- Slow Cooker 3-Ingredient Cherry Cola Corned Beef
This sweet-and-salty slow cooker corned beef turns a simple brisket into an incredibly tender dinner with a sticky cherry glaze. The meat slowly cooks in cherry cola until it’s fall-apart tender, then the cooking liquid is reduced with cherry preserves and brushed on top before a quick broil to create a beautiful caramelized glaze.
Servings
6–8 servings
Ingredients (Only 3)
3–4 lb corned beef brisket with seasoning packet
2 cups cherry cola (not diet)
1 cup cherry preserves or cherry jam
Directions
1. Prepare the slow cooker
Place the corned beef brisket in the slow cooker fat side up.
Sprinkle the seasoning packet that comes with the corned beef evenly over the meat.
2. Add the cola
Pour the cherry cola around the brisket, not directly over the top so the seasoning stays in place.
The liquid should come about halfway up the sides of the meat.
3. Slow cook
Cover and cook until very tender:
LOW: 8–10 hours
HIGH: 4–5 hours
The brisket should easily pull apart with a fork when ready.
4. Prepare for glazing
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Carefully remove the cooked corned beef from the slow cooker and place it on the foil-lined sheet fat side up.
Cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
5. Make the cherry cola glaze
Pour the cooking liquid from the slow cooker through a fine strainer into a saucepan to remove spices.
Skim most of the fat from the surface.
Add the cherry preserves to the liquid.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the preserves melt.
Reduce heat and simmer 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens into a syrupy glaze that coats a spoon.
6. Broil the brisket
Preheat the oven broiler.
Brush or spoon a generous layer of the hot glaze over the corned beef.
Place the brisket under the broiler about 6 inches from the heat.
Broil 3–5 minutes, until the glaze becomes bubbly and slightly caramelized.
You can brush on one more layer of glaze and broil for another minute for an even stickier finish.
7. Slice and serve
Let the brisket rest 5–10 minutes, then slice against the grain or shred.
Drizzle extra glaze over the top before serving.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
This sweet-savory corned beef pairs well with:
Buttered mashed potatoes
Roasted carrots
Steamed green beans
Soft sandwich rolls with mustard or horseradish
Coleslaw for crunch
Leftover idea:
Chop leftover corned beef and fry it with diced potatoes and onions for an amazing breakfast hash.
