In this article, find out how to cook corned beef in an instant pot and maybe some variations you can try.
A staple for St. Patrick’s day, corned beef sure tastes yummy. Apart from being a mouthwatering delicacy, this fine dish is also timeless.
Do you know the origins of corned beef? To bring you up to speed, this amazing meal has its origins in Ireland more so in the period during and after the second world war.
It is mostly enjoyed in the United States by Irish immigrants. But that should not stop you from trying this wonderful savory meal.
Corned beef is actually beef cured using brine. Cooking corned beef definitely takes up a lot of time. But with an instant pot, the cooking time can be cut by more than half.
1. How to cook corned beef and cabbage in an instant pot.
Procedure.
- Start by rinsing your beef using cold water.
- You can then season the corned beef once you have rinsed it, using spices. Alternatively, you can add the beef to the pot together with the spices and let them cook.
- Add the seasoned beef to the pot. Follow this with the diced onions and garlic (about 4 crushed cloves).
- Top all of it with water, then close the lid to the instant pot. Seal the venting knob then set the instant pot to cook for 60-70 minutes on high pressure.
- As the beef cooks, cut up the cabbages in wedges, slice the carrots and quarter the potatoes.
- After the 60 minutes are up, release the pressure naturally for 10-15 minutes finishing with a quick release.
- Once the valve drops, open the lid and take out the cooked beef. Leave some broth in the instant pot. 2-3 cups are enough. Put the corned beef and the soup in a serving bowl and cover.
- Add the vegetables in the instant pot and close the lead. Seal the venting knob and set the instant pot to cook for 3 more minutes.
- With the vegetables, use the quick release for the pressure.
- Once the valve drops, carefully open the lid.
- Cut the cooked corned beef into manageable pieces, before serving with the vegetables from the pot.
Cutting the cabbages in wedges before cooking them in the instant pot helps to prevent the cabbages from overcooking.
As with releasing the pressure for the instant pot, always consult the manufacturer’s manual.
2. Instant pot corned beef and cabbage Keto.
You may really like corned beef cooked in an instant pot but have worries with your waistline.
Well your tribulations are now over.
Enter instant pot corned beef and cabbage Keto. With this recipe, you get to enjoy your meal, with less calories.
Procedure.
- Start by rinsing the corned beef.
- Add the beef, crushed garlic (about 4 cloves), diced onions to the instant pot, followed by water. The water should be just enough to cover the corned beef briskets.
- Add spices to the instant pot, then close the lid to the instant pot. You can use pepper, garlic powder or dried mustard (2 teaspoons each).
- Seal the venting knob and set the instant pot to cook on high pressure for 60 minutes.
- After the 60 minutes are up, release the pressure naturally for 20 minutes or so.
- Once the valve drops, open the lid carefully, avoiding the steam. Take out the cooked beef and soup and put it in a large serving bowl. Cover the bowl to keep the food warm. Leave about 3 cups of soup in the instant pot.
- Add the cabbage wedges, sliced carrots and celery stalks to the instant pot.
- Close the lid, seal the venting knob and set the instant pot to cook on high pressure 5-8 minutes.
- Use the quick release feature this time after the 8 minutes are up.
- Once the valve drops, open the lid carefully, avoiding the steam.
- Add back the corned beef to the instant pot, and simmer to warm the beef.
- Once the beef is well warmed through, serve and enjoy.
In this Keto recipe, do not use potatoes as they have a lot of carbs.
Now that is how you cook your beef using an instant pot. But you may have some more questions like; how do you cook frozen corned beef in an instant pot? Is it safe to cook frozen it in an instant pot? You’ll get the answers to these questions shortly.
So is it safe to cook frozen corned beef in an instant pot?
Yes, it is safe to cook frozen corned beef in an instant pot. You must however ensure you thaw the meat in a refrigerator before cooking in the instant pot. The only difference is the corned beef will take much longer to cook.
How long can you freeze meat? Read it here on my other article.
How do you cook frozen corned beef in an instant pot?
While you can cook the frozen beef in an instant pot, with the pot set to high pressure.
It is much safer, to first thaw the frozen corned beef in a refrigerator before cooking it in an instant pot.
Once the corned beef is properly thawed, cook the beef just as described on how to cook corned beef in an instant pot.
Can you cook frozen meat? Find out here.
Conclusion.
You might not really find a pot of gold, but with this recipes, you should have a delicious steaming pot of cooked corned beef, for you to enjoy either by yourself or with your friends and family.
Corned beef is really tough, so if you find the meat is not as tender as you like, you can always return it to the instant pot and cook it on high pressure for a few more minutes.
Just like any other dish, you can always try different ways of cooking your corned beef. For instance, you can try cooking corned beef and cabbage in an instant pot, while adding Guinness or stout beer for even more flavor. However, if you don’t want to use beer, you can use chicken broth.