Slow Cooker Guinness Corned Beef and Cabbage
240 CommentsUpdated Mar 10, 2026
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Cooking corned beef with Guinness not only has the classic taste of corned beef flavor but also the savory flavors of Guinness beer. But don’t worry, the beer flavor isn’t strong after cooking all day and what’s left behind blends perfectly with the beef.
Why You Should Cook Corned Beef with Guinness (and cabbage) in the Crock Pot
Cooking corned beef for St. Patrick’s Day has become a tradition in many households, especially here in the United States. The tradition likely stems from the fact that corned beef was a commonly consumed meat among Irish immigrants to the United States. So you can imagine that overtime, there have been many variations adopted.
For my recipe, I like to add Guinness beer and brown sugar. The Guinness draught beer adds extra flavor while also tenderizing the meat. Ever since I tried this for the first time, I decided it will be my new way of making corned beef. Not to mention, the prep time is quick, but I recommend cooking it nice and long.
Something else I also like to do is add the cabbage during the last 2 hours this time. This causes the cabbage to turn out perfectly. In fact, I couldn’t stop eating just the cabbage. If you love cabbage try my cabbage, potatoes and kielbasa recipe.
Key Ingredients
Flat cut corned beef brisket: A sizable portion of beef brisket, typically cured with salt and spices, is used for its rich flavor.
Seasoning packet from above roast: A packet of spices and seasonings included with the corned beef brisket, adding traditional Irish flavors to the dish.
Guinness Beer (I use bottled extra stout): A dark and robust stout beer will add its richness to the dish during the slow cooking process. You can make this without beer, try this corned beef and cabbage recipe instead.
Brown sugar: This sweetener is derived from molasses and adds a hint of sweetness to balance the savory flavors of the beef and beer.
Bay leaf: This fragrant leaf is used to add subtle herbal notes and enhance the overall taste (and smell) of the dish.
Yukon gold potatoes: These potatoes are perfect for this corned beef cabbage recipe because they are nice and buttery potatoes with thin skin.
Carrots: A sweet and earthy root vegetable that’s added for texture and sweetness.
Garlic cloves: The kick of garlic infuses into the tender corned beef, vegetables, and the juicy broth.
Cabbage (cut into slices): This crisp and leafy vegetable is sliced and added towards the end of the cooking process for freshness and texture.
How to Make Guinness Corned Beef
Step One – Rinse the corned beef and pat dry. Add the corned beef to the slow cooker.
Step Two – Sprinkle over the seasoning spice packet that came with the roast. Sprinkle over the brown sugar. Add the potatoes, carrots, garlic and bay leaf on top of the roast. Pour over the Guinness stout beer.
Step Three – Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.
Step Four – When there is about 2 hours left in the cooking time, add the cabbage separately.
Step Five – After about 2 hours, move the corned beef onto a cutting board and cut into slices. Serve with veggies and enjoy!
How to Serve
- Serve slices of the slow cooker Guinness corned beef alongside the wedges of cooked cabbage, potatoes, and carrots. Drizzle some of the cooking liquid over the meat and vegetables for added flavor, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
- Shred the leftover Guinness corned beef and pile it onto slices of rye bread with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing. Grill or toast the sandwiches until the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy for a delicious Reuben sandwich twist.
- If you’re serving a crowd, consider setting up a buffet-style presentation for guests to serve themselves. You can also offer a make-your-own sandwich station, or create a festive Irish-themed spread by incorporating other traditional Irish dishes.
Recipe FAQs
To store leftover corned beef and cabbage, cool it to room temperature, then refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently before serving, and for longer storage, freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 2-3 months, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Yes, you can substitute Guinness with another dark beer or stout if desired. However, keep in mind that the flavor profile may differ slightly depending on the beer chosen. Choose a beer with a similar richness and depth to achieve similar results.
Yes, you can cook the vegetables separately if preferred. You can steam or boil the vegetables separately and serve them alongside the corned beef.
How to Video
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 lb. flat cut corned beef brisket
- 1 seasoning packet from above roast
- 12 oz. Guinness Beer, (I use bottled extra stout)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 bay leaf
- 8 Yukon gold potatoes
- 4 carrots
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 head cabbage,, cut into slices
Instructions
- Rinse the corned beef and pat dry. Add the corned beef to the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle over the seasoning packet that came with the roast. Sprinkle over the brown sugar. Add the potatoes, carrots, garlic and bay leaf on top of the roast. Pour over the beer.
- Add the lid to the slow cooker. The total cooking time is 8 hours on low. You can choose when to add your cabbage. I put my cabbage in at the 6 hour mark and cooked for the remaining 2 hours, that’s how I like it. Some like to add it at the beginning, and some at the last 30 minutes.
- Serve by removing the veggies and removing the corned beef on to a cutting board. Cut the corned beef into slices and serve with the veggies.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
How to Store
Place any leftovers in the fridge promptly; they can be kept in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to freeze, the corned beef does well, but the vegetables may get mushy when thawed.
More St. Patrick Day Recipes
- This Slow Cooker Reuben Dip has everything you love about Pastrami Sandwiches, but in a dip form.
- This Crockpot Colcannon Potatoes recipe has not only yukon gold potatoes and cabbage!
- My own creation of Maple Mustard Corned Beef is a unique way to celebrate the holiday.
What can be substituted for the guinness?
Any beer, or beef broth.
I used a fresh brisket and bought my own seasoning and with the Guinness it was the best corned beef I ever made!!
That way you can control your salt and sugar.
Ahh, I had some open red wine …, so I used the wine instead of the Guinness. I drank the Guinness. I think it will be fine.
Can you cook it on high for part of the time to cut total cook time??
Yes, that will work fine.
It’s called pickling spice you can get it at target but it usually comes with the corned beef inside the package.
If I can’t find yukon gold what other potatoes can I use?
Red potatoes are what I would do. If not russets are fine.
I will be cooking 12 pounds of corned beef should I cook it on high?
I would probably cook it on high. I’d do 2 bottles of beer if they fit.
You can use any potato really. I am using baby mixed potatoes.
Will it work the same with a point cut roast?
Yes, that will work fine.
Thank you! ☘️
Simple and delish
Wayyy too much salt for us…any suggestions?
Corned beef is soaked in a salt solution. You may be able to get some of it out by boiling it first.
yes boil corn beef first then drain about an hour or so later and add new water.
Rinse the Brisket before adding to slow cooker.
I forgot & didn’t rinse the brisket first, is that ok? And I also poured the whole Guinness on top! Will this be ok?
Yes! Totally fine.
I cook the corn beef separately for an hour or so drain water and put in fresh then add ingredients it will be less salty for sure.
You can also buy lower sodium corned beef in some places. Once I remove it from the package, I rinse the meat thoroughly. If you want to still try to remove some additional salt, I would put it in cold water overnight to try to draw out some of the salt.
What is the seasoning packet that came with the roast? I am excited to make this but don’t know what your talking about seasoning packet “1 seasoning packet from above roast” Thank you
It’s the stuff that’s loose in the bag after you take out the meat to cook.
Corned beef usually comes with a small packet of seasonings. You can make it without it yours didn’t come with one.
The packages of corned beef are prepackaged and usually come with a seasoning packet, kind of like a spiral ham that comes with brown sugar glaze packet.
Pickling seasoning (pickle spice) same.
This is the only way I make corned beef and Cabbage. Been making this for over 5 years. I use Guinness Stout too. Yummy. I need a bigger crock pot now.