Crispy Slow Cooker Corned Beef: My Easy Weeknight Method (Print Version)

Crispy Slow Cooker Corned Beef is easier than you think! Get tender, flavorful corned beef with a crispy crust, perfect for a cozy meal any day.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 8 Hours minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Irish-American
Dietary: Gluten-Free (ensure broth is GF)

# Ingredients:

→ Main Event

01 - 3-4 lb corned beef brisket (flat cut, with seasoning packet if included)
02 - 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
03 - 1 (12 oz) bottle Guinness beer (or dark stout)

→ Flavor Builders

04 - 2 bay leaves
05 - 1 tsp whole black peppercorns (or from seasoning packet)
06 - 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
07 - 2 tbsp brown sugar

→ Finishing Touches

08 - 1 tbsp olive oil

→ Optional Sides

09 - Mashed potatoes
10 - Steamed cabbage
11 - Horseradish sauce

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, unwrap your corned beef brisket and rinse it under cold water. Seriously, give it a good rinse to get rid of any excess brine. Pat it super dry with paper towels; this helps it get that lovely sear later. Place the brisket, fat side up, into your slow cooker. I always feel a little thrill putting it in, knowing what deliciousness is coming.
02 - Pour in the beef broth and the Guinness. You want the liquid to come up about two-thirds of the way on the brisket. Toss in the bay leaves and whole peppercorns. I sometimes sneak in a few extra peppercorns, just because I like that little spice kick. Set your slow cooker to low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours. Now, go live your life!
03 - While your brisket is slow cooking, don't do anything for the glaze yet! This step is mostly about patience. The aroma will start to waft through your house, and honestly, it's torture in the best way. I always find myself peeking in, but resist the urge to lift the lid too much, it lets all the heat escape.
04 - Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the brisket from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. It should be fork-tender, practically falling apart. Don't toss that cooking liquid, it's golden! Let the brisket rest for about 10-15 minutes. This is where I sometimes get impatient, but resting is key for juicy meat, trust me.
05 - Preheat a large cast-iron skillet (or any oven-safe pan) over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard and brown sugar. Spread this mixture evenly over the fat side of the brisket. Carefully place the brisket, fat side down, into the hot skillet. Sear for 3-5 minutes until you see a beautiful, caramelized, crispy crust forming. Oh, the smell is incredible!
06 - Once the crust is to your liking, remove the skillet from the heat. Let the Crispy Slow Cooker Corned Beef rest for another 5-10 minutes. This second rest is just as important! Slice the corned beef against the grain—this is crucial for tenderness. Serve it up with your favorite sides. It should be tender, juicy, and have that glorious crispy top.

# Notes:

01 - Don't skip the sear! That's where the crispy in Crispy Slow Cooker Corned Beef comes from.
02 - Leftovers are gold. Shred the beef for amazing sandwiches or hash.
03 - If you don't have Guinness, a dark stout or even beef broth works, but the stout adds something special.
04 - Serve it with a dollop of horseradish sauce for a real kick, trust me on this.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Slow cooker
02 - Large cast-iron skillet (or oven-safe pan)
03 - Cutting board
04 - Whisk

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 10g
Protein: 40g

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