Slow Cooker Guinness Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe
This Slow Cooker Guinness Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe offers a tender and flavorful traditional Irish meal made effortlessly in a slow cooker. The corned beef is braised in rich Guinness beer and brown sugar, creating a savory and slightly sweet broth, while potatoes, carrots, and cabbage cook to perfect tenderness. Ideal for St. Patrick’s Day or any comforting dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 2 1/2 lb flat cut corned beef brisket
- 1 seasoning packet from the corned beef roast
- 1 bay leaf
Liquids and Sweeteners
- 12 oz Guinness Beer (bottled extra stout preferred)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Vegetables
- 8 Yukon gold potatoes, whole or halved depending on size
- 4 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1/2 head cabbage, cut into slices
Instructions
- Prepare the Corned Beef: Rinse the corned beef brisket under cold water to remove excess brine, then pat it dry with paper towels. Place the brisket into the slow cooker.
- Add Seasonings and Vegetables: Sprinkle the seasoning packet from the roast evenly over the meat. Then, add the brown sugar on top. Arrange the potatoes, carrots, garlic cloves, and bay leaf around and on top of the corned beef.
- Pour Guinness Beer: Carefully pour the 12 oz of Guinness stout over the meat and vegetables, ensuring the liquid surrounds them for optimal slow cooking.
- Slow Cook the Corned Beef: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW for a total of 8 hours. This low and slow method tenderizes the meat beautifully.
- Add Cabbage: After 6 hours of cooking, add the sliced cabbage to the slow cooker and continue cooking for the remaining 2 hours. This allows the cabbage to become tender without getting too soft or mushy. Alternatively, cabbage can be added earlier or during the last 30 minutes based on personal preference.
- Serve: Once finished, carefully remove the vegetables and place the corned beef onto a cutting board. Slice the beef against the grain into portions. Serve the meat slices alongside the cooked vegetables for a classic and hearty meal.
Notes
- You can adjust the timing of adding the cabbage to suit your texture preference – earlier for softer cabbage, later for firmer.
- If you don’t have Guinness, use another stout beer or a robust dark beer for similar flavor.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3-4 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- To save time, peel and chop the vegetables the night before and store in the fridge.
Keywords: corned beef, Guinness, slow cooker, St. Patrick's Day, Irish, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, comfort food, slow cooked beef
