Are you looking for a simple, tasty, and quick meal? This complete guide will show you how to prepare an amazing corned beef in instant pot dish. We will cover all the essential tips and techniques for making a perfect corned beef in instant pot meal. If you enjoy delicious flavor, this is a dish you cannot miss! Let’s jump right in!
Table of Contents
Why using Instant Pot for Corned Beef is the best option?
An Instant Pot is a great option for anyone looking to achieve a mouth watering tender meat, with maximum results, while reducing the cooking time, as well as clean up! Let’s take a look at some great reasons:
- Time Saver: It saves lots of time! In comparison to traditional methods that usually takes 3 – 4 hours, with a pressure cooker you’ll be ready to eat in under 90 minutes or less.
- Superior Tenderness: The pressurized environment guarantees the traditionally tough brisket becomes exceptionally tender and can shred easily using just your fork.
- Flavor Locked In: Pressure cooking ensures no moisture is lost which leads to a richer tasting and flavorful dish, that is more appealing to those that have picky palates!
- Easy to Manage: This simple method makes everything simple! No need for watching the pot for hours; a fast and no hassle method of getting the best results each and every time!
- Reduced Mess: An instant pot keeps everything contained within one place minimizing spills and reducing the hassle when cleaning!
Key Ingredients for your Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe
Here are all the key components needed to have amazing, fast results with this recipe:
- Corned Beef Brisket: It can range between 2.5 to 4 pounds and having an adequate level of marbling throughout, is desired. A brine spice packet is usually provided with this cut of meat.
- Liquid: 2-3 cups of a liquid; preferably beef broth to create the ultimate flavor boost. Other options include using water or beer.
- Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, cut into thick slices
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- Vegetable Choices: (optional):
- 1 lb baby potatoes or quartered small yellow potatoes.
- 4 large carrots, cut into large pieces
- 1 medium green cabbage, cut into thick wedges.
Step-By-Step: How to Cook Corned Beef in the Instant Pot
Here is a simple step-by-step guide to cooking moist corned beef in instant pot, that allows easy access with the very best final result quality! You will have great consistent dish!
- Prepare Your Corned Beef: Get your brisket out of its packaging and put under cool water. Once you give it a good rinse you’ll want to dab it using paper towels to reduce water contents for best results. If there is a brine spice pack you’ll set that aside and prepare for cooking time.
- Prep your Instant Pot: You’ll need to set the trivet into your instant pot before starting. On the base, lay your thick cut onion and smashed garlic, creating an aromatic base to build your flavors on.
- Add Meat & Spices: Position your corned beef brisket directly over the onions and garlic bed, then open the brine spice packet if you intend to use it, scattering the spices over the top.
- Add Cooking Liquids: Cover almost entirely your brisket with 2-3 cups of liquid, the brisket will not be fully submersed at all times, which ensures best overall meat quality in this recipe.
- Pressure Cook: Seal the lid and pressure cook for 75-90 minutes for a 3-4lb brisket. Do not overfill to ensure best pressure and seal for cooking purposes. Cooking times vary depending on size and overall thickness of the meat being cooked.
- Natural Pressure Release: After your timer goes off, let the pot do its natural release method, that can range from 10-20 minutes minimum.
- Tenderness check: Using a fork, poke to test the tenderness. If it’s pulling apart easily, it means its done! Otherwise, put back to cook 10-15 min to your preferences.
- Veggies addition: Carefully, pull the beef from the pot and put aside for resting period, and lay a loose cover over. Remove the trivet. At this point, throw the desired vegetables, adding them on top of the broth. Use high pressure again for 3-5 min. Then using the quick release option, finish this method,
- Slice & Enjoy: The last step, but definitely one of the most crucial aspects; you’ll want to slice the beef against the grain to create tender and optimal pieces. Be sure to serve with your cooked veggies or preferred side dishes along with your favorite mustard choices! Adding some fresh parsley or dill will also enhance and impress your dinner guests.
Essential Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Corned Beef
Follow these tips when making a tender corned beef in instant pot, for the most consistent results! Using these steps creates consistently good corned beef meals :
- Never skip the rinse: A thorough rinse of the corned beef brisket will remove excessive sodium.
- Always look for the tenderness point: Being mindful of the timings, don’t overcook and follow the guidelines to avoid creating a dry texture in your meat.
- Enhance flavors with alcohol: Instead of traditional liquid option of beef broth or water, try dark beers like stout or Guinness for an unforgettable and elevated flavor.
- Patience with pressure: Avoid using quick release options. Use natural pressure to allow a complete tender result, for fall off the bone quality in your results.
- Slice accordingly: You’ll want to make sure to always cut your cooked beef against the grain in order to create perfectly portioned and tender pieces that are both effortless to serve and chew.
- Liquid Gold: Instead of discarding, you can store and use the extra broth for amazing soups. It has a high potency flavor profile from the brine and overall cooking method, which creates a delicious flavor bomb!
- Veggies at last: A fast way to enjoy cooked vegetables is doing it at last, to reduce the mushy effect you sometimes get when cooking all together in your pot, or all at the same time!
Instant Pot Corned Beef Variations:
There are unlimited creative ideas to get more flavor for this dish, so take your imagination further and beyond by following some of the following ideas:
- A pinch of spicy: Kick it up a notch by using sliced jalapeños or red pepper flakes!
- Adding sweetness: Using honey, maple or even a tablespoon of brown sugar in the liquid blend.
- Herb additions: Use sprigs of rosemary, bay leaves or thyme in order to achieve maximum deliciousness in each bite!
- Elevated classic Reubens: You can add swiss cheese, a layer of sauerkraut, dressing with corned beef layered on top and enjoy toasted rye sandwiches in no time!
Serving Corned Beef cooked in the Instant Pot
Corned beef is a great option to be used in various recipes; here’s some ideas to try:
- Classic Style: Your classic pairing of veggies such as potatoes and cabbage can’t ever go wrong. With the addition of mustard, its a traditional combination!
- Ultimate Reuben sandwiches: Using sliced meat layered with all the toppings inside perfectly toasted rye bread!
- Comforting Hash: Use shredded leftovers to combine with potatoes, onion and other vegetables, for an easy and quick morning brunch item served with eggs.
- Tasty Tacos: Ditch all regular proteins by shredding the leftovers of this meal and making soft shelled or hard shell tacos to change things up on taco Tuesdays!
- Great slider option: Cut mini buns in half, layer your sliced meat, top with favorite sauces or mustards to create delicious crowd pleasing snacks.
Troubleshooting Your Corned Beef in the Instant Pot
Here are quick fixes when making your amazing corned beef in instant pot, if problems might happen :
- Salty Corned Beef: Always remember to thoroughly rinse under cool running water to remove excess salt.
- Meat Isn’t Tender?: Usually that is solved by additional pressure time, so try to adjust when and if necessary while using natural release option for the instant pot to work as designed.
- Too tough Corned Beef: The first solution to any problems with the level of doneness of your meats should be by putting back in your instant pot with some water or liquid of your choice for additional pressure time, with increments of 10 – 15 minutes.
Corned Beef in Instant Pot: An Easy Weeknight Solution
With this guide for corned beef in instant pot you’ll see how fast and effective pressure cookers really are! These simple steps to create great and impressive meals, that even inexperienced users can master. Try your favorite add on options, follow my helpful guidance for maximum potential in all dishes that use this option.
The Nuances of Instant Pot Corned Beef Cooking
Diving deeper into pressure cooking **corned beef in instant pot**, it’s important to explore beyond the basic steps. Let’s examine key aspects that influence your cooking results. Understanding these factors will empower you to adjust and handle different scenarios that come up in cooking with the instant pot.
First, choosing the correct Instant Pot size is important. Most standard sizes will work fine. But if you’re making larger portions for a crowd you need a bigger pot. The size also prevents issues that can happen, when there isn’t enough room in the appliance that can result in liquid overflows. Also when using max level of food, can result in unevenly done dishes due to lack of uniform cooking.
Be mindful of your brisket’s shape. Irregular shapes cook unevenly, especially on edges, which can get undercooked, while others are more prone to drying. With odd shapes try decreasing cook time on initial rounds and using the tenderness test more often during cooking process and to prevent dry portions during each run, on the pressure cooking part.
Liquid choices also influence your results with the corned beef in the instant pot. For added flavor use dark beers (like Guinness or stout), adding great depths to the flavors and its aromas while tasting. Using a lower sodium broth will aid you on your salt intake control needs without losing flavor but adding aromatic additions that still gives your desired tastes.
When dealing with brine spice packets from pre made cuts you need to check freshness. Older packets will not hold potency, reducing aromatic intensity on dish which affects total end quality and potency that users hope for in outcome, and in overall results, also if its not handled with right storage, will create potency variations on each user that intends to make this product.
Don’t limit aromatic ingredients only to onions and garlic: add sliced leeks, fresh ginger or star anise. This creates extra flavors on your beef cuts and the cooking braise juices you are adding flavor dimensions with depth in its aromas. Always use a trivet which improves airflow preventing food from direct heating while avoiding burning or food from sticking.
Natural pressure release for best tenderness must be kept and should be done every single time when aiming for great corned beef results; avoiding all types of quick or manual release of air. The 15-20 min resting allows liquid redistributions through the protein in your corned beef for enhanced flavor with overall tenderness levels desired, to meet expectations in your cooking efforts for best taste quality, texture, and end results.
Looking for other recipes? Here are some links for your consideration:
- Slow Cooker Beef Stew
- How To Make Smoked Pulled Pork On A Pellet Grill
- Easy Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Let’s address the most asked questions:
Why is Rinsing Corned Beef needed when Cooking in an Instant Pot?
The process of brining causes corned beef to have high salinity levels. Rinsing before cooking minimizes the salt, achieving better taste in the outcome.
How Much Liquid to Use when Cooking Corned Beef in a Pressure Cooker?
In general you will require 2-3 cups of liquid (ideally a flavored broth option) so your meat is moist without full submersion in liquid. Always ensure you never overfill the pot when following pressure cooker recipe guidelines.
What is a suggested Time for a 3-4 pound Brisket to cook using a Pressure Cooker?
For ideal result aim between 75 – 90 min for 3-4 lbs corned beef brisket under pressure. Never attempt opening pot during cooking cycles for the safety, unless explicitly required in step instructions. Always aim for a meat internal temperature to be above 145 degrees for proper food safe results.
Can You put the veggies together in the pot?
While you can technically combine them, veggies usually become mushy so adding on the final steps will allow more flexibility. This keeps your vegetables from breaking down to an undesired level of doneness,
Explain Natural Release Functionality
The pot is kept in sealed position to allow its interior contents to slow down with a decrease in pressure within an established range. Never attempt a quick release while doing a natural release technique in a recipe that calls for it, it’s imperative. You are likely to ruin the meal in that instant.
Brine spice packets: Use them or discard?
These packets are generally offered as part of pre-packaged options of corned beef brisket, however their contents should be discarded at user discretion and there is no requirement to use. It depends on the preferred flavors.
Any alternatives to Rinsing the Brisket
Soaking overnight or a few hours will help reduce extra sodium, replacing water to reduce even more for saltiness that might be found, according to your salt intake guidelines or preferences.
Do we Need the Trivet
Using the trivet helps by protecting direct bottom surface from overheating and having uneven doneness that may happen on specific parts of the meat.
The Importance of Correct Slicing
If you follow correct way by always cutting the meat across or against the grain will create incredibly tender portions. This enhances taste by removing tough chewing texture and also allows for pieces that shred with no difficulty when desired.
Enjoy the best recipe for your new meal with our instant pot corned beef guidance. Bon Apetit!