Any tips for making Corned Beef?

[Lucinda]

I have a large piece of beef with the seasoning package, and I don't think I have ever made Corned Beef at home before. Any tips for me?


Thankie
Luc ?

[mopinko]

1. i recommend braising rather than boiling.

if you do boil it, don't boil it. simmer patiently. you can add the veggies later, so that they don't turn to mush. they are a lot better braised, also, tho.
make some good soda bread, too.

[grasswire]

2. I have used the Good Housekeeping cookbook recipe forever

Put in a large pot. Cover with water.

Add:

a quartered onion
couple cloves garlic
quartered green pepper
a couple of carrots
several bay leaves
tablespoon peppercorns
a few whole cloves
handful parsley
couple of celery stalks

all of those are for aromatic flavor.

add your seasoning packet too.

bring to a boil, then turn down the heat to a good simmer. cover, and cook til tender.

I plan on three or four hours. It smells soooooooo good.

[maddezmom]

6. that is pretty much the way I've always done it but might try braising it

next time after reading some of the other posts.

[Cairycat]

3. I would welcome any thoughts anyone has on point versus flat cut

Point cut is going for as little as $1.57 a pound here. I know it's fattier but I think with the likely price differential I could get more to have more meat.

[grasswire]

7. I'm not sure you will get more meat.

It's likely you will get more fat, which is not meat. Some of that fat melts into the cooking liquid, but some of that fat stays in the cut of meat and is just too much fat to be very palatable, IMO.

Trying it will tell you which you prefer. Quality varies by brand, too.

I prefer a round cut, but that is really pricey which is why I rarely have corned beef.

[Denninmi]

4. The seasoning packet is a standard size. The size of the corned beef varies.

Sometimes it varies quite a bit between package to package.

I personally have found the seasoning too strong, especially the black pepper, if I use the entire packet of spices with a small corned beef (which is what I buy, since I'm the only one in the house who likes it). I usually start with half or 2/3rds. You can always add more and let it cook another little while if it's not spicy enough.

Also, no matter what cooking method, I generally par-boil it about half and hour and discard the first water. This removes some of the salt. Even after that, its generally pretty salty. I have seen reduced sodium corned beef some years that is a little better. IMHO, everything is over-salted anymore.

However, as they say, your mileage may vary. It is a matter of personal preference.

[pipoman]

5. I braise mine

with some dry white wine, water, and I add a bit more pickling spice than what comes with it. \It is a brisket, so low and slow (assuming it isn't eye of round). For sandwiches 190 degrees will render most of the connective tissue but leave it so it will still slice. 200 will be fall apart tender, 170 will be difficult to chew unless sliced very thin.. 250 degree oven for 8 hours +/-. 1 hour before the meat reaches the desired temp I pour off most of the liquid and add enough water and a little apple cider vinegar (the vinegar will cut the salt some) to cook the cabbage and potatoes. Leftovers are the best..some thinly sliced corned beef, some of the cabbage, a slice of swiss on rye...delicious reuben.

[HappyMe]

8. I usually cook mine in the crock pot on low.

8 hours or so.
I rub the meat up with spicy mustard first. Sprinkle on the seasoning package. I let the meat come to almost room temp. Once I put it into the crock pot, I use beef stock & water to cover the meat. I toss in 6-8 whole garlic cloves. Or you can cut little slits into the meat and cram the garlic into them. Sometimes I toss in some carrots and celery (I toss the celery - yuck). It's usually done before the 8 hours. I can click my crock pot over to 'warm' so I let the meat rest in the pot for a half hour or more.

[Lucinda]

9. Thankie for all the tips everyone!

I kept it simple and used the simmering technique. The fellas loved it.

[HopeHoops]

10. Teach it some jokes.

"Man that beef was corny last night."