• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About me
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Bread
    • Breakfast
    • Burgers and Sandwiches
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Pasta
    • Salads
    • Sauces and Seasonings
    • Sides
    • Soups and Stews
    • Vegetarian
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Work With Me

Burrata and Bubbles logo

February 27, 2020

Slow Cooker Guinness Corned Beef

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Yummly
  • Flipboard
  • Mix

St. Patrick’s Day dinner doesn’t get easier than this slow cooker Guinness corned beef! After simmering in Guinness and an array of warm spices, this corned beef becomes fork tender and full of flavor. Whether you serve it with a side of cabbage or piled high on a sandwich, everyone always loves this easy-as-can-be corned beef.

A plate of slow cooker Guinness corned beef with rye bread and mustard and two beers in the background.

I’ve never met a holiday I didn’t love, I never turn down an opportunity to host, and I’m ready for any excuse to celebrate. So it probably comes as no surprise that I throw a St. Paddy’s Day celebration every year. This slow cooker Guinness corned beef makes an annual appearance, which means it’s a well-tested, beloved favorite.

Hey, I wouldn’t serve it year after year if it wasn’t a hit. True story.

To make the most unbelievably delicious corned beef, we cook our meat low and slow in plenty of spices for a burst of flavor in each bite. Corned beef is a cured brisket, which is a tough cut that requires a low temperature and long cooking time to break down. But once it does, we’re rewarded with an ultra tender slab of meat.

And best of all, this corned beef takes little prep time and couldn’t be easier to make. Can you pour a beer? Measure a few spices? Great! You have all the skills necessary to make this slow cooker corned beef and look like a culinary genius in the process.

Ingredients

Now let’s organize our ingredients. Here’s everything we need to make this slow cooker Guinness corned beef.

  • Corned beef
  • Guinness
  • Coriander
  • Beef bouillon
  • Whole cloves
  • Mustard powder
  • Allspice
  • Bay leaves
  • Brown sugar
  • Worcestershire sauce

Looking down at a plate of slow cooker Guinness corned beef with a spoon and beers on the side.

Flat-Cut vs. Point-Cut Corned Beef

Typically, when you pick up corned beef at the grocery store, it comes as either flat-cut or point-cut brisket. This recipe works for both cuts. Ultimately, it comes down to your preference.

Flat-cut corned beef is leaner than its point-cut counterpart, which has more fat marbling. Because the butcher doesn’t trim the fat from the point-cut corned beef, it’s generally cheaper. I happen to love the butteriness a little fat adds to beef, but if you prefer lean meat, you’ll be happier with the flat-cut corned beef. Extra fat or not, both cuts come out incredibly tender in the slow cooker, so you can’t go wrong either way.

A plate of slow cooker Guinness corned beef with a blue napkin and beer in the background.

How to Make Slow Cooker Guinness Corned Beef

Get ready for one easy recipe. Seriously, I don’t think an easier recipe exists.

To make our Guinness corned beef, we remove it from the bag and locate the included spice mix. Even though we’re adding our own spices, I like to still use this packet for an extra flavor boost.

A slab of corned beef on a cutting board with the seasoning packet.

Now we add our Guinness, beef bouillon, spices, the contents of the seasoning packet, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce to the slow cooker. We stir everything to combine, place our corned beef inside the liquid and cook low for eight hours.

The Guinness and seasonings in a slow cooker after they've been stirred to combine.A slab of corned beef in the slow cooker before it cooks for eight hours.

That’s it! With hardly any effort, we now have one unbelievably tender slab of corned beef ready for your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

See? I wouldn’t lie to you. Cooking doesn’t get easier than this Guinness corned beef.

How to Serve Corned Beef

As you can see in the photos, I shredded my corned beef. I’ve always been a shredded brisket kind of lady, and I bring that attitude to my corned beef as well. Plus, I find shredded corned beef is easier to serve and eat a party. I simply shred the corned beef with two forks right in the slow cooker, and then people can add piles of shredded corned beef to bread, buns or right on their plate for easy eating with no knives involved. Shredded corned beef is also great if you plan to use it for Irish nachos or something similar.

However, if you prefer corned beef slices, you can certainly serve it that way. Just make sure you slice the corned beef against the grain for better texture.

A plate of slow cooker corned beef with a wooden tray holding two Guinness pints.

Perfect Pairing

Our perfect beer pairing is obvious, right? Grab some Guinness and call it a day. After the corned beef slowly cooks, you’ll find it picks up a lot of those spices. The roasted malt is a delicious match for the warm cloves and other savory flavors.

Looking for a wine? I love a pinot noir. With a pinot noir, we get these earthy notes that pair beautifully with our spicy cloves and mustard powder. Pinot noir also comes with a nice acidic bite, which livens up those spices and cuts through the fat.

For a festive St. Patrick’s Day celebration, I hope you try this slow cooker Guinness corned beef. This crowd-pleasing, easy recipe will make entertaining a breeze. Please let me know how you enjoyed this recipe in the comment section and don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter. You can also catch me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter.

Cheers!

A close-up of the corned beef with mustard and a spoon on the side and rye bread in the background.

Looking for More St. Patrick’s Day Ideas? Try These Burrata and Bubbles Recipes.

  • Fudgy stout brownies
  • Baileys ice cream
  • Irish whiskey smash
  • Herbed roasted potato salad
  • Brown butter mashed potatoes
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares icon
A plate of shredded slow cooker Guinness corned beef with mustard on the side and two beers in the background.

Slow Cooker Guinness Corned Beef


★★★★★

5 from 9 reviews

  • Author: Amanda McGrory-Dixon
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 hours
  • Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: About 10-12 servings 1x
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

St. Patrick’s Day dinner doesn’t get easier than this slow cooker Guinness corned beef! After simmering in Guinness and an array of warm spices, this corned beef becomes fork tender and full of flavor. Whether you serve it with a side of cabbage or piled high on a sandwich, everyone always loves this easy-as-can-be corned beef.


Scale

Ingredients

2 (12)-ounce bottles Guinness
4–5 pounds corned beef with seasoning packet
2 bay leaves
⅓ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground coriander
2 teaspoons beef bouillon (see note)
1 teaspoon whole cloves
½ teaspoon mustard powder
⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
A few dashes Worcestershire sauce


Instructions

  1. Pour the Guinness into a slow cooker. Add the contents of the seasoning packet from the corned beef, bay leaves, brown sugar, coriander, beef bouillon, cloves, mustard powder, allspice and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine.
  2. Add the corned beef with the fatty side up. Cook on low for eight to 10 hours until the corned beef is fork tender. To serve, slice against the grain or shred with two forks. Enjoy!

Notes

  • For the beef bouillon, I highly recommend Better Than Bouillon Beef Base, which you can find at just about any grocery store or on Amazon.
  • Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
  • Category: Main Dishes
  • Method: Slow Cooker
  • Cuisine: Irish-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4 ounces
  • Calories: 230
  • Sugar: 0
  • Sodium: 1,100
  • Fat: 15
  • Saturated Fat: 5
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 0
  • Fiber: 0
  • Protein: 15
  • Cholesterol: 55

Keywords: Guinness corned beef

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @burrataandbubbles on Instagram and hashtag it #BurrataAndBubbles

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Yummly
  • Flipboard
  • Mix
Previous Post: « Shrimp and Crab Gumbo
Next Post: Baileys Irish Coffee Martini »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sharon says

    March 04, 2020 at 4:00 am

    Corned beef is a family favorite, and not just in March! This recipe makes tender meat that’s great with cabbage or sandwiches.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      March 11, 2020 at 1:03 am

      Totally! Since I took the photos just for the blog, we used this corned beef for lunch all week. 😀

      Reply
  2. Elaine says

    March 04, 2020 at 11:17 am

    This is such a timely recipe. I was looking for something like this for dinner and really glad I have found what I wanted. I love your tips on how to serve this beef, too!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      March 11, 2020 at 1:04 am

      So glad it’s helpful!

      Reply
  3. Linda says

    March 04, 2020 at 8:29 pm

    I’m just waiting for St. Patrick’s Day to make this awesome sounding corned beef. I learned something too! I never knew the difference in the corned beef cuts and now I know which one to purchase. I love the idea of shredding the corned beef. Why didn’t I ever think of that before? Thanks for the recipe and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      March 11, 2020 at 1:05 am

      You’re so welcome! Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you!

      Reply
  4. Analida Braeger says

    March 05, 2020 at 1:26 pm

    My family loves corned beef and this recipe was a huge hit with them. I can’t wait to make it again for St. Patrick’s Day. Thanks for a great recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      March 11, 2020 at 1:06 am

      Yay! That makes me so happy. 😀

      Reply
  5. GUNJAN C Dudani says

    March 05, 2020 at 8:27 pm

    This would be a great St.Patricks recipe. I can’t wait to make it for my family.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      March 11, 2020 at 1:06 am

      I hope you love it!

      Reply
  6. Paula Montenegro says

    March 06, 2020 at 11:25 am

    This is an awesome recipe and we love it here! It makes great sandwiches, with mustard and rye or seed bread. Great tips on how to buy corned beef too. Thanks for sharing!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      March 11, 2020 at 1:06 am

      You’re so welcome! Glad it was a hit!

      Reply
  7. Pam Greer says

    March 06, 2020 at 8:54 pm

    This is the easiest and the best corned beef recipe ever! The beer and the spices give it so much flavor and it’s so tender!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      March 11, 2020 at 1:07 am

      So happy to hear that — cheers!

      Reply
  8. Leslie says

    March 08, 2020 at 7:04 pm

    Loving this recipe! Such a staple to have on hand for St. Patricks day or any get together!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      March 11, 2020 at 1:08 am

      Totally! I can’t think of an easier recipe for entertaining a crowd.

      Reply
  9. Tara says

    March 09, 2020 at 12:20 am

    This is going to be my new favorite St. Patrick’s Day Dinner! I never even thought about using guinness with my corned beef. I am now in love with it!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      March 11, 2020 at 1:08 am

      They’re so good together!

      Reply
  10. Aline says

    March 09, 2020 at 7:31 pm

    We’re throwing a St. Patty’s party theme for my boyfriend’s birthday and I’m working on the menu now – this is going to be perfect!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      March 11, 2020 at 1:10 am

      I’m sure everyone will love it! Let me know how it goes!

      Reply
  11. Tina says

    March 17, 2020 at 12:46 pm

    Excited to make this recipe tonight! Have you ever put veggies in the crockpot with it? I was thinking of adding carrots, cabbage, potatoes and onions to the crock pot

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      March 17, 2020 at 2:44 pm

      You can totally do that! If you like your vegetables firmer, I’d add them in the last three hours or so of cooking, though the onions can go in right away. But if you prefer softer vegetables, feel free to add them in the beginning. I’d add in the cabbage in last two to three hours regardless of the other vegetables. Let me know how it goes!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

About Me

I'm a Denver-based lady and believe life is best spent with comforting meals, tasty beverages and good company. When I'm not playing in the kitchen, I'm probably exploring new breweries with my husband, Matt, or obsessing over my adorable dog, Baylor. Read More…

Newsletter

Subscribe to my newsletter and never miss a delicious recipe. Let's stay in touch!

Let’s Connect!

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Email
White and black logos of the publications that have featured Burrata and Bubbles

Most Shared Recipes

Two Italian margaritas with a bottle of amaretto in the background with fresh orange and lime slices around them.

Italian Margarita

A Winter Wonderland Margarita on a wood board with candied rosemary and fake trees and lights in the background.

Winter Wonderland Margarita

A bowl of andouille sausage-chicken gumbo with two spoons.

Andouille Sausage-Chicken Gumbo

A jar of vanilla bean and orange infused bourbon with orange slices and a cloth napkin to the side.

Vanilla Bean and Orange Infused Bourbon

A coconut margarita with a yellow napkin and lime slices on the side with toasted coconut scattered around it.

Coconut Margarita

Copyright © 2021 Burrata and Bubbles on the Brunch Pro Theme

Subscribe to the Burrata and Bubbles Newsletter

Subscribe to my newsletter and never miss a delicious recipe. Let's stay in touch!

Privacy Policy