How to Make Corned Beef: The Easiest, Most Tender Recipe

How to Make Corned Beef is a question we grandmothers have been answering for generations! This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a taste of family dinners, holiday gatherings, and the kind of comfort food that warms you from the inside out. Every bite takes us back to our own Nonnas and is full of memories of laughter, overflowing tables, and the shared joy of good food. How to Make Corned Beef perfectly is easy with our recipe and you’ll have a tender brisket every time. 

We remember learning this recipe from our mothers, watching carefully as they transformed a humble cut of beef into something truly special. It’s a dish that embodies patience, love, and the magic of simple ingredients. Now, we’re sharing our family’s secret with you!

Why You Will Love This How to Make Corned Beef Recipe

This isn’t just any corned beef recipe; it’s *our* corned beef recipe! We’ve spent decades perfecting the art of making corned beef brisket, and we’re confident you’ll love how incredibly tender and flavorful it turns out. Say goodbye to tough, bland corned beef and hello to a melt in your mouth experience. This recipe is also surprisingly easy, even for beginner cooks.

What makes this recipe special? It’s the simple ingredients used in combination with the low and slow cooking method. You could start this in the morning and have it ready for dinner! It will fill your home with aromas that are irresistable. Making delicious meals should be accessible to everyone, and we really think you’ll agree this fits the bill! You could have Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches for lunch one day then this for dinner!

Ingredients Needed for This How to Make Corned Beef Recipe

• 3 4 pound corned beef brisket, with spice packet
• 1 large yellow onion, quartered
• 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 4 celery stalks, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Water

How to Make This How to Make Corned Beef Recipe

1. 1. Rinse the corned beef brisket under cold water. This helps remove excess salt.
2. 2. Place the brisket in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the spice packet that came with the brisket, along with the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, peppercorns, bay leaves, and thyme.
3. 3. Cover the brisket with enough water to completely submerge it.
4. 4. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 3-4 hours, or until the brisket is fork tender. Check the water level periodically and add more water if needed to keep the brisket submerged.
5. 5. Once the brisket is tender, remove it from the pot and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing against the grain.
6. 6. While the brisket is resting, strain the cooking liquid through a fine mesh sieve and discard the solids. You can reserve some of the liquid for serving, if desired.
7. 7. Slice the corned beef against the grain and serve!

How to Serve This How to Make Corned Beef Recipe

Corned beef is classic served with cabbage and potatoes. However if you’re looking for other ways to serve corned beef, there are lots of options.

Consider serving your traditional corned beef, alongside a dollop of horseradish sauce or mustard for dipping. The creamy tanginess complements the rich, savory flavor of the meat.

For a complete meal, roast carrots, parsnips, and potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper until tender and slightly caramelized. The sweetness of the vegetables pairs perfectly with the salty, savory corned beef. You can also throw them in with this recipe for a delicious one pot meal!

For the beer drinkers, dark beer is the way to go! Stout or porter can enhance the meal.

How to Store This How to Make Corned Beef Recipe

Leftover corned beef can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, ensuring you can enjoy it for days or weeks after cooking.

To store leftovers in the refrigerator, allow the corned beef to cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or placing it in an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

For longer storage, you can freeze leftover corned beef. Wrap the cooled corned beef tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer bag or airtight container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

When reheating refrigerated corned beef, you can reheat it in a skillet, microwave, or oven. For frozen corned beef, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating it using one of the methods mentioned above.

Tips to Make This How to Make Corned Beef Recipe

• Don’t skip the rinsing: Rinsing the brisket is crucial to remove excess salt.
• Low and slow is the way to go: Simmering the brisket at a low temperature for a long time is key to achieving tenderness.
• Slice against the grain: This ensures the corned beef is tender and easy to chew.
• Don’t discard the cooking liquid: It can be used to add flavor to the corned beef when serving.
• Add a touch of sweetness: A tablespoon of brown sugar or maple syrup to the cooking liquid can help balance the saltiness of the corned beef.

If you’re too busy for this recipe, you can try making Korean Beef Rice Bowls instead!

Helpful Notes for This How to Make Corned Beef Recipe

• Spice packet: The spice packet that comes with the corned beef usually contains a blend of spices like coriander, mustard seeds, and black pepper.
• Brisket cut: Flat cut brisket is leaner than point cut brisket, but both work well in this recipe.
• Water level: Make sure the brisket is always submerged in water during cooking.
• Doneness: The brisket is done when it is fork tender and easily pulls apart.
• Follow us on Pinterest for more delicious recipes!

Variation of This How to Make Corned Beef Recipe

Consider adding different vegetables to the pot during cooking for added flavor and nutrients. Potatoes, turnips, and cabbage are classic additions that complement the corned beef beautifully. Simply toss them in during the last hour of cooking to ensure they are tender but not mushy.

To add a spicy kick, include a pinch of red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño pepper in the pot along with the other ingredients. This will infuse the corned beef with a subtle warmth that lingers on the palate. If you’re looking for a fun and festive twist, try using Guinness beer instead of water. The dark, malty flavor of the beer adds depth and complexity to the corned beef and gives it a rich, caramelized crust.

Conclusion

So, there you have it our Nonna approved guide on how to make corned beef that is sure to impress. It’s more than a meal; it’s an experience, a tradition, a warm hug on a plate. We hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. Let us know if you have any questions!

Print