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Beer-Braised Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe

WW Recipe of the Day: Beer Braised Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

This beer-braised corned beef is the epitome of slow cooking. The roast and the vegetables cook together in one pot, producing a comforting meal you’ll look forward to all day. While it’s a classic for St. Patrick’s Day, it’s a dish I enjoy anytime.

I enjoy corned beef, even though it’s a WW splurge worth savoring.

Beer Braised Corned Beef with carrots and potatoes on a dinner plate
Beer Braised Corned Beef Dinner

Beer Braised Corned Beef Ingredients

  • Red-skinned potatoes – Quartered. Yukon Golds also work well and hold their shape.
  • Carrots – Whole carrots, peeled and cut, or use baby carrots to save time.
  • Onions – Yellow, sweet, or white, peeled and cut into wedges.
  • Dried thyme, crushed – Or substitute fresh thyme sprigs.
  • Bay leaf
  • Corned beef brisket – Keep the juices and spice packet from the package.
  • Green cabbage – Cored and cut into wedges.
  • Light beer – Any light beer or a non-alcoholic alternative.

How Many Calories in Corned Beef?

Weight Watchers lists a 3-ounce serving of cooked corned beef as 6 Points. An uncooked brisket will shrink during cooking, so serving size and points can vary. Deli-sliced corned beef has fewer Points — about 2–3 Points for a 2-ounce serving, depending on the brand.

My family traditionally cooks corned beef on the stovetop, but a slow cooker streamlines the process. I also like other preparations such as maple-mustard glazed corned beef when I want something different.

Calories and WW Points for This Recipe

Each serving of this recipe is approximately 320 calories.

To calculate WW Points for your plan, track the recipe in the WW app. (You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) PointsPlus (old plan): 8.

Instructions

  • Ideal slow cooker size: 6–7 quart oval.
  • Place the quartered potatoes, carrots and onion wedges in the slow cooker. Sprinkle with crushed thyme and add the bay leaf.
  • Trim excess fat from the brisket. Place the meat on top of the vegetables. Pour the reserved juices and spices from the brisket and the beer over the meat and vegetables.
  • Arrange the cabbage wedges around and on top of the meat.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, until the meat and vegetables are tender.
  • Discard the bay leaf. Transfer the meat to a platter and slice thinly across the grain. Use a slotted spoon to move the vegetables to a serving bowl. Serve with reserved cooking liquid if desired.

What to Serve with Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage

For a traditional accompaniment, bake Irish soda bread, whole wheat soda bread, or Irish brown bread to serve alongside this meal. Those breads pair nicely with the savory corned beef and vegetables.

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Beer Braised Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe

This is slow cooking at its best: the main dish and sides cook together for a meal you’ll anticipate all day.
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 8 hrs
Total: 8 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 8

Equipment

  • 6-Quart slow cooker
  • Chef knife
  • Cutting board

Ingredients

  • 4 medium red-skinned potatoes, quartered
  • 4 carrots, cut into 1½-inch chunks
  • 2 medium onions, cut into thin wedges
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme, crushed
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 (3-pound) corned beef brisket, juices and spices reserved
  • 1/2 head green cabbage, cored and cut into wedges
  • 12 ounces light beer

Instructions

  1. Use a 6–7 quart oval slow cooker for best results.
  2. Place potatoes, carrots and onions in the slow cooker. Sprinkle with thyme and add the bay leaf.
  3. Trim any excess fat from the brisket and place it on top of the vegetables. Pour the reserved juices and spices from the brisket and the beer over everything.
  4. Arrange cabbage wedges around and on top of the meat.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, until meat and vegetables are tender.
  6. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Transfer the meat to a platter and slice thinly across the grain. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the vegetables to a serving bowl. Serve with the reserved cooking liquid, if desired.

Notes

Serving size: 1/8th of the recipe

WW Points: 8 (PointsPlus, old plan)

SmartPoints estimates vary by plan: Green 11, Blue 11, Purple 9. Use your WW app for exact tracking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/8th recipe,
Calories: 320 kcal,
Carbohydrates: 25 g,
Protein: 19 g,
Fat: 14 g

Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

More WW-Friendly St. Patrick’s Day Recipes

If you enjoy this beer-braised slow cooker corned beef, you may also like:

  • Leftover Corned Beef Soup — a flavorful way to use leftovers after the holiday.
  • Light & Healthy St. Patrick’s Day Recipes for WW — a curated collection of lighter recipes and corned beef variations.
  • Healthy Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie — a meatless alternative that’s hearty and satisfying.