Give your corned beef and cabbage a tasty twist with these Corned Beef Sliders. Soft mini pretzel or slider buns are filled with tender Guinness-braised corned beef and topped with crisp, creamy coleslaw for a handheld, flavorful bite. These sliders are a wonderful way to use leftover corned beef and make a crowd-pleasing addition to any gathering, especially for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Even during challenging times, a small celebration at the table can bring comfort. I regularly make a traditional Irish meal—corned beef and cabbage with Irish soda bread—and the next day I transform the leftovers into these easy sliders. They’re always the family favorite and perfect for casual entertaining.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Tender Guinness-braised corned beef paired with a crisp, creamy cabbage coleslaw fits perfectly on mini slider rolls.
- Most elements can be prepared a day ahead—cook the corned beef and mix the coleslaw in advance, then assemble sliders just before serving.
- These sliders are great for entertaining or potlucks: set up a slider bar with condiments and let guests build their own sandwiches.
- Highly customizable—add your favorite spreads such as whole grain mustard, horseradish, or a creamy mustard sauce.
How to make this recipe
This recipe is straightforward and forgiving. You can cook the corned beef in a slow cooker or pressure cooker, prepare the coleslaw ahead of time, and assemble the sliders quickly when you’re ready.
- Cook the corned beef: Braise the brisket with Guinness, water, brown sugar and sliced onion, along with the seasoning packet included with the corned beef. Cook until fork-tender in the Instant Pot or slow cooker, then rest 10 minutes and slice thinly against the grain.
- Make the coleslaw: Use a prepackaged coleslaw blend or shredded cabbage and toss with a creamy, no-mayo dressing or your favorite slaw dressing. Keep the slaw chilled and toss with dressing just before assembling to preserve crunch.
- Assemble the sliders: Layer corned beef slices on the bottom roll, add a generous scoop of coleslaw, and spread whole grain mustard or prepared horseradish on the top roll. Secure with a toothpick if desired and serve immediately.
How to serve corned beef sliders
Serve sliders as an appetizer, casual main, or at a party. Complement them with hearty sides for a fuller meal:
- Crispy smashed baby potatoes
- Roasted carrots and parsnips
- Garlic Yukon Gold mashed potatoes
- A simple green salad or pickles to cut the richness
Recipe notes
- Corned beef can be cooked up to a day ahead and gently reheated before slicing and assembling.
- Prepare coleslaw in advance but toss with dressing right before serving to keep it crisp.
- To make gluten-free sliders, replace the Guinness with water when braising and choose gluten-free slider rolls.
- Try different spreads—Dijon mustard, horseradish cream, or a tangy aioli all pair well.
Did you try this recipe? If you made these sliders, please leave a review and share a photo of your results.
Corned Beef Sliders
Ingredients
For the corned beef:
- 1 pint Guinness beer (or substitute water for gluten-free)
- 3 cups water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 large onion, peeled and sliced into thick rounds
- 3 lb. corned beef brisket with spice packet
- 12 ounces coleslaw blend or shredded cabbage
- 12 slider rolls (regular or gluten-free)
- Whole grain mustard or horseradish, for serving
Instructions
Prepare the corned beef
- Combine the Guinness (or water), water, and brown sugar in the pot. Add the sliced onion, then place the corned beef in the liquid and add the spice packet.
- Cook the brisket in the Instant Pot or slow cooker according to your appliance instructions until tender, about 8–10 hours on low in a slow cooker.
- Once cooked, let the corned beef rest for 10 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
Assemble the sliders
- Spread whole grain mustard or horseradish on the top buns.
- Place slices of corned beef on the bottom half of each slider roll, top with coleslaw, and close with the top bun.
- Secure with toothpicks if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- Servings vary based on the size of your rolls.
- Corned beef and coleslaw can be prepared a day ahead; reheat the beef gently and dress the slaw just before serving.
- For gluten-free sliders, omit the beer and use gluten-free rolls.
- Experiment with different sauces and toppings to suit your taste.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 25 g,
Protein: 37 g,
Fat: 27 g
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is intended as a guideline only.