This Guinness Corned Beef is incredibly easy to make! A great Irish beer twist on a classic St Patrick’s Day recipe.
This post contains affiliate links.
Table of Contents
Drunken Corned Beef
Guinness is very popular in this house, and also a classic, Irish beer. So of course cooking an Irish food in an Irish beer was on my mind!
I like to err on the side of too much corned beef and have fun with the leftovers! While classics like corned beef hash are great, I like to mix it up with recipes like Reuben Nachos. Get more corned beef recipes !
What is Corned Beef?
Corned beef is a cut of beef brisket that has been cured and brined.
The flavorings and process give the beef a pink color, even if cooked through.
Ingredients Needed
Here is what you need to make this drunken corned beef recipe:
- Corned Beef
- Guinness
- Water
- Cabbage and Potatoes, if desired, for the sides
If you want some yummy glaze for the corned beef like the pictures, check out our Copycat Bennigan’s Guinness Glaze! You can also find more of our Irish and St Patrick’s Day recipes !
Instruction Overview
This corned beef and cabbage recipe can be made in either the Instant Pot or a slow cooker.
All you have to do is put everything in the pot and follow the cooking direction. So easy!
And to keep it an easy recipe, the cabbage and/or potatoes are cooked in the same pot and same liquid if you are using them.
The bright red color of the meat comes from the corning liquid it comes in, and is not an indication that the meat is rare or undercooked.
The instructions of this recipe cooks the meat all the way through, while still being full of moisture and flavor, regardless of the red color.
It is just amazing how fast the meat cooks with an Instant Pot or pressure cooker. If you do not have an Instant Pot, or would rather it cook all day, the slow cooker is great as well!
What beer is best for corned beef?
A dark stout like Guinness is perfect for this recipe!
The richness of the beer really adds depth of flavor to the meat. And it is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day!
What beer is comparable to Guinness?
Guinness is a stout beer, specifically Irish stout.
You could use any other stout beer if desired for this recipe.
Guinness Corned Beef Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 pounds corned beef give or take
- 1 bottle Guinness any size is fine
- water
- 1 medium cabbage if desired
- 1 pound potatoes if desired
- Copycat Bennigan's Guinness Glaze optional, for serving
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
- Drain liquid from the beef pouch and place the beef in the bottom of the instant pot, fat side up. Add the spice mix from the pouch to the pot if desired.
- Pour the entire can or bottle of Guinness into the pot.
- Add water in the pot until the beef is submerged.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot with the vent closed and sealed. Set the cooking for manual, high, for 70 minutes for sliceable beef or 90 minutes for more tender beef.
- Let the Instant Pot finish cooking and let it sit for 10 minutes on natural release (not touching or venting it). Then open the vent and let the rest of the pressure and steam escape.
- Remove the beef from the liquid. If cooking potatoes, cut the potatoes in approximately 2 inch chunks. Smaller potatoes like red potatoes can be left whole. Add the potatoes to the liquid and cook on high for 5 minutes. If cooking cabbage, cut into thick slices or wedges and cook on high for 2-3 minutes. Use manual pressure release (letting the vent open and steam escape) for each.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Drain liquid from the beef pouch and place the beef in the bottom of the slow cooker, fat side up. Add the spice mix from the pouch to the pot if desired.
- Pour the entire can or bottle of Guinness into the pot.
- Add water in the pot until the beef is submerged.
- Let the beef cook on slow for 8 hours for sliceable beef, and 10-11 hours for more tender beef.
- If cooking cabbage and potatoes, add them to the pot for the last hour of beef cooking. Cut the cabbage into large wedges or slices, and the potatoes in approximately 2 inch chunks. Smaller potatoes like red potatoes can be left whole.
The recipe was easy and the meat was tasty!
I believe this is the same recipe I used last year. I didn’t use a glaze. It was delicious. Very tender. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing corned beef recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
This dish looks delicious! Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day coming soon! I also love those potatoes in your pictures – looks delicious! Thanks for the share!
This was so delicious and fork te see!
Tuned out amazing!! Used Hershey chocolate Porte instead of Guinness
This looks so good! Perfect for Saint Patrick’s day weekend!
Made this for St. Patrick’s Day! I love the option for both slow cooker and Instant Pot instructions. The flavor combination of the beef, Guinness, and pickling spices was spot on
Corned beef soaked in beer gave this meal the ultimate flavors! The mashed potatoes were a great pair to have!
What a delicious recipe. Detailed instructions on IP was very helpful.
Such a delicious and easy way to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and any time of year. The flavors sound amazing.
Used the instant pot instructions. Very tender & tasty cooked this way. Much faster than the crock pot. Will do this every year, thanks!
So glad you liked it!
Delish! Simple, easy to follow recipe. Thanks!