This recipe for Instant Pot Corned Beef & Cabbage is made with the help of your electric pressure cooker and finished off under the broiler with a brown sugar-mustard glaze, giving it a perfectly crispy exterior.
Don’t have an instant pot? You can also make glazed slow cooker corned beef or smoked corned beef.
As a child, I would request corned beef or my birthday. It’s long been a favorite food of mine. It could be the Irish in me, or it could just be that I love corned beef and its salty-fattiness. It wasn’t until college though that I found the best way to enjoy corned beef & cabbage – glazed!
I certainly can’t take credit for this original corned beef & cabbage recipe. It was handed down to me by my college roommate Jim, and I’ve been making it ever since. Up until this year though, I’ve always made slow cooker corned beef.
But now, I’ve got a new obsession – the Instant Pot. And, it makes the best corned beef!
Ingredients needed
Meat and Vegetables
- Red Potatoes – You can also use small russet potatoes, or baby potatoes.
- Carrots & Celery
- Up to a 5 pound Corned Beef Brisket – You can use a point cut or flat cut for this recipe. Be sure to save the pickling spice packet that comes with it too, as we’ll use some of it for seasoning.
- Cabbage Wedges
- Garlic
- Dark Beer – This is optional. You can also use chicken stock or beef broth.
Glaze
- Brown Sugar
- Brown Mustard
- Water
- Butter
How to Make It
- Add corned beef, pickling spices, beer and 2 cups of water to the instant pot.
- Lock lid on the pot and cook for 90 minutes on high pressure. Then natural pressure release.
- Prepare the glaze. Melt butter, add water and brown sugar. Whisk in mustard and reduce the heat to low.
- Brush corned beef with glaze and and broil.
- Cook cabbage wedges, potatoes and carrots in the instant pot cooking liquid for 3 minutes, then quick release the pressure by turning the valve.
How long does it take?
The Instant Pot makes cooking super hands-off, and it many cases, the recipes are so much faster too. This Instant Pot Corned Beef for example… In the crockpot, this recipe would take over 7 hours, but with the Instant Pot, this yummy corned beef & cabbage can be on your table in under 3 hours.
And I’ll tell you honestly. You’d never know the difference. In fact, the corned beef seems to be even more tender when it’s cooked in the Instant Pot!
Cooking the vegetables
The best part of using the Instant Pot for this corned beef recipe is that when the corned beef is done cooking, you can leave all those braising liquids in the pot, throw in your veggies, and just crank up the pressure for three more minutes!
Super quick potatoes, carrots and cabbage that cook up perfect and take on so much yummy flavor since they’re cooked in the corned beef liquid, which, by the way, we added a bottle of beer to.
I mean the flavor guys, is amazing!
How to make glazed corned beef
The final thing that makes this recipe killer is the glaze on the corned beef. A combination of brown sugar, brown mustard and little bit of butter gets slathered onto the corned beef and then it’s popped under the broiler for 30 minutes, brushing on more of the glaze (every 10 minutes) as it cooks down. This is how you get that amazing glaze and those crispy little bits.
You could stop here, but my friend Jim (he’s my friend for a reason) took things one step further and made a honey-mustard sauce too. This is perfect with the veggies, or you can also drizzle it over the finished corned beef to give it even more flavor.
I promise you that this Saint Patrick’s Day is going to be the best yet if you serve this up at the dinner table!
Plus, if you have any leftovers, slice them up and make reuben sandwiches or shred the tender corned beef to make a corned beef hash.
Recipe FAQs
If you forget to rinse your corned beef before cooking, it may be a bit saltier than you’d like. However, it’s perfectly safe to eat!
Yes, you should drain the liquid that comes in the packaged corned beef. You should also rinse the corned beef to remove excess saltiness.
Cook corned beef for 90 minutes on HIGH pressure. Note that it will take about 15 minutes for the pressure to build, and 15 minutes for the pressure to release. So, the total time will be around 2 hours.
Wine pairings
- I suggest a light-bodied, fruit forward red like a Beaujolais or Grenache to pair with the salty-fatty corned beef and the traditional spices of bay leaves and peppercorn.
- On the white wine side, I’d suggest a Pinot Blanc or dry Riesling.
More instant pot recipes
- Instant Pot Cabbage Roll Soup
- Instant Pot Rice
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes (with Crispy Skins)
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese (this recipe is SO fast)
- Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Taco Lettuce Wraps (just 5 ingredients!)
More St. Patrick’s Day recipes
More → 37+ BEST sides for Corned Beef.
Did you try this instant pot corned beef and cabbage?
If you loved this instant pot corned beef I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.
For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Facebook.
PS – Don’t forget about the 9+ BEST Sauces for Corned Beef too!
Instant Pot Corned Beef & Cabbage
Ingredients
Corned Beef:
- 3-5 pounds corned beef brisket (fat trimmed off and rinsed )
- Spice packet (that comes with the corned beef)
- 4 garlic cloves (smashed)
- 1 12-ounce bottle dark beer
- 2 cups water
Vegetables:
Glaze:
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup brown mustard
Honey Mustard Sauce:
- ¼ cup honey (or agave syrup)
- ¼ cup brown mustard
Instructions
- Place corned beef brisket, spice packet, garlic, beer and 2 cups of water in the instant pot.
- Place lid on pot and cook for 90 minutes on high pressure. (It will take about 15 minutes for the pressure to build, then the timer will start) Once the time expires, allow for 15 minute natural pressure release before releasing remaining pressure and removing the lid from the instant pot.
- While the pressure is natural releasing, prepare the glaze. Melt butter in small skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add water and brown sugar. Cook until it begins to thicken, about 5 minutes. Whisk in mustard and reduce heat to low, simmer 2-3 minutes. Set aside.
- Preheat the broiler on LOW.
- Leaving the liquids in the instant pot, remove corned beef to a cookie tray. Brush some of the glaze on top of corned beef and broil on LOW, 6-inches from the element for 15 minutes adding glaze every 5 minutes. Always keep an eye on the broiler to avoid burning.
- Meanwhile, put cabbage, potatoes and carrots in the instant pot and cook them on high for 3 minutes then do a quick pressure release.
- Make the honey mustard sauce by stirring together honey and mustard.
- After the 15 minutes remove the glazed corned beef from oven and place on cutting board. Cut corned beef across the grain. Serve with veggies and honey mustard sauce.
Equipment
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in 2018. It was updated in 2023 to update the content. The instant pot corned beef recipe remains the same.
Oh my goodness, this sounds amazing. That glaze at the end!!! I’m sure it really puts it over the top.
Also, I’m pretty sure I’m the last person on the planet that still hasn’t jumped on the Instant Pot bandwagon. I neeeeeeed to get one, especially to be able to enjoy meals like this on the weekdays, without having to spend hours and hours waiting. Hmmm, so tempting!
You definitely do need to get one Mary! They make things so easy!
I don’t have an IP and can only jealously think about how easy it was to cook those vegetables in the corned beef juices and how tasty that must be…
You need to get one Pech! Really!!!
I have to admit that I’m not normally a fan of corned beef except in corned beef hash, but you have made it look SO delicious and beautiful here! Quick question: what’s the spice packet? You refer to it in the directions but I don’t see it in the ingredients. I’ve just started drinking my coffee of the morning though, so it could just be me 😉
Good question Marlynn! When you purchase packaged corned beef in the store, it comes with a little spice packet. It’s a blend of whole pickling spices like allspice, coriander, mustard seed, pepper, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, dill seed, etc.
St Patrick’s Day is a big family holiday at our house (we are all about Irish history!), so we make ridiculous amounts of corned beef. I’ve never tried it in the InstaPot, but this makes me want to try. We always cook ours in beer, too, and glazing makes it amazing!
Definitely give the corned beef a try in the Instant Pot Renee – It’s so much quicker and easier!
Looks delish! Do you think I could do 10 lbs I need my 6 qt DUO? And then any adjustments?
Sorry. I meant to type 10lbs in my 6qt DUO. Dang it…
😜
Hi Kelly – I’m not sure if you can fit a 10-pounder in the 6 qt. You could try, but I think I would cut it in two pieces to help cut down on cooking time too. Hope this helps! I’d love to hear back on how it worked for you!
Can you cook this recipe in a regular crockpot?
Yes you can! Here’s a link to my recipe for Slow Cooker Glazed Corned Beef & Cabbage.
Do you really mean to say to tent the beef before brushing on the liquid and broiling it?
Hi Amy – Thanks for catching that! No need to tent the beef with this recipe. I just revised the recipe to reflect that.
It was so good I am making another just 5 days later. My instant pot didnt cooperate for the veggies, but it sure worked for the corned beef!
I’m so happy to hear that you liked it Lisa! Question – Why didn’t it cooperate for the veggies? I’d love to try to help you out!
Your recipe sounds wonderful but I’m new using the instapot so could you give me the adjustments I need. I have an 8 quart instapot and the corned beef weighs 6.7 pounds. We’ll be serving 10 people so how much should I increase the vegetable amounts and do I need to increase the liquids? What about the cooking times?
Hi Sharon – I haven’t actually tried this recipe with a corned beef that large, but I think it should work in your 8 quart. I would probably add 1 cup more water just to be safe and double the amount of vegetables. You may want to cut the corned beef in half. I’d also add about 10 more minutes to the cooking time. If it’s not done to your liking, just re-seal the lid and add an additional 5 minutes at a time. I hope this helps. I’d love to hear back on how it turned out for you!
Omg, I was so nervous about putting my corned beef in the oven after so long in the IP…but wow!!! I made this exactly as prescribed with the seasoning packet and the glaze and it was absolutely perfect. I served it with Inglehoffer stone ground mustard (my favorite and I probably could have eaten all 4lbs myself!
I highly recommend this recipe and glaze, it was truly delicious.
Thanks so much for letting me know Jen! I could definitely eat one all by myself too (over a few days). Yum!
I have the instant pot duo crisp with air fryer. How long do you suggest to use the air fryer instead of the broiler.
I mistook this for a recipe to “make” corned beef, not just cook it. Making it from a brisket takes it to a whole new level of flavor. I recommend making your own then cooking it withthis recipe.
That sounds amazing Mike – I’ve never cured my own corned beef…
Do I need to put the rack in the IP?
Hi Tonya – I do not use the rack for this recipe. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
My corn beef didn’t come with spice packet but it already has been seasoned in the package. Should I just place in instant pot without rinsing?
Hi Sheila – Yes! I would do that.
My slow cooker is down, so I took my roommate’s instant pot for a spin and used this recipe. It is fantastic! I followed it to a T except I misread and added the honey to the glaze – still turned out great! I also broiled the cabbage with the extra glaze for about 10 minutes as well since I like crunchier cabbage. Such a great recipe!
So glad that you liked it Julia! I love your modification where you broiled the cabbage. I definitely want to try that next time!!!
So, what temp for broiling do you call LOW? Just started the IP.
Hi Stephanie – My oven has an option for HIGH and LOW, so I’m not quite sure. I did a quick google and it suggested that 450-degrees may be the low temp. Hope this helps! You could also try just setting the corned beef lower from the heating element.
Thanks! Can’t wait to taste this!
Do you turn the IP off after 90 minutes or leave it in keep warm mode before releasing the pressure?
Hi Lisa – You can just leave it in WARM. Hope this helps!
I’m not a big fan of corned beef, but my family loves it so I make it for Saint Patrick’s Day. The glaze on this made all the difference for me! My family and I loved it! I made it just as written, and it turned out great!
Thanks for making our Saint Patrick’s Day dinner a huge, delicious success!!!
SO happy to hear that you and the family loved it Kathy! Cheers!
WHAT Is low broiler temperature?
Hi Regina – My oven has an option for HIGH and LOW, so I’m not quite sure. I did a quick google and it suggested that 450-degrees may be the low temp. Hope this helps! You could also try just setting the corned beef lower from the heating element.
I made this tonight for St Patrick’s Day! It was excellent! I did not have dark beer so I substituted a can of Coke, I cooked the vegs separately. Thank you so much!!
So happy to hear that you liked it Lisa! I hope you had a fantastic St. Paddy’s Day!
I just made this and it was delicious. I didn’t make the honey mustard because I ran out of mustard. But everything else was really good. I had extra glaze, so I pulled out the carrots and cabbage and drizzles some glaze over them and broiled for a bit. Super tasty. I highly recommend it.
So happy to hear that you liked it Annabelle! It’s funny, this recipe does use SO much mustard that I occasionally run out too. You pretty much need an entire bottle to make both the glaze and the sauce…
I made this tonight and it didn’t disappoint! Quote from CB- “That was exceptional. I’d eat that any night of the year.” The glaze definitely elevated my usual corned beef game. I also loved how easy and quick it was in the Instant Pot. We’ll be using this recipe again next year (or sooner, if CB has his way)!
Awww! So glad Mr. CB loved it Alyssa! Thank our buddy Jim for the glaze recipe, but I love it in the Instant Pot – so much quicker!
This was fantastic!
So happy you liked it Jules – I hope you had a fantastic St. Paddy’s Day!
I made this tonight for St. Patrick’s Day. I was not sure about glazing it but it sounded so good, and I’m so happy we tried it! It’s delicious! I don’t think I can eat this any other way now. I used a pre seasoned corned beef brisket from Costco, and they also sell these baby red and yellow creamy potatos. I left them whole, and cooked those with my carrots and cabbage for 8 min. They turned out perfect! I also used the better than bouillon (low sodium version) chicken base in my water to make a broth. My picky family was skeptical of the glaze, but they loved it! Thanks for sharing this recipe!!!
I’m so happy that you and the family loved it Aaryn! I had never tried “glazed” corned beef before my friend Jim turned me on to it, but now I’m with you – I can’t eat it any other way!
I am cooking this right now – the meat is under the broiler, and the vegetables are in the IP. It smells so good! My family is circling like vultures 🙂 . I’ll let you know how it turns out. Thanks for the recipe!
Made this last night using an IP for the first time. It was truly delicious, and the veggies were perfect as well. Thank you!
I’m so glad Terry – Cheers!
Erin ~ I never liked Corned Beef before…. This recipe is so amazing! The glaze was a game changer. I didn’t make the dipping sauce but I will next time. I do not like super salty meat so I rinsed the meat first well. My husband likes it saltier but loved this as well and that we could enjoy it together. I might rinse less next time. My husband would like me to cook some cabbage with meat to see if that gets more cabbage flavor into it. The key word in this review is next time because I will cook this again and again. I can’t wait to try some of your other recipes. Tell your friend Jim thanks too!
Hi Carol – Thanks so much for letting me know how much you liked it! 🙂
I’ve been making corned beef and cabbage similar to this for years. For whatever reason I decided to try someone else’s recipe and by god, I will never go back to my recipe again. This is hands down the best I’ve ever made. Thanks for giving me a leg up over my in laws! 😉
Oh and I skipped the potatoes at the end and found a good recipe for colcannon that rocked as a side dish!
So happy to hear that you liked it Stacy! This is definitely my favorite corned beef recipe!
I just received my instapot today. I already scoped out my first meal (this one) and had it all ready to go. WOW. I love corned beef, but this took it to a new level. Followed recipe to a T and it was simply amazing (I’m still dumbfounded how fast this thing cooked a corned beef). Thank you for sharing and it’s definitely on my “impress the in-laws” list. Just fantastic.
So happy you liked it Matthew! I’m with you – I LOVE corned beef and could eat it year round, not just for St. Patrick’s Day. I love the glaze too…
I made this for dinner tonight. Absolutely fantastic! The corned beef was very tender. The glaze was delicious. The only change I made was the mustard in the glaze. I used yellow mustard instead of brown mustard. Very good Everyone loved it. Not much leftover.
I’m so happy to hear that you liked it Gerry!
I have always made corned beef the way my mother did. Boiled it in a pot and then added the cabbage. I just got my very first pressure cooker (Instant Pot). And I’m 66 yrs old. I made this last night with the brown sugar/mustard on top and everyone loved it. They never want me to boil another corned beef again! Thank you!!
You are welcome! I love this recipe! In fact, I’m making it again this week!
If you were to do two 3-4 lb. corned beef briskets at once what would you adjust your water and time to? Thank you.
Hi Will – Water amount and cook time should remain the same. Just be sure that you can fit them both in your pot!
I made this tonight and my husband declared it the best corned beef I had every made. I am new to the Instant Pot, but it came out way more tender than all of the ones I have made in the crock pot – quite a nice surprise! Thanks so much!
I’m so glad that you both enjoyed it Karen! I made it yesterday too!
There seems to be a large weight span – 3 -5 lbs. I am concerned that if I go with only 3-3.5 lbs it might be dry. Are there any adjustments I need to make to the liquid?
Hi Linda – No adjustments needed. It will work regardless of weight.
Delicious, the glaze added so much flavor. My veges took longer than 3 min. Will definitely make this again.
I’m so glad you liked it Barbara! I can’t wait to make this again soon!
What could I substitute for the dark beer?
Hi Stephanie – You can throw in some beef or chicken stock!
Made just as written except for the extra honey mustard sauce. I also was wary of putting the meat u see a broiler after cooking, but it was fantastic! I had some glaze left over and we brushed it on the potatoes. I will definitely make this again, and I won’t wait for St. Patrick’s Day.
Yay! That makes me so happy to hear Leigh!
How should I adapt this instapot recipe for a 2LB corned beef brisket???
Hi Sharon – I would reduce the cook time to 70 minutes. Hope that helps! Enjoy!
Made this last night. Used a bit of Maple syrup in the glaze and omitted the 1/2 cup of brown sugar and Sauce. It was the best corned beef dinner made to date. This will be my new go to for corned beef. Very delicious!!
Yummy! I used Dijon (all I had on had) for the glaze, and didn’t bother with the sauce:). Perfect!
Will be making this recipe a lot. So good!
I have made a lot of corned beef and cabbage in my 67 years on this earth, but have never put a glaze on one. This recipe looked very good and the comments were positive so made this for dinner tonight. It was excellent, we both made gluttons of ourselves. I ran out of Dijon for the sauce so subbed with whole grain mustard. Delicious recipe, thanks!!
You’re welcome Farrel! Isn’t it a game changer?!
Just fixed a 5 lb. Corned Beef in the stovetop pressure cooker, same timing as an instapot for me. So delicious! I served the corned beef with the extra mustard glaze. I roasted potatoes and carrots to serve with the meat. thank you Erin for all your great recipes. 💐
You are so welcome Carol! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Is there something I could use in place of the beer? That’s something we don’t have in our house for personal reasons. I’m guessing maybe beef broth but wasn’t sure. This looks amazing btw. Looking forward to trying it.
Hi Martha – Yes. The beer is optional. You can also use chicken stock or beef broth.
The last corned beef I made was in the crock pot – and it was so so bad!! So I was excited to try an instant pot version! The meat came out tender but a little dry after 90 minutes, is there a way to get the moisture more into the meat? Should I make sure the meat is submerged vs. the top being out of the liquid? It wasn’t that dry though, and the flavor was excellent! Roasted all the veggies separately because I can’t stand boiled cabbage – highly recommend. Can’t wait to make some Reubens tomorrow.