Corned Beef Instant Pot is a beloved dish that’s rich in flavor, incredibly tender, and perfect for family dinners or holiday feasts. Traditionally slow-cooked for hours, this dish can now be made faster and easier with an Instant Pot, yielding succulent, melt-in-your-mouth meat in a fraction of the time.
Using a pressure cooker, such as the Instant Pot, enhances the flavors while keeping the beef juicy and fork-tender. Whether you’re preparing a classic St. Patrick’s Day corned beef and cabbage or simply craving a hearty meal, cooking corned beef in an Instant Pot is a game-changer.
Why Use an Instant Pot for Corned Beef?
Cooking corned beef in an Instant Pot has several advantages over traditional methods:
✅ Speed – Cuts cooking time in half compared to stovetop or slow cooker methods.
✅ Tenderness – Pressure cooking breaks down tough muscle fibers, ensuring a soft, juicy texture.
✅ Flavorful Broth – The sealed environment locks in moisture and enhances seasoning penetration.
✅ Set and Forget – Minimal supervision needed—just set the timer and let the Instant Pot do its magic.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about making the best Instant Pot corned beef, from choosing the right cut to cooking step-by-step, recipe variations, storage tips, and delicious serving ideas. Let’s get started!
Why Cook Corned Beef in an Instant Pot?
If you’ve ever cooked corned beef the traditional way, you know it can take several hours of slow simmering to achieve that perfect fork-tender texture. While stovetop, slow cooker, and oven methods work well, the Instant Pot offers an easier, faster, and more flavorful alternative.
1. Faster Cooking Time
One of the biggest advantages of using an Instant Pot is speed. Normally, corned beef takes anywhere from 3 to 4 hours to cook on the stove or in the oven. With an Instant Pot, you can achieve the same tender results in about 90 minutes under pressure.
💡 Comparison of Cooking Methods:
| Cooking Method | Cooking Time |
|---|---|
| Stovetop | 3–4 hours (constant simmering) |
| Slow Cooker | 8–10 hours (low heat) |
| Oven | 3–4 hours (low temperature, covered) |
| Instant Pot | 90 minutes (plus natural release) |
With the Instant Pot, there’s no need for constant stirring or checking the water level—it’s truly a set-and-forget method.
2. Enhanced Tenderness
Corned beef is made from brisket, a tough cut of meat that requires low and slow cooking to break down the connective tissues. The high-pressure environment of an Instant Pot does this much faster, resulting in a juicy and fall-apart texture in a fraction of the time.
✅ Instant Pot Magic: The pressurized cooking environment forces moisture into the meat, keeping it moist and flavorful while breaking down tough muscle fibers efficiently.
3. Maximized Flavor Retention
When cooking corned beef on the stove, steam escapes, taking some of the rich aromas and seasonings with it. In contrast, an Instant Pot traps all the flavors, intensifying the taste of the beef, spices, and broth.
💡 Pro Tip: Cooking corned beef with beer, broth, or a mix of both in the Instant Pot deepens the flavor, making it even more delicious.
4. Set-and-Forget Convenience
Unlike stovetop cooking, which requires monitoring, or slow cooking, which demands planning ahead, the Instant Pot allows you to dump everything in, press a button, and walk away. Once cooking is complete, it switches to “Keep Warm” mode automatically, keeping your meal hot and ready to serve.
5. Perfectly Cooked Vegetables
A common problem when cooking corned beef with vegetables is overcooking the veggies until they become mushy. With the Instant Pot, you can control when to add your potatoes, carrots, and cabbage, ensuring they come out perfectly tender without falling apart.
💡 Pro Tip: Cook corned beef first, then add vegetables during the final 5–10 minutes of pressure cooking to keep them firm yet tender.
Cooking corned beef in an Instant Pot isn’t just fast—it’s also foolproof, delicious, and effortless. Now that you know why the Instant Pot is the best tool for the job, let’s dive into the ingredients you’ll need for the perfect corned beef!
Ingredients for the Best Instant Pot Corned Beef
To make the most flavorful and tender corned beef in an Instant Pot, you need to start with the right ingredients. While the classic recipe requires only a few basic components, you can customize it with additional flavors to make it truly unique.
1. Essential Ingredients
Here are the must-have ingredients for a traditional Instant Pot corned beef:
✔ Corned Beef Brisket (3–5 lbs.) – This is the star of the dish! Corned beef is usually sold in vacuum-sealed packages with a brining liquid and a small seasoning packet. You can choose between flat cut (leaner) or point cut (fattier and more flavorful).
✔ Water or Broth (4 cups) – Cooking corned beef in liquid helps it stay tender. You can use beef broth for extra depth of flavor or water for a more traditional taste.
✔ Garlic (4–6 cloves, minced or whole) – Adds a mild, savory aroma to the meat.
✔ Onion (1 large, quartered) – Enhances the flavor of the cooking broth and complements the beef.
✔ Pickling Spice (included in the corned beef package or 1 tbsp homemade) – This spice blend typically includes mustard seeds, bay leaves, peppercorns, coriander, cloves, and crushed red pepper. It adds the classic corned beef flavor.
2. Best Cuts of Corned Beef for Instant Pot
When buying corned beef, you’ll find two main cuts:
🥩 Flat Cut – Leaner, with a uniform shape, making it easy to slice. Ideal for sandwiches and neat presentation.
🥩 Point Cut – More marbled with fat, leading to a richer flavor and juicier texture. Best for shredding or tender, fall-apart corned beef.
💡 Pro Tip: If you want a tender, fall-apart texture, go with point cut. If you prefer a neater, leaner slice, choose flat cut.
3. Optional Additions for Extra Flavor
For those who like to enhance the taste of their corned beef, here are a few additional ingredients to consider:
🔥 Beer (1 bottle, optional) – Replaces some or all of the cooking liquid for a richer, deeper flavor. Guinness or a dark stout works exceptionally well.
🔥 Apple Cider Vinegar (2 tbsp) – Helps balance the saltiness and enhances tenderness.
🔥 Brown Sugar (1 tbsp) – Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the salty brine.
🔥 Bay Leaves (2–3 leaves) – Provides a subtle herbal flavor to the broth.
🔥 Worcestershire Sauce (1 tbsp) – Deepens the umami flavor.
4. Vegetables for a Classic Corned Beef Meal
If you want to make a complete meal in one pot, don’t forget to add vegetables:
🥔 Potatoes (4–6 small, halved) – Use baby potatoes, red potatoes, or Yukon gold for the best texture.
🥕 Carrots (3–4 large, cut into chunks) – Adds a touch of natural sweetness.
🥬 Cabbage (1/2 head, cut into wedges) – A classic pairing with corned beef, but best added after the meat is cooked to prevent overcooking.
💡 Pro Tip: To avoid mushy veggies, cook them after the corned beef is done, using a quick 5-minute pressure cook or the sauté function.
With all the ingredients ready, it’s time to start cooking! In the next section, we’ll walk through the step-by-step process of making corned beef in an Instant Pot, ensuring you get the juiciest, most flavorful results every time.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Corned Beef in an Instant Pot
Cooking corned beef in an Instant Pot is incredibly easy, but to achieve the perfect tender texture and rich flavor, you need to follow a structured process. In this section, we’ll cover everything from preparation to cooking and adding vegetables for a complete meal.
1. Preparation Before Cooking
Before placing your corned beef in the Instant Pot, a few prep steps will ensure the best results.
Should You Rinse Corned Beef?
Yes! Rinse the corned beef under cold water to remove excess salt from the brining liquid. This prevents the dish from becoming overly salty. However, if you prefer a saltier flavor, you can skip this step.
Trim Excess Fat (Optional)
Corned beef has a layer of fat on one side. Some people prefer to trim excess fat before cooking, while others leave it on for extra flavor. If you prefer leaner meat, trim some of the fat, but don’t remove it all, as it helps keep the beef moist.
Should You Use the Seasoning Packet?
Most corned beef packages come with a pickling spice packet. This contains mustard seeds, coriander, black peppercorns, cloves, bay leaves, and crushed red pepper flakes. You can use this packet as-is or add extra spices for more depth of flavor.
💡 Pro Tip: If your corned beef doesn’t come with a spice packet, you can make your own by mixing:
✔ 1 tbsp mustard seeds
✔ 1 tsp black peppercorns
✔ 1 tsp coriander seeds
✔ 2 bay leaves, crushed
✔ 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
✔ 3 whole cloves
2. Cooking Process
Now that your corned beef is prepped, let’s start cooking!
👩🍳 Step 1: Set Up the Instant Pot
1️⃣ Place the trivet inside the Instant Pot to keep the meat elevated. This helps with even cooking.
2️⃣ Pour in 4 cups of liquid – Use water, beef broth, or beer for added flavor.
3️⃣ Add aromatics – Toss in quartered onions, minced garlic, and bay leaves.
🔥 Step 2: Pressure Cook the Corned Beef
1️⃣ Place the corned beef brisket on the trivet, fat side up.
2️⃣ Sprinkle the seasoning packet (or homemade pickling spice) over the top.
3️⃣ Lock the lid and set the valve to Sealing.
4️⃣ Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook (High Pressure) for 90 minutes.
5️⃣ Once cooking time is complete, allow a natural pressure release for 15 minutes before manually releasing the remaining pressure.
💡 Why Natural Release? A quick release can cause the meat to become tough and dry. Letting the pressure drop slowly ensures maximum tenderness.
6️⃣ Remove the corned beef and let it rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat juicy.
3. Adding Vegetables for a Complete Meal
While the corned beef is resting, it’s time to cook the vegetables. Since veggies cook much faster than meat, they should be added after the beef is done.
🥕 Step 3: Cook the Vegetables in the Instant Pot
1️⃣ Add the potatoes, carrots, and cabbage to the Instant Pot with the remaining cooking liquid.
2️⃣ Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook (High) for 5 minutes.
3️⃣ Quick release the pressure to prevent overcooking.
💡 Pro Tip: If you like firmer vegetables, use the sauté function instead and simmer them for 10 minutes instead of pressure cooking.
4. Slicing and Serving the Corned Beef
🔪 How to Slice Corned Beef for Maximum Tenderness
Corned beef has visible muscle fibers (grain) running in one direction.
✔ Always slice against the grain (perpendicular to the fibers) for a tender bite.
✔ If you slice with the grain, the meat will be chewy and tough.
Now that your corned beef and vegetables are perfectly cooked, it’s time to serve and enjoy! In the next section, we’ll explore delicious variations of Instant Pot corned beef recipes to add some creative twists.
FAQ
1. Is corned beef good in the Instant Pot?
Yes! Corned beef turns out tender, juicy, and flavorful when cooked in an Instant Pot. The pressure cooking process breaks down the tough fibers in brisket much faster than traditional methods, cutting cooking time significantly while locking in moisture and flavor. Compared to slow cooking or boiling, the Instant Pot produces consistent, evenly cooked corned beef with minimal effort.
2. How long do you cook corned beef in a pressure cooker?
For a 3-4 lb corned beef brisket, cook on HIGH pressure for 90 minutes, followed by a 15-20 minute natural pressure release (NPR). If your brisket is larger (4-5 lbs), increase the cooking time to 100 minutes. Cooking the beef for this long ensures that it becomes fork-tender and absorbs all the seasoning.
3. Why is my corned beef not tender enough in the Instant Pot?
If your corned beef is tough or chewy, here are possible reasons and solutions:
- Undercooked: Increase the pressure cooking time by 10-15 minutes.
- Quick pressure release (QR): Always do a natural pressure release (NPR) for at least 15 minutes to allow the fibers to relax.
- Wrong slicing technique: Slice the meat against the grain to keep it tender.
- Not enough liquid: Ensure there’s at least 4 cups of broth or water in the pot to create enough steam pressure.
4. What is the best method for cooking tender corned beef?
The best method depends on your preference, but the Instant Pot is one of the most efficient and foolproof ways to get tender corned beef. Other options include:
Oven Roasting (For a firmer texture) – Roast at 300°F (150°C) for 4-5 hours with broth for moisture.
Instant Pot (Best for speed & tenderness) – 90 minutes on HIGH pressure + NPR produces juicy, flavorful meat.
Slow Cooker (Best for set-and-forget convenience) – Cook on LOW for 8 hours for a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Stovetop Boiling (Traditional method) – Simmer for 3-5 hours, but requires monitoring.
Conclusion ABOUT Corned Beef Instant Pot
Corned beef made in the Instant Pot is a game-changer for anyone craving a flavorful and tender dish in less time. By using this pressure cooker method, you can achieve the same rich, savory taste and melt-in-your-mouth texture that traditionally requires hours of cooking. The Instant Pot not only cuts down on cooking time but also infuses the corned beef with delicious spices and flavors. Whether you’re preparing it for a special occasion like St. Patrick’s Day or a comforting weeknight meal, Instant Pot corned beef is an easy, convenient, and satisfying option that delivers consistently great results.