How to Make Perfectly Tender Corned Beef in the Crockpot Without Vegetables

Corned beef brisket is a staple meal for St. Patrick’s Day or anytime you want hearty, comforting food. While it’s traditionally boiled for hours with cabbage, potatoes and carrots, you can still achieve tender, juicy corned beef by cooking it solo in the slow cooker. Eliminating the veggies shortens the cook time so dinner can be ready faster.

In this article, I’ll provide tips on buying corned beef, seasonings to use, and walk through the easy steps for crockpot corned beef without veggies. You’ll learn exactly how long to cook it and serving ideas. Soon you’ll be enjoying fork-tender corned beef brisket anytime without a lot of fuss.

Benefits of Crockpot Corned Beef Without Vegetables

Cooking corned beef by itself in the slow cooker has several advantages

• Shorter cook time – The meat alone cooks faster than when adding veggies which need extra time, Dinner can be ready in 4-6 hours

• More tender meat – The longer, moist cooking environment produces very tender brisket.

• Intensifies flavor – Cooking solo allows the seasoning and meat juices to fully penetrate the brisket.

• Makes leftovers versatile – Cooked plain corned beef is easy to add into hash, sandwiches, eggs and more.

• Simplifies serving – Cook veggies separately right before serving for fresher flavor.

Choosing the Best Corned Beef Brisket

When selecting a corned beef brisket, look for:

• A flat cut rather than point cut which will cook more evenly
• Well marbled with thin veins of fat for moisture
• Bright pink/red color without brown or gray spots
• Smaller size – 3-4 lbs fits better in a crockpot
• Minimal surface fat to trim off before cooking
• Simple ingredients – just beef and curing salt

The best corned beef comes from a butcher shop or meat market. But quality pre-packaged briskets can also be found at many supermarkets.

Top Seasonings for Crockpot Corned Beef

The salt curing provides the baseline flavor for corned beef, but adding some extra spices and aromatics enhances the end result.

• Use included pickling seasoning packet – Most store-bought briskets come with a spice packet. This seasoning blend contains bay leaves, mustard, coriander, black pepper and more.

• Dry mustard – Mix in 1-2 tsp ground mustard which adds a tangy flavor note.

• Minced garlic – Fresh garlic gives a nice pop of flavor. Use 2-3 cloves.

• Onion – Quartered onion wedges infuse sweetness during cooking.

• Beef broth – Use as the cooking liquid to impart a deep savory essence.

Step-by-Step Guide for Crockpot Corned Beef

Follow these simple steps for perfect no-fuss corned beef every time.

1. Rinse and Dry the Brisket

Rinsing removes excess salt and impurities from the meat surface. Pat thoroughly dry with paper towels before seasoning.

2. Apply Dry Rub

Sprinkle both sides with dry mustard, garlic, and other spices if using. Rub seasonings evenly over entire brisket.

3. Add Onion and Place in Slow Cooker

Put onion wedges in bottom of a 6-qt or larger slow cooker. Place brisket fat side up on top of onions.

4. Pour in Beef Broth

Pour broth around brisket until it covers about halfway up the meat. Avoid completely submerging it.

5. Cook on Low Setting

Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours depending on size. (High for 4-5 hours also works well.)

6. Check for Fork Tenderness

Meat should be fall apart tender. If not, re-cover and cook longer, testing every 30 minutes.

7. Slice Across the Grain and Serve

For easiest slicing, let rest 10-15 minutes before cutting thin slices across the grain.

Cook Times for Crockpot Corned Beef

• 3-4 pound brisket – Cook 8-9 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high

• 4-5 pound brisket – Cook 9-10 hours on low or 5-6 hours on high

As a general rule, allot about 1 hour per pound on the low setting. Check for doneness early and continue cooking if needed until fork tender.

Tips to Keep Crockpot Corned Beef Moist

To prevent dryness, follow these tips:

• Cook fat side up so melting fat bastes the meat

• Use a broth vs. water for added moisture

• Don’t overcook – check at 8 hours even if not done

• Let rest 15 minutes before slicing to reabsorb juices

• Serve with au jus dipping sauce from the crockpot

Favorite Side Dishes for Corned Beef

Here are some tasty options for sides to serve with plain crockpot corned beef:

• Braised cabbage – Slow cooker caramelized cabbage is amazing

• Potatoes – Boiled, mashed, fried, wedges – so many choices

• Carrots – Quick sauteed carrots add some veggie goodness

• Baked beans – Sweet, sticky beans pair perfectly

• Potato pancakes – Crispy pancakes with applesauce

• Beer bread – Easy yeast-free bread soaks up the juices

Cooking the sides separately lets you customize based on your preferences and dietary needs. Veggie-free corned beef gives you flexibility.

Leftover Crockpot Corned Beef Ideas

Cooked corned beef keeps well in the fridge for up to a week tightly wrapped. Reheat slices in the microwave or use it in:

• Corned beef hash – Diced meat fried up with potatoes and onions

• Sandwiches – Pile high on rye with Swiss, kraut and mustard

• Omelets or scrambles – Finely diced corned beef cooked with eggs

• Salads – Makes a satisfying protein-packed entree salad topper

• Nachos – Why not add slices to cheesy nachos for a twist?

• Baked potatoes – Heap on baked potatoes with fixings for an easy meal

Corned beef also freezes well up to 2-3 months for longer term storage.

Thanks to the crockpot, you can enjoy super tender and flavorful corned beef brisket without the fuss or extra time required for cooking vegetables.

I hope these tips give you confidence to make corned beef more often. It’s perfect for casual dinners, game day or using up leftovers creatively.