Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe (2024)

Table of Contents

How long do you cook corned beef in an electric pressure cooker? How long does it take to cook corned beef in a pressure cooker on the stove? Can I cook potatoes with the corned beef? Corned Beef Spice Packet Recipe Ingredients How to Cook Corned Beef in a Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe Ingredients: Instant Pot Corned Beef Directions: Instant Pot Corned Beef Video Tutorial Electric Pressure Cooker Corned Beef Recipe Ingredients: Electric Pressure Cooker Corned Beef Directions: Stovetop Pressure Cooker Corned Beef Recipe Ingredients: Stove Top Pressure Cooker Corned Beef Directions: How to Make Gravy from the Corned Beef Drippings Corned Beef Gravy Recipe Ingredients: Directions: Printable Directions for Pressure Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage How to Cook Corned Beef in an Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker Ingredients Instructions More St. Patrick’s Day Ideas FAQs References

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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!

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.

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:

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.
Place the lid on the Instant Pot. Ensure the valve is sealed so that no steam is released.
On an Instant Pot, push meat or manual which should select high pressure then select 40 minutes.
When your 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 Instant Pot. Replace the lid, close the valve, select manual 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.

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:

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.
Place the lid on pressure cooker. Ensure the valve is sealed so that no steam is released.
On an electric pressure cooker, select high pressure, then select 40 minutes.
When your electric pressure cooker 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. 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.

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:

Place corned beef in the pressure cooker. Add onion, potatoes, and garlic. Pour broth over the meat and potatoes.
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 the pressure cooker 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.

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

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:

After you have removed the meat and veggies from the pot, add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to the drippings.
Use a whisk to blend the cornstarch into the beef.
Cook on low to medium heat until it reaches a boil.
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)

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

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? ›

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.

How long does meat take in Instant Pot pressure cooker? ›

Meat

Meat	Cooking Time (minutes)
Beef, meat ball	5 per 450 g / 1 lb
Beef, dressed	20 – 25 per 450 g / 1 lb
Beef (pot roast, steak, rump, round, chuck, blade or brisket) Small Chunks	15-20 per 450 g / 1 lb
Beef (pot roast, steak, rump, round, chuck, blade or brisket) Large Chunks	20-25 per 450 g / 1 lb

26 more rows

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How long does it take to soften meat in a pressure cooker? ›

Steam penetrates food easily under pressure. So connective tissues in cubes of beef for soups or stews soften in 15 minutes or less, and a pot roast will be medium-rare in 30 minutes.

Read On ›

How much liquid do I need to pressure cook beef? ›

Pour in at least two cups of water; use 1 to 2 cups more if the beef is a tough cut or to reach the minimum amount recommended by the pressure cooker's manufacturer. Seal the lid and bring the cooker up to full pressure over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, maintaining full pressure, and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

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

Information. Corned beef is made from one of several less tender cuts of beef like the brisket, rump, or round. Therefore, it requires long, moist cooking. 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.

What is the secret to the best corned beef? ›

Simmering corned beef on the stovetop is a tried-and-true method that results in very tender beef. One of the keys to simmering corned beef correctly is the amount of water in the 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.

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How long does it take to cook 2 pounds of beef in the Instant Pot? ›

Cooking time: When cooking a pot roast in an Instant Pot, allow 20 minutes for every pound of meat. For example, cook a 2-pound pot roast at high pressure for 40 minutes and a 3-pound pot roast for 60 minutes.

Keep Reading ›

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. DO use fresh herbs.

Can you overcook meat in an Instant Pot? ›

In a few words, yes! You can also undercook it, too. Overcooking the meat would result in a very dry tasting pot roast. Undercooking it would result in a tough piece of meat.

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What happens if you leave meat in pressure cooker too long? ›

Unfortunately, once you overcook a piece of meat in the pressure cooker, there's no going back. You'll be left with a pile of dry, crunchy, tasteless fibers and no amount of additional pressure cooking is going to put that moisture back into the meat. Earlier, I explained how ingredient size affects the cooking time.

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Which makes meat more tender, slow cooker or pressure cooker? ›

Traditionally cheaper cuts of meat always slow cook better. Slow cooking breaks down the connective collagen in meat, which turns into unctuous gelatine. This creates that soft and tender mouth feel we all crave.

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What is the best meat to pressure cook? ›

You can still pressure cook leaner pieces – like eye of round and top sirloin – but these work best if they've been stuffed, shredded or rolled (with other ingredients). Best cuts of beef to use: Chuck steak, Round Roast, Shoulder, Pot roast, Ribs, Brisket, Oxtail.

What happens if you put too much liquid in a pressure cooker? ›

Overfilling your Instant Pot can affect the pressure that builds up inside, so you might end up with a mushy meal, or one that doesn't cook properly. Also, an overly-full Instant Pot can lead to a clogged pressure release knob, because food and liquid can get sucked up inside.

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Is 2 cups of water too much for a pressure cooker? ›

Follow this tip: While at least 1/2 to 1 cup of liquid is essential to well-cooked food in the pressure cooker, too much liquid will pull the flavor out of foods. Unless otherwise specified in the recipe, use just enough liquid to bring the cooker to pressure.

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What to avoid when using a pressure cooker? ›

Don't overfill it

With liquids, avoid filling more than half full. Overfilling leads to food being ejected from the pressure release valve – a messy business. If this does happen, you'll need to take apart and clean the parts thoroughly. You also need room in the pot for the steam to build up to facilitate cooking.

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Why is my Instant Pot beef not tender? ›

If it's still tough, you will need to cook it longer. The pressure cooking process breaks down tough meat, making it tender. Put the lid back on, seal the pressure cooker, and cook at high pressure for another 10 to 20 minutes. The provided nutrition facts are estimates.

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How do you soften tough corned beef? ›

Because corned beef comes from brisket, a tough cut of meat. You need its connective tissue to break down so you can have tender results. Some like to braise their corned beef in an all-water liquid, with various spices and salt; others add beer to the mix to further tenderize the meat.

Read On ›

Why is my corned beef still a little tough? ›

High heat is not a friend to brisket. When cooked at a boil for too long, corned beef is likely to turn out tough and chewy, rather than soft and tender. Do this instead: Regardless of the cooking method, corned beef is best cooked over low heat.