Rethinking my crockpot corned beef - HELP?

I went to put my corned beef in the crockot at 12:30 and there was no spice packet As I was out of time, I just threw the meat in there with a bottle of beer, closed the lid and set for high for 6 hours.

1. Is it going to taste good?
2. Is is going to have cooked long enough?
3. Should I add any spices or anything to it?

I always cook my veggies separate since I dont like them together so there are none in the pot with the meat....

Am I doomed?

Re: Rethinking my crockpot corned beef - HELP?

i'm probably as nervous as you!

i put mine on this morning, and put in:

the corned beef
spice packet
salt
pepper
about a tsp of mustard
onion
garlic
potatoes
carrots
1/2 bottle of beer
some water

but i think it's cooking too long! i put mine on around 8:30, and i think it's already done..

and now i don't know how to cook the cabbage

if anything though, maybe add some salt, pepper, garlic, and mustard?

Re: Rethinking my crockpot corned beef - HELP?

I used the spice packets that came with mine, but I also add extra spice because I find that the packets aren't enough. I rubbed the corned beef with ground mustard, black pepper, and cumin. Maybe throw some of that in there? I'm pretty sure there's also coriander in the spice packet, so you could add a little bit of that too.

I did the same thing last year, and it came out just fine. I put mine in at 10 for an hour on high. At 11, I turned it down to low, and I plan to take it out around 6:30. I poured about 1.5 cups of water per three pounds in to keep it moist, and I added some butter in there as well so that it doesn't dry out.

Re: Rethinking my crockpot corned beef - HELP?

You can always serve the meat with mustard if you think it won't have enough spice during the cooking process.

DW cooked our corned beef today for about 4 hours, and it came out really good, so 6 should be plenty.

The cabbage should be cooked for no more than 15 minutes, otherwise it turns grey. It should still be green when you take it off the heat.

Re: Rethinking my crockpot corned beef - HELP?

Thanks everyone! I decided to just leave it be and

It came out perfectly...tasted great. A little hint of beer...yummy.

Re: Rethinking my crockpot corned beef - HELP?

Mine didn't come with a spice packet either! I ended up just putting in some pepper and it came out great.

Re: Rethinking my crockpot corned beef - HELP?

I know I'm a day late and a dollar short.. but I'm glad it turned out good! Corned beef sits in a seasoned brine forever before you cook it. The little packet is just some pickling spice and if you don't like pickling spice it can get thrown out. It really doesn't need too much treatment - the extra spices don't add a whole lot in my opinion.. sometimes I think people go a little crazy and forget that Irish cuisine is more known for a farm to table approach rather than crazy amounts of spices. The beer though .. THAT was a good call!

Message edited 3/18/2012 9:42:47 AM.

Re: Rethinking my crockpot corned beef - HELP?

i put beer in mine (thanks to this thread!) and it came out SUPER TENDER! YUM!