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–+ servings

Slow Cooker Corned Beef Cooked in Beer

Manila Spoon
There's no better way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day than with a delicious slow-cooked corned beef recipe that's sure to impress your family and friends. This recipe takes traditional corned beef and elevates it to a whole new level by cooking it in rich, flavorful Guinness beer. The meat comes out so tender and tasty!
4.85 from 13 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Irish
Servings 6
Calories 716 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1 large onion peeled and sliced
  • 3 -4 lbs corned beef brisket (with optional spice seasoning packet)
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons molasses sugar or dark brown sugar
  • 12 oz Guinness Stout Beer
  • 2 cups water, adjust to taste (as needed)
  • 2 bay leaves, fresh or dried
  • 6 medium red potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 6 medium carrots, peeled and sliced diagonally
  • 1 small cabbage, cut into wedges

Instructions
 

  • Rinse the corned beef thoroughly in cold water several times. Do this especially if you get one packed with its brine. Do not skip this because you want to rinse out any excess salt or you might end up with very salty corned beef. Don’t worry about rinsing away the flavor, the meat is fully infused with flavor by this point. Keep the spice seasoning packet that comes with the beef if you wish to use it.
  • Place the sliced onions at the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • Add the corned beef brisket on top.
  • Sprinkle the seasoning spice all over the brisket (if using).
  • Combine the balsamic vinegar with the sugar. Pour over the brisket.
  • Pour the beer and water on the sides of the brisket.
  • Add the bay leaves. Place the potatoes and carrots on the side or around the meat. I have a big slow cooker so I could do this. But if you have a small crockpot, just place the veggies either on the side or on top of the meat. Adding the meat on top ensures it won't get mushy. Alternatively, you can also add the veggies after 6 hours when the meat is already tender or almost to that point. (see notes)
  • Cook on a low setting in the slow cooker for 8-10 hours or until the meat is fork-tender. Place cabbage wedges on top of the meat during the last 2 hours of cooking.
  • Take the brisket out of the slow cooker and allow it to rest for 10-15 minutes. After the resting period, use a sharp knife to slice the corned beef against the grain into thin slices. Serve with vegetables, some of the cooking liquid (if desired), and some mashed potatoes on the side.

Notes

TIPS & TRICKS
Some similar recipes place the vegetables at the bottom and top them with the meat. If you feel comfortable doing that, then do so. My slow cooker (despite the name) is pretty fast cooking so to ensure they don't overcook I place my vegetables on top of the meat or on the side.

Nutrition

Calories: 716kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 40gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 122mgSodium: 2875mgPotassium: 2136mgFiber: 9gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 10356IUVitamin C: 140mgCalcium: 131mgIron: 6mg
Keyword how to cook corned beef with beer
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