Slow Cooker Corned Beef Recipe

Introduction

Slow cooker corned beef is a comforting, tender dish perfect for a cozy meal. By cooking the brisket low and slow, the meat becomes incredibly soft and flavorful, absorbing the rich broth and seasoning. It’s a hands-off recipe that yields impressive results.

Ingredients

• 1 large onion, large dice
• 6 carrots, peeled, cut in large chunks
• 4 celery stalks, cut in large chunks
• 3-4 pounds corned beef brisket with seasoning packet, drained
• 4 cups unsalted beef stock
• 12 ounces lager beer (can use water, more beef stock, or a dark soda like Coke)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place the diced onion, peeled carrot chunks, and celery chunks into the bottom of an 8-quart slow cooker.
2. Step 2: Set the drained corned beef brisket on top of the vegetables and sprinkle the seasoning packet evenly over everything.
3. Step 3: Pour in the beef stock followed by the lager beer (or your chosen liquid) to surround the meat and vegetables.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours. Cooking low and slow ensures the meat becomes tender and flavorful.
5. Step 5: Remove the corned beef from the slow cooker, leaving the liquid and vegetables in the pot. You can discard or serve the vegetables alongside the meat.
6. Step 6: Slice the corned beef against the grain and serve with some of the cooking liquid poured over to keep it moist.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a few garlic cloves or a bay leaf to the slow cooker.
• Use dark beer like stout instead of lager for a richer taste.
• Serve with boiled potatoes and cabbage for a traditional meal.
• If you prefer a firmer texture, reduce cooking time to 6-7 hours on low.

Storage

Store leftover corned beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the cooking liquid separate to pour over when reheating. Reheat gently in a covered pan on low heat or in the microwave to avoid drying out the meat.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I cook corned beef on high instead of low?

While you can cook it on high, low and slow cooking results in a more tender and flavorful brisket. High heat might make the meat tougher.

What can I use if I don’t have beer?

You can substitute beer with additional beef stock, water, or even a dark soda such as Coke to add a touch of sweetness and depth to the flavor.

Slow Cooker Corned Beef Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 160 reviews

This Slow Cooker Corned Beef recipe delivers tender, flavorful meat cooked to perfection over several hours. Featuring a classic combination of onion, carrots, and celery simmered with the corned beef brisket in a savory broth of beef stock and lager beer, this easy-to-make dish is perfect for a comforting meal. Cooking low and slow in a slow cooker ensures the meat remains juicy and succulent, with the option to enjoy the cooked vegetables or discard them according to your preference.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8-9 hours
• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Irish

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables

• 1 large onion, large dice
• 6 carrots, peeled, cut in large chunks
• 4 celery stalks, cut in large chunks

Main

• 3–4 pounds corned beef brisket with seasoning packet, drained

Liquids

• 4 cups unsalted beef stock
• 12 ounces lager beer (can substitute with water, more beef stock, or a dark soda like Coke)

Instructions

1. Prepare Vegetables: Place the diced onion, peeled and chunked carrots, and chunked celery stalks into the bottom of an 8-quart slow cooker, creating a flavorful bed for the corned beef.
2. Add Corned Beef: Place the drained corned beef brisket on top of the vegetables, then evenly sprinkle the seasoning packet over the meat and vegetables to infuse flavor.
3. Add Liquids: Pour in the unsalted beef stock first, followed by the lager beer, ensuring the meat is well submerged to promote even cooking and flavor infusion.
4. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the low setting for 8 to 9 hours. Cooking on low allows the meat to become tender and succulent while preserving moisture.
5. Remove and Serve: Once cooked, remove the corned beef from the slow cooker, leaving the liquid and vegetables behind. Optionally, discard the vegetables or serve them alongside the meat.
6. Slice and Drizzle: Slice the corned beef against the grain for tenderness and serve with some of the cooking liquid drizzled over top to keep it moist and flavorful.

Notes

• For an extra punch of flavor, consider adding garlic cloves or bay leaves to the slow cooker.
• Cooking low and slow is key to tender corned beef; avoid cooking on high to prevent toughness.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can thicken the cooking liquid with a slurry of cornstarch and water after removing the beef.
• Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3-4 days and can be used in sandwiches or hash recipes.
• The beer can be substituted if desired; dark soda like Coke adds a touch of sweetness, while extra beef stock keeps the flavor rich and meaty.

Keywords: Slow Cooker Corned Beef, Corned Beef Recipe, Irish Dinner, Slow Cooker Dinner, Tender Corned Beef, St. Patrick’s Day Recipe