Guinness Glazed Corned Beef
I never really ate corned beef until I started dating the man that became my husband. He is second generation Irish American and every year on St. Patrick’s day, he always ate corned beef. Of course, I knew I had to learn how to cook it. What better way than to combine corned beef and Guinness?
St. Patrick’s day, for many people in America, is a day of drinking and wearing green. To my husband and his family, however, it’s a day to celebrate Irish pride and heritage. This holiday, in fact, has nothing to do with drinking. It is actually an official Christian feast day commemorating Saint Patrick and how he brought Christianity to Ireland. It is held on March 17th as that is the day that tradition says Saint Patrick died.
Who was Saint Patrick? The saying says that he “got rid of the snakes” in Ireland, which is symbolic for getting rid of paganism as there were never actually any snakes in Ireland. According to tradition, he converted thousands in the northern half of Ireland to Christianity.
It is a day to celebrate Irish culture and heritage. There are parades and festivals. Wearing green and shamrocks is a part of it as they are symbolic of Irish heritage. The drinking aspect came out of the fact that restrictions on drinking alcohol were traditionally lifted for the day. This became commercialized, especially here in America, and is criticized by many as perpetuating negative stereotypes of the Irish.
Corned beef is more of a traditional Irish American dish. It was used as a substitute for bacon by immigrants in the late 19th century. This recipe is another one that I have slowly been tweaking and adjusting to improve every year. It’s been delicious every year, but this year, it came out the best yet! The taste of the Guinness is absorbed as the corned beef cooks in the crockpot. As a finishing touch, it is also glazed in Guinness.
I love eating this just on its own with potatoes and cabbage. It’s a very traditional St. Patrick’s day meal for many Irish Americans like my husband and I am very happy that I have been able to carry on this tradition for him in our own family. This year, my son even ate it and loved it. That brought a huge smile to my husband’s face and warmed my heart.
The corned beef is cooked in a crockpot. First, you slice an onion and mince some garlic.
Then you layer your crockpot with the onion, garlic, corned beef, and a little brown sugar.
Next, pour a bottle of Guinness stout over it all and cook on low for 8-10 hours.
Once the corned beef is cooked, you strain the solids out of the cooking liquid and transfer the liquid to a saucepan. Add some more brown sugar, some Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and salt and pepper and reduce it down.
Using the reduced Guinness, glaze the corned beef and finish it in the oven. Then, you just slice it and enjoy!
We always end up with leftovers as well. That’s because I like to cook enough to make sure that we do. These leftovers are great for sandwiches. With some melted Swiss and Russian dressing on rye bread, it makes a perfect lunch! If you like the traditional Reuben, just add sauerkraut. We are personally not fans of the sauerkraut and so we usually leave that off the sandwiches.
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. Don’t forget to drink a Guinness on the side and toast to the Irish heritage!
This delicious corned beef is cooked in a crock pot and glazed with Guinness to perfection! Great on it's own or in sandwiches.
Layer the crockpot. Place 1/2 onion on bottom of crock pot. Then, place corned beef (fat side up) with pickling liquid and spices. Sprinkle 2 tsp brown sugar on top of corned beef. Finally, place the rest of the onion and the garlic on top of the corned beef.
Pour Guinness stout over the corned beef.
Cook on low until fork tender, about 8-10 hours.
Set corned beef aside and strain solids out of cooking liquid and place liquid into large sauce pan. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Add remaining sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, s+p and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer to reduce liquid by half, about 10-15 minutes.
Cut fat layer from corned beef and glaze with the reduced Guinness.
Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until glaze bubbles.
Let rest and then slice. Serve and enjoy.
I usually serve either as is with a side of potatoes and cabbage or on rye as a sandwich.
Ingredients
Directions
Layer the crockpot. Place 1/2 onion on bottom of crock pot. Then, place corned beef (fat side up) with pickling liquid and spices. Sprinkle 2 tsp brown sugar on top of corned beef. Finally, place the rest of the onion and the garlic on top of the corned beef.
Pour Guinness stout over the corned beef.
Cook on low until fork tender, about 8-10 hours.
Set corned beef aside and strain solids out of cooking liquid and place liquid into large sauce pan. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Add remaining sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, s+p and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer to reduce liquid by half, about 10-15 minutes.
Cut fat layer from corned beef and glaze with the reduced Guinness.
Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until glaze bubbles.
Let rest and then slice. Serve and enjoy.
I usually serve either as is with a side of potatoes and cabbage or on rye as a sandwich.
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32 Comments
Binging on a Budget
This looks fantastic! I’ve been looking for some food to make on St Patrick’s Day coming up and this looks perfect. Do you typically put it on sandwiches?
Kat
It’s great on rye bread. You could melt Swiss on it too. Or just eat as is with potatoes and cabbage! I’ll admit I don’t always do cabbage, but that’s the traditional side, you could do whatever veggie you want.
Nayantara
This recipe looks lovely. And thanks for the bit of history around the tradition. It made for an interesting read.
Kat
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Clair
Oh my goodness! This not only sounds delicious, but looks delicious as well! I will have to give this recipe a try 🙂
Kat
Thank you! It is delicious!
ian
How I wish we have those here in the PH. *Drools*
Kat
Aw ya. You guys are missing out!
Rachel
I have never made my own corned beef. I always thought it was gross but I think I hated the smell.
Kat
Cooking with the Guinness you don’t have that same smell. I think you are probably thinking of the traditional preparation which is boiling.
Kim@Team-Cartwright
This looks so good. Thank you for reminding me to get our corned beef! I usually just dump it in the crock pot and hope for the best. I’ll try this way!
Kat
I hope you like it!
Sonia Jones
I am a huge fan of Corned beef but not so keen on Guinness, but I must say I am pretty tempted to give this a whirl. Looks delicious.
Kat
The Guinness isn’t too strong so you wood probably still like it.
Brittany
this looks so tasty! anything that can be made in the crockpot is so right up my alley!
Kat
Me too! Makes it so much easier!
Kelly
This looks amazing! I pinned it and can’t wait to try it 🙂
Kat
Thank you!
Jennifer
I love corned beef and so does my dad. Prepared it for the first time last year. I plan on trying it again using your recipe. I have a bit of Irish heritage in me and appreciate you sharing the significance of March 17.
Kat
Thank you. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Evelyn, PathofPresence 🦋
Love the history of St Patrick’s! So fascinating to hear about the start of holidays. I absolutely adore corned beef & cabbage! 😋 Saving your recipe. I’m a little fearful trying something so major but I’ve got your trusty recipe. What can I lose! 👍🏼😉🍀 Thank You 💕 xo Evelyn, PathofPresence 🦋
Kat
Thanks! The good thing is it’s also really cheap! That’s why immigrants ate it. It’s all they could afford .
Lexi
I’ve never had corned beef before either! This looks good and so easy!
Kat
It is really easy!
Marcie
Oh yum! I’m part Irish-American, but we never really ate Irish food until a few years ago. I love the taste of Guinness and corned beef!
Kat
They go great together too!
Misadventures with Megan
This looks simple enough that I feel like even I could pull this off! My husband would love this!
Kat
It’s really easy. You should definitely try it!!
Terumi
Thanks for sharing the history of St Patrick’s Day Too! We’ve celebrated but I didn’t know the origin.
Kat
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Monica
I love corned beef! This recipe looks great. I may have to try it this St. Patricks Day!
Kat
Thanks! I love how much flavor the Guinness adds to the corned beef.