If you’ve been searching for a hearty, comforting meal that doesn’t require hours of babysitting, this Instant Pot Corned Beef with Vegetables Recipe is exactly what you need. Tender brisket, rich Guinness-infused broth, and perfectly cooked veggies all come together effortlessly in one pot.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Instant Pot Corned Beef with Vegetables Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Instant Pot Corned Beef with Vegetables Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Instant Pot Corned Beef with Vegetables Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, making corned beef in the Instant Pot changed the way I approach this classic. No more waiting around or worrying about dry meat – it comes out perfect every single time, and I love how the Guinness adds that signature, deep flavor.
- Speedy Cooking: Pressure cooking slashes traditional cook time, making dinner ready in just under two hours.
- Flavorful Brisket: The combination of spices, broth, and Guinness infuses the meat beautifully.
- One-Pot Ease: Minimal cleanup because everything cooks in the Instant Pot.
- Classic Comfort: Tender potatoes, carrots, and cabbage that soak up all those savory juices.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Before we jump in, let’s look at the ingredients. You’ll want a nice quality corned beef brisket with the included pickling spice — that’s key for authentic flavor. I also love using Guinness Draught for that rich depth, but you can always substitute with extra beef broth if needed.
- Low-sodium beef broth: Keeps the salt in check since corned beef and pickling spices already bring plenty.
- White or yellow onion: Adds sweetness and aromatic depth to the cooking liquid.
- Minced garlic: Gives a subtle savory kick without overpowering.
- Guinness beer: Infuses a malty, slightly bitter flavor that pairs beautifully with the beef.
- Corned beef brisket or round: The star of the show — choose a cut that fits your Instant Pot well.
- Baby gold or red potatoes: Creamy and tender after pressure cooking, perfect for soaking up juices.
- Carrots: Sweet and hearty, they add color and balance.
- Green cabbage: Brings freshness and a bit of crunch after cooking.
- Butter: Tossed with the veggies for a rich, silky finish.
- Fine ground sea salt & freshly ground black pepper: Essential for seasoning to taste.
- Fresh parsley: An optional bright garnish that lifts the dish visually and flavor-wise.
- Whole grain mustard: Provides a tangy contrast great for dipping your slices of corned beef.
Make It Your Way
The beauty of this Instant Pot Corned Beef with Vegetables Recipe is how easy it is to customize to your liking. Whether you're a fan of a little extra spice or prefer different veggies, making it your own is what truly elevates the meal.
- Variation: I’ve sometimes swapped out the Guinness beer for a non-alcoholic stout, and it gives a similarly rich flavor that my whole family enjoys. If you want a vegetarian-friendly twist, try cooking the potatoes, carrots, and cabbage with vegetable broth and skipping the meat altogether for a comforting veggie stew.
- Seasonal Tweaks: In colder months, adding some turnips or parsnips to the veggies can add a lovely earthiness. During spring, fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary tucked in with the brisket bring fresh, aromatic layers.
- Diet-Friendly: For a low-sodium version, using extra low-sodium broth and limiting added salt helps control salt intake, especially since corned beef and pickling spices have natural saltiness built in.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Instant Pot Corned Beef with Vegetables Recipe
Step 1: Build Your Flavor Base
Start by adding 2 cups of low-sodium beef broth, the onion chunks, and minced garlic directly into your Instant Pot insert. I love how the onion and garlic aromas begin to fill the kitchen even before cooking. Then, arrange the 3 ½ to 4 pound corned beef brisket on top of the liquid, fat side up—this helps baste the meat as it cooks. Pour over the 11.2-ounce bottle of Guinness beer, or broth if you’re substituting, and sprinkle on the pickling spices from the packet. Seal and lock the lid, getting ready for the main event.
Step 2: Pressure Cook Brisket to Tender Perfection
Select the MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK setting on high pressure and set your timer for exactly 1 hour and 25 minutes. During this time, the brisket slowly relaxes and soaks up all those deep, hearty flavors. Avoid opening the lid until the timer finishes—that’s key to keeping that tender texture.
Step 3: Gentle Pressure Release and Veggie Prep
Once the cooking cycle ends, let the Instant Pot naturally release pressure for 10 minutes—this slow release helps keep the meat moist. Then, carefully perform a quick release to let out any leftover steam. While waiting, prep your vegetables by slicing the cabbage head into 8 wedges, halving the baby potatoes, and peeling and chopping the carrots into generous 3-inch chunks. This is where your kitchen starts to feel like a warm Irish feast is on its way!
Step 4: Add Veggies and Finish Cooking
Use a slotted spoon to lift the corned beef onto a cutting board and tent it loosely with foil to keep warm. Remove the onions from the pot and discard them—don’t worry, the flavor remains in the liquid. Add the potatoes and carrots into the Instant Pot liquid, then nestle the cabbage wedges on top. Make sure not to fill the pot beyond two-thirds full to keep it safe and effective. Lock the lid back in place.
Step 5: Quick Pressure Cook for Perfect Vegetables
Set the Instant Pot to MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK on high for 5 minutes to gently cook the vegetables until tender but not mushy. As soon as the cooking finishes, do a quick pressure release right away to preserve that perfect texture.
Step 6: Slice, Season, and Serve
Carefully remove the corned beef from resting and trim off any excess fat on top—flat briskets tend to have more fat than round cuts. Slice the meat thinly against the grain; this is key for tenderness. Arrange the slices on a serving platter and drizzle with some of the flavorful cooking liquid for extra juiciness. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the potatoes, carrots, and cabbage to the platter or a separate bowl. Toss the vegetables with 3 tablespoons of butter, then season with fine ground sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley adds a lovely pop of color and freshness. Don’t forget the whole grain mustard on the side—it’s the perfect tangy finishing touch!
Top Tip
These tips can truly elevate your Instant Pot Corned Beef with Vegetables Recipe, making the process smoother and the results even more delicious. I've learned a few tricks along the way that I’m excited to share with you.
- Use Low-Sodium Broth: Using low-sodium beef broth helps control the saltiness of the dish since corned beef and its pickling spices are already quite salty. This balance makes a big difference in flavor.
- Rest the Brisket: Allowing the corned beef to rest after pressure cooking helps the juices redistribute, keeping the meat tender and juicy — a step I don’t skip anymore.
- Don’t Overfill the Instant Pot: When cooking the vegetables, ensure the pot isn’t filled more than two-thirds full. This prevents overflow and allows pressure to build properly.
- Trim Excess Fat: After cooking, slice off any large fat layers, especially on flat cut briskets, to avoid greasy bites and keep the flavors just right.
How to Serve Instant Pot Corned Beef with Vegetables Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh chopped parsley sprinkled over the buttered vegetables adds a lovely pop of color and brightness. A drizzle of some of the cooking liquid over the sliced corned beef enhances moisture and flavor. Don’t forget a side of whole grain mustard — it adds just the right tangy kick that pairs beautifully with the rich meat.
Side Dishes
This meal shines on its own, but if you want to go further, consider serving with crusty Irish soda bread or a simple green salad. Maybe even some buttered peas or sautéed cabbage to round out the plate and amp up the comfort factor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover corned beef and vegetables in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keeping the meat immersed in a bit of the cooking liquid helps maintain moisture.
Freezing
For longer storage, you can freeze cooked corned beef and vegetables in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 3 months. Be sure to cool completely before freezing and label your containers.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a covered dish in the oven at 325°F (about 165°C) until warmed through, or microwave on medium power to avoid drying the meat. Adding a splash of reserved cooking liquid during reheating keeps everything tender and juicy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! If you don’t have Guinness Draught, you can substitute it with more low-sodium beef broth or a non-alcoholic stout to maintain similar flavor notes without the alcohol.
Pressure cooking for 1 hour and 25 minutes at high pressure followed by a 10-minute natural release creates perfectly tender corned beef. The meat should be fork-tender and slice easily against the grain.
Absolutely! Feel free to add vegetables like parsnips or turnips, but keep in mind the Instant Pot capacity—do not fill beyond two-thirds full to allow safe pressure cooking.
After resting, slice the corned beef against the grain in thin slices. This technique helps the meat stay tender and easy to chew.
Final Thoughts
Making this Instant Pot Corned Beef with Vegetables Recipe has truly become one of my favorite ways to bring a comforting, wholesome meal to the table without hours of fuss. The ease and speed of the pressure cooker paired with classic Irish flavors create something special that’s perfect for any day or holiday. I hope you enjoy every tender, flavorful bite as much as I do. Happy cooking and sláinte!
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Instant Pot Corned Beef with Vegetables Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Pressure Release Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Irish
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
This Instant Pot Corned Beef recipe delivers a tender, flavorful brisket cooked to perfection with aromatic spices, Guinness beer, and vegetables. The pressure cooking method ensures a quick and easy one-pot meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Broth and Aromatics
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 medium white or yellow onion, cut into 5 or 6 chunks
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 11.2 ounce bottle Guinness beer (Guinness Draught) or additional broth as substitute
Meat and Spices
- 3 ½ to 4 pound corned beef brisket or round, with pickling spice packet
Vegetables
- 1 pound baby gold or red potatoes, halved (fingerling potatoes work well too)
- 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 3-inch chunks
- 1 small head green cabbage, sliced into 8 wedges
Finishing Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- Fine ground sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)
- ¼ cup whole grain mustard (optional for dipping)
Instructions
- Prepare Instant Pot Base: Add the beef broth, chopped onion, and minced garlic into the Instant Pot insert. Place the corned beef brisket on top of the mixture with the fat side facing up. Pour the Guinness beer over the meat and sprinkle with the included pickling spices. Secure and lock the lid.
- Pressure Cook Brisket: Choose the MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK setting on high pressure and set the timer for 1 hour and 25 minutes. Allow the cooking cycle to complete.
- Release Pressure and Prep Vegetables: After cooking, let the Instant Pot naturally release pressure for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure. While waiting, prepare the vegetables: slice the cabbage into 8 wedges, halve the potatoes, and peel and chunk the carrots.
- Cook Vegetables: Transfer the corned beef to a cutting board, tent with foil to keep warm. Remove onions with a slotted spoon and discard them, leaving the cooking liquid inside the pot. Add potatoes and carrots to the pot, then place cabbage wedges on top, ensuring the pot is not more than two-thirds full. Lock the lid again.
- Pressure Cook Vegetables: Set the Instant Pot on MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK on high pressure for 5 minutes. Once finished, immediately perform a quick pressure release.
- Slice and Serve: Remove the corned beef from resting and trim off excess fat from the top. Slice the meat against the grain and arrange on a serving platter. Drizzle some cooking liquid over the slices. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked potatoes, carrots, and cabbage to the platter or a bowl. Toss vegetables with butter and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve with whole grain mustard on the side.
Notes
- Use low-sodium broth to better control salt levels since corned beef and pickling spices can be salty.
- If Guinness beer is not available, substitute with additional beef broth or a non-alcoholic stout for similar flavor.
- If using a round cut brisket, fat trimming might be less than with a flat cut.
- Allow the brisket to rest before slicing to retain juices and improve tenderness.
- Adjust vegetable types and quantities based on preference and Instant Pot capacity, but avoid overfilling above two-thirds full.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
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