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.
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Why You Need to Make This Recipe
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.
Bonus: If you need some other St. Patrick's Day dinner ideas, my Guinness lamb stew is another delicious option!
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
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.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Or maybe you're looking for a festive St. Patrick's Day cocktail. My Irish mule or Irish whiskey smash are delicious options.
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!
Looking for More St. Patrick's Day Ideas?
- Fudgy stout brownies
- Baileys ice cream
- Irish whiskey chocolate cake
- Baileys mousse
- Herbed roasted potato salad
Slow Cooker Guinness Corned Beef
Equipment
- Slow cooker
Ingredients
- 2 (12-ounce) bottles of Guinness
- 4-5 pounds corned beef with seasoning packet
- 2 dried bay leaves
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons beef bouillon (see note)
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
- A few dashes Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Pour the Guinness into a slow cooker. Add the contents of the seasoning packet from the corned beef, bay leaves, brown sugar, beef bouillon, coriander, cloves, mustard powder, allspice and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine.
- 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.
Liz says
What a great recipe for St. Patrick's Day coming up! Will have to add corned beef to my list! Thanks for the share!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
It couldn't be more perfect for the occasion!
Freya says
This looks so good! A real family favourite!
Cathleen says
I am so sad that I had to get rid of my slow cooker when I moved. I might just buy one specifically to make this because this looks amazing!!
Tina says
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
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
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!
Whitney says
Thanks for the tip on veggie timing. I was hunting for just that info. Making this today!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Glad that helps -- enjoy and happy St. Patrick's Day!
Aline says
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!!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I'm sure everyone will love it! Let me know how it goes!
Tara says
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!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
They're so good together!
Leslie says
Loving this recipe! Such a staple to have on hand for St. Patricks day or any get together!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Totally! I can't think of an easier recipe for entertaining a crowd.
Pam Greer says
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!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
So happy to hear that -- cheers!
Paula Montenegro says
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!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
You're so welcome! Glad it was a hit!
GUNJAN C Dudani says
This would be a great St.Patricks recipe. I can't wait to make it for my family.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I hope you love it!
Analida Braeger says
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!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Yay! That makes me so happy. ?
Linda says
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!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
You're so welcome! Happy St. Patrick's Day to you!
Elaine says
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!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
So glad it's helpful!
Marilyn says
So, no water or liquid to cover the corned beef? Just the Guinness?
I’m doing a smaller corned beef piece, about 3 pounds, so was planning to half the recipe which would cut down on the liquid as I thought I’d just use 1 bottle of beer.
What are your recommendations?
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Hi, Marilyn! I don’t use any other liquid. Just Guinness. Since it is smaller, you probably could use less liquid. If one bottle covers the corned beef about halfway up, you should be good to go. Hope you enjoy!
Sharon says
Corned beef is a family favorite, and not just in March! This recipe makes tender meat that's great with cabbage or sandwiches.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Totally! Since I took the photos just for the blog, we used this corned beef for lunch all week. ?