Corned beef is a hearty Irish-American dish that’s synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day. While it’s delicious on its own, adding beer can take the flavors to the next level. But with so many beer styles to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. In this article, we’ll explore the best kinds of beer to cook with corned beef and provide tips to make this classic dish even more amazing.
Why Add Beer to Corned Beef?
Before jumping into beer types, let’s look at why beer and corned beef make such a great pair
First, beer acts as a tenderizing agent. The acids, tannins, and alcohol in beer work to break down the proteins and collagen in the meat. This makes the corned beef more tender and moist after its low and slow cooking time.
Second beer adds tremendous flavor. As the beer simmers and reduces the flavors become concentrated. This adds incredible depth and savory notes to the brisket. The beer also mingles with the traditional aromatics like garlic, bay leaves, and spices to create a complex medley of tastes.
Finally, the carbonation helps the meat retain moisture so you get a juicier finished product. Overall, beer takes corned beef to the next level and is absolutely worth including in your recipe.
The Best Beer Styles for Corned Beef
Now onto the beer! Choosing the right type of beer is key to getting the best results. Here are some excellent options:
Brown and Amber Ales
Brown ales and amber ales make an excellent base for corned beef with their malty, caramel flavors. These beers have just enough sweetness to balance the salty corned beef without overpowering it. Popular choices are nut brown ales, red ales, and traditional brown ales. The toasted malt notes pair perfectly with the spices.
Porter and Stout
For those who like robust flavors, reach for a rich, dark stout or porter. The subtle coffee and chocolate flavors blend wonderfully with corned beef. Dry Irish stouts like Guinness are a no-brainer pairing, but don’t be afraid to experiment with oatmeal stouts or chocolate porters too. These dark beers add incredible depth and personality.
Pilsner and Helles
Want something more refreshing? A crisp pilsner or Helles lager can provide a bright counterpoint to the rich meat. Look for pilsners with a biscuity, cracker-like malt profile rather than those heavy on the hops, which can become bitter. The lightness of a Helles-style lager is also delicious with corned beef.
Witbier and Hefeweizen
For those who prefer beer with more fruity esters and spice, Belgian witbiers and German hefeweizens are a great choice. The citrusy flavors of orange peel and coriander in a witbier give the dish a summery twist. In a hefeweizen, the signature clove and banana aromas from the yeast create a lovely pairing.
Belgian Strong Ales
Lastly, don’t overlook Belgian strong ales like dubbels and tripels. Their highly fermentable sugar creates intense malty sweetness and a higher alcohol content, which does wonders for imparting flavor during cooking. The raisin and dried fruit flavors mesh wonderfully with the warm spices in corned beef. Just use a light hand, as these beers can be intense.
Cooking Tips for Corned Beef with Beer
Now that you’ve chosen an irresistible beer, here are some tips for incorporating it into your corned beef:
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Add aromatics – Onions, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, and mustard seeds are perfect pairings with the beer.
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Combine with broth – For deeper flavor, combine the beer with beef broth or chicken stock instead of water.
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Bring to a simmer – After adding your beer and aromatics, slowly bring to a simmer. Don’t let the beer reach a rolling boil.
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Cook low and slow – Cook the corned beef gently at a low simmer for optimal tenderness.
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Use just enough beer – About 12-16 oz of beer is plenty for a 3-4 lb brisket. Too much can make the dish bitter.
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Make a gravy – Once cooked, use the braising liquid to make an incredible gravy for serving.
Favorite Side Dishes for Corned Beef and Beer
A good corned beef needs some delicious sides like:
- Buttery boiled potatoes
- Sweet glazed carrots
- Braised cabbage wedges
- Fluffy baked soda bread
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Grainy mustard
- Pickled vegetables like beets or onions
- A simple leafy salad or coleslaw
The options are endless, so get creative with produce that’s in season!
Final Thoughts
Cooking corned beef in beer results in amazingly moist, flavorful meat that’s comforting and crave-worthy. Whether it’s St. Patrick’s Day or any time of year, take your brisket to the next level by picking a beer that complements or contrasts the dish. With so many excellent styles to choose from, you can put a unique spin on this classic any night of the week. Sláinte!
What to pair it with
And if youve got leftovers, you can make these extra cheesy corned beef reubens!
What is Guinness Corned Beef?
We dont eat Corned Beef that often but when we do, I always try to make it as delicious as possible!
Thats why were using Guinness beer as the braising liquid in this perfect St. Patricks Day recipe.
Not only does the Guinness tenderize the meat, but it also adds the perfect earthy depth to make the corned beef flavor really shine through.
In my recipe, I added cabbage, carrots, onions and potatoes but if you dont want or need the vegetables, we can easily take them out.
And best of all, you can make this recipe in a variety of different ways.
The fastest method is in the oven at a low temperature for about four hours. Personally, I like this way best because everything is perfectly tender in about half of the time as a slow cooker.
The crock-pot or slow cooker method takes about 8 hours – which is double the oven method. To be honest, I couldnt really tell a difference between the two methods so it is all up to you!
Lets gets started on the recipe!
- Corned Beef Brisket – The brined, corned beef brisket is a must in this easy recipe! Most of them come with a seasoning packet, but if not, you can make your own or buy some.
- Guinness Beer – Guinness is the perfect Irish beef to use for braising corned beef. If you dont like guiness, you can use whatever beer you prefer.
- Brown Sugar – This mellows out the flavor and makes it even more delicious. You could use half the amount of white sugar or Demerara sugar if you dont have brown.
- Water – If you wanted to be extra fancy, swap the water for beef stock.
- Small Potatoes – Any type of tiny potato works perfectly in this crockpot recipe.
- Yellow Onions – If you want to use a different onion – go for it! It wont make much of a difference in flavor.
- Green Cabbage – Green cabbage works best and I do not recommend using purple cabbage because it can make the color very weird.
- Carrots – You can use any type of carrot you prefer. If you dont like carrots, you could swap for sweet potatoes.
Slow Cooked Corned Beef in Beer
FAQ
What beer is best for corned beef?
A traditional Irish stout, such as Guinness, is an iconic choice to accompany corned beef. The rich, roasted malt flavors complement the savory and slightly salty notes of the meat. The effervescence of the stout helps cut through the richness, creating a perfect balance that leaves your palate wanting more.Feb 26, 2024
What is the best beer to cook beef with?
For beef stews, we really like using porters. These beers tend to have a lot of caramelized and toasted malt flavors that work very well with slow-cooked meat, but without going into the coffee-like bitterness of many stouts.
How long to cook beer in corned beef?
Rub brown sugar all over brisket. Pour beer around and gently over brisket to wet sugar. Bake, covered, in the preheated oven until tender, about 2 ½ hours.Feb 27, 2025
What kind of beer is good for cooking brisket?
You can use whatever kind of beer you like. Just don’t leave it out. The beer is what tenderizes the meat.”
What beer goes well with corned beef?
Stout, lager, and ale are all popular choices, and each one brings its own unique flavor profile to the dish. Stout, for example, is a rich and malty beer that can add depth and complexity to your corned beef. On the other hand, a lager like a pilsner or a helles can bring a light and crisp flavor that complements the saltiness of the corned beef.
Can you use beer to brine corned beef?
Beer is often used as an ingredient in the brine, as it helps to tenderize the meat and add flavor. While you can use any type of beer for this purpose, many people prefer to use a stout or porter, as these styles of beer tend to have more robust flavors that complement the corned beef well.
Can you eat corned beef with beer?
Corned beef is a great way to add some flavor to your meal, but there are certain types of beer that you should avoid when cooking it. These include: Beers that are too hoppy or bitter – These types of beers can make the corned beef and cabbage taste bitter.
What is beer corned beef?
Corned beef is a type of beef that has been preserved in a seasoned brine. This gives the beef a unique flavor and texture that is perfect for dishes like corned beef and cabbage. What Makes Beer Corned Beef So Good? There are many reasons why beer corned beef is such a popular dish. For one, it is incredibly flavorful and moist.
How much beer do you put in corned beef?
For a standard 3 to 4-pound piece of corned beef, about 12 to 16 ounces of beer is a good starting point. This quantity provides enough liquid to keep the meat moist throughout the cooking process while enhancing its flavor. If you prefer a more intense beer flavor, you can increase the amount slightly, but be cautious not to overpower the dish.
Which beer is best for braising corned beef?
While they don’t have the complexity of darker beers, they can still be useful for braising corned beef. These beers can help to tenderize the meat and add a subtle, refreshing note to the dish. If you prefer a lighter beer that won’t overshadow the beef, pilsners and lagers are a safe bet.