Easy Irish Boiled Dinner

There’s something truly special about the simplicity and heartiness of an Irish boiled dinner. This classic dish brings together the robust flavors of tender, pickled corned beef with an array of wholesome vegetables, creating a meal that’s both comforting and satisfying.

At the heart of this recipe is the star ingredient: the corned beef. It’s been pickled to perfection, resulting in a flavorful, succulent cut of meat that promises to be the centerpiece of your dinner table. Slowly simmered, it becomes tender and juicy, infused with the rich, savory essence of the pickling spices.

Accompanying the corned beef are an assortment of vegetables, each contributing its own distinct texture and flavor profile. Carrots, with their natural sweetness, provide a delightful contrast to the earthy potatoes. Onions, when cooked to a golden translucency, add a subtle yet aromatic note. Cabbage, with its gentle crunch, completes the ensemble, infusing the dish with a touch of freshness.

The cooking process is where the magic happens. The ingredients are carefully layered in a pot, allowing them to intermingle and exchange their flavors. As they simmer together, the vegetables absorb the essence of the pickling spices, creating a harmonious medley of tastes. The result is a symphony of flavors, where each ingredient contributes to the overall balance and depth of the dish.

This Irish boiled dinner isn’t just a meal; it’s a culinary journey that pays tribute to the hearty traditions of Irish cuisine. It’s a dish that brings comfort and warmth to any occasion, whether it’s a festive celebration or a simple family dinner.

So, gather your ingredients, set them to simmer, and let the aroma of this classic Irish dish fill your kitchen. With each bite, you’ll taste the rich history and heritage that this recipe embodies, making it a truly special addition to your culinary repertoire. Make sure you make some cornbread, biscuits, or homemade dinner rolls and you will have the perfect meal.

Ingredients Needed To Make An Easy Irish Boiled Dinner

• Carrots
• Onion
• Green cabbage
• New red potatoes
• Pickling spice
• Corned beef

Helpful Kitchen Tools

• Large Pot
• Measuring Spoons
• Electric Carving Knife

How to Make an Easy Irish Boiled Dinner

Make sure you start out with a pot big enough to hold everything. Mine is 6 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.

Now, cover this with water and bring just to a boil.

Once it comes to a boil reduce the heat slightly (there should still be light bubbling).

Cook your corned beef for 2 to 3 hours.

Quarter your onion and cut your cabbage into big old wedges.

 Place all of your veggies in the pot with the cooked corned beef.

Bring this back up to a boil and then reduce the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes.

Stir every now and then and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender. 

Carefully remove the corned beef from the 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! 

How To Store This Easy Irish Boiled Dinner

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them on low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through. I love to make a Reuben sandwich with my leftovers 😏.
• You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating them as above. 

Commonly Asked Questions

What is the best cooking method for corned beef?

Can you make an Irish boiled dinner in the crockpot?

Absolutely! Check out this corned beef crockpot recipe, but here are the quick steps:

• Place the corned beef, seasoning packet, and pickling spice in a slow cooker.
• Peel and quarter the onion and cabbage and add it on top of the corned beef along with the potatoes and carrots. THEN add enough water to cover.
• Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Why do we add pickling spice?

Well, basically that’s what is in the included seasoning packet. 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.

What does pickling spice contain?

Pickling spice usually includes a combination (in whole or coarse pieces) of allspice, bay leaves, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, dill seeds, ginger, mustard seeds, and peppercorns.

How do you cut cabbage for boiled dinner?

Here’s a video from the one and only Martha Stewart for a visual demo.

What do you serve with boiled corned beef?

This is a perfectly hearty and filling main meal as is. However, if you want to add a little something extra on the side, I recommend a bread-based side dish. This might be Irish soda bread, cornbread, biscuits, or homemade dinner rolls.

It also tastes great served with horseradish, brown gravy, or stone-ground mustard. 

I bet you’ll also like these recipes:

• Cold Reuben Dip Recipe
• Cabbage Casserole Recipe
• Classic Reuben Sandwich
• Slow-Roasted Beef Brisket in the Oven
• Baked Reuben Dip Recipe
• Sheet Pan Cabbage With Beef