How to Make Delicious Corned Beef at Home

Hey there! Are you a fan of delicious and hearty meals? If the answer is yes, then you definitely need to try making your own corned beef. This traditional Irish dish has been enjoyed for centuries and is perfect for a cozy evening at home. Not to mention, it’s surprisingly easy to make yourself! So, let’s dive in and learn how to make corned beef from scratch.

First things first, you’ll want to gather all of your ingredients. You’ll need a brisket (preferably with some fat marbling), pickling spices, salt, sugar, garlic, and enough water to cover the brisket. Don’t worry if you don’t have all of the spices on hand – you can easily buy a pre-packaged pickling spice mix. Once you have everything ready, it’s time to get started on the brining process. This involves soaking the brisket in a mixture of water, salt, sugar, and spices for several days. This may seem daunting, but trust us, the end result is totally worth it!

Corned beef is a delicious, classic dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re preparing for St. Patrick’s Day, or just want to enjoy a hearty meal, learning how to prepare corned beef can be a fun and rewarding experience. In this article, we will be guiding you on how to make corned beef from scratch, right in the comfort of your own kitchen!

Choosing The Best Corned Beef

Before you begin cooking, you need to select the right corned beef. It’s important to select the best quality and cut of meat, as it will significantly impact the final taste of your dish. Corned beef usually comes in two types: brisket or round. While brisket is known for its richer flavor, it can be a bit tricky to cook. Round is a safer option as it’s easy to cook, although it’s not as flavorful as brisket. When purchasing your beef, make sure it’s fresh and hasn’t been sitting in the supermarket for too long.

Preparing The Meat

Once you’ve selected your cut of corned beef, it’s time to prepare it for cooking. Start by removing the meat from the packaging and rinse it thoroughly under cold water to remove any excess salt. Next, place the beef in a large pot and add enough water to cover it entirely. Bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat to low and simmer for a couple of hours until it’s fully cooked.

Adding Flavor To Your Corned Beef

While corned beef is flavorful on its own, you can enhance it by adding your favorite seasonings to the pot. Try adding some peppercorns, bay leaves, garlic, onions, carrots, and celery to the water for some extra flavor. This will help to give your corned beef a more complex and rich taste.

Slow Cooking Corned Beef

Corned beef is typically cooked on the stove, but you can also prepare it in a slow cooker. Simply place the beef in the slow cooker along with your favorite seasonings and vegetables, then cook on low for six to eight hours. This method is perfect for busy individuals who don’t have time to stand over a pot on the stove.

Serving Suggestions

Once your corned beef is cooked, it’s time to serve it up! Corned beef goes great with a variety of side dishes, such as roasted potatoes, cabbage, carrots, and mashed potatoes. It’s also delicious in sandwiches, so you can enjoy it as part of a lunchtime feast.

Storing Corned Beef

If you have any leftover corned beef, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Alternatively, you can freeze it for up to three months. Just make sure to cut it into smaller portions before freezing to ensure it warms up evenly when reheating.

Extra Tips For Cooking Corned Beef

If you want to add some sweetness to your corned beef, try adding some brown sugar to the pot. This will help to give it a sweeter taste and balance out the salty flavor. You should also cook your corned beef slowly to ensure it’s tender, juicy, and not tough. Finally, make sure you slice the beef against the grain to ensure that it’s easy to chew.

Conclusion

Corned beef is a delicious dish that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s easy to prepare and can be flavored to your taste with a variety of seasonings and vegetables. Whether you cook it on the stove or in a slow cooker, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Follow the tips in this article to create the perfect corned beef dish, every time!

Tools and Ingredients for Making Corned Beef

Making corned beef requires a few essential tools and some key ingredients. Here are ten subheadings that will help you prepare both:

1. Pickling Spice Mix

Pickling spice mix is a combination of whole and powdered spices like mustard seed, coriander, allspice, clove, and ginger. You can buy pre-made pickling spice mix from the store or make your own by mixing equal parts of these spices.

2. Brine Solution

Brine is a mixture of water and salt that is used to cure the beef. You will need enough brine to completely cover the beef in the container you choose. The general recipe is four parts water to one part kosher salt, but other ingredients like sugar, garlic, bay leaves, and vinegar can be added to the brine.

3. Beef Brisket

Beef brisket is the traditional cut of meat used for corned beef. A whole brisket usually weighs around 11 pounds, but you can also find smaller cuts in the supermarket. Make sure to choose a good quality brisket that is marbled with fat for a tender and juicy result.

4. Large Container

You will need a large, non-reactive container like a glass or plastic bowl or a food-grade plastic bag to hold the brisket and the brine. The container should be big enough to hold the brisket and the liquid so that the brisket is fully immersed in the brine.

5. Refrigerator

Once you have prepared the beef and brine, you will need to refrigerate the container for up to 10 days to cure the brisket. You can place the container in the coldest part of the fridge, such as the bottom shelf.

6. Canning Salt

Canning salt is a fine-grained salt that is free of any anti-caking agents or iodine that could alter the flavor of the corned beef. This type of salt is used in the brine solution to cure the beef.

7. Cutting Board and Knife

When the corned beef is ready, you will need a sharp knife and a cutting board to slice it. Make sure your knife is properly sharpened to avoid tearing the meat.

8. Pot

Once the beef has been cured and rinsed, you will need a pot large enough to hold the brisket and enough water to cover it. This will be used for the cooking process, which usually takes around three hours.

9. Vegetables

Corned beef is traditionally served with boiled vegetables like cabbage, potatoes, and carrots. You can also add onion, turnips, or other root vegetables to the pot for added flavor.

10. Serving Platter and Utensils

After the corned beef and vegetables are ready, you will need a platter to serve them on and utensils like tongs and a carving fork to handle and slice the meat. Enjoy!

How to Cook Corned Beef

Corned beef is a popular dish that can be served on any occasion. Here, we will discuss the best methods for cooking corned beef, so whether you prefer a slow-cook or pressure-cook, we’ve got you covered.

Slow-Cooked Corned Beef

Slow-cooking is a tried and true method for cooking corned beef that yields delicious results. For this method, you will need:

• 1 3-4 lb. corned beef
• 4 cups water
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp. black peppercorns
• 1 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped

First, rinse the corned beef to remove any excess salt. In a slow cooker, combine water, onion, garlic, bay leaf, peppercorns, and mustard seeds. Add the corned beef, fat side up. Top with chopped carrot and celery.

Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours or on high heat for 4-6 hours, until the beef is tender and falling apart.

Pressure-Cooked Corned Beef

Pressure-cooking is a faster way to cook corned beef without sacrificing flavor. For this method, you will need:

• 1 3-4 lb. corned beef
• 4 cups water
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp. black peppercorns
• 1 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped

In a pressure cooker, combine all ingredients. Cook on high pressure for 90 minutes, then release the pressure naturally for 10 minutes before releasing any remaining pressure.

Remove the beef from the pressure cooker and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Grilled Corned Beef

Grilling corned beef adds a smoky flavor and crispy texture to the meat. For this method, you will need:

• 1 3-4 lb. corned beef
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. dried thyme
• 1 tsp. dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Brush the corned beef with olive oil and season with thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.

Place the corned beef on the grill and cook for 8-10 minutes per side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.

Braised Corned Beef

Braising corned beef infuses the meat with flavor and yields tender, juicy results. For this method, you will need:

• 1 3-4 lb. corned beef
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp. dried thyme
• 1 tsp. dried rosemary

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large oven-safe pot, combine all ingredients.

Cover the pot with a lid and place in the oven. Cook for 2-3 hours, or until the beef is tender and falling apart.

Favorite Sides to Serve with Corned Beef

Corned beef is a hearty dish that pairs well with a variety of sides. Here are a few of our favorites:

No matter which method you choose, cooking corned beef is easy and delicious with the right ingredients and techniques. Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy a traditional Irish dish that is sure to impress.

Serve up Your Homemade Corned Beef!

Congratulations on making your delicious corned beef from scratch! Enjoy it with some cabbage, potatoes, and carrots for a classic St. Patrick’s Day meal, or use it in creative recipes like sandwiches, hash, or poutine. We hope you enjoyed this article and learned how to make corned beef that suits your taste. Thanks for spending some time with us today, and come back later to discover more exciting culinary adventures!