Corned beef and cabbage is a beloved Irish-American dish, especially around St. Patrick’s Day. While corned beef gets its distinctive flavor from being cured in a brine solution many cooks like to add beer to the pot when simmering the meat to further enhance and complement the flavors. But with so many beer styles to choose from what kind of beer goes best with corned beef?
In this comprehensive guide we’ll explore the different factors to consider when selecting a beer to cook corned beef in. We’ll cover how beer impacts the flavor and texture provide recommendations for specific beer styles, and share tips for preparing the perfect corned beef and cabbage using beer. Let’s dive in!
How Does Beer Enhance Corned Beef?
There are a few key ways that adding beer to the cooking liquid can improve your corned beef:
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Flavors – The yeast, malt, hops and other flavors from the beer infuse into the meat, adding subtle aromas and taste complexity. The alcohol and sugars also help caramelize and crisp the exterior.
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Tenderization – The acids in beer act as a natural tenderizer, breaking down tough muscle fibers for a more tender and juicy result.
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Moisture – Beer helps keep the corned beef moist during extended braising or simmering
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Cooking Beer
With an understanding of why beer works so well for corned beef, let’s look at some factors to keep in mind when selecting a beer:
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Intensity – For the beer flavor to come through, choose more full-bodied, malty beers over light pilsners or IPAs. The beer taste should complement, not overpower.
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Sweetness – Some residual sweetness helps balance the salty corn beef. Sweeter beers like brown ales and bocks work well.
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Roastiness – Slight coffee or chocolate flavors from roasted malts pair nicely with corned beef spices.
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Bitterness – Avoid very bitter beers like IPAs, as the bitterness intensifies with cooking.
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Carbonation – Traditionally lower carbonation beers like stouts are preferred, as high carbonation can cause foaming.
Now let’s look at some specific beer style options that are ideal for cooking corned beef.
Recommended Beer Styles for Corned Beef
Stout
Stout is the most traditional choice, as its dark, roasty malts and mild bitterness suit corned beef perfectly. Guinness is the classic pick, but other dry Irish or foreign export stouts also work beautifully. The key is low hop bitterness.
Try: Guinness, Murphy’s Irish Stout, Old Rasputin Imperial Stout
Porter
Similar to stout but with more caramel flavors, porters add both roasty and sweet notes. Their slightly lighter body also allows the corned beef to remain the star.
Try: Boulevard Bully! Porter, Deschutes Black Butte Porter, Smuttynose Robust Porter
Brown Ale
The sweet, malty and nutty caramel flavors of brown ales balance wonderfully with corned beef’s saltiness. Their mellow profile lets the spices come through.
Try: Newcastle Brown Ale, Bell’s Best Brown Ale, Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale
Bock
Amber or dark bocks have a strong malt presence along with subtle fruitiness from ester flavors, complementing corned beef nicely. Their sweetness offsets the preserved meat’s salt.
Try: Shiner Bock, Einbecker Ur-Bock Dunkel, Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock
Belgian Ale
The fruity esters and spicy phenols of many Belgian ales give another flavor dimension to corned beef. Just avoid very strong beers that may overpower.
Try: Chimay Red, Leffe Brown, Corsendonk Christmas Ale
Tips for Preparing Corned Beef with Beer
Once you’ve selected your beer, here are some tips for infusing it into corned beef for maximum flavor:
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Sear the corned beef first to lock in flavor and moisture.
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Add chunky vegetables like carrots, potatoes and cabbage in the last 30 minutes so they don’t overcook.
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Use a combination of beer and just enough water or broth to cover the meat. About 12 oz of beer per 3-4 lbs of meat.
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For a bolder beer flavor, marinate the corned beef in beer overnight before cooking.
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Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer and cook low and slow until fork tender.
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If the beer cooks down too much, add a bit more during cooking to keep the meat submerged.
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Turn the corned beef a few times during cooking so all sides absorb flavor.
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Once cooked, let the corned beef rest at least 10-15 minutes before slicing for juicy results.
What to Avoid When Cooking with Beer
On the flip side, here are some beer types and qualities to avoid for corned beef:
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Super hoppy and bitter IPAs, as the bitterness intensifies with cooking.
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Overly alcoholic beers that could leave a boozy taste.
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Sour beers like gose and lambic which clash with corned beef’s flavor profile.
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Wheat beers, which can turn the broth cloudy. Their esters also may not suit.
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Beers with strong flavors that could overtake the corned beef and spices.
Additional Uses for Beer-Cooked Corned Beef
Once you’ve mastered cooking corned beef with beer, get creative with how to serve those delicious leftovers:
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Pile high on rye for classic Reuben sandwiches with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing.
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Toss with brussels sprouts, potatoes and mustard vinaigrette for a hearty hash.
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Stuff into an omelet or scramble with peppers, onions and cheese for a hearty breakfast.
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Chop and add to baked beans or lentils along with molasses and spices for depth of flavor.
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Pair with new potatoes, poblanos, scallions and queso fresco for a tasty Mexican-style hash.
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Shred and use as the basis for shepherd’s pie or empanadas.
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Cut into small chunks to make corned beef fried rice or biryani.
So now that you’re armed with all the knowledge on selecting and cooking with beer, it’s time to grab your favorite brew and make some tasty, tender corned beef and cabbage right in your own kitchen. Sláinte!
Beer Braised Corned Beef (Slow Cooker)
Beer Braised Corned Beef (Slow Cooker) is my recipe of the day with the blogging group From Our Dinner Table. We group weekly to post new recipes on a variety of common topics. This week we’re featuring recipes for St. Patrick’s Day. Glad you could join us!
For my selection I decided to do a Corned Beef brisket I had hiding in the freezer. I wanted to do it in the crockpot along with some Irish lager, onions, garlic, etc.
I did a precook to help draw out some of the salt corned Beef often has. It worked pretty well. It’s the kind of trick I watched Jacques Pepin do with salty holiday hams. Where he would boil it for awhile then finish in the oven, discarding that first pot of water which would then hold the extra salt.
I also wanted to keep the cabbage out of the crock and just tend it on the stove while the meat rested. It gave me greater control on how well done the cabbage became. Crockpots are notorious for overcooking cabbage. Which makes it mushy and very stinky. It is a cruciferous veggie after all. To me, nothing is worse than cabbage and Brussies when they are overcooked. I do love roasted Brussels Sprouts. The oven has turned that into an entirely different animal. So the cabbage in this is cooked until just fork tender, and all is well.
- Beer Braised Corned Beef (Slow Cooker) from Palatable Pastime
- Green Velvet Cupcakes from Hezzi-D’s Recipe Box
- Irish Soda Bread from That Recipe
- Hot Reuben Dip from Art of Natural Living
We share Recipes From Our Dinner Table! Join our group and share your recipes, too! While you’re at it, join our Pinterest board, too!
Beer Braised Corned Beef (Slow Cooker)
Crispy Corned Beef Potato Patties create crispy pan fried croquettes out of a mixture of cooked corned beef brisket and baked potatoes.
This Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup combines either leftover or canned corned beef with cabbage and potatoes for a homestyle, hearty soup.
Oven Braised Corned Beef with Sauerkraut easily creates a tender corned beef brisket braised in beer and sauerkraut in your oven roasting pan.
Corned beef hash made with extras from your brisket along with potatoes and onion makes a wonderful breakfast topped with an egg.
Instant pot corned beef brisket with new potatoes and carrots is quickly and easily made in your electric pressure cooker.
I Cook My Corned Beef in Beer for 18 Hours! Amazing Flavor and Super Easy !
FAQ
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.
Is it better to cook corned beef in water or beer?
“The best Corned Beef I’ve ever made was in the Crock pot. (You can substitute water for beer, but the flavor won’t be the same) NOTE: If you make more than 3-4 lbs., cook it on HIGH. I’ve made 6-7 lbs., and it won’t be done after 9 hours on LOW.
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 is the best method to cook corned beef?
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The Pioneer Womanhttps://www.thepioneerwoman.comBest Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe – The Pioneer WomanMar 11, 2025 — Directions. 1For the corned beef: Preheat the oven to 325°F. 2Unwrap the brisket and place it fat-side up inside a baking dish. If it came with a sp…
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A Taste of Excellence Cateringhttps://taste-food.comThe Best Ways to Cook Corned Beef | A Taste of Excellence CateringMar 8, 2023 — Slow cooking with a crock pot or using an instant pot is a fantastic way to cook corned beef, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth, tender meat throughout…
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Food Networkhttps://www.foodnetwork.comWhat’s the Best Way to Cook Corned Beef? – Food NetworkFeb 28, 2024 — If you want a traditional version and don’t want to use special equipment, the best way to cook corned beef and cabbage is on the stovetop. Place yo…
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The Spruce Eatshttps://www.thespruceeats.com3 Delicious Ways to Cook Corned Beef Perfectly – The Spruce EatsAug 8, 2024 — Slow Cook. Cooking corned beef in a slow cooker has all the benefits of boiling, but you don’t have to keep watch while it cooks. Place a quartered o…
Can you add beer to corned beef?
In addition to beer, you can add other ingredients like onions, garlic, and spices to enhance the flavor of the corned beef. Some people also like to add potatoes, carrots, and cabbage to the pot for a complete and delicious meal. Can I use non-alcoholic beer for cooking corned beef?
What is the best beer for corned beef?
The best beer for corned beef is Guinness. This Irish stout has a strong flavor that can stand up to the rich, salty taste of corned beef. It’s also thick and creamy, which helps to coat the palate and make the meal more enjoyable. 1. Guinness Draught The rich, roasted flavor of Guinness pairs perfectly with the savory flavors of corned beef.
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.
Can you cook corned beef without beer?
If you prefer not to use beer for cooking corned beef, you can consider using other flavorful liquids like beef broth, wine, or apple cider. These alternatives can still infuse the meat with delicious flavor without the use of beer.
Can you cook corned beef with ale?
Ale is also a popular choice for cooking corned beef. The fruity and floral notes of an ale can add a unique twist to the dish, creating a delicious and aromatic flavor profile. When choosing an ale for cooking, look for options that are not too bitter or strong, as this can overwhelm the other flavors in the corned beef.
Can you cook corned beef with lager?
Lager is another great option for cooking corned beef. The light and crisp flavor of a lager can complement the saltiness of the corned beef, creating a well-balanced and delicious dish.