Mastering the Art of Cooking Frozen Corned Beef in a Crockpot for Fork-Tender Perfection

As an Irish food lover, I look forward to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a big bowl of corned beef and cabbage. But who has time to soak and simmer a corned beef for hours in advance? Freezing is a great way to stock up on discounted corned beef after the holiday, but you don’t have to wait for it to fully thaw to enjoy it. With the help of your trusty crockpot, you can transform frozen corned beef into fall-apart tender meat with ease.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk through my proven tips and tricks for cooking frozen corned beef in the crockpot. You’ll learn how long it takes, what seasonings to use, how to adjust for size, the best vegetables to add, and more. With my simple step-by-step instructions, you can skip the tedious defrosting and still enjoy incredibly moist, flavorful corned beef and cabbage any time of year.

Why Cook Frozen Corned Beef in a Crockpot?

I love using a crockpot to cook frozen corned beef for several reasons

Convenience – No need to remember to thaw the meat in advance. Just toss it in frozen.
Tenderizes meat – The long slow cooking times break down tough fibers.
Infuses flavor – Seasonings and cooking liquid impart delicious taste
** Handles larger cuts** – Big roasts fit perfectly and cook evenly.
Frees up oven space – Slow cooks without heating up your kitchen.
** Easy cleanup** – No pans to scrub after, just the crock.

Tips for Choosing Frozen Corned Beef

When selecting frozen corned beef, keep these tips in mind:

Go for flat cut – The flat cut brisket is rectangular and more evenly shaped for crockpot cooking.
Get a size that fits – Pick a roast that lays flat in your crockpot without curling or needing to be folded.
** Calculate cook time** – Larger roasts need more time. A 3 lb roast takes about 8-10 hours.
** Inspect packaging** – Make sure the vacuum sealed package is intact with no punctures.

With the right cut of frozen corned beef, you’re ready to get crocking!

Step-by-Step Guide for Cooking Frozen Corned Beef

Follow my simple steps for tender, flavorful corned beef every time:

Trim excess fat – For leaner corned beef, trim thick outer fat layers after removing packaging.
Add liquid – Pour in broth, beer or water. This helps create steam and moisture.
Season simply – Just add peppercorns, bay leaves, and other aromatics. The meat is already well seasoned.
Layer in vegetables – Top with potatoes, carrots, cabbage wedges or other veggies.
Cook on low 8-10 hours – Low and slow is key, especially from frozen state.
Rest before slicing – Let sit for 10 minutes before thinly slicing across the grain.

And it’s ready to become the star of a hot corned beef sandwich or paired with buttery cabbage!

Handy Tips and Substitutions

Add veggies late – Add cabbage in the last hour to prevent overcooking.
Use broth or beer – Substitute vegetable or beef broth for water for more flavor.
No peppercorns? Swap with pickling spice or coriander seeds.
Fit to slow cooker – If it doesn’t lay flat, cut in half and stack pieces.
Add roasted garlic – For a savory flavor boost, roast garlic cloves and add to pot.

Best Vegetables to Cook with Corned Beef

The corned beef is delicious on its own, but cooking vegetables right in the pot adds tradition, color and nutrients. Some great options include:

Potatoes – Quartered red or gold potatoes add hearty texture.
Carrots – Sliced carrots turn tender and balance sweetness.
Cabbage – Wedges infuse flavor into leaves without overcooking.
Onions – Quartered white, yellow or red onions for aromatic flavor.
Parsnips – Underrated veggie that pairs perfectly with corned beef spice.

The long cook time means you get tender vegetables along with juicy corned beef in one pot!

Sauces and Sides to Serve with Crockpot Corned Beef

Don’t forget the essential condiments and sides to complement your crockpot corned beef:

Mustard – Yellow, spicy brown or whole grain varieties all work.
Horseradish – Freshly grated horseradish adds kick. Mix with sour cream for a sauce.
Rye bread – Sliced rye is perfect for corned beef sandwiches.
Buttery potatoes – Mashed, roasted or boiled potatoes soak up juices deliciously.
Pickles – Sour pickles cut through the richness.

With tangy mustard, fiery horseradish and tender spuds, you’ve got a well-rounded St. Patty’s Day feast!

Storing and Reheating Leftover Crockpot Corned Beef

Like any meat cooked in a crockpot, corned beef leftovers store easily:

Let cool completely – Transfer cooked corned beef to a rimmed baking sheet. Refrigerate until completely cool.
Portion into containers – Slice meat and divide into meal-size portions in airtight containers.
Refrigerate 3-4 days – Keep refrigerated and use within 3-4 days for best quality.
Reheat gently – Warm leftovers in the microwave or low oven until heated through. Add moisture if needed.

How to Cook the Best Tender Corned Beef in the Slow Cooker~Easy Cooking

FAQ

Can you put a frozen corned beef in the crock pot?

Crock Pot Safety Guidelines “You can cook frozen meat in a Crock-Pot Slow Cooker, but suggested cook time may need to be increased.” They recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure the meat is well above 165°F.

Can you cook beef from frozen in a slow cooker?

It is best to thaw meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker. Frozen pieces will take longer to reach a safe internal temperature and could possibly result in foodborne illness. Frozen or partially frozen foods can also cool everything else in the slow cooker.

Should corned beef be completely covered in water in crock pot?

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.

Can corned beef be frozen before cooking?

Drained and well wrapped, an uncooked corned beef brisket may be frozen for one month for best quality. The flavor and texture will diminish with prolonged freezing but the product is still safe. After cooking, corned beef may be refrigerated for about three to four days and frozen for about two to three months.

How do you cook frozen corned beef in a crock pot?

This is how to cook frozen Crock Pot corned beef, literally so easy. Wash your potatoes to remove debris and lay inside pot together in the middle to be your trivet. Slice onions and lay all around them. Unwrap your package and set frozen corned beef on top of potatoes with fat side facing up. Pour can of beer over the top.

Can you cook corned beef & cabbage in a crock pot?

Cooking **corned beef and cabbage** in a **crock pot** (slow cooker) is a convenient and flavorful way to prepare this classic Irish dish.

How to cook frozen corned beef brisket in crock pot?

How to cook frozen corned beef in Crock Pot is here! Cooking frozen corned beef brisket is possible in a slow cooker to tender and delicious. Wash potatoes and lay inside pot together in the middle to be your trivet. Slice onions and lay around them. Unwrap and set frozen corned beef on top of potatoes with fat side facing up.

Can you eat corned beef in a crock pot?

This Crock Pot Corned Beef is cooked in Guinness beer, making it crispy, juicy, and simply mouthwatering. Throw in potatoes and carrots for an easy, hearty, and complete meal. Now, I may not be Irish or Jewish – corned beef is common in both Jewish and Irish traditions – but I sure love to eat like I am!