Try this amazing recipe for Dutch Oven Corned Beef which creates tender corned beef and cabbage that melts in your mouth! It's perfect for St. Patrick's Day, or any day in between!
2bottlesdark beer (12 ounce bottles)(use light beer if you don't like the flavor of dark beer)
water or beef stock(as needed)
4large carrots(cut in wedges)
6red potatoes(quartered)
1small cabbage(cut in wedges)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place onion wedges in bottom of dutch oven.
Rinse and pat dry the brisket with paper towels.
Arrange corned beef brisket on top of onion slices.
Sprinkle brisket with dry rub and steak seasoning. Or, use the spice packet that comes with corned beef.
Pour bottles of dark beer and beef stock (or water) into the dutch oven. Make sure liquid level reaches the top of the meat.
Cover dutch oven with lid.
Place in 350 degree oven. Cook for 1 hour.
Reduce heat to 300 degrees. Cook for 2 hours.
Check liquid level at this point. If it has cooked down too low, add a cup of water or broth to prevent scorching.
Turn the brisket over. Add carrots and potatoes to the pot. Sprinkle with steak seasoning or salt and pepper. Cook 1 hour.
Add cabbage to the pot. Cook 1 more hour.
Serve straight from the pot or transfer to a large baking dish and serve with spicy mustard. Be sure to slice meat across the grain for a tender brisket. Slicing across the grain also keeps the meat from shredding.
Video
Notes
Use my Dry Rub for Corned Beefrecipe if you didn't receive a spice packet with your brisket.
TIP: If you are cooking a 3 pound brisket without vegetables, it may be done after 3 hours depending on its cut. Check for doneness around the 3 hour mark.
If your brisket is larger than 3 pounds, you'll need to adjust the cooking time. Plan on cooking it 1 hour per pound, unless you add veggies and then you'll need more time.
The best internal temperature for tenderness is around 200 degrees F. Or, you can stick a fork in the meat and if it falls apart, it's done. If not, bake it longer, but definitely bake it as directed for at least 5 hours if you are adding vegetables to the pot.
Using beer makes a difference in the tenderness. It acts as a marinade and breaks down the fibers, but if you're not a beer fan, this recipe can be made without it if necessary. Simply substitute beef or vegetable broth instead. However, I cannot guarantee the corned beef will be tender without using beer since that is how I have tested it.
If you don't like the intense flavor of dark beer, it's perfectly fine to use light beer or any beer you like! If you prefer that your vegetables don't taste like beer, it's fine to cook them separately in broth or water with your favorite seasonings.
TIP: You MUST slice the meat across the grain to create a tender cut. Look at the way the grain is going and slice across it. If you don't cut it across the grain, it will shred instead of slice.
Serve corned beef and cabbage with potatoes and carrots in individual bowls with a side of spicy mustard. It's a delicious one-pot meal!