If you’re making corned beef for St. Patrick’s Day or a Reuben sandwich, try this seasoning recipe.
Corned beef is a dinner I have loved since childhood. I recall anxiously awaiting St. Patrick’s Day for my mom’s corned beef with cabbage, potatoes, and carrots. Corned beef is known for its unique flavoring and texture, making it a distinctly different dish than most boiled dinners. But what if your corned beef doesn’t come with a seasoning packet? Don’t sweat it — I’m going to share a perfect corned beef seasoning recipe.
The best part of making your own seasoning is being able to control all of the ingredients (and avoiding bland corned beef!). I know my family’s personal preferences, so I am better able to cater to the flavors and combinations that my family loves best.
You may find that making your own blend is just as easy and rewarding for you as well! This spice mix is naturally gluten-free, so anyone can enjoy a delicious corned beef dinner. (Okay, not vegetarians.)
Corned Beef Seasoning
Corned beef seasoning uses pickling spices. These stay good in your pantry for up to 6 months, so you can get a lot of use out of your original investment and time spent.
Ingredients
This simple recipe relies on a range of ingredients that you can find in most grocery stores:
- 1 Tbsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp black peppercorns
- ½ tsp anise seeds
- 2 tsp dill seeds
- 6 whole cloves
- 4 cardamom pods*
- 4 large bay leaves, crushed
- 1 Tbsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp ground ginger
*Cardamom pods come in two main varieties. Green pods are smaller and have a more intense flavor, whereas black ones are larger and tend to have a smokier flavor.
Preparation
Next time you’re ready to make the best corned beef, follow these steps:
- Heat a medium-sized skillet or pot over medium heat. Add yellow mustard seed, black peppercorn, anise seed, dill seed, cloves, and cardamom pods.
- Toast for 2-3 minutes, or until fragrant.
- Add toasted seeds to a spice grinder, along with bay leaves, and mix well, or pulse in a food processer until blended.
- Mix the seeds with ginger, coriander, and red pepper flakes.
- Use your seasoning mix as directed in your recipe.
- Transfer leftovers to an airtight container, such as a mason jar, and store in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months. Be sure to label it with the date.
Yields:
This easy recipe for making your own corned beef seasoning mix yields enough spice mixture for 3-4 lbs of corned beef. Use less or more of any of these corned beef spices according to your preference!
Alternatives:
If you don’t have a spice grinder or food processor, you can grind toasted seeds and spices in a mortar and pestle. Make your own by using a sturdy bowl and a wooden handled spoon or spatula, if needed. Keep the spices coarse, not finely ground.
You can also place your spices in a sealed Ziploc bag and roll with a rolling pin.
If you don’t have all the spices called for, experiment! All recipes are a matter of personal preference and a bit of experimentation. It’s generally considered that the standard spices for corned beef seasoning are bay leaves, peppercorn, and mustard seeds — all else is a matter of what you like most!
You can also use coriander seeds instead of ground coriander in this spice blend!
What is Corned Beef?
Corned beef has a unique flavor and texture that people love.
It is typically made from beef brisket that is cured in salt brine with some pickling spice that add real flavor. This brine gives corned beef its characteristic sweet yet tart flavoring. This brining process lasts at least five days and helps make the beef’s texture and flavor different from most other forms of beef on the market.
Brisket is a boneless meat cut from the lower chest of the cow. The high use of this area on the animal leads to a tougher meat, so a slower cooking process is recommended. The method used for corned beef brisket is called braising, which means that the meat is cooked in some cooking liquid over low heat for several hours.
This slow cooking process combined with the brining leads to a meat that is tender and flavorful. Corned beef has a soft, tender texture and a pinkish hue or vibrant pink color. The flavors are noticeable but not overwhelming and do not overpower the natural flavoring of the beef.
This strong flavored meat cut pairs best with milder flavors like boiled cabbage, potatoes, and carrots.
Looking to Make Corned Beef?
Invest in a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or pressure cooker large enough to make corned beef! Check out my favorite slow cooker on the market. Nothing beats tried and true!
You’ll also need a sharp knife for cutting it.
Become familiar with corned beef with our ultimate guide to everything you need to know about corned beef.
If you’re preparing a traditional corned beef and cabbage recipe for St. Patrick’s Day, check out these other 7 fun recipes to try. Don’t forget to make a special dessert — check out our 11 St. Patrick’s Day Treats Sweet Enough to Lure a Leprechaun.
If you’re saddled with corned beef leftovers, no worries! We have solutions for you.
I love Reubens — a rye bread sandwich with sliced corned beef. Here are 7 Classic Reuben Sandwich Recipes. Looking for something similar but slightly different? Try our avocado Reuben bites or flavorful Reuben soup.
More Seasoning Recipes We Love
Want to make more of your own spice mixes? Start here:
- Meatloaf Seasoning Recipe
- Ribeye Steak Seasoning
- Rib Roast Seasoning
- Texas Brisket Rub
- Seafood Seasoning Spice Mix
- Carne Asada Seasoning
- Homemade Taco Seasoning
- Everything Bagel Seasoning Recipe
Corned Beef Seasoning Recipe
Equipment
- Spice grinder or food processor
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp black peppercorns
- ½ tsp anise seeds
- 2 tsp dill seeds
- 6 whole cloves
- 4 cardamom pods
- 4 large bay leaves crushed
- 1 Tbsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp ground ginger
Instructions
- Heat a medium-sized skillet or pot over medium heat. Add yellow mustard seed, black peppercorn, anise seed, dill seed, cloves, and cardamom pods.
- Toast for 2-3 minutes, or until fragrant.
- Add toasted seeds to a spice grinder, along with bay leaves, and mix well, or pulse in a food processor until blended.
- Mix the seeds with ginger, coriander, and red pepper flakes.
- Use your seasoning mix as directed in your recipe.
- Transfer leftovers to an airtight container, such as a mason jar, and store in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.