Corned Beef is the most delicious and tasty main course, perfect served along with potatoes and cabbage (or to make a delicious Reuben sandwich)!
If you’ve never tried it before, St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect opportunity to try canned beef. A brined beef breast is simmered with seasonings (and a little Guinness) until tender. This classic Irish staple couldn’t be more delicious!
Serve it along with mashed potatoes, egg noodles or roasted tubers for a comfort meal that everyone will love!
Corned Beef What is corned beef
? It is a beef breast cured in brine and spices. The curing process is what gives canned meat its characteristic pink color. The word “corned” refers to the large pieces or rock salt, called “corns” that are used in brine.
Typical spice blends used for corned meat brine recipes include bay leaves, peppercorns, and allspice. Some mixtures may also include ginger, cinnamon, or other hot spices. Today, corned beef often comes with a spice pack for you to use while cooking (and if yours doesn’t have the spice pack, pickled spices are a great substitution).
The breast is a tasty, albeit hard, cut of meat that comes from the animal’s chest section. You can find corned beef in an oblong shape, but more commonly, it’s triangular.
Canned beef typically has a thin layer of fat on one side. Don’t trim that! It makes the taste better. An oblong corned beef is a little better for making even slices. But whichever way you choose, corned beef is easy to cook comfortably.
How to cook corned beef
Canned meat should be simmered until tender. To make
corned meat:
- Place the corned beef in a pot of broth. Add the spice packet, a bottle of dark beer, and enough water to cover the canned beef completely.
- Bring to a boil and cover, simmering for 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 hours. This cooking time will vary depending on the size and shape of the corned meat.
- The suggested cooking time is 45-50 minutes per pound. Make sure it is on low heat. Check a small piece and make sure it is tender.
- Once the fork is tender, remove the canned meat from the liquid and rest for at least 20 minutes.
While the meat is at rest, add the vegetables to the canned beef water and simmer for about 25 minutes. The water has tons of delicious taste perfect for potatoes, carrots and cabbage. Mix them in butter, salt and pepper, and fresh parsley.
Instant Pot Corned
Beef: You can also make Instant Pot Corned Beef with the same ingredients. Simply place the corned meat, 1 bottle of beer and 2 cups of water in the Instant Pot. A 3.5-4 pound corned beef will need about 90 minutes (with 15 minutes of natural release).
What to serve with corned
beef
Canned beef only needs the simplest side dishes to complete your meal. To keep the traditional Irish theme, serve with cabbage, colcannon or mashed potatoes.
More recipes you’ll love
- Slow Cook Recipe for Canned Beef and Cabbage (Video) – Another Easy Way to Prepare This Meal
- Corned Beef Hash (video) – in case you have leftovers
- Boozy Shamrock Shake – perfect for St. Patrick’s Day
- Reuben Dip – my favorite Shepherd’s Pie sauce –
- classic!
!
