What Is Corned beef and How Can I Use It?
Corned beef rewards a little know-how: how to choose it, cook it, store it, and substitute in a pinch. Browse 76 recipes to cook with it.
Key Points
- Corned beef is brisket cured in a salty, spiced brine, then simmered low and slow until tender.
- The name comes from the coarse "corns" of curing salt, not from corn the vegetable.
- Simmer gently about 3 hours, or 8 to 10 hours on slow-cooker low, never a hard boil.
- Always slice across the long brisket grain, or even well-cooked meat turns stringy and chewy.
- Leftovers shine in Reubens and quiche; pair the salt and fat with sharp mustard and sauerkraut.
What is corned beef?
Corned beef is beef brisket cured in a salty, spiced brine, then simmered until tender. The "corn" has nothing to do with the vegetable; it is an old word for the coarse grains of salt once used to cure the meat.
The brine is what defines it. Salt and sugar carry a load of pickling spices (mustard seed, peppercorns, coriander, bay, allspice) into the meat over a week or more, while curing salt gives it that pink color and tangy, preserved flavor.
You can buy it already cured, which is how most people meet it, or brine your own from scratch.
How to Cook It
Corned beef wants the same low, slow, wet treatment as any tough brisket.
Rinse the brined meat, then cover it with fresh water and the spice packet and simmer gently for about 3 hours on the stove, or run it on low in a slow cooker for 8 to 10 hours.
Keep it at a bare simmer, never a hard boil, which toughens the meat. It is done when a fork slides in easily, and the classic move is to add wedges of cabbage along with potatoes and carrots to the pot for the last 30 to 45 minutes.
This is the boiled-dinner tradition behind a Classic Corned Beef Dinner and the hands-off Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage. The leftovers are half the point: piled into Open Faced Reuben Sandwiches with sauerkraut and Swiss, or folded into a Corned Beef Quiche.
Always slice it across the grain. Brisket has long muscle fibers running one way, and cutting against them is the difference between tender slices and chewy ones.
Pairing and Common Mistakes
Corned beef is salty and rich, so it wants sharp, acidic partners to balance it. Cabbage, mustard, horseradish, rye bread, pickles, and tangy sauerkraut all cut through the fat. A grainy mustard on the side is almost mandatory.
The most common mistake is slicing with the grain, which leaves even properly cooked meat stringy and tough to chew.
The second is not cooking it long enough. Brisket needs hours to go tender, and a corned beef pulled early is rubbery no matter how good the brine was.
Substitutes
If you need a stand-in for corned beef, pastrami is the closest: same kind of cured beef, but smoked and peppered rather than boiled. Use it in any Reuben or sandwich.
For a from-scratch corned beef, a plain fresh brisket is what you cure; nothing else gives the same texture. In a pinch, smoked deli meats or even cured pork like ham can fill the salty, sliced role in a sandwich, though the flavor shifts.
There is no quick substitute for the brine itself. The week-long cure is what makes corned beef what it is.
Buying and Storing
Most corned beef is sold cured and vacuum-sealed, often with a spice packet, in two cuts: the leaner flat and the fatter, more marbled point. The point is more forgiving and richer; the flat slices neatly for sandwiches.
Unopened, a vacuum-sealed corned beef keeps in the fridge through its use-by date, usually several weeks. Once cooked, it holds three to four days refrigerated, or freeze it up to two to three months, though the texture softens.
If you brine your own, keep the brisket fully submerged in the brine in the fridge for the full curing time, turning it every couple of days so it cures evenly.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 piece, cooked, excluding refuse (yield from 1 lb raw meat with refuse) (320g)Quick facts
Where to find corned beef: Corned beef is usually found in the meats section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group: Corned beef is a member of the Beef Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
- In Chinese
- 豝
- British (UK) term
- Corned beef
- en français
- corned-beef
- en español
- carne en conserva
How much does corned beef weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 piece, cooked, excluding refuse (yield from 1 lb raw meat with refuse) | 320 grams |
| 3 ounce | 85 grams |
Related
Beef Products
Recipes using corned beef
There are 76 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Corn Beef with Colcannon Potatoes
Classic corned beef served alongside colcannon, the traditional Irish mash of fluffy potatoes folded with tender cabbage and onion. Comfort food that warms you to the bone.
Corned Beef & Cabbage (Stovetop)
Traditional Irish Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe with tender brisket, carrots, parsnips, and potatoes. The authentic stovetop method for St. Patrick's Day perfection.
Dublin Sunday Corned Beef & Cabbage
Traditional Dublin-style corned beef and cabbage simmered for 3 hours with potatoes, carrots, and a clove-studded onion. Served on a platter with homemade whipped horseradish cream. A proper Irish Sunday dinner.
Easy Crockpot Corned Beef & Cabbage
Those who love this traditional and scrumptious dish will adore this easy slow cooker corned beef with cabbage.
New England Boiled Dinner (Clay Pot)
This hearty and healthy New England Boiled Dinner is a classic dish that is perfect for feeding the whole family. Made in a clay pot, this one-pot meal is full of flavor and nutrition. The dish includes a variety of vegetables and protein, such as corned beef, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, and onions, all cooked together to create a delicious and satisfying meal. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays, and is sure to become a family favorite.New England Boiled Dinner (Clay Pot) Classic boiled dinner is full of falvor and nutrition you need, and one pot tasty food that feeds the whole family!
Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage
Crockpot corned beef and cabbage braised low in beer with brown sugar and mustard, then the cabbage wedges go in at the end so they stay crisp-tender. The easy St. Patrick's Day classic.
Open Faced Reuben Sandwiches
Open faced Reuben sandwiches baked with sauerkraut, corned beef, and melted Swiss cheese on dark rye toast. A quick appetizer or party snack ready in just 15 minutes.
Best Sweet & Hot Corned Beef
Sweet and hot corned beef brisket simmered with cloves, garlic, and chilies, then glazed with bitter orange marmalade and baked until burnished. The piquant cousin to the classic St. Patrick's Day boil.
Corned Beef & Cabbage
Another scrumptious corned beef dish that will have you hooked just by making it! Tastes terrific over rice!
Sweet & Hot Corned Beef
Corned beef simmered with garlic, cloves, and dried chilies, then glazed with bitter orange marmalade and roasted. Sweet heat meets briny, fork-tender beef in every slice.
Corned Beef Smash(Vaughan)
Canned corned beef stirred into onion soup-flavored instant mashed potatoes with melted margarine and grated cheese. A quick, budget-friendly one-pot comfort meal ready in 30 minutes.
Egg Noodle Dish
Corned beef noodle casserole layers egg noodles with canned corned beef, Velveeta, cream of mushroom soup and onion in a single 9x13 pan. The classic Midwestern church-supper one-dish meal.
Corned Beef Barbecues
Corned beef barbecue sandwiches simmered in a homemade sauce of ketchup, Worcestershire, vinegar, mustard, chili powder, and paprika. A Midwestern potluck classic using canned corned beef on hamburger buns.
Everything You Ever Wanted on a Bagel... But Were Afraid To
The everything bagel sandwich loaded with corned beef, liverwurst, Monterey Jack, and a tangy dill-pickle slaw. Open-faced deli-counter overload that tastes like a New York lunch.
Glazed Corned Beef
Glazed corned beef finished with a crisp orange marmalade, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar crust. Simmered tender, then oven-baked for a sticky, caramelized top.
Minature Reubens
Mini Reuben appetizers on toasted white bread with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and a horseradish-chili mayo. Bite-sized party snacks baked until the cheese melts and bubbles.
Reuben Crescents
Reuben crescents stuffed with chopped corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and creamy Dijon mustard wrapped in flaky crescent roll dough. Ready in 25 minutes.
Rueben Casserole
Reuben casserole layers crisped rye bread, corned beef, Swiss cheese, Granny Smith apples and sauerkraut with Dijon and mayo for a baked take on the deli sandwich classic.
Corned Beef Oven Omelet
Corned beef oven omelet that bakes hands-off in one dish, no flipping required. Beaten eggs, milk and seasoned salt fold around torn corned beef and melty cheese for an easy brunch that feeds a crowd.
Hot Corn Beef Sandwiches
Hot corned beef sandwiches with American cheese, green olives, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce stuffed in coney buns and heated in foil. A quick, savory, retro lunch ready in 15 minutes.
Deli in a Skillet
A Reuben sandwich in skillet form: corned beef, sauerkraut, and caraway seeds cooked with rice, then topped with Thousand Island dressing and Swiss cheese. One pan, 30 minutes, dinner done.
Glazed Corrned Beef
Another succulent corned beef recipe that is made with orange juice and a bit of honey.
Reuben Cassorole a la Orcas
Reuben casserole layers buttered egg noodles with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing. Topped with rye cracker crumbs and caraway seeds.
Rueben Brunch Casserole
Reuben brunch casserole layers rye bread cubes, shredded corned beef, and Swiss cheese in an egg custard. Assemble the night before and bake in the morning.
Ruben Burgers
Reuben burgers made with ground beef and corned beef, broiled and topped with sauerkraut and melted Swiss cheese. All the classic Reuben sandwich flavors in a burger.
Reuben Sandwiches
Classic Reuben sandwiches with corned beef, sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing, and Swiss cheese on buttered rye bread. Broiled or grilled until the cheese melts.
Corned Beef & Cabbage with Horseradish Sauce
Classic boiled corned beef and cabbage simmered with whole peppercorns and cloves, served with a tangy sour cream horseradish sauce. The traditional Irish-American dinner done right.
Labskaus
This recipe is from Northern Germany, cooked by fisherman on their boats and served with beer.
Corned Beef Hash
Crispy skillet corned beef hash with diced potatoes, onion, and dry mustard, topped with a fried egg. A quick, crunchy homemade hash that beats the canned stuff every time.
Acorn Squash Soup with Corned Beef & Walnuts
Hearty and very meaty with the crunch of earthy walnuts.
Red Flannel Hash (Homemade Corned Beef Hash)
Red flannel hash with corned beef, diced potatoes, and beets cooked in bacon drippings. The beets give this New England classic its signature rosy-red color and a subtle earthy sweetness.
Corned Beef Brisket with Stir-Fried Cabbage
Slow-simmered corned beef brisket glazed with currant jelly, served alongside stir-fried cabbage with red pepper, vinegar, and caraway seeds. A stunning twist on the classic boiled dinner.
Reuben Casserole
Reuben casserole with layers of sauerkraut, corned beef, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing topped with buttery bread crumbs. All the deli sandwich flavors in one dish.
Dijon-Glazed Corned Beef
Slow-simmered corned beef brisket finished under the broiler with a sticky honey-Dijon and orange juice glaze. Tender, tangy, and caramelized, this is a St. Patrick's Day showpiece that serves 8.
Corned Beef Brisket with Vegetables & Horseradish Sauce
Corned Beef Brisket with Vegetables and Horseradish Sauce recipe
Colcannon & Corned Beef Soup
Hearty Irish-inspired soup blending colcannon flavors with corned beef, cabbage, kale, leeks, and russet potatoes in a brothy base spiked with sherry and warm spices.
Miniature Puff Appetizers & Fillings
Homemade choux puff appetizers with three filling options: corned beef with sour cream, deviled ham with cream cheese, and spinach with water chestnuts. Classic party bites from scratch.
Best New England Boiled Dinner
Stop being a plain Jane and try this succulent dish that is made with corned beef, cabbage and turnips.
Sauerkraut Balls
Sauerkraut balls with corned beef, ham, and tangy kraut bound in a thick roux, breaded and fried golden. The Ohio bar-snack classic with crackly crust and a savory, slightly sour center.
Microwave New England Boiled Dinner
Use microwave to make this delicious boiled dinner that contains lots of flavor!
Corned Beef Hash(Claiborne)
Corned beef hash from scratch with hand-cut beef, diced potatoes, onion, and green pepper shaped into crispy patties. A Craig Claiborne-style hash made from home-simmered corned beef.
Brussel Sprout Souffle with Corned Beef
Brussels sprout casserole with corned beef, egg noodles, and Velveeta in a milk sauce. A hearty, old-school baked dish that uses up leftover corned beef.
Crockpot Glazed Corned Beef
Corned beef, horseradish and red wine vinegar are cooked together in another easy and delicious crockpot recipe.
Reuben Meatloaf
Reuben meatloaf wraps a beef and caraway loaf around a hidden core of sauerkraut, corned beef, and Swiss cheese. All the flavors of a classic Reuben sandwich baked into a microwave-friendly loaf.
Red Flannel Hash
A quick and savory dish that makes dinner time fun and enjoyable. It will even have the kids eager to set the table!
Reuben Roller Sandwich
Reuben roller sandwich made with soft Armenian cracker bread spread with cream cheese, corned beef, pastrami, Swiss, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island, rolled jelly-roll style and sliced into pinwheels.
Wok Steamed Corn Beef & Cabbage
Wok-steamed corned beef and cabbage uses beer, allspice, mustard seed, and bay leaf to steam a brisket fork-tender, finishing with cabbage wedges and a mustard-mayo dressing. Irish St. Patrick's Day classic.
Corned Beef & Cabbage Apple Juice
Sweet and tangy crockpot Corned Beef with apple juice, brown sugar, and orange zest. This Irish-inspired slow cooker recipe adds fruity brightness to traditional cabbage.
More corned beef recipes
- Barbecued Corned Beef & Cheese Bread
- Cheesy & Rich Reuben Soup
- Classic Corned Beef Dinner
- Corned Beef & Cabbage Apple Juice
- Corned Beef & Cabbage Soup
- Corned Beef Dinner
- Corned Beef Hash(Claiborne)
- Corned Beef with Sweet-Hot Glaze
- Crockpot Corned Beef
- Crockpot Corned Beef & Cabbage
- Red Flannel Hash
- Reuben Cassorole a la Orcas
- Ruben Burgers
- Rueben Brunch Casserole
- Wok Steamed Corn Beef & Cabbage
