How to Cook Corned Beef (Stove Top) (2024)

Corned Beef is the most delicious and flavorful entree, perfect served alongside potatoes and cabbage (or for making a delicious Reuben Sandwich)!

If you’ve never had it before, St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect opportunity to try corned beef. A brined beef brisket is simmered with seasonings (and a bit of Guinness) until fork tender. This classic Irish staple couldn’t be more delicious!

Serve it next to mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or roasted root vegetables for a comforting meal that everyone will love!

Corned Beef

What is Corned Beef? It is a brine-and-spice-cured beef brisket. The curing process is what gives corned beef its characteristic pink color. The word “corned” refers to the large chunks or rock salt, called “corns” that are used in brining.

Typical spice mixes used for corned beef brining recipes include bay leaves, pepper corns and allspice. Some mixes may also include ginger, cinnamon or other warming spices. Nowadays, corned beef most often comes with a spice packet for you to use while cooking (and if yours doesn’t have the spice packet, pickling spices is a great substitution).

Brisket is a flavorful, though tough cut of meat that comes from the breast section of the animal. You can find corned beef in an oblong shape, but more commonly, it is triangular.

Corned beef typically has a thin layer of fat on one side. Don’t trim that off! It makes for better flavor. An oblong corned beef is a little nicer for making even slices. But whatever shape you choose, corned beef is easy comfort cooking.

How to Cook Corned Beef

Corned beef should be simmered until it is fork tender. To make corned beef:

1. Place the corned beef a stock pot. Add the spice packet, a bottle of dark beer and enough water to cover the corned beef completely.
2. Bring it to a boil and cover, cooking on a low simmer for 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 hours. This cooking time will vary depending on the size and shape of the corned beef.
   • Suggested cook time is 45-50 minutes per pound. Ensure it is a low simmer. Check a small piece and ensure it’s tender.
3. Once fork tender, remove the corned beef from the liquid and rest for at least 20 minutes.

While the meat is resting,add the vegetables to the corned beef water and simmer about 25 minutes. The water has tons of delicious flavor perfect for potatoes, carrots and cabbage. Toss them in butter, salt and pepper, and fresh parsley.

Instant Pot Corned Beef:You can also make Instant Pot Corned Beef using the same ingredients. Simply place the corned beef, 1 bottle of beer and 2 cups of water in the Instant Pot. A 3.5-4lb corned beef will need about 90 minutes (with 15 minutes natural release).

What To Serve with Corned Beef

Corned beef only needs the simplest side dishes to make your meal complete. To keep the traditional Irish theme going, serve it with cabbage, colcannon, or mashed potatoes.

More Recipes You’ll Love

• Corned Beef and Cabbage Slow Cooker Recipe (Video)– another easy way to make this meal!
• Corned Beef Hash (video)– just in case you have leftovers
• Boozy Shamrock Shake– perfect for St. Patrick’s Day
• Reuben Dip– my favorite dip
• Shepherd’s Pie– classic!