Instant Pot Corned Beef The Southern Soul Food Way

Slowly cooked, enriched with flavors, deliciously soft and tender at the inner. Spicy and tasty at the outer. And it only takes 90 minutes to make this Southern comfort food speciality. An Instant Pot corned beef recipe made the Southern soul food way!

What is the most tender way to cook corned beef?

In the Instant Pot, a corned beef recipe is a complete work of art! A power pack of the most deliciously seasoned protein surrounded by a beautiful vegetable medley. A one-pot meal – straight to plate!

Slowly cooked corned beef, a featured recipe, is originally an Irish- American classic cuisine, especially enjoyed on St. Patrick’s Day. However, corned beef is also a Southern recipe favorite, and this one is enhanced with soul food seasoning for maximum flavor. The best corned beef recipe!

Why is it called corned beef?

Corned beef came about in the 17th century, and the word “corned” was used to describe the size of the salt crystals used to cure the meat.

Why should you make Southern corned beef in the Instant Pot?

This is one of those magical meals in minutes! Easy corned beef, thanks to Instant Pot, only one pot is needed to take this recipe from the cooking liquid straight to the plate. And unlike slow cooker corned beef recipe. This dish is ready in a matter of minutes instead of overnight or a few hours.

How long does it take to cook corned beef in the Instant Pot?

How long should you cook it for?

It only takes 90 minutes for pressure cooking corned beef. And only an additional 4 minutes when you add the carrot, potato, and cabbage wedges to the Instant Pot.

This is why Instant Pot corned beef is the first choice over stovetop or crock pot slow cooker corned beef recipes.

Kitchen equipment for Instant Pot corned beef

• Instant Pot electric pressure cooker
• Instant Pot trivet rack
• Shop my kitchenware HERE!

Ingredients for Instant Pot corned beef

*See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients with measurements.

• Corned beef brisket – 2-3 pounds to fit inside the inner pot
• Beef broth – infuses the seasonings for flavor and keeps the beef tender and moist 
• Garlic – adds instant flavor
• Cabbage – the sweet accompaniment to the tender corned beef dish
• Onion – chopped to add flavor to the cabbage
• Carrots – chopped to add texture and variation to the cabbage dish
• Red potatoes – chopped to add a starchy texture variation to the dish

What is the secret to corned beef?

The secret is in the flavorful corned beef pickling spice! This is what gives corned beef its unique flavor. 

What if your corned beef didn’t come with a spice packet?

No worries! Here’s my signature soul food seasoning recipe for corned beef brisket. The ingredients below combined as a whole make the corned beef pickling spice.
*See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients with measurements to make a homemade Southern soul food pickling spice.

Homemade pickling spice ingredients

• Yellow mustard seeds
• Brown mustard seeds
• Coriander seeds
• Dill weed
• Allspice
• Whole cloves
• Bay leaves
• Red chili flakes
• Salt
• Black pepper

How do you cook corned beef and cabbage in the Instant Pot?

This recipe includes easy Instant Pot instructions for pressure cooker corned beef. Simply season the corned beef and place it in beef broth in the Instant Pot. Pressure cook on high for a cook time of 90 minutes, and then quick release the pressure to add the vegetable to the pot.

*See the recipe card below for a detailed list of step-by-step guided instructions.

1. Rinse the corned beef after removing from the package.
2. Mix the seasonings in a small bowl or open the pre-packaged spice packet.
3. Then rub the mixture all over the top, non-fatty side of the corned beef.
4. Place the brisket on the trivet rack and place it in the pot.
5. Pressure cook, and then add the cabbage, veggies, and potatoes to cook again.
6. Serve Southern soul food corned beef and cabbage right away, and enjoy!
7. Baste the corned beef by spooning the beef broth over it, then remove it from the pot.
8. Place the corned beef on a cutting board to slice it.
9. Serve with the cooked vegetables, and enjoy!

• Should you rinse corned beef before cooking? Yes, you should rinse corned beef under cool water to remove any excess salt before cooking it. But, don’t worry, you won’t rinse away the flavor – the meat is fully cured and infused with flavor by this point.
• When placing meat in the pressure cooker, do you put the fat side up or down?
• Should you cook corned beef fat side up or down? For Instant Pot corned beef, the answer is down. You want the seasoned (non-fatty side) facing up.
• How do you know when Instant Pot corned beef is done? If you have a meat thermometer, that’s a plus point! Check the meat’s readiness, and when the thermometer reads 145 degrees F, the beef cooking is done. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, check the meat readiness with a fork or knife cut.

What do you serve with corned beef?

Southern corned beef and cabbage calls for cabbage, carrots (or baby carrots), and potatoes – traditionally what corned beef is cooked with. Corned beef is also best served with mashed potatoes or Southern favorite homemade cornbread.

Southern soul food Instant Pot corned beef FAQs 

What happens if you don’t rinse corned beef before cooking?

You may be in for a finished corned beef that’s saltier than you intended!

Why do you place the meat on a rack instead of in the liquid?

Is it OK not to use a rack?

The preferred method for cooking Instant Pot corned beef is the brisket on the Instant Pot trivet rack to avoid the meat directly boiling in the heated broth. Functionally, the rack is for ease in placing and removing the brisket from the hot pot of liquid.

If you double the amount of corned beef, do you double the amount of broth? 

If you double the recipe, you’ll need an Instant Pot size larger than the standard-6 quart because a second brisket is not likely to fit. Also, the dynamic recipe card below allows you to adjust the ingredients for the recipe based on the number of servings you desire to make.

Can this recipe be cooked on the stovetop in a large pot for several hours?

Southern corned beef and cabbage can be cooked on the stovetop or in a Crockpot, and it will take 6-9 hours for the meat to cook through. The Instant Pot method is almost foolproof. So there’s no need to cook at a high temperature for long periods. 

How long does it take to cook a 2-pound corned beef?

Without an Instant Pot, corned beef bakes at an hour-a-pound ratio. So, a 2-pound corned beef will need to bake for 2 hours. A 2.25-pound corned beef for 2 hours 15 minutes, 2.5-pound corned beef will bake for 2 hours and 30 minutes, and so on.

Why did my corned beef come out tough in Instant Pot?

It’s probably overcooked. This is a problem that’s almost non-existent with this Instant Pot corned beef recipe. Follow the recipe and per-pound instructions, and the meat should be tender, juicy, and easy to break apart.

What do you think of this recipe?

Instant Pot corned beef made the Southern soul food way is pressure-cooked and enriched with Southern soul food seasoning. Easy to make and enjoy. You can even eat the leftover corned beef as corned beef hash or in a Ruben sandwich. And with Instant Pot it only takes 90 minutes to make this Sunday dinner feast!

Have you had it?

Would you make it? 

Comment below and lemme know. 

Then subscribe HERE for all the soul food!

Like this post? Pin the below image to your Pinterest “Soul Food Recipes” board!