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!

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. 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.

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How many minutes per pound of beef 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.

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How long does meat pressure cook in Instant Pot? ›

Download our Pressure Cooking timetable here.

Meat	Cooking Time (in Minutes)
Beef, pot roast, steak, rump, round, chuck, blade or brisket, small chunks	15 / 450g
Beef, ribs	20 – 25
Beef, shanks 40 mm wide	25 – 30
Beef, oxtail	40 – 50

26 more rows

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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 it is cooked? ›

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 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.

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How long to cook 2 pounds of meat in pressure cooker? ›

For a whole roast: Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes per pound of meat. For small chunks: Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes per pound of meat.

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

Add Liquid: Pour in enough liquid, such as broth, wine, or water, to cover the meat partially. This liquid creates steam, which builds pressure and helps in cooking the meat. Set the Pressure and Time: Follow the recommended cooking times and pressure settings for different types of meat.

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How much water do you put in a pressure cooker for meat? ›

When you use a pressure cooker, you need to have enough liquid in the pot for it to come up to pressure and cook the food properly. The rule of liquids in pressure cooking is to always add at least 1 cup of liquid unless the recipe states otherwise. The liquid will help create enough steam to cook the meal. 3.

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

It seems odd, since you're cooking it in liquid, but too much time spent in the pot can force moisture out of the muscle tissue into the surrounding liquid, leaving the meat dry and nasty. You have to overcook it a lot for that to happen.

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How much time for beef in a pressure cooker? ›

Add the meat, juices and all to your pressure cooker . Pressure on high for 25 minutes and let the pressure come down naturally. When that's done remove the lid and simmer to preferred thickness. Serve over rice, polenta, mashed potatoes or grits.

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

1. Overfilling: Adding too much water to a pressure cooker can cause it to become overfilled, exceeding its maximum capacity. This can prevent the cooker from building up enough pressure to cook food properly and may result in leaks or spills.

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What happens if you overcook beef in pressure cooker? ›

It's tough, less flavorful, and dry. How to tell if your meat is way overcooked in the pressure cooker? It's tenderized, but dry and flavorless (without the sauce). Some people call this the distinct “pressure cooker taste”.

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What happens if not enough water in pressure cooker? ›

It cannot cook your food properly without water, and the pressure will build to such an extent that the lid, pressure valve, plugs, and hot food could be thrown all over the kitchen. This can seriously harm you, your kids, and your pets, not to mention property damage that comes from flying projectiles.

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How do you soften tough corned beef? ›

A low, gentle simmer on the stovetop or in the slow cooker are two excellent methods for cooking up soft, tender slices of corned beef every time.

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Why is my corned beef still a little tough? ›

Not cooking the meat long enough.

Brisket, the cut typically used for corned beef, is a naturally tough cut of meat. Cooking this beef is a process that can't be rushed. Even when the meat is cooked through, it needs more time to transform the chewy bite into one that's deliciously tender.

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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.

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How do you tenderize a tough corned beef brisket? ›

Turn heat to a low simmer; cover and cook for 6 hours or more. CROCKPOT: Set on high cover; cook for 8-10 hours. When done, using 2 large spoons or spatulas, carefully remove briskets to serving platter and let rest. The meat will be extremely tender, and will easily break apart if you use a meat fork.