Corned Beef and Cabbage

Name: Corned Beef and Cabbage with Green Mashed Potatoes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 2 h 45 min
Total time: 3 h
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Irish-American
Ingredients: 3 lb corned beef brisket; 1 packet pickling spice (from corned beef package); 1 large white onion; 3 cloves garlic; 2 bay leaves; cold water, to cover; 5 medium potatoes; 3 large carrots; 1 head green cabbage; salt, to taste; 2 cups prepared mashed potatoes; a few drops green food coloring; prepared horseradish, for serving

This classic Irish-American corned beef and cabbage features a tender brisket simmered with pickling spice, cabbage, potatoes, and carrots in one pot. A festive green mashed potato side makes it perfect for St. Patrick's Day or any occasion.

🌍Irish-American 🏷️Corned beef and cabbage 🏷️St. patrick's day 🏷️Boiled dinner 🏷️Beef brisket Potatoes

🏷️

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milanarussianwifeonTikTok

Total

3h

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$25–$41

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by milanarussianwife

-0:00

milanarussianwifeonTikTok

Ingredients

3 lb corned beef brisket
1 packet pickling spice (from corned beef package)
1 large white onion
3 cloves garlic
2 bay leaves
cold water, to cover
5 medium potatoes
3 large carrots
1 head green cabbage
salt, to taste
2 cups prepared mashed potatoesoptional
a few drops green food coloringoptional
prepared horseradish, for servingoptional

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Instructions

1
Rinse the corned beef brisket under cold water.
2
Place the rinsed corned beef in a large pot. Add the included spice packet, quartered onion, peeled garlic cloves, and bay leaves.
3
Cover the beef and aromatics completely with cold water.
4
Bring the pot to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 2 hours.
5
While the beef cooks, peel the potatoes and carrots. Chop the potatoes into halves or quarters and the carrots into large, 2-inch chunks.
6
After the beef has simmered for 2 hours, add the chopped potatoes and carrots to the pot. Cover and continue to cook for 30 minutes.
7
While the potatoes and carrots are cooking, chop the head of cabbage into large wedges.
8
Add the cabbage wedges to the pot. Cover and cook for another 15 minutes, until the cabbage is tender.
9
Season the cooking liquid with salt to taste.
10
Carefully remove the cooked corned beef from the pot and place it on a cutting board. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing against the grain.
11
For the optional green mashed potatoes, place prepared mashed potatoes in a bowl and add a few drops of green food coloring. Stir until the color is uniform.
12
Serve the sliced corned beef with the boiled potatoes, carrots, and cabbage from the pot. Add a scoop of green mashed potatoes and serve with horseradish on the side.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Do not skip rinsing the corned beef under cold water before boiling—this removes excess salt and prevents an overly salty broth.
Keep the boil gentle and steady; a rolling boil can make the meat tough and stringy rather than tender.
Add vegetables in stages: potatoes and carrots 30 minutes before the brisket is done, cabbage in the final 15 minutes so it stays crisp-tender.
Reserve 2–3 cups of the cooking broth to serve alongside the meal or use as a base for leftover corned beef hash.

Substitutions

white onion → yellow or red onion (no flavor change)
white potatoes → red potatoes or Yukon gold (creamier texture)
green cabbage → napa cabbage (milder, slightly sweeter flavor)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooled corned beef and vegetables submerged in broth in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave individual portions. The dish also freezes well for up to 3 months.

Common Questions

How do I know when the corned beef is tender?

The brisket should be fork-tender after 2.5 to 3 hours of gentle boiling. Pierce the thickest part with a fork—it should slide through with minimal resistance.

Can I use a slow cooker instead of boiling?

Yes. Place the corned beef, pickling spice, onion, garlic, and bay leaves in a slow cooker, cover with water, and cook on low for 6–8 hours. Add cabbage, potatoes, and carrots in the last 45 minutes.

What makes the green mashed potatoes green?

Blend or mash cooked potatoes with fresh parsley, spinach, or green food coloring. Add butter and cream as you would for regular mashed potatoes.

Can I make this ahead?

Yes. Cook the corned beef and vegetables up to 2 days ahead, refrigerate in broth, and reheat gently on the stovetop. Make green mashed potatoes fresh before serving for best color and texture.