Can You Really Cook Two Corned Beefs in One Pot?

Corned beef and cabbage is a beloved dish, especially around St. Patrick’s Day. For those who love corned beef, the question often arises – can you safely cook two corned beef briskets together in one pot? With some planning and technique, the answer is yes!

Why Would You Cook Two Briskets Together?

There are several potential benefits to cramming two corned beefs in a single pot:

• Efficiency – Cooks two briskets in the time it takes to cook just one, saving effort and time. Great for batch cooking meals ahead of time

• Space Saving – Only requires one cooker instead of running two, freeing up room in the kitchen. Convenient when cooking for a crowd.

• Even Cooking – With briskets stacked, more of the meat surface gets direct exposure to steam and heat for uniform cooking

• Flavor Enhancing – Juices and spices intermingle between the two briskets as they cook, increasing overall flavor. Vegetables under the meat also absorb richness from both.

• Cost Effective – Maximizes the use of an expensive electric pressure cooker by doubling the capacity per use. Saves electricity as well.

Stacking two briskets can maximize the meal and efficiency of cooking if done properly.

Tips for Successfully Cooking Two Briskets Together

Cooking two briskets simultaneously requires some special considerations:

• Trim Excess Fat – Trim briskets to only a thin layer of fat to allow seasonings and moisture to fully penetrate the meat.

• Add Extra Liquid – Increase amount of broth, beer or water by about 1 1⁄2 cups to account for the additional meat absorbing liquid.

• Elevate the Meat – Use a trivet or steamer basket to lift briskets off bottom of pot and prevent sogginess.

• Stack the Briskets – Place one brisket flat-side down, top with second also flat-side down to maxmimze moisture retention.

• Wedge Tightly – Snugly wedge briskets together so they stay stacked during cooking. May need to cut in half.

• Increase Time – Add 15-30 minutes to ensure center of meat reaches safe temp. Check for doneness with a meat thermometer.

• Rotate Meats – Partially through cooking, swap position of briskets for most even exposure and moisture.

With some simple tweaks, it is possible to safely pressure cook two briskets together with excellent results.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Two Briskets

Follow these steps for foolproof simultaneous corned beef cooking:

1. Prep the Briskets – Trim excess fat. Rinse if too salty. Cut in half if needed to fit pot. Thoroughly pat dry.

2. Apply Rub – Briskly rub briskets with coriander, mustard and other spices for flavor. Press seasoning into meat.

3. Prep Vegetables and Liquid – Place rinsed potatoes, carrots and onions in pot. Add broth, garlic, bay leaves as desired.

4. Stack Briskets – Place one brisket on trivet, top with second, both flat-side down. Snug together tightly.

5. Pressure Cook – Lock lid and pressure cook on high for recommended time plus 15-30 minutes extra. Allow natural release.

6. Rest the Meat – Remove briskets to a cutting board and tent with foil. Let rest 15+ minutes before slicing.

7. Finish Vegetables – While meat rests, return pot to sauté mode and mash vegetables as desired.

8. Carve and Serve – Separate briskets and slice across the grain. Serve with vegetables and cooking juices.

With some simple prep and timing adjustments, two briskets can become corned beef perfection together in one pot.

Tips for Identical Results

Achieving equally flawless briskets requires finesse:

• Monitor each with meat thermometers to catch doneness differences.

• Place fattier brisket on top to baste one below.

• Rotate positions midway through cooking for even moisture.

• Shield thinner edges with foil to prevent overcooking.

• Remove extremely fatty areas so seasoning and moisture can penetrate.

• Check smaller brisket early and remove sooner if sizes differ greatly.

• Let briskets fully rest before attempting to separate and slice.

With the right tools and techniques, two briskets can become fork-tender deliciousness together.

Trying Other Meats

While corned beef is the classic choice, other meats can be successfully stacked and cooked together in one pot as well:

• Pork Shoulders – Season and rub two 3 lb shoulders. Stack with fattier one on top. Pressure cook 75-90 minutes. Shred for pulled pork.

• Chicken Breasts – Pound four breasts to even thickness. Stack with seasoning between each. Add broth. Pressure cook 9-12 minutes. Watch time carefully.

• Beef Roasts – Use 2-3 lb roasts, ideally uniform in shape. Optionally tie roasts for stability. Cook longer roast on top. Pressure cook 50-60 minutes.

With the right timing and preparation, two servings of many meats can be made together in one pot.

Key Tips for Stacking Meats

To successfully pressure cook two meats together, keep these guidelines in mind:

• Use uniform pieces of similar size and shape.
• Snugly stack meats with fattier on top.
• Increase cook time 10-15% over recipe for one piece.
• Add extra liquid, about 1 1⁄2 cups more.
• Elevate on a trivet or steamer basket.
• Swap positions midway through cooking.
• Check doneness temperature with a meat thermometer.
• Allow full natural release time after cooking.
• Let meats fully rest before attempting to remove or slice.

With testing and adjustment, virtually any recipe can be adapted to cook two servings stacked.

Troubleshooting Issues

Problem: Briskets are vastly different doneness.

Fix: Monitor each with thermometers. Remove smaller one sooner if needed. Swap position midway.

Problem: Meats are wedged in too tight to rotate.

Fix: Cut briskets in half so they stack better. Use a trivet and allow steam circulation.

Problem: Briskets fall apart when removing from pot.

Fix: Let briskets rest at least 15-20 minutes before removing. Use sturdy tongs and spatula.

Problem: Meat near bones is underdone.

Fix: Shield bony ends with foil. Cut meat away from bones before cooking.

With some trial runs, stacked meat perfection can be achieved every time.

The Takeaway

While it requires strategic prep and experimentation, cooking two corned beef briskets or other meats together is doable and efficient. With the right tools and technique, your Instant Pot can deliver two fork-tender, flavorful portions at once. So grab your cooker and ingredients and get ready for some serious corned beef feasting!