With This Recipe, Homemade Corned Beef Is Worth It (2024)

12 Ways to Get Your Corned Beef OnFEATURED IN:

Vibrant pink, salty, and spicy, corned beef is always a welcome meal in our home, whether in a boiled dinner, with cabbage, or in a sandwich with Swiss cheese and sauerkraut. Who knew it was so easy to make?

Corned beef is essentially beef cured in a salt brine, with some pickling spices for added flavor. It gets its name "corn" from an old English word for grain, or small pieces of hard things the size of grain, such as salt.

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How Is Corned Beef Made?

Over the years, many of my friends have encouraged me to cure my own corned beef, insisting that it wasn't hard to do, and well worth the effort. After finally getting around to it, I'm happy to report that my friends were right! It really is easy; it just takes about 5 days to cure.

Here's what to do:

  1. Make a salty curing brine with pickling spices like mustard seed, allspice berries, coriander seeds, and peppercorns.
  2. Marinate a beef brisket in the brine, for 5 to 7 days.
  3. Simmer the brined and drained brisket in water with more pickling spices for several hours until tender.

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How to Season Your Corned Beef

Because you get to choose what pickling spices to use, you can make your own distinctively flavored corned beef. You know how BBQ masters have their own favorite homemade dry rubs? It's sort of like that.

Pretty much every packaged corned beef brisket I've bought tastes about the same. The one I home cured? Wonderful and different.

While I researched several online sources for curing your own corned beef, as well as interrogating my colleague Hank, the source I referred to the most was Michael Ruhlman's brilliant Charcuterie: The Craft of Salting, Smoking, and Curing (high recommend). You can also see his instructions on Leite's Culinaria.

I played around a bit with the spice mix, and kept the garlic out of the brine, but other than that, pretty much followed Michael's method.

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What Makes Corned Beef Pink?

Corned beef gets its vibrant pink color from the use of sodium nitrite, a chemical compound that also adds flavor and helps inhibit bacterial growth. Sodium nitrite is sold for the purposes of curing meat in a form called "pink salt." Since sodium nitrite is toxic in concentrated amounts, it is dyed pink so that we don't mistake it for table salt. Note that curing pink salt is NOT Himalayan pink salt.

You can use pink salt for this recipe or not. I've corned beef with and without pink salt. Both work. The curing salt adds a little more flavor and will help preserve the beef better if you don't cook it right away after curing.

There is some controversy over the use of sodium nitrite in curing meats, as the frequent consumption of cured meats (bacon, ham, pancetta, corned beef) is linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer. I eat cured meat maybe once a month, so I'm not worried for myself, but it helps to know about the risks and the current research.

To achieve a pink color without the use of curing salt, some people add a beet or two to the boiling water when it comes time to cook the roast. I haven't tried that yet, but if you do, please let us know how it works out for you!

Use Your Corned Beef in These Recipes

  • Corned Beef and Cabbage
  • Corned Beef Hash
  • New England Boiled Dinner
  • Red Flannel Hash
  • Reuben Sandwich

Homemade Corned Beef

The spice mix with the gallon of brine makes easily enough curing brine for a 5 pound brisket, cured in a somewhat large-ish container. If you were to use a 2-gallon freezer bag or marinating bag, you would likely need just half (or less) of the amount of brine and brine spices.

Pink curing salt, or sodium nitrite, goes by many names, such as Prague Powder #1 or DQ Curing Salt #1, and is available online and may be available at your local specialty market or butcher shop. If you don't have it, you can still make corned beef, but it is necessary for that vibrant pink color we associate with corned beef. And it adds flavor too. Without it the corned beef will be a dull grey color.

Note that pink curing salt is NOT Himalayan pink salt. Pink curing salt is toxic and can be deadly if ingested directly, which is why it is colored pink, so consumers do not mistake it for table salt.

Ingredients

For the pickling spices

  • 1 tablespoon whole allspice berries

  • 1 tablespoon whole mustard seeds (brown or yellow)

  • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds

  • 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes

  • 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns

  • 2 teaspoons whole cloves

  • 9 wholecardamom pods

  • 6 large bay leaves, crumbled

  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger

  • 1/2 stick cinnamon

For the brine

For the brisket

  • 1 (5-pound) beef brisket

  • 1 tablespoon pickling spices

Method

  1. Toast and crush the spices:

    You can either used store-bought pickling spices or you can make your own. To make your own, toast the allspice berries, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, red pepper flakes, peppercorns, cloves, and cardamom pods in a small frying pan on medium heat until fragrant. Note that it is pretty easy to burn spices; you want enough heat to release their flavors, not so much that they get burned.

    Remove from heat and place in a small bowl. Use a mortar and pestle to crush the spices a little (or the back of a spoon or the side of a knife on a flat surface). Add to a small bowl and stir in the crumbled bay leaves and ground ginger.

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  2. Make the curing brine:

    Add about 3 tablespoons of the spice mix (reserve the rest for cooking the corned beef after it has cured), plus the half stick of cinnamon, to a gallon of water in a large pot, along with the kosher salt, pink salt (if using), and brown sugar. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate until well chilled.

  3. Brine the brisket for 5 to 7 days:

    Place the brisket in a large, flat container or pan, and cover with the brine. The brine should cover the meat. The meat may float in which case you may want to weigh it down with a plate.

    Alternatively you can use a 2-gallon freezer bag (placed in a container so if it leaks it doesn't leak all over your refrigerator), place the brisket in the freezer bag and about 2 quarts of brine, squeezing out the air from the bag before sealing.

    Place in the refrigerator and chill from 5-7 days. Every day flip the brisket over, so that all sides get brined equally.

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  4. Cook the corned beef:

    At the end of the cure, remove the brisket from the brine and rinse off the brine with cold water. Place the brisket in a large pot that just fits around the brisket and cover with at least one inch of water. If you want your brisket less salty, add another inch of water to the pot.

    Add a tablespoon of the pickling spices to the pot. Bring to a boil, reduce to a very low simmer (barely bubbling), and cook 3-4 hours, until the corned beef is fork tender. (At this point you can store in the fridge for up to a week.)

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  5. Cut across the grain:

    Remove the meat to a cutting board. (You can use the spiced cooking liquid to cook vegetables for boiled dinner or corned beef and cabbage.) Notice the visible lines on the meat; this is the "grain" of the meat, or the direction of the muscle fibers.

    To make the meat easier to cut, cut it first in half, along the grain of the meat. Then make thin crosswise cuts, across the grain to cut the meat to serve.

    Did you love the recipe? Give us some stars and leave a comment below!

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
531Calories
32g Fat
9g Carbs
50g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6to 8
Amount per serving
Calories531
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 32g42%
Saturated Fat 13g63%
Cholesterol 180mg60%
Sodium 2530mg110%
Total Carbohydrate 9g3%
Dietary Fiber 3g9%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 50g
Vitamin C 2mg11%
Calcium 115mg9%
Iron 6mg35%
Potassium 509mg11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

With This Recipe, Homemade Corned Beef Is Worth It (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to best corned beef? ›

Simmering corned beef on the stovetop is a tried-and-true method that results in very tender beef. One of the keys to simmering corned beef correctly is the amount of water in the pot. When there's not ample liquid to cover the meat, your dreams of tender corned beef may be replaced by a tough, chewy result.

Is homemade corned beef healthy? ›

While it provides protein and nutrients like iron and vitamin B12, corned beef is relatively high in fat and sodium. It's also a source of certain compounds that may increase your risk of cancer.

Is it cheaper to make your own corned beef? ›

You can choose the right quality and size brisket for your budget, adjust the spice mixture, and decide whether or not to add pink salt. It's also much cheaper pound-for-pound than buying a premade/storebought brisket.

What is the best meat for corned beef? ›

Beef brisket is the cut used to make corned beef. A primal cut, it's a large piece from the breast or lower chest of beef cattle. Brisket is a tough cut with connective tissue throughout, and a whole brisket typically weighs 10 pounds or more. When it's cooked whole, it's usually served as a roast or barbecued brisket.

What happens if you don t rinse corned beef before cooking? ›

Many recipes don't include a step for rinsing the meat, but it's worth doing it anyway. Depending on the pickling solution used for the meat, you may be in for a saltier meal than you bargained for if you cook the meat without rinsing it. And don't worry: Rinsing won't make the beef taste bland!

What is the most tender corned beef? ›

Point Cut: More marbling and fat, ideal for slow cooking, results in a richer flavor and more tender meat, best for hearty dishes.

How long does homemade corned beef last? ›

After cooking, store corned beef for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze cooked beef 2 to 3 months.

Can diabetics eat corned beef? ›

Avoid eating too much processed meat such as sausages, corned beef, pies, pasties and bacon.  Oily fish, such as herring, mackerel, sardines, pilchards and salmon, contain omega 3 which may help to protect us from heart disease.  White fish – try to grill, poach, bake or steam rather than frying.

Can I eat a whole can of corned beef? ›

Canned corned beef is already cooked. It is safe to eat straight from the can. You'll probably improve the texture by warming it up, and you'll probably improve the flavor by browning it a bit in a hot skillet. But technically, you don't NEED to do any of that.

Why does my corned beef always come out tough? ›

Cooking Time: Corned beef requires a long cooking time to become tender. If the meat is not cooked for long enough, it can remain tough and chewy. It's important to follow the recipe's recommended cooking time and temperature, and to check the meat periodically to ensur.

Is corned beef healthier than steak? ›

In addition, raw beef (sodium- 66 mg per 100g) also has a lower sodium content than corned beef (sodium- 973 mg per 100g). Therefore, with higher nutritional values and lower sodium content, regular beef is healthier than corned beef.

Why is my corned beef always tough? ›

High heat is not a friend to brisket. When cooked at a boil for too long, corned beef is likely to turn out tough and chewy, rather than soft and tender. Do this instead: Regardless of the cooking method, corned beef is best cooked over low heat.

Why is corned beef so expensive? ›

The brining (and sometimes cooking) involves labor, packaging and special equipment expenses (on top of raw material costs), so all things being equal, it will cost more than beef brisket (the cut of beef corned beef is usually made from). ... That's less than half of the price of beef brisket.

What part of the cow is corned beef? ›

In North America, corned beef is brisket, taken from the lower chest of a cow or steer, that has been brined in salt and spices. (In general British usage, fresh corned beef is called “salt beef,” while the canned version retains the “corned” designation.)

Do you use the liquid in the corned beef package? ›

Place the brined corned beef in a large pot or Dutch oven along with the liquid and spices that accompanied it in the package. Pour in enough water to cover the beef, then bring the water to a boil on the stovetop. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and cover the pot.

Does corned beef get more tender the longer it is cooked? ›

Corned beef is made from one of several less tender cuts of beef like the brisket, rump, or round. Therefore, it requires long, moist cooking. Corned beef is safe once the internal temperature has reached at least 145 °F, with a three minute rest time, but cooking it longer will make it fork-tender.

How to make corned beef better? ›

Add a tablespoon or two of pickling spice as well as a few garlic cloves, a quartered onion, a carrot, and a few stalks of celery if you like. Bring everything to a boil, cover, and reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer.

What makes corned beef taste like corned beef? ›

Corned beef is most often made from beef brisket (a relatively inexpensive, tough cut of beef) that's been cured in a salt brine with a mix of spices, like bay leaf, peppercorns, mustard seed, juniper berries, coriander seed, and whole cloves.

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