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Instant Pot Corned Beef Brisket

Instant Pot Corned Beef Brisket

Beer-Braised Instant Pot Corned Beef — Melt-in-Your-Mouth St. Patrick's Day Classic

The Instant Pot turns this traditional Irish-American favorite into weeknight magic, using dark ale and aromatic spices to create fork-tender beef in a fraction of the usual time. The pressure cooking concentrates all those savory flavors while keeping the meat incredibly moist. Perfect for pairing with cabbage and potatoes, or piling high on rye bread.

IrishDinnerGluten FreeComfort FoodOne PotInstant PotBeef
Prep10 min
Cook1 hr 30 min
Total1 hr 40 min
Servings6
Difficultyeasy

Ingredients

  • 2½ lbcorned beef brisket with spice packet included
  • 1 mediummedium yellow onion, cut into thick wedges
  • 3 clovegarlic cloves, roughly chopped
  • 1½ cupdark ale or stout beer
  • 1 packetcorned beef seasoning packet (from brisket package)

Instructions

  1. Set the metal trivet rack inside your Instant Pot — this elevates the meat above the cooking liquid for better texture.
  2. Scatter the onion wedges and chopped garlic across the bottom of the pot. They'll infuse the cooking liquid and create a flavorful base.
  3. Pull the brisket from its packaging and set aside the spice packet. Rinse the meat under cold running water to remove excess brine — this prevents the final dish from being too salty.
  4. Nestle the brisket onto the rack with the fat cap facing down. This positioning helps the fat render properly and keeps the meat moist during cooking.
  5. Open the seasoning packet and sprinkle it evenly across the top surface of the brisket, letting some fall around the sides. Don't worry about perfect coverage — it will distribute during cooking.
  6. Carefully pour the beer along the inner edges of the pot, avoiding the seasoned meat surface. This preserves the spice coating while adding the liquid needed for pressure cooking.
  7. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for exactly 90 minutes. The long cooking time breaks down the tough connective tissue into silky, tender strands.
    ⏱ 1 hr 30 min
  8. Use quick release to vent the pressure immediately when cooking finishes. Carefully lift out the brisket and gently brush away the loose spices while it's still warm. Allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing against the grain for maximum tenderness.