Corned beef may have roots in Irish-American tradition, but thanks to the Instant Pot, it’s no longer just a once-a-year St. Patrick’s Day feast. This pressure-cooked twist on a classic cuts hours of simmering down to minutes — all while locking in bold, briny flavors and tender texture that tastes like it’s been slow-cooked all day. It’s old-world comfort with a modern-day upgrade.
🥘 Instant Pot Corned Beef — Fast, Flavorful, and Fork-Tender
🔹 Why Instant Pot?
Traditionally, corned beef requires hours of simmering to achieve that perfect tenderness. But with the Instant Pot, you get all the flavor in a fraction of the time — and it comes out incredibly juicy and tender every time. Whether you’re cooking for St. Patrick’s Day or just craving hearty comfort food, this is the shortcut you didn’t know you needed.
🧾 Ingredients (Serves 6):
- 3–4 lb corned beef brisket (with spice packet)
- 4 cups beef broth or water (beef broth adds more flavor)
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon pickling spice (if no spice packet is included)
- 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns (optional)
Optional for Veggies (add later):
- 1 lb baby potatoes or halved red potatoes
- 3–4 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1/2 head green cabbage, cut into large wedges
👨🍳 Instructions:
🔸 Step 1: Prep the Beef
- Remove the corned beef from packaging and rinse briefly under cold water to remove excess brine.
- Place the beef fat-side up in the Instant Pot insert.
🔸 Step 2: Add Flavor
- Add beef broth (or water), onions, garlic, bay leaves, and spice packet (or pickling spices) to the pot.
🔸 Step 3: Pressure Cook the Corned Beef
- Lock the lid and set the valve to Sealing.
- Pressure cook on High Pressure for 90 minutes (for 3–4 lb brisket).
- Allow natural pressure release for 15–20 minutes, then release the rest manually.
🔸 Step 4: Optional Veggies (Cook Separately)
- Remove the beef and cover it loosely with foil to rest.
- Add potatoes, carrots, and cabbage into the cooking liquid.
- Pressure cook on High for 3–5 minutes (depending on how soft you like them).
- Quick release and serve with sliced beef.
🍴 Serving Suggestions:
- Slice the corned beef against the grain for maximum tenderness.
- Serve with Dijon or grainy mustard, rye bread, or horseradish sauce for extra punch.
- Perfect with a side of buttered cabbage and crusty bread.
💡 Pro Tips:
- Brisket thickness matters: Thicker cuts may need a few extra minutes.
- Want a glaze? After slicing, brush the beef with a brown sugar + mustard glaze and broil for 5 minutes.
- Leftovers? Make corned beef hash or Reuben sandwiches the next day.
To discover more amazing recipes like Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe, check out our previous article for more delicious Food ideas!
