Corned Beef Cabbage Tacos

Section: Satisfying Main Dishes for Every Occasion

These corned beef tacos combine tender, slow-cooked beef with a creamy, tangy cabbage slaw for a festive twist on tradition. Wrapped in warm tortillas and finished with a homemade thousand island drizzle, they’re the perfect way to celebrate seasonal flavors or reinvent leftovers. A delicious blend of savory, spicy, and creamy in every bite, these tacos are sure to become a new favorite any time of year—even beyond St. Patrick’s Day.

A woman wearing a chef's hat and apron.
Recipe Author Maria
Updated as of Mon, 30 Jun 2025 22:24:54 GMT
A person is holding a taco with meat and cabbage. Bookmark
A person is holding a taco with meat and cabbage. | foodbymary.com

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day deliciously when you make corned beef tacos with creamy cabbage slaw! This fun fusion recipe features shredded corned beef served on warmed flour tortillas, topped with a creamy cabbage-jalapeno slaw and homemade thousand island dressing.

Oh yes, we're going there. CORNED BEEF TACOS! I'm part Irish, so I'm allowed to experiment with my traditional corned beef, but you know... aren't we ALL a touch of Irish this time of year? I'm giving you permission to skip your typical corned beef with potatoes this year and try something completely new and fun.

These fusion tacos are super delicious and they put a tasty new spin on tradition. What we have here is slow cooked corned beef served on warmed flour tortillas with a creamy slaw made from shredded cabbage, onions and jalapeno peppers, then drizzled with a homemade thousand island dressing.

Corned Beef and Cabbage Slaw Ingredients

  • Corned Beef: with the spice pack included
  • Mustard Powder: to taste
  • Cayenne Pepper: to taste
  • Granulated Garlic: to taste
  • Cracked Black Pepper: to taste
  • Flour Tortillas: warmed
  • Jalapeños: diced
  • Homemade Thousand Island Dressing: for drizzling
  • Shredded Purple Cabbage: for slaw
  • White Onion: diced for slaw
  • Jalapeño: diced for slaw
  • Mayonnaise: to bind slaw
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: to taste
  • Spicy Brown Mustard: to taste

How to Make Shredded Corned Beef

Cook the corned beef:
Cook the corned beef at 177°C for about 2 to 3 hours or until it's fork tender and shreds easily.
Traditional preparation:
Cook according to packaging instructions using a Dutch oven with an inch of water and seasoning packet plus extra seasonings for flavor.

Why, oh why, is it so difficult to find corned beef the rest of the year? The stuff is AWESOME! I would absolutely cook corned beef all year long if I could find it. Alas, we're stuck waiting around for St. Patrick's Day, so I will enjoy it while it is here. I actually bought 2 of them and am keeping one in the freezer for later.

Do it!

How to Make Creamy Cabbage Slaw

The slaw is easy to make and you can whip it together while your corned beef is baking.

Simply shred a cup of purple cabbage and combine it in a bowl with a small diced onion and a diced jalapeño pepper. Toss it together with mayonnaise, mustard and apple cider vinegar.

Easy and tasty! Of course you can save time and grab some from the store, so feel free to use your own preferred brand, but the homemade version is crazy good and better than anything from the store. Homemade is always best!

Recipe Notes & Tips

I hope you enjoy the meal. Let me know if you make this and how it turned out! Have a great St. Patty's Day! Celebrate the luck of the Irish!

A hand holding a corned beef taco with a creamy cabbage slaw. Bookmark
A hand holding a corned beef taco with a creamy cabbage slaw. | foodbymary.com
A plate of corned beef tacos with a creamy cabbage slaw. Bookmark
A plate of corned beef tacos with a creamy cabbage slaw. | foodbymary.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use store-bought corned beef?

Yes, you can use pre-cooked or deli-style corned beef to save time. Just shred or slice it and warm it before serving.

→ How spicy is the cabbage slaw?

The slaw has a mild kick from jalapeños, but you can omit them for a milder version without sacrificing flavor.

→ Can I make the slaw ahead of time?

Absolutely. The slaw can be made a few hours in advance and refrigerated until serving time to enhance the flavors.

→ What kind of tortillas work best?

Flour tortillas are ideal for this taco, as they hold the fillings well and complement the creamy textures.

→ Is homemade thousand island dressing necessary?

Homemade dressing elevates the flavor, but store-bought versions can be used if you're short on time.

→ Can I use leftover corned beef?

Yes! This is a great way to repurpose leftover corned beef into a completely new and exciting dish.

Corned Beef Cabbage Tacos

Corned beef meets creamy slaw in these festive and flavorful tacos.

Prep Time
20 minutes
Cooking Time
180 minutes
Overall Time
200 minutes
Recipe Author: Maria

Dish Category: Main Dishes

Recipe Difficulty: Medium Effort

Cuisine: Fusion

Serves: 6 Serving Size (6 tacos)

Dietary Options: ~

What You’ll Need to Cook

→ For the corned beef

Ingredient 01 1 corned beef brisket with spice packet
Ingredient 02 1 teaspoon mustard powder
Ingredient 03 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Ingredient 04 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
Ingredient 05 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
Ingredient 06 1 inch water for cooking

→ For the slaw

Ingredient 07 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
Ingredient 08 1 small white onion, diced
Ingredient 09 1 jalapeño pepper, diced
Ingredient 10 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
Ingredient 11 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Ingredient 12 1 teaspoon spicy brown mustard

→ For serving

Ingredient 13 6 flour tortillas, warmed
Ingredient 14 1/3 cup homemade thousand island dressing

Steps to Prepare

Step 01

Place corned beef in a Dutch oven with the spice packet, seasonings, and 1 inch of water. Cover and cook at 350°F for 2 to 3 hours until fork tender.

Step 02

Remove the corned beef from the pot and shred using two forks. Set aside and keep warm.

Step 03

In a mixing bowl, combine shredded cabbage, diced onion, and diced jalapeño. Stir in mayonnaise, vinegar, and mustard until well coated.

Step 04

Heat the flour tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until warm and pliable.

Step 05

Fill each tortilla with shredded corned beef and a scoop of cabbage slaw. Drizzle with thousand island dressing before serving.

Extra Cooking Tips

  1. You can substitute store-bought slaw or dressing if needed, but homemade versions enhance flavor.
  2. Use leftover corned beef if available to save time and reduce food waste.
  3. Remove jalapeños for a milder version suitable for sensitive palates.

Must-Have Tools

  • Dutch oven or covered baking dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Forks for shredding meat
  • Skillet or microwave for warming tortillas

Allergen Information

Always check ingredient labels for allergens and seek expert advice if uncertain.
  • Contains dairy (mayonnaise)
  • Contains gluten (flour tortillas)
  • Contains eggs (mayonnaise)
  • Contains mustard

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

These details are for guidance and aren’t a replacement for professional advice.
  • Calories Count: 410
  • Fats: 22 grams
  • Carbs: 28 grams
  • Proteins: 21 grams