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? ›

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
MeatCooking Time (minutes)
Beef, meat ball5 per 450 g / 1 lb
Beef, dressed20 – 25 per 450 g / 1 lb
Beef (pot roast, steak, rump, round, chuck, blade or brisket) Small Chunks15-20 per 450 g / 1 lb
Beef (pot roast, steak, rump, round, chuck, blade or brisket) Large Chunks20-25 per 450 g / 1 lb
26 more rows

What is the most tender way to cook corned beef? ›

Slow cooking with a crock pot or using an instant pot is a fantastic way to cook corned beef, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth, tender meat throughout. You can make a delicious, hearty meal with simple ingredients and a crock pot or instant pot. Your whole family will enjoy it.

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.

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 happens if you don't rinse corned beef before cooking? ›

1. Not Rinsing the Meat Before Cooking. If you cook the meat straight from the plastic packaging or pulled the meat right away from the brine solution in the fridge without rinsing, you just might be in for a saltier meal than you bargained for.

How long do you cook 3 pounds of meat in an 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. Frozen beef: I highly recommend thawing your beef for this recipe, since you cannot sear the frozen beef.

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.

What is the secret to corned beef? ›

However, when corned beef has been soaked in a seasoned brine of water, curing salt, and spices, and also cooked low and slow with moist heat, the connective tissue in this muscle-bound cut melts down, making a tough cut of meat juicy and succulent.

Why is my corned beef not falling apart? ›

Not filling the pot with enough water.

One of the keys to getting there is the amount of water in the pot. From start to finish, when there's not ample liquid to cover the meat, your dreams of tender corned beef might be crushed with a tough, chewy result.

Does corned beef have to be covered in water in a slow cooker? ›

You can add seasonings other than salt, like black peppercorns and bay leaves. Keep the brisket submerged at all times as well since it's the water actually transferring heat into the meat and cooking it. Letting the top become exposed will dry out the meat and slow down the cooking process, leading to uneven doneness.

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.

How long does it take for beef to get tender in 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.

Why is my beef tough in instant pot? ›

The moist heat in a pressure cooker tends to turn connective tissue into gelatin. You need to let the meat cool down for a few minutes after cooking, to give time for moisture to be reabsorbed, before releasing the pressure. Otherwise, the meat will likely be tough.

Why does my corned beef always come out 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.

How do I fix tough corned beef? ›

Place into a cold oven turn the oven temperature to 250 to 300 cook for 3 to 4 hours depending on the size. My last one you could cut with a butter knife. Low temperature and slow cooking will result in tender corned beef.

How do you tenderize meat in an instant pot? ›

Bring up to full pressure over medium-high heat, and cook for 20 minutes. Carefully release pressure according to the manufacturer's instructions. Check to make sure meat is fork tender. Let the meat rest for 15 minutes.

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