There's nothing to this recipe when you use a packaged Corned Beef. Since it's raw, the only work is boiling the Corned Beef until tender, about 3 to 4 hours, depending on the beef's weight and size.
Packaged Corned Beef usually comes with a spice pack, too. Just open it and drizzle it on when it's time to cook.
For Corned Beef and Cabbage, I cook the beef until tender then drain away half the liquid, as it's super-salty, and replace it with tap water. And finally add chopped cabbage, potato, and carrot. It's up to you how long to cook the veggies, 10 minutes for crunchy or 20 minutes longer, for tender. I like to chop potatoes to bite-sizes so they cook quickly, too.
Packaged Corned Beef comes in a couple types called Point or Center Cut. I always get mine during St. Patrick's Day sales week. The type on sale is usually Point Cut. I guess Center Cut is best, but I've never had anyone complain about the Corned Beef Sandwiches I make from a Point Cut.
These cuts of beef remind me of whole or sliced Smoked Brisket you get in Texas. There is often a bit of fat on the outside you can trim off or just leave it on for extra flavor. The meat is a lean cut, but there is still a small bit of marbling.
I always get 3 or 4 packages of Corned Beef during the St. Patrick's Day week of sales. Along with heads of cabbage, carrots, and potatoes, the main ingredient, Corned Beef goes for around $2 a pound and that's a great deal. And it freezes great. I get mine in March and during summertime, I have Corned Beef Sandwich parties.
Depending on the Corned Beef size I can get at least 4 or more sandwiches. My favorite Corned Beef sandwiches are grilled Reuben and Rachel Sandwiches.
A Reuben Sandwich is grilled with Swiss Cheese, Sauerkraut, and Russian Dressing between slices of Rye Bread.
A Rachel Sandwich uses Coleslaw instead of Sauerkraut. I have a tasty Coleslaw Recipe, just click here. And Russian Dressing is just a mix of mayo and ketchup.
However you cut it, my Easy Corned Beef Recipe will be one of your favorite beefy indulgences.
Easy Corned Beef- Video Play it here, video runs 1 minute, 25 seconds.
My YouTube video link for viewing or embedding, just click here.
Ingredients
- 1 whole packaged Corned Beef - The ones I get are in the 3-pound range.
- Water - enough to cover the brisket.
- Packet of Spices that come with corned beef - sometimes they are not included. Of course, open the spice packet and pour it on the water with corned beef.
Directions
Add enough fresh water to cover the brisket by an inch. Add contents of spice package if included with Corned Beef package.
Bring up the water to a boil, then lower the heat to a low simmer, cover the pot and cook for about 3 to 4 hours until the meat is tender.
Check every hour or so to make sure the water does not cook out. Add a 1/4 cup of water at a time, if needed. That's it -- just remove the Corned Beef and let it cool down enough to slice and serve.
You can cook Corned Beef ahead of time and reheat by microwave, simmering in water or heating in the oven (not too long in the oven as you don't want a dried-out hunk of beef.)
When slicing Corned Beef, go against the grain. The brisket is a bit stringy so it's easy to see the beef grain.
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