Corned Beef cooked in beer and and other aromatics turns out tender and perfect every time. After simmering on the stove top it gets a crunchy coating similar to a honey ham.
Jump to:
Skip St. Patricks Day?
St. Patrick's Day marks the day I lost my Mama. Up until then I had made this corned beef and cabbage for at least twenty-five years, and my family all loves it. But, after losing her I just didn't have the heart for it. And, then I thought of her spirit.
It's time to celebrate
I decided that I will no longer mourn my loss, but instead I am celebrating Mama's life. I love this picture of her and my grandson, Beau, taken about a year before she passed away.
That laugh is a great reminder of her fun personality. She would definitely approve of me sharing this recipe.
Let's get to the corned beef in beer!
My friend, Lisa, got this recipe many years ago off a Killian's Beer display. I tried a Google search and a Pinterest search and couldn't find anything, so Lisa and I must be the only two people left on earth who make it. The rest of the world is missing out.
Yes, it's a bit different. It's cooked in beer in a dutch oven with lots of other wonderful flavors. There is also a crunchy sweet coating (similar to what you find on a honey baked ham).
It would still be delicious, but a more basic corned beef, if you want to leave off the coating, but I've never left it off. We all love it!
By the way, we've been collecting recipes, decor and fun on our St. Patrick's Day Pinterest Board. Check it out and follow here.
And, if you're in need of an additional recipe to make as a main dish around St. Patrick's Day (or anytime) look no further. Guiness Beef Stew Recipe is perfect! It's beef and veggies bathing in a rich broth of Guiness, red wine, and more deliciousness.
A bonus of making this corned beef brisket recipe is the aroma. It's like potpourri for your house, only better. How could it not smell delicious with all of these wonderful ingredients cooking in beer along with your corned beef?
I'm only giving you the corned beef recipe. For my cabbage, I usually scoop a cup or two of the pan juice into the cabbage pot when I cook it. Otherwise it's just straightforward cabbage.
Before I get to the recipe I'd like to leave you with this:
AN IRISH KITCHEN PRAYER
Bless us
with good food,
the gift
of gab and
hearty laughter.
May the
love and joy
we share
be with us
ever after.
Amen
Recipe FAQs
Corned beef is safe once the internal temperature has reached at least 145 °F, but cooking it longer will make it fork-tender. Corned beef should still be pink after cooking and that's ok!
📖 Recipe
Corned Beef Cooked in Beer
Ingredients
- 1 corned beef 4-6 lbs.
- 2 bottles Killian's Irish Red Beer
- 4 bay leaves
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 12 peppercorns
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 large onion cut in half
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ tsp. ground cloves
- ½ tsp. dry mustard
- ¼ tsp. celery salt
- ¼ tsp. caraway seeds
Instructions
- Place corned beef in dutch oven and add all ingredients through onion.
- Add enough water to cover the corned beef.
- Cook for 4-5 hours, covered, on medium-low to medium heat, or until corned beef is tender.
- Mix remaining ingredients.
- Rub or pat onto the warm corned beef.
- Cook on grill or under broiler until coating is crunchy.
- Serve warm with the rest of the beer from your six pack.
Notes
Nutrition
You're going to love these recipes too!
And don't forget, Sign up here for our updates. We won't overdo it. We promise.
Cindy Weidinger says
Pam, thanks for sharing this recipe and the adorable picture of your sweet Mom and Beau! I am going to make this recipe this St. Patrick's Day. I will think of your Mom and you.
Pam says
Awww, thanks Cindy! I love that picture too, and I hope you'll enjoy the corned beef as much as we do.
FLORENCE @ VintageSouthernPicks says
That looks delicious! Of course, it doesn't help that I'm always starving...being on weight watcher's right now. Filing away on my recipes board for future reference. It's a great way to celebrate your mother's life! Love that picture of her!
Pam says
Thanks, Florence. (I can't remember if I've told you that her name was Florence, too).
Barbara Skirmants says
I have been making this recipe for 20 years, yes found it on the 6 pack of Killians Red Beer. The crunchy topping is awesome. I add my carrots, more onions, and potatoes about an hour from done, then add cabbage about 20 minutes left. I cook mine in a Cuisinart Crock pot, one of my best pieces of kitchen equipment I own. An investment but you can, saute, brown, roast, and slow cook in ONE POT. Use your 20% coupon at BB&B.
Mirlene says
This corned beef sounds very delicious. I am looking forward to trying your recipe.
Pam says
You're going to love it. Thanks Mirlene!
Aimee Mars says
Awe, what a sweet tribute to your mom! I'm glad you've decided to continue making this recipe because it looks amazing.
Pam says
Thank you, Aimee.
Andrea says
This corned beef sounds so flavorful and easy to make. I'm glad you decided to make it again and I'm sure your mom is too!
Pam says
Awww.... thank you, Andrea!
Maria says
Beer as a cooking ingredient sounds like a very good idea. Will surely give this recipe a try.
Pam says
You'll love it!
Michelle says
Corned beef is our favorite part of this time of year, and it's so good cooked in beer.
Pam says
Indeed! Thank you, Michelle!
Stephen Thomas says
So happy to have found this recipe again. I remember buying Killigan's Red because I kept misplacing the recipe insert. For those who haven't yet tried the recipe, you're in for a very pleasant surprise. Thank you for posting this recipe.
Pam says
So happy to help out. Enjoy!
Sharon Skinner says
I have the recipe from a six pack of Killians I bought about twenty years ago. My mom loved it and I love how you are honoring your mother sharing the recipe. She looks like a fun lady, as was mine.
Pam says
Awww... thank you so much Sharon!
Joan Bessete says
I found this recipe at a Killian's display in King Kullen supermarket many years ago. I make it every year, and we have it after we walk back from our town's St Patrick's Day Parade. It is the best corned beef I have ever had. Slow cooking in beer. How could you lose? BTW, our St Pat's parade is the longest running parade on Long Island. The AOH does a terrific job of organizing and hosting it every year.
Pam says
It's the best we've ever had too! How wonderful about your parade! We have a festival, but no parade in our little town... still lots of fun!
Linda Monteith says
I love this recipe I have been making it for years. Do not skip the coating and cooking on the grill, it MAKES this recipe. FYI, you forgot the 1/2 tsp ground ginger in the coating. Thanks for posting it.