8 servings For St. Prepare a traditional corned beef dinner for St. Patrick’s Day and add a unique twist by cooking a colorful medley of fresh vegetables. Its a festive combination to serve family or guests. -Gloria Warczak, Cedarburg, Wisconsin.
It’s that time of year!
Breakfast consists of large bowls of Lucky Charms, I’m wearing green to avoid being touched, and my kitchen is filled with the aroma of beef brisket!
I grew up on this American classic. As it is served in so many American homes around St. Patrick’s Day, I’m sure most people are familiar with it. Patrick’s Day. But just to make sure you know, corned beef and cabbage is a one-pot boiled meal. Which sounds a bit suspect but in reality is delicious. Before adding the carrots, potatoes, and cabbage and continuing to simmer for hours at a low temperature to make the corned beef brisket incredibly tender.
We are an Irish-American family, so this is the only meal I’m allowed to prepare on St. Patrick’s Day. Check out my expanding selection of Irish-inspired and Irish-inspired recipes for St. Patrick’s Day! .
Is Corned Beef Irish?
Yes and yet mostly no. While I haven’t read everything there is to know about corned beef, what I have read indicates that it was made primarily for the British hundreds of years ago in Cork, Ireland (Cork was also the center of the corned beef trade through the 17th and into the 18th century). This was due to Ireland having the cheaper salt tax. Back then, corned beef was different from what we know it to be today.
It became popular in America as a result of Irish immigrants who settled in New York’s urban areas and used meat from their Jewish neighbors’ kosher butcher shops. This is how St. Patrick’s Day was first observed by Americans. Patrick’s Day.
Why Is It Called “Corned Beef”?
The term “corned” refers to the large salt crystals that were once used to cure the meat.
Do They Make Corned Beef and Cabbage In Ireland?
Ireland’s population neither prepares nor consumes corned beef. Pigs were and are still the primary source of meat. The only time cows were killed for meat back then was if they were too old to work or produce milk; otherwise, they were used primarily for their strength and dairy.
For the record, some websites state the origin is unknown, while others publications (Smithsonian Magazine and Food and Wine to name a few) are loaded with really interesting information. This is just what I’ve gathered and is a Cliff’s Notes version of what I’ve read. However, if you have time, I encourage you to do a deep-dive into the history of corned beef!
To Make This Corned Beef Brisket with Boiled Vegetables You Will Need:
- Choose corned beef brisket that doesn’t have a thick fat cap.
- Corned beef is already pretty well seasoned, so this seasoning packet (included with the beef brisket) is more for seasoning the water.
- Garlic: Adds a mild flavor to the water used to cook the vegetables.
- I try to find a small to medium-sized head of green cabbage. It’s challenging to fit a large person into a single pot.
- baby red skinned potatoes – Or quarter medium sized potatoes.
- Carrots: Gives the finished dish a splash of color and an earthy sweetness.
- Yellow onion: Gives the dish a sweet, delicate onion flavor.
- salted butter – Used for serving
- kosher salt – Enhances the flavors of this dish. Used for serving.
- freshly ground black pepper: Adds a flavor and subtle bite. Used for serving.
- For serving, coarse-ground mustard or another type of mustard is optional.
- Irish soda bread or Irish brown bread– For serving. (optional)
Alternatively to using the pickling spice that comes with the beef brisket, you can make your own. My friend uses prepackaged spices and then also adds her own. According to me, the spices added are only for seasoning the vegetables while they cook since the corned beef is already seasoned. Do what makes you feel good because you can’t go wrong!
Your corned beef brisket should be rinsed under warm water and dried with paper towels. I do this to remove extra brine because I believe it makes the corned beef taste more salty. The flavors of the brine are already present throughout the brisket, so doing this won’t affect the flavor of the corned beef in any way.
Next, add the beef brisket, 2 cloves of crushed garlic, and a pickling spice packet to a large, heavy stock pot. Until the brisket is completely submerged in water, cover with at least 12 cups of water.
Cover with a lid and bring to a near boil. I watch for the lid to begin to jiggle ever so slightly. Then turn the heat down to low or medium-low and simmer for about 50 minutes per pound with the lid off. Therefore, this would take approximately 3-1/2 hours for a 4 pound corned beef.
I quickly prepare the potatoes with about 40 seconds remaining on my timer. Scrub your potatoes quickly, and if they are large, you can cut them in half. Your carrots should be peeled and cut into 1- to 1-1/2-inch pieces.
Cut a small head of cabbage into eight wedges, keeping the core mostly whole.
When the corned beef is done cooking, it will be considerably smaller and not the prettiest shade.
Add in the onions, carrots and potatoes. Then, cover the pan and cook the cabbage wedges for 30 to 40 minutes, or until they are tender.
The vegetables are done when a fork glides through easily.
It’s true that there are proper and improper ways to cut corned beef. Find the grain of the meat and cut against it. For instance, the meat grain appears to run somewhat diagonally as you can see in the photos. To make slices, you want to cut in the opposite direction. Otherwise it will just shred.
Serve slices of tender corned beef with the boiled vegetables. I enjoy sprinkling butter, salt, and pepper on top of the potatoes, carrots, and cabbage. Additionally, I enjoy drizzling a grainy mustard on my corned beef.
Enjoy some slices of Irish soda bread to round out this entire meal.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Corned Beef and Cabbage (Irish Boiled Dinner)
- 4 pounds corned beef brisket
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
- seasoning packet, included with the corned beef brisket
- 1½ pounds baby red skinned potatoes, halved if large
- 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 yellow onion, halved and sliced vertically
- 1 small head of cabbage, wedge-cut with the root still attached.
- Your corned beef should be thoroughly rinsed and towel-dried.
- Smashed garlic, pickling seasoning, and at least 12 cups of water should be added to a large stock pot with the brisket, leaving a few inches of space at the top.
- Cover and bring to a near boil. Once simmering, lower the heat and cook for 50 minutes per pound. ( 4 pound brisket will take approximately 3-1/2 hours).
- Typically, I check it after three-quarters, add more water, and turn the corned beef.
- Add the potatoes, carrots, and onions when there are 30 minutes left, then top with the cabbage wedges.
- The vegetables are done when a fork glides through easily.
- Remove and place the corned beef on a carving board after it has been cookied. Slice the corned beef against the grain.
- Serve the boiled vegetables with butter, salt, and pepper. I also enjoy drizzling mustard on my corned beef.
Corned Beef and Cabbage … Traditional Irish/American Boiled Dinner
FAQ
What do you put in water when boiling corned beef?
Put the meat in a sizable pot and cover it with water to boil the corned beef. If desired, include a few garlic cloves, a quartered onion, a carrot, and a few celery stalks in addition to a tablespoon or two of pickling spice. Bring everything to a boil, cover, and then turn down the heat so that it simmers continuously.
When boiling a corned beef do you put the fat side up or down?
When preparing corned beef in a liquid like water, beer, or cider, the majority of people advise cooking it with the fat side up. Otherwise, you will get tender meat below the liquid line and tough meat above the liquid line. The meat must be completely submerged in the liquid. Corned beef can also be baked with the fat side up.
What vegetables go well with corned beef?
Best Vegetable Sides That Go With Corned BeefCrockpot Cabbage. What is this? . Skillet Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots. The carrot will add some color to the table when served as a side dish with corned beef, and the sugar will balance the savory meat. Garlic Green Beans. Roasted Brussel Sprouts. Sautéed Asparagus & Cherry Tomatoes.
Should corned beef be covered with liquid when cooking?
The quantity of water in the pot is one of the keys to simmering corned beef properly. Your hopes of a tender corned beef dish may be dashed if there is not enough liquid to completely cover the meat. Instead: Begin by completely submerging the corned beef in a large pot of water.