This classic Irish-American dish fills the kitchen with rich aromas while the slow cooker does all the work.
The brisket cooks low and slow until perfectly tender, absorbing the flavors of pickling spices while the vegetables soak up the savory broth.
St Patrick's Day on March 17 is celebrated with all kinds of green beer,delicious homemade Irish Soda Bread and the culture is popular here in the United States.
Americans celebrate with popular Irish-inspired foods for the day, and we have all our favorites in our St. Patrick's Day Collection.
It’s the kind of meal meant to be shared around the table with family and friends, simple ingredients, hearty flavors, and a warm tradition that celebrates heritage and comfort food at its best.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Foolproof slow cooker method that's fork-tender
- Deep savory flavor from slow braising
- A full meal in one pot
- Perfect for holiday gatherings
- Incredible leftovers
Tips for Perfect Corned Beef
- Always slice against the grain. This keeps the brisket tender instead of stringy.
- Don’t skip the spice packet: Those pickling spices give corned beef its signature flavor.
- Add cabbage last: Cabbage cooks quickly and can become mushy if added too early.
- Rest the meat before slicing: Let it sit for about 10 minutes so juices redistribute.
Cooking Methods
- Slow Cooker: Add the corned beef and ingredients as directed and slow cook on high for 6 to 8 hours and low for 8 to 10 hours.
- Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker Mode: Place the corned beef in the pot, set for 1 hour and 10 minutes on pressure cook mode for 2 to 3 lbs. Close the valve. Let it rest after cooking for 10 minutes before releasing the steam.
- Oven: in a covered Dutch oven, add all the ingredients and set the oven to 275 degrees for 5 hours.
- Stovetop: In a large covered deep 8-quart saucepan, add all ingredients, and simmer on low heat for 4 hours. Continue to add more beer, water, or apple juice and check to see if the liquid is evaporating.
Leftover Corned Beef are Great for These Recipes
Vegetables and Additions
- brussels sprouts
- baby onions
- sweet potatoes
- Any root vegetables you prefer
Corned beef leftovers might be even better than the original meal!
- Corned Beef Hash: Dice leftover corned beef and potatoes and pan-fry until crispy.Top with eggs.
- Reuben Sandwiches: Pile sliced corned beef on rye with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and dressing inspired by the classic Reuben sandwich.
- Corned Beef Soup: Add chopped corned beef and vegetables to the broth for a hearty soup.
- Corned Beef Tacos: Shred leftover beef and serve in tortillas with cabbage slaw and mustard crema.
- Loaded Baked Potatoes: Top baked potatoes with chopped corned beef, cheese, and sour cream.
Some Serving Suggestions
- Warm Irish Soda Bread
- Grainy mustard or horseradish sauce
- Buttered parsley potatoes
- Roasted root vegetables
- A pint of Irish stew style
- Broth on the side
- Colcannon Potatoes with gravy
Flat Cut or Point Cuts?
- Point Cut is good for shredding
- Flat cut is best for slicing. It still has a good amount of fat on the bottom to keep the meat moist.
- Either way, they are both tasty; the flat cut is usually just more expensive.
Slow Cooker Guinness Corned Beef Pin for later
Yield: 10
Slow Cooker Guinness Corned Beef
Few meals feel as comforting and celebratory on Saint Patrick's Day as a slow-cooked pot of tender corned beef with cabbage, potatoes, and carrots
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 7 HourTotal time: 7 H & 10 M
Ingredients
- 1- 4-pound or larger corned beef brisket and seasoning packet ( I prefer flat cut)
- 2/3 cup brown sugar ( I have used less before, depending on how big the roast is, use 1/4 cup for less than a 4-pound beef)
- 1 bottle stout beer or beef stock ( 12-ounce bottle)
- Optional: 1 head of cabbage, cut up, 1 cup fingerling carrots, and 4 potatoes, cut into cubes
- Refer to notes for other suggestions
Instructions
- Place the beef in the slow cooker, rub it with the sugar, then pour the beer on top.
- If using vegetables, add them on top of the meat.
- Note: We prefer to cook them in a pot just before serving on the stovetop instead of in the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 6 hours.
- Make sure you test this with a fork so that it pulls apart easily and is tender.
Notes
Tips for Perfect Corned Beef
- Always slice against the grain. This keeps the brisket tender instead of stringy.
- Don’t skip the spice packet: Those pickling spices give corned beef its signature flavor.
- Add cabbage last: Cabbage cooks quickly and can become mushy if added too early.
- Rest the meat before slicing: Let it sit for about 10 minutes so juices redistribute.
Cooking Methods
- Slow Cooker: Add the corned beef and ingredients as directed and slow cook on high for 6 to 8 hours and low for 8 to 10 hours.
- Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker Mode: Place the corned beef in the pot, set for 1 hour and 10 minutes on pressure cook mode for 2 to 3 lbs. Close the valve. Let it rest after cooking for 10 minutes before releasing the steam.
- Oven: in a covered Dutch oven, add all the ingredients and set the oven to 275 degrees for 5 hours.
- Stovetop: In a large covered deep 8-quart saucepan, add all ingredients, and simmer on low heat for 4 hours. Continue to add more beer, water, or apple juice and check to see if the liquid is evaporating.
Corned beef leftovers might be even better than the original meal!
- Corned Beef Hash: Dice leftover corned beef and potatoes and pan-fry until crispy.Top with eggs.
- Reuben Sandwiches: Pile sliced corned beef on rye with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and dressing inspired by the classic Reuben sandwich.
- Corned Beef Soup: Add chopped corned beef and vegetables to the broth for a hearty soup.
- Corned Beef Tacos: Shred leftover beef and serve in tortillas with cabbage slaw and mustard crema.
- Loaded Baked Potatoes: Top baked potatoes with chopped corned beef, cheese, and sour cream.
Some Serving Suggestions
- Warm Irish Soda Bread
- Grainy mustard or horseradish sauce
- Buttered parsley potatoes
- Roasted root vegetables
- A pint of Irish stew style
- Broth on the side
- Colcannon Potatoes with gravy
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Slow Cooker Guinness Corned Beef Pin for later
More Recipes to Try
St. Patrick's Day Roundup of Traditional Recipes
Irish Soda Bread
