When it comes to corned beef, Clara Peller, the feisty senior who famously questioned the lack of meat in Wendy’s competitors’ burgers, may well recite her catchphrase, “where’s the beef?”
Last week, cooks across the nation undoubtedly noticed that the ripe corned beef brisket they boiled for St. Patrick’s Day only partially formed when it emerged from the pot. Most likely, they attributed it to corned beef’s high fat content. But that is only part of the reason.
We would all be more aware of the primary cause of the shrinkage if we had all paid closer attention to the corned beef’s packaging.
What? Thirty-five percent watery brine? You bet. And we are not talking about water with a 35% concentration of salt and chemicals that the brisket took a bath in In order to greatly increase the meat’s size, the solution is actually injected into it. According to meat packers that MrConsumer consulted, while the solution is in deed needed to %E2%80%9Ccorn%E2%80%9D the beef, manufacturers that inject their briskets with more than 20% solution are doing so for economic reasons
A three pound piece of beef brisket plumped up with 35% solution magically becomes about a four pound brisket Because of this, retailers can sell Cryovac packages of raw corned beef for just $1. 69 a pound around St. Patrick’s Day. And this is all perfectly legal as long as the percentage of solution is stated on the package if over 20%
What is a Serving Size of Corned Beef?
On average, you should plan on serving half a pound of cooked corned beef per person.
As you can see, I meant cooked corned beef, not raw corned beef. The issue is that corned beef, like all meat, tends to shrink while being cooked.
The precise amount of corned beef shrinkage is a matter of debate. While some claim that modern corned beef doesn’t lose any moisture at all, others disagree.
This may vary depending on the type of corned beef and the processing method used.
The corned beef will typically shrink by 25 to 35 percent on average.
This implies that you must always purchase more corned beef when you buy it. At the conclusion, there will be sufficient cooked corned beef for each person.
I would advise you to purchase approximately 3/4 pound of food per person. This will give you some leeway when cooking the corned beef.
I would advise buying up to one pound per person if you really don’t want to take any chances.
How Much Corned Beef Do I Need for 7 Adults?
According to the recommendations above, each person will require 3/4 of a pound.
Therefore, you can calculate the math like this:
No. amount of corned beef = number of people x serving size per person
7 x 0.75 = 5.25lbs of corned beef
How Many People Will 3lbs of Corned Beef Feed?
You must turn the equation around to perform this kind of calculation.
No. servings of corned beef divided by the number of people.
So, 3lbs of corned beef can feed 4 people
How Much Corned Beef Per Person for Corned Beef and Cabbage?
In order to cook corned beef and cabbage, you will need about three-fourths per person. This is a result of the water used to cook the ingredients, such as the cabbage and corned beef.
As a result, the moisture loss from the corned beef is significantly reduced. This is particularly accurate if it is cooked in a slow cooker because all the moisture is contained there.
How Much Corned Beef Per Person for Corned Beef Hash?
However, the procedure is slightly different when cooking corned beef for corned beef hash. The corned beef is essentially fried.
This implies that a lot more moisture is lost from the meat during the process. In this instance, I would advise purchasing approximately one pound per person, especially if you are hosting a corned beef dinner or another substantial meal.
Have a Trial Run
If you’ve never prepared corned beef or cooked for a large group, some experimentation may be necessary.
As I previously stated, corned beef can shrink at a variety of rates. Where you purchase your meat may have a significant impact on this.
This is why I would suggest having a trial run. Purchase a pound of corned beef, then reduce it.
Using a food scale, measure the meat once more before finishing. You can see how much the corned beef can shrink while cooking from this.
If you want to have a certain amount at the end, you can use this information to calculate how much corned beef you need to order.
How to Calculate How Much Corned Beef to Buy?
The numbers that I have provided above are estimates. The truth is that figuring out how much corned beef everyone should purchase is difficult.
The actual amount will be determined by the situation. So, here’s how to figure out how much corned beef to order per person:
Are You Hosting a Meal?
The last thing you want is for your guests’ food to run out. Therefore, it is always a good idea to order more corned beef than you think is strictly necessary if you are hosting a dinner or another meal for others.
On the other hand, if it’s a family meal, you don’t have to go quite as far. Feel free to use the estimates I’ve provided here in this situation.
Who are You Inviting?
It is a good idea to consider the eating preferences of the guests you are inviting. It is best to order a little bit more if you anticipate that some of the guests will be voracious eaters. Nobody should feel restricted from eating as much as they want, in your opinion.
However, if there are any young children, vegetarians, etc. , you can adjust your calculations to be a little bit more conservative.
Are Other Sides Included?
If there are numerous side dishes included in the meal, you won’t need to worry about having quite as much beef as long as the corned beef dish isn’t the main attraction. Additionally, people will be able to fill up on other foods.
What Kind of Sides are There?
Additionally, think about the side dishes you are serving. If the menu consists only of dinner rolls, salad, or other light fare, you will need to have plenty of corned beef because everyone will gravitate toward it.
However, if you already have a lot of heavy, creamy, or cheesy dishes or other meat-based foods, you can buy and prepare fewer. This is due to the likelihood that the other main dishes will each receive an equal amount of attention.
Are You Hoping for Leftovers?
Calculate approximately three-fourths of a pound per person if you want to ensure that there are no leftovers at all.
Having said that, making corned beef can take several hours. Therefore, prepare extra if you want to be able to enjoy some without having to go through the hassle of preparing another batch.
In this manner, you will only need to reheat the meat when you need it.
Is It Better to Boil or Bake Corned Beef?
Well, there is no right or wrong answer here. It is all about which method you prefer.
Cooking your corned beef on low heat for a long time is the key to making it nice and tender.
For me, slow cooking corned beef on the stovetop or in a slow cooker yields the best results, but baking it in the oven also yields excellent results. Just make sure it is cooked properly.
Making Your Own Corned Beef – How Much Beef Brisket to Buy?
How much beef brisket do you need if you’re making corned beef brisket from scratch?
Here, 6 to 8 servings of corned beef can be made from approximately 5 pounds of brisket. Whenever possible, I like to err on the side of caution and estimate that 5 pounds will yield 6 servings.
I don’t want to risk getting corned beef brisket wrong given how long it takes to process and prepare it.
You should be aware that the size of the container and the amount of space required increase with the size of the meat chunk being used. Moreover, it must be kept in storage for at least seven days.
It might be worthwhile to select a smaller cut of meat if you don’t have the necessary amount of space.
If you’re making corned beef for the first time, I’d also advise using a smaller cut. You won’t have to be concerned about wasting money and a larger cut of meat if things don’t work out as planned.
Related Reading
You now know how much corned beef to purchase and prepare for any number of people. No matter if you are cooking for your family or a party, this will ensure that you are never short!
Mistakes Everyone Makes When Cooking Corned Beef And Cabbage
FAQ
How do you cook corned beef without shrinkage?
Instead: Begin by completely submerging the corned beef in a large pot of water. Throughout the cooking process, remove the lid to check the liquid level and, if necessary, add more water. This simple step will guarantee that the finished corned beef is incredibly tender.
Why does corned beef shrink when cooked?
Keeping the pot at a gentle simmer as water evaporates is one challenge when cooking corned beef on the stove. The water’s temperature increases to a boil as the level drops, which further dries out and toughens the corned beef’s already-tough muscle proteins.
Why did my corned beef shrink so much?
As part of the curing process, a lot of what you can buy on the market today has been pumped with brine. Your meat will probably shrink significantly after cooking because a lot of the brine drains out as the corned beef cooks — typically by 25 to 40%.
How many people will a 3 lb corned beef feed?
I need about half a pound of corned beef for each person. A 2-3lb corned beef should serve 4-6 people. When cooked properly, corned beef today shouldn’t significantly shrink.