add them with the cabbage
Made this for St. Patrick’s Day and added the horseradish cream from the other Skinnytaste corned beef recipe. We loved it!💕
Would the same time 1.5 hours be the same for 4 lbs?
I would like to know this too.
I bought a corned beef bottom round instead of brisket and followed this recipe- the meat turned out beautifully fork tender!! I didn’t have all the ingredients so I used the beef, half of spice packet, water and 3 bay leaves. Then cooked cabbage as directed. So delicious thank you!!!
Same here. Could not find the frozen pearl onions at Price Chopper for nothing so I did not add them or regular onions. But, I used all of the spice package included and did not use the peppercorn/bay leaves. Now it is sitting in the Instant Pot for 1.5 hr; hopefully the meat will make sense 🙂
This was perfect! Not to mention easy peasey…. I often feel crock pot corned beef tastes kind of bland and washed out. The meat came out fork tender and delicious. I made the recipe pretty much as is substituting a large chunked up onion for the pearl onions and added a small handful of baby potatoes.
I’m wondering if I got the meat already shredded (bought “lunch meat” ). How would that affect cooking time
Made this last night. Could only find a 3 lb. brisket at the store. Used the whole thing, but cut it in half and followed the recipe as written. Came out perfect! My husband and I loved it! Thank you, Gina!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I actually think that my husband fell a little more in love with me after I made him this dish. It was that good!
Awwwww
I have a question – how long should I cook a 5 lb. point cut corned beef brisket in the instant pot?
I have two corned beef briskets that weigh 8 lbs. total, same amount of cooking time?
3 oz of beef per serving.. is this weighed raw or cooked?
I’ve made this a couple times and absolutely love it!! I can’t find frozen pearl onions so used sweet pickled pearl onions and was delicious! Question though for Gina, why is the IP version of this recipe 1 point less (purple) than the Crock-Pot version?
I have to go to my local Indian grocery store to find them.
Doesn’t the crock pot version use beer instead of all water? I bet that’s it.
Made this last night. It was so delicious! My 8 year old said it was his favorite meal ever. haha. The carrots were quite overcooked and turned to mush, but I’m assuming that’s normal. Still tasted good.
Another winner, Gina! Made exactly as written and it was delicious!!!
Thank you!
If using fresh, not frozen, onions, when is the best time to add them?
Hello, wondering if anyone can clarify the time to cook on his. Some say it is way too long for 1.5 hours and others haven’t commented either way. I want it cooked but sure I want it shredded. Ty!
I cooked mine as directed and it came out perfectly! Some of the out pieces broke down a bit, which I found to be delicious. Most of it held together just fine though
This was delicious. I used frozen pearl onions and would put them in with the cabbage next time. My big kids devoured the meat and my little kids devoured the carrots. Thanks Gina!
This was delicious. I messed up a bit. I didn’t pay attention to the fact that the cabbage goes in later. The cabbage was still good but I’ll do it right next time. I couldn’t get pearl onions so I just put a quartered white onion in for flavor. Everyone loved it. But it’s worth mentioning that the beef cooks down a LOT. I’m glad I didn’t plan on feeding more than the 3 of us because there is absolutely no way this feeds 6. I used 2 lbs and got 3 fist sized portions out of it. Next time I’ll make a bigger one so we have leftovers.
One and a half hours was way too long. Half of my meat separated into shreds. Taste was fine, however.
Very good recipe. My only comment is that according to WW app, 3 oz. lean corned beef, cooked, is 6 pts.
I agree. Perhaps the recipe needs to be updated
Would I be able to do this with a crockpot or do you really recommend an Instapot?
I have a slow cooker version linked above.
Hi Gina! With so many different brands out there I’d like to ask what brand of instapot do you own. Please help me to narrow down my options. Thanks so much.
Only one, Instant Pot is the brand.
Made this in the crock pot and loved it!!!!
I did the cabbage for 3 minutes at the end (as the recipe indicates) but its not cooked at all. I am adding another 10 minutes…
Can you please explain in detail how you got 5 points? We have tried it every way and it comes up 11 points, please help.
Are you using recipe builder?
I bought a Instant pot for my Birthday gift to me. And my 1st meal was your Corned beef and cabbage recipe and it was Delicious. I have tryed a few other recipes of yours and your my favorite for WW recipes.
Delish. Our family enjoyed this dish for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Made this tonight. Corned beef and cabbage was perfect. Actually it was the best one I have ever made. Carrots held their shape but the onions ddint. Next time I would add some more with the cabbage so they would look nice on the plate. Thanks for a great option for this dish!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Does the corned beef need to go on the rack in the IP?
Hello Gina,
I do not have an instant and was going to use your crock pot recipe as suggested. Just curious why the crock pot recipe is 8pts and the instant pot is only 5 pts- and they are virtually the same ingredients? Wasn’t sure if I was missing something.
The parsnips
I’m cooking a 4lb brisket at high altitude. How long would you suggest for cooking time?
I am not sure
I can see a question about including potatoes after the meat is cooked. If making in the IP, how do I know when that is?
Hi Gina, how long for 2.63lbs?
We made this just as noted in the recipe on Wednesday and it was deeeeeelish. Thanks so much!
Hello! Thank you for all the amazing recipes!! I have a 6-pound corned beef, how long would I cook it for? Thank you!!
I don’t know if it would fit, you would have to double the recipe.
Do you soak the corned brisket to remove some of the salinity?
No
Amazing!
Do you actually put in and save these recipes in the WW app? I was looking for this one to store it for Sunday and can’t seem to find it.
Yes but WW doesn’t let you see it.
My IP is heating up now. So excited for dinner! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Just curious about the spice packet that comes with the prepackaged meat… Is there something I do not know by not using it in this recipe?
I always toss it.
Hi Gina-
Thank you for all your wonderful recipes! I recently received an instant pot as a gift, and am always looking for new recipes? What size instant pot do you use? I have the small one, so I find I usually have to half recipes in order to make all the ingredients fit.
Thanks!
Randi
I have the 6 quart
What if I wanted to throw some little red potatoes in there? I know it will change the point value a bit but not sure if it will change cooking time/other settings. Also, can this be done in a regular old pot instead of an instant pot?
Thanks!
Double the cook time in a pot. Sure, add the potatoes once the meat is cooked.
Gina, you are such a trooper to deal with all these comments! You provide top notch recipes every time. Thank you so much! ❤️😋 I am making this in my electric pressure cooker and can’t wait to taste it.
🙂
I’m a little confused because my WW app calculator is showing this as 11 SP per serving.. am I doing something wrong?
Yes, you have to use WW recipe builder, the app adds points for 0 point foods.
Hey Gina,
If I halved this recipe how long would I cook it for? #singlegalproblems
Same time!
Gina, no liquid to instapot wont the meat stick and burn as pot is pressuring up?
Linda
there us a lot if liquid in this recipe
This was phenomenal!!
Thank you for apparently being the only one who actually made this recipe!
Gina, how long if I cooked 2 3-pound briskets without the vegetables?
3 pounds I would add 15 min.
Gina, where would you suggest purchasing the corned beef brisket? I’m assuming you do not use the prepackaged ones that are more readily available…
I use the prepackaged ones.
If I were to make this for a crowd would I just triple the recipe as written? Not all recipes taste the same when doubled or tripled 🙁
Yes, if it fits in your pressure cooker. That is the main question, I don’t think it would.
I have a four pound brisket that I can cut in half in my 8 quart IP. How much water should I add if I am doubling everything else?
Enough to cover the meat.
Hi Gina, would a 4 lb brisket cook for 2 hours? I noticed you suggested an extra 15 mins for a 3 lb. And how much extra water should I add? Thanks for the great recipes and taking the time to respond to all these comments!
I think adding 15 is fine for 4 lbs.
Perfect for St Patrick’s day????? What has corned beef got to do with Ireland? Who in Ireland ever eats corned beef? I can only assume you’ve got it mixed up with bacon and cabbage, which is a traditional Irish dish and which is absolutely nothing like corned beef.
Lol calm down
I came here to say just that! I’m Irish living in Ireland and have never heard of this! Bacon and cabbage with spuds… yum!
It’s not an Irish dish — it’s an Irish-American dish,
I am in the USA and we eat that HERE in Honor of St Patricks Day. You there in Ireland have your traditions we have ours here that have Irish roots in them. Half my family immigrated legally from Ireland. We wear green , eat Cornedbeef and cabbage with Irish soda bread, have huge parades , and since I live near Chicago we dye the Chicago River a deep green color. I myself have gotten a lot of pure Irish recipies and make them also during the week of ST Patricks Day.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacon_and_cabbage#Corned_beef_and_cabbage_(USA)
“In the mid-to-late 19th century, Irish immigrants to the United States began substituting corned beef for bacon when making the dish, thereby creating corned beef and cabbage.[3] Like the original, the dish sometimes includes additional vegetables (especially carrots and potatoes); this also gives it a certain similarity to the New England boiled dinner, which almost invariably contains a mixture of root vegetables along with boiled meat and cabbage.
Corned beef and cabbage remains a popular food in some areas of the United States, and is often the dish of choice on St. Patrick’s Day.”
It started as a substitute and just kind of caught on in the Irish-American community. Also, it’s a bit tricky to find back bacon over here! The closest you’ll find in a grocery store is “Canadian bacon,” which probably doesn’t boil all that well, but it might be worth a try. This recipe might also be good with just a bone-in pork loin chop, since that’s basically the same cut of meat as back bacon. Perhaps an experiment is in order!
Thanks for sharing! I read about this as well recently. I made this recipe to celebrate and will try a thick bacon next year!
When the OP says bacon and cabbage, she’s really referring to a ham. That’s an Irish bacon. The bacon like in America is a rasher.
It says in the recipe “Irish American” don’t get your panties in a bunch no one is claiming this is an authentic Irish dish…
Right? LOL.
Corned beef has everything to do with St. Patrick’s Day if you are Irish- American. When Irish immigrants came to America they chose beef rather then pork bacon because it was cheaper. They also added potatoes and cabbage to the meal because that was also really cheap. I have been eating corned beef and cabbage every St. Patrick’s Day for the past 40 years. It’s a tradition my family looks forward to, and for that I’m grateful. That being said – this Instant Pot recipe is AWESOME. I made 6lbs of beef in the Instant Pot and cooked for 2 hours – it came out PERFECT!!! Thank you Gina!
It’s an Irish-AMERICAN tradition. No need to be condescending, Claire.
If I have a 3 lb roast, do I need to add more time? They didn’t have 2 lbs at the store. Hoping to make this tonight for dinner 😊
You could add 15 min
Is there a crock pot option?? Would it be the same thing but just on low for how many hours?
https://www.skinnytaste.com/crock-pot-corned-beef-and-cabbage/
The slow cooker recipe looks the same but is 3 pts higher per serving. What am I missing? Thank you.
It has parsnips added. The recipe is slightly different
Can I cut the ingedients on half and use the mini instant pot?
Do you really mean 1/8 teaspoon peppercorns? Seems like too few.
Yes, if you prefer more you can.
Can you put a frozen brisket in there?
Would this be considered Gluten free & dairy free?
I don’t have a pressure cook button or high/low pressure button. Manual is my only option but don’t know how long. Appreciate your suggestions.
Won’t the carrots be mush after 1 1/2 hours on high pressure?
That is what I am wondering.
Exactly what I was wondering. They definitely wouldn’t look like the picture. Maybe they can be added in with the cabbage?
Yes, All those Veggies would be babyfood in 15 minutes.
I am not Gina, but other recipes I have found say to put the carrots and red potatoes – halved, or white potatoes, quartered, in the pot with the cabbage, not the meat.
What size Instant Pot are you using? I have yet to purchase mine and there seem to be several options as to what it can do as well as capacity.
Can’t wait to try this brisket and cabbage recipe.
Mary
6 qt 🙂
Do you take the brisket out, before you put the potatoes in or just add them?
Just add them.
I can’t wait to try this, Gina! Thanks!
Gina you are amazing! Can’t wait to give this one a try as I love corned beef and cabbage! Thank you so much for all that you do for everyone 😘
I can’t wait! I’ve made the slow cooker version, excited to try the Instanr Pot!
Do you remove the brisket before adding the potatoes and cabbage?
No
This looks amazing but is it actually possible that the sodium content is only 164mg? Thank you!
No, that is not correct
How would you do this if you don’t have an instant pot??? Looks yummy!
https://www.skinnytaste.com/corned-beef-and-cabbage/
The onions an carrots can withstand 90min high pressure???
yes
Could I add some guinness into the instant pot? I usually add some in the slow cooker.
You can but it will change the points!
If it’s 2 lbs if brisket and there are 6 servings wouldn’t that mean it’s about 5 ounces a person? I’m sorry if that sounds like a dumb question just trying to make sure I get the serving sizes right!
It shrinks when it cooks so it’s less.
What size instant pot did you use for this?
6 qt
Gina, I’m assuming you don’t use the pickling spice packet that comes with the beef brisket if you purchase one thats pre-packaged?
You can if you wish.
How could we adjust time for a crockpot?
I linked to the slow cooker recipe at the top of the post.
This looks great! I assume you did not use the trivet in the instant pot? Also, you state natural release after 1.5 hours of cooking. How long did it take to natural release? And can you do natural release for an amount of time and then quick release? TIA and Gina, thank you for all your recipes and cookbooks…your recipes are a staple in our home. Cheers!
I just let it release until it had no steam. Hope that helps, thank you!
I’m very new to instant pot cooking (I only got it a few days ago as a birthday gift) but would love to make this on St. Patrick’s Day! If I am making a bigger roast do I need to adjust water quantities? Thanks in advance for any answers! 🙂
You may have to add a little more liquid.
Only thing missing is Potatoes! Could they be added somehow?
Potatoes take about cut into 1 inch chunks take about 4 to 7 minutes, natural release. You can add them after the meat is cooked with the cabbage if you wish.
Gina, would you recommend taking the meat out or just adding the potatoes and cabbage?
I would add it with the potatoes.
Gina, should I take the beef out before cooking potatoes and cabbage?
Gina I don’t have an instant pot, so would you know how long to cook this on the stove?
In general, any recipe in the instant pot to stove you would double the cook time, simmering covered on low.
Gina,
Would the opposite be true? Would an non IP recipe’s simmer time be cut in half in an instant pot?
Yes!