Easy Irish Boil
As I tried to find a way to describe this Easy Irish Boil dish to a friend I came up the perfect explanation “It’s kinda like a low country boil, only with corned beef and cabbage instead of crawdads…” So rather than call it a New England Boil, because I’ve never been to New England, I’m calling it an Irish Boil, because I’m making it for St Patrick’s Day – and because I can :).
A lot of families like to have special meals for St Patrick’s Day. Me, I like a good Reuben for lunch. Well, that is any day though. I’m pretty sure I could eat a Reuben every day of the week and not get tired of it. I could also eat an entire skillet of fried cabbage by myself if given half the chance. But I digress…Today I am bringing you a simple recipe for a complete St Patrick’s Day dinner which you can make on your stovetop or slow cooker (crock pot). A meal in one where you dump the ingredients and turn the heat on – how easy is that?
Stay tuned because tomorrow Mama is bringing you a fun and delicious cake with a bit of green to go along with this.
You’ll need: Carrots, Onion, Cabbage, New Potatoes, Pickling Spice, and a Brisket.
A word about sizes: It doesn’t matter how much of each vegetable you use or even how large your brisket is in this recipe, as long as you can fit it all into your pot. I try to get small new potatoes for that very reason. In case you’d like to know, my corned beef is just a little over 3 pounds.
The takeaway here: Make sure you start out with a pot big enough to hold everything. Mine is six quarts and it just barely does the job.
Place your corned beef in the bottom of a large pot and sprinkle the seasoning packet that comes with it on top. Add another tablespoon or so of pickling spice.
Why are we adding pickling spice? Well, basically that’s what that seasoning packet that comes with corned beef is. All we are doing is adding a bit more to amp up that flavor and get the cooking water infused enough so that it flavors the vegetables as well.
Now, cover this with water and bring just to a boil. Once it comes to a boil reduce heat slightly (there should still be light bubbling) and cook for 2-3 hours.
If you are cooking this in a crock pot: Place corned beef, seasoning packet, and pickling spice in slow cooker. Complete steps below for vegetables and THEN add enough water to cover. Place lid on slow cooker and cook on low, 7-8 hours or high, 3-4.
Quarter your onion (okay, I cut a few more times than four but you get the point), and cut your cabbage into big old wedges. This is the part where I get all nibbly because I love raw cabbage almost as much as I love cooked cabbage!
Place all of your veggies in the pot with the cooked corned beef. Hopefully, you have a big enough pot for them to go in at this point. If not, don’t say I didn’t warn ya :).
Bring this back up to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring every now and then, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced by a fork.
Carefully remove corned beef from pot and slice it as thinly as you can. An electric knife works wonderfully for this. My corned beef is not sliced anywhere near thin enough in these pictures but I don’t have the patience for that so I just put steak knives at everyone’s place setting and tell them I wanted to give them more interaction with their food :).
Add veggies around the beef to serve. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- Corned Beef 3-4 pounds
- New Potatoes
- Baby Carrots Or whole carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped
- Onion
- Cabbage
- Pickling spice
Instructions
- Place corned beef in large pot. Pour seasoning packet over top (they usually come with one). Add an additional 1 tablespoon of pickling spice over this. Cover completely with water and bring just to a boil over medium high heat. Once it reaches a boil, reduce heat slightly (You want it to still bubble) and allow it to cook for 2-3 hours, adding more water if necessary to keep beef covered.
- After beef is fully cooked and tender (at least two hours) peel and quarter onion and cabbage. Place both in pot with beef along with potatoes and carrots. Continue cooking for another 30 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.
- To serve, slice corned beef very thin and place on platter alongside veggies.
Notes
Nutrition
Looking forward to trying this recipe! Prayers are being sent for your dog’s speedy and safe
return!
Thank you Leslie, we are so appreciative of everyone’s prayers!!
The last part of my message was left out. I am praying for SWEETIE’S return.
Thank you so much Martha!!
Hi Christy!
I have never made corn beef or brisket. I am going to make it and use my crock pot. Thank you for the recipe.
I hope you love it Martha!! Let me know!
I haven’t ever made a comment, though your stories and recipes have blessed my family, and I have thought what a lovely person you must be. I wanted to let you know, that though I live in Michigan and can not help to search for your pet, I wish I could run right over to assist in looking. It breaks my heart when a beloved pet has been lost. I will remember to pray (with you) that you can find her.
THank you so much Kathy, it means the world to me that all of you are praying with me and keeping us in your thoughts!
BTW: I saw Pic’s posting on FaceBook of a dog resembling your Sweetie….Check my FaceBook page (Peggy Romine Watson) for the Pics and number to call to get in touch with the lady who’s rescued this dog in Athens….I’m sooooo hoping this is Sweetie! Prayers!
Thank you so much Peggy. I am so thankful for all of you keeping a look out and praying with us. It wasn’t her.
Prayers that Sweetie stays safe & returns home ASAP! Gotta try this recipe ASAP, I can smell it cooking right now (love corned beef). Thanks for the recipe & Sweetie’s pic. Make sure you let MARF (Madison) know of Sweetie’s adventure, which I’m sure you’ve already done.
Thank you Peggy!! I hope you enjoy the recipe!!
My corned beef roast is cooking, ah, the aroma is intoxicating….love corned beef & Reuben’s, I remember back when (I was a child) & helped my mother making kraut. She always had a large garden in the backyard…Kept it clean of weeds and grass too, using her plow, she was amazing. Lots of times, I do wish I could go back to those days. Hugs!
Ahhhhhh, I’ve added all the vegetables, so very soon my brother & I will be enjoying this delicious corned beef recipe this St. Patrick’s Day!
Hope your Sweetie comes trotting home to ya’ll today ~ A bit of Irish Luck on Sweetie & all of You’ll!!!
Thanks for the recipes…..Hugs!
Reuben, fried cabbage – the only thing better might be chocolate!!
I like your thinking Gloria!!!