How to Make Trader Joe’s Corned Beef for St. Patrick’s Day Using an Instant Pot
How to Make Trader Joe’s Corned Beef for St. Patrick’s Day Using an Instant Pot
Introduction
Hello! Welcome back to Maegami’s Home Cooking Series.
Today, I’ll show you how to cook Trader Joe’s Corned Beef using an Instant Pot, perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.
This flavorful dish is simple, hearty, and comforting—ideal for a festive meal at home.
💲Price Range: $19–$32
Trader Joe’s Corned Beef is a limited seasonal item, available only around March 17 for St. Patrick’s Day. It usually appears in stores in late February, but only for a short time—so grab it while you can!
What Is St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef?
Despite the name, “corned” doesn’t refer to corn (the vegetable).
The word comes from “corns of salt”, meaning large grains of rock salt used to preserve and season beef brisket.
In the U.S., this dish is especially popular in March—big cuts of brisket are cured in salt and spices, often with mustard seeds and herbs, creating a unique savory flavor unlike regular beef.
It’s incredibly delicious!
Trader Joe’s Corned Beef Recipe (Instant Pot Version)
Here’s how I made it, inspired by Trader Joe’s own style.
I didn’t have Guinness beer this time, so I used sake instead—it still turned out great!
Ingredients
- 1 large onion
- ½ pack Trader Joe’s Corned Beef
- 1 bottle Guinness beer (or 200 ml sake)
- 2 cups water (add more for a lighter flavor)
- 3 potatoes
- 3 carrots
- Plenty of cabbage (the more, the sweeter it gets)
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
You can use a regular pressure cooker if you don’t have an Instant Pot.
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Chop the onion roughly and cut the corned beef into large chunks (I used half the brisket and divided it into four portions—enough for two meals).
Step 2: Layer and Add Liquids
Place the chopped onion at the bottom of the Instant Pot.
Put the corned beef fat-side down on top.
Pour in the beer (or sake) and water.
Step 3: Pressure Cook the Beef
Set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 60 minutes (1.5 kg takes around 70 minutes).
Once cooking is done, let the pressure naturally release for 20 minutes.
⏱ Total time: about 80 minutes.
Step 4: Cook the Vegetables
After the beef is done, remove it and the onions.
Keep the broth inside the pot—it’s full of flavor.
Add chopped potatoes, carrots, and cabbage.
Cook again on High Pressure for 5 minutes.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Your corned beef should be tender, juicy, and full of flavor.
The cabbage, especially, turns out deliciously sweet when cooked in the Instant Pot.
Is Corned Beef Unhealthy?
Corned beef is processed meat, so it’s often high in salt and preservatives. However, it’s also rich in nutrients—especially iron, zinc, and B vitamins.
Enjoying it occasionally is perfectly fine—it’s satisfying and full of flavor.
Plus, one brisket can serve about two meals for two people!
Summary
Today, we made Trader Joe’s Corned Beef for St. Patrick’s Day using an Instant Pot.
Next time, I’ll try it with Guinness beer for a richer flavor—but even with sake, it was surprisingly tasty!
If you love simple, hearty home cooking, give this recipe a try—you’ll be amazed how easy it is.
- Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
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