Tips for cooking corned beef and cabbage..please

[Worknprogress]

In honor of St. Patrick's Day my husband picked up a package corned beef brisket and cabbage. I have never made this meal!!!

The beef comes with cooking instructions and my options are to either boil or bake. Which is better?

Also, do you use the seasoning packet that comes with it or do you add your own spices.

And the cabbage......what in the world do I do with this???? I'm guessing boiling? With spices? How do you serve it?

TIA for any help!

 

[Gayle]

I did mine in a crock pot over the weekend, so I guess you'd call it a boil/simmer method. I know my mom always does hers boiled.

My brisket didn't come with a spice packet. I just sorta tweaked this recipe:
http://www.recipezaar.com/Crock-Pot-Corned-Beef-and-Cabbage-21111

Instead of water, I used a bottle of Otter Creek Winter Ale Raspberry Brown, cuz I had it on hand. A bottle of Guiness would be a traditional alternative as well. I think any good dark beer would be a better sub than just water.

I also added the cabbage on top (cut into wedges) during the last hour and it came out well, done, but not soggy. Hope this helps.

ETA: Since you're probably not doing the crockpot method, you can also add the cabbage near the end of cooking the regular simmered way, or you can braise it separately on the stovetop or in the oven. Corned beef and cabbage is really a very easy meal to make. This is a link to a solid traditional boiled style recipe: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Corned-Beef-and-Cabbage-I/Detail.aspx

We usually serve mustard on the side for dipping. I guess that's kinda traditional.

 

[Conni]

Hi,

I usually do the boil method, but this year I tried and loved a recipe from Allrecipes.com. I don't know how to pull the link, but if you key in roast corned beef you will pull it right up. It was easy, and I could barely get the roast out the pan without it falling apart. It was "butter"!
I also paid attention to the reviews that advised not to add salt, and was happily rewarded.
I have passed this recipe out at work for everyone to try. It is a winner!

 

[Boingo1]

I boil it on the stove. I've done it in the crockpot, and it just isn't the same.

Here's MY mom's instructions:

Wipe Corned Beef with a damp cloth, place in large deep pot, cover w/cold water. Add 1 sliced onion, 6 peppercorns, 3 quartered peeled garlic. Then add a few stalks of celery and carrots Bring to boil- simmer 5 mins. Remove "scum", if any, then cover and simmer 3-5 hours . or until tender. About 30 minutes before corned beef is done, add potatoes and cabbage cut in quarters.

Also, I recommend NOT to use the seasoning packet either. Yuck!

 

[BAM]

I have to second adding beer to the cooking process. I've never personally cooked this in my life. A co-worker once made it and brought it into work and it was absolutely delicious. He said that his key ingredient was adding the beer. Good luck and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Bam

 

[marnold]

OH MY! I am drooling over here! I LOVE this stuff!

 

[neicebug]

In honor of St. Patrick's Day my husband picked up a package corned beef brisket and cabbage. I have never made this meal!!!

The beef comes with cooking instructions and my options are to either boil or bake. Which is better?

Also, do you use the seasoning packet that comes with it or do you add your own spices.

And the cabbage......what in the world do I do with this???? I'm guessing boiling? With spices? How do you serve it?

TIA for any help!

Hi Debbie!!!
If you are up for the extra calories...check out the Paula Deen recipe for corned beef and cabbage...it is soooo terribly yummy! You can find it on the foodnetwork.com website.
xoxo, Denise