Morning Secret: Just 3 ingredients. My grandpa makes this unbelievably tender holiday dinner every March and it never disappoints

Every March, my grandpa pulls out his slow cooker before most people have had their first cup of coffee. His secret? He turns that morning brew into a simple rub for corned beef, and somehow, with only three ingredients, it becomes the most unbelievably tender holiday dinner. This slow cooker 3-ingredient coffee rubbed corned beef leans on the salty, already-seasoned magic of store-bought corned beef, a bold layer of ground coffee, and just enough water to create a rich, savory cooking bath. It’s the kind of set-it-and-forget-it recipe that fits perfectly into a busy workday, but still feels special enough for a St. Patrick’s Day tradition or any cozy Sunday dinner.

Serve thick slices or tender shreds of the coffee rubbed corned beef with classic sides like buttery boiled or mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, and steamed or sautéed cabbage. The dark, savory juices at the bottom of the slow cooker make an easy spoon-over sauce for vegetables or a crusty loaf of bread. Leftovers are fantastic piled onto rye or sourdough with mustard for next-day sandwiches, or chopped and crisped in a skillet with diced potatoes and onions for a quick corned beef hash brunch.

Servings: 6

3 to 3 1/2 pound corned beef brisket with spice packet, rinsed and patted dry

Unwrap the corned beef brisket and discard any excess liquid from the package. Rinse the brisket briefly under cool water to remove some of the surface brine, then pat it very dry on all sides with paper towels so the coffee rub will stick.

Place the corned beef in the bottom of a 5- to 7-quart slow cooker, fat side up. Sprinkle the contents of the included spice packet evenly over the top and sides of the meat, pressing gently so the spices cling. (This is built-in seasoning, so no extra salt is needed.)

In a small bowl, add the finely ground dark roast coffee. Using your fingers or a spoon, press and pat the coffee grounds all over the top and sides of the brisket, creating a thick, even crust. It’s okay if some falls into the bottom of the slow cooker; it will deepen the flavor of the cooking juices.

Carefully pour the water into the slow cooker around the sides of the brisket, avoiding pouring directly over the coffee crust so it stays mostly in place. The liquid should come up the sides of the meat by about 1/2 to 1 inch, creating a shallow pool of cooking juices.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until the corned beef is very tender and easily pulls apart with a fork. The surface will look dark from the coffee rub, and the meat will be a pinkish red inside with a shallow pool of dark, savory juices around it.

Once cooked, carefully lift the corned beef out of the slow cooker and transfer it to a cutting board. Let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes so the juices can settle back into the meat.

Slice the corned beef against the grain into thin or thick slices, or gently pull it apart into chunks with two forks for a more rustic look. Spoon some of the dark cooking juices from the slow cooker over the top to keep it moist and add extra flavor before serving.

Serve the coffee rubbed corned beef hot, straight from the slow cooker or from a warmed platter, with extra juices on the side for drizzling. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge with some of the juices to keep the meat tender, and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

For a slightly milder coffee flavor, mix the ground coffee with 1 to 2 tablespoons of brown sugar before rubbing it on the brisket; the sugar will help the crust caramelize a bit more and balance the bitterness. If you prefer more pronounced spice, sprinkle in an extra teaspoon of black pepper or crushed red pepper flakes along with the included spice packet. To build a more complete one-pot meal, tuck large chunks of potatoes and carrots around the brisket before cooking, making sure they’re nestled in the juices; they’ll soak up the salty, coffee-kissed flavor. If you like a thicker sauce, strain the cooking juices into a saucepan after the meat is done, simmer to reduce slightly, and whisk in a small slurry of cornstarch and water until glossy. For meal prep, cook the corned beef on a Sunday, slice or shred it, then portion it with some of the juices into containers for easy lunches—use it in grain bowls, sandwiches, or quick skillet hash throughout the week.