How To Cook Corned Beef | Corned Beef Cooking Guide (2024)

Smoker Directions
Oven Directions
Stove Top Directions
Crock Pot Directions
Pressure Directions
Air Fryer Directions

How To Cook Corned Beef | Corned Beef Cooking Guide (7)

Smoker

Directions

The night before smoking the Corned Beef Brisket Remove the meat from the package and place in a large, seal lock bag. Add 2 quarts of water to the bag and seal. This will prevent the smoked Corned Beef Brisket from becoming overly salty during the cook process, while helping to maintain its full flavor. Place the sealed bag in refrigerator for 12 hours, being sure not to exceed 24 hours.

After the soak Remove the Corned Beef Brisket from the bag and discard the water.

Preheat the smoker to 225°F.

Place the Corned Beef Brisket fat side up in the smoker. Smoke the Corned Beef Brisket until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Once it hits the targeted temperature, remove from smoker and wrap the meat in either pink butcher paper or aluminum foil. This method (called the Texas Crutch) will help push the brisket through the stall phase of cooking, without compromising the flavor or quality of the meat. Return the wrapped brisket to the smoker and increase the temperature to 250°F.

For optimal tenderness Cook the Corned Beef Brisket until it reaches an internal temperature of 203°F, then remove it from the smoker.

Place the smoked corned beef on a cutting board, cover with foil, and let it rest for 20 minutes.
Slice against the grain and serve.

How To Cook Corned Beef | Corned Beef Cooking Guide (8)

Oven

Directions

Remove Corned Beef from package and place fat-side up in oven-proof pan.

Add 1″ of water and mix in seasoning from spice packet.

Tightly seal pan with lid or foil.

Cook in oven at 300°F for approx. 3 – 4 hours or until fork tender. For food safety and tenderness, cook to an internal temp of at least 190°F

Remove meat from oven and let rest 10 mins. Slice thinly across the grain and serve.

How To Cook Corned Beef | Corned Beef Cooking Guide (9)

Stove Top

Directions

Remove Corned Beef from package and place in large pot with enough water to cover the meat.

Bring water to boil. For a more robust flavor, cut open the spice pack and add desired amount of enclosed spice packet to water.

Reduce to simmer and cover. Simmer for approx. 2 1/2 – 3 hours or until firmly fork tender. Internal temperature should be at least 160°F for food safety; for optimal tenderness, cook to an internal temperature of 190°F.

Remove meat from pot and let rest for 5 – 10 minutes. Slice thinly across the grain and serve.

How To Cook Corned Beef | Corned Beef Cooking Guide (10)

Crock Pot

Directions

Remove Corned Beef from package and place in crock pot and completely cover with water.

Cover and cook for approximately 11 hours on low or 5 hours on high, or until firmly fork tender. Please note that crock pot cooking times may vary greatly depending upon brand and style. It is important to check the meat with a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached at least 160°F for food safety; for optimal tenderness, cook to an internal temperature of 190°F. For best results, monitor at regular intervals. Slice thinly across the grain.

How To Cook Corned Beef | Corned Beef Cooking Guide (11)

Pressure

Directions

Remove Corned Beef from package and place in pressure cooker with enough water to cover.

Attach the lid and cook at full pressure for 70 minutes. Bring pressure down and remove the lid. Add vegetables such as cabbage, potatoes, and carrots to the pot. Bring to full pressure and cook 15 additional minutes then release pressure and remove the lid. The corned beef and vegetables should all be fork tender . Internal temperature should be at least 160°F for food safety; for optimal tenderness, cook to an internal temperature of 190°F.

Remove meat from pressure cooker and let rest for 5 – 10 minutes. Slice across the grain.

How To Cook Corned Beef | Corned Beef Cooking Guide (12)

Air Fryer

Directions

Remove Corned Beef from package and place on the rack. Or, to add flavor rub the raw corned beef with mustard and sprinkle the top side with brown sugar, then place on the rack.

To make clean-up easier, consider lining the rack with aluminum foil.

Close the air fryer and set the temp. to 350°F and cook for approximately 90 – 120 minutes.

Please note that cooking times may vary across different brands and models.

For food safety and tenderness, cook to internal temperature of 160°F; for optimal tenderness cook to 190°F internal.

When the meat has reached the desire temperature, remove it from the air fryer and place on a cutting board. Allow the meat to rest for 20 minutes. Slice across the grain into ¼ inch slices and serve

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

  1. When cooking in an oven, crock pot, Instant Pot, pressure cooker, or on the stove top, always add the spices included in the spice packet to the water to add depth of flavor.
  2. When cooking with liquid, considering using liquids that will add flavor like stock or beer.
  3. When cooking in liquid, add diced mirepoix (carrots, celery, and onion).

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL RECIPES!

How To Cook Corned Beef | Corned Beef Cooking Guide (2024)

FAQs

How To Cook Corned Beef | Corned Beef Cooking Guide? ›

The most common method for cooking corned beef and cabbage is boiling. Put the meat in a large pot, cover it with water or beef broth, add a seasoning packet and boil before lowering the heat to a simmer. Cook for 2 to 3 hours or until the meat is tender and cooked to your liking.

What is the best method for cooking corned beef? ›

The USDA recommends simmering corned beef on the stovetop for 1 hour per pound of meat. If you're cooking yours in the oven, plan for 3 to 3 1/2 hours for a 2 1/2- to 3-pound cut.

Should you cover corned beef with water when cooking? ›

Remove Corned Beef from package and place in large pot with enough water to cover the meat. Bring water to boil. For a more robust flavor, cut open the spice pack and add desired amount of enclosed spice packet to water. Reduce to simmer and cover.

Is it better to boil or bake corned beef? ›

The bottom line: If you're a traditionalist, go ahead and keep boiling away. But baked corned beef is definitely worth a try.

What happens if you don't rinse corned beef before cooking? ›

1. Not Rinsing the Meat Before Cooking. If you cook the meat straight from the plastic packaging or pulled the meat right away from the brine solution in the fridge without rinsing, you just might be in for a saltier meal than you bargained for.

What is the secret to tender corned beef? ›

Turn the crock pot to the low setting and let the slow cooker corned beef cook for 8 to 10 hours. This extended cooking time makes the meat tender, juicy and flavorful. Alternatively, you can use an instant pot to make corned beef in less time.

Do I cook corned beef fat side up or down? ›

Corned Beef Brisket should be placed in the crockpot or pot with the fat side up. The fat insulates and protects the meat and helps the corned beef from drying out as it cooks.

Should you use the juice in the corned beef package? ›

To make the corned beef, open the sealed package right over the slow cooker, because you want to include the brine in the cooking liquid. Don't discard the brine.

Does corned beef get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

Information. 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.

Do you rinse corned beef before slow cooking? ›

Yes, corned beef should be rinsed because it is cured in a salt brine; there is probably excess salt on the meat. The uncooked corned beef should be rinsed under cool running water before it is cooked.

How many will a 3 lb corned beef feed? ›

Keep in mind that depending on the cut, corned beef will shrink by as much as one-third during cooking. A 3-pound brisket should feed four to six people if served with vegetables.

How to tell when corned beef is done? ›

Cook all raw corned beef to a minimum internal temperature of 145 °F as measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source. For safety and quality, allow meat to rest for at least three minutes before carving or consuming.

What is the most popular way to cook corned beef? ›

Boiling is the traditional way of preparing corned beef.

How long to cook corned beef in the oven at 350 degrees? ›

Tightly wrap the corned beef with the foil it's resting on. Place pan with the foil wrapped corned beef into the oven. Bake for 1 hour per pound of corned beef. Once the beef has cooked, remove it from the oven and open the foil.

How long to boil 3 lb corned beef? ›

Place the corned beef in a stockpot. Add the spice packet and a bottle of dark beer. Bring to a boil, cover, and cook on a low simmer for about 2.5-3.5 hours, or 45-50 minutes per pound.

Is it better to cook corned beef in water or beef broth? ›

The corned beef seasoning adds so much flavor to this traditional recipe, and a low, slow cook in beef broth makes this corned beef brisket juicy, tender and melt-in-your-mouth delicious!

How do you cook corned beef without drying it out? ›

How to Make Oven-Braised Corned Beef
  1. Use a large roasting pan or Dutch oven, with or without a rack, depending on the recipe you use. ...
  2. Since corned beef needs to cook with moist heat, you'll cover the pan or wrap the roast with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
Feb 24, 2021

Is it better to cook corned beef on stove or slow cooker? ›

Low and slow is the way you need to cook corned beef and what better way than in the slow cooker. Also known as corned silverside all you need to do is place all your ingredients in the bowl of the cooker, set it to low and go about with your day – to return to a fork tender, delicious dinner.

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