Corned Beef and Cabbage is slowly oven braised, or in a slow cooker, for several hours. A tangy glaze of apple cider vinegar and brown sugar adds an extra layer of delicious favor.
I don’t have a drop of Irish blood in me, though I’ve been all over Ireland and I’ve kissed the Blarney stone. Maybe that’s why each March I crave Corned Beef and Cabbage? All I know is that this traditional American-Irish dish, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day has been on my mind for over a week!
Making Corned Beef & Cabbage is a no-brainer. Seriously, over the last 30 or so St. Patrick’s Day Dinners, I’ve faithfully bought a package of Corned Beef. I’ve simply read the directions on the package, that includes a seasoning packet. Per the directions, add potatoes, carrots and whatever vegetables sounded good. Sometimes I added beer to the water. How easy can it be?
Then, one of my dear Food Bloggers, Cathy of “Wives With Knives” posted her mother’s own recipe for Corned Beef & Cabbage. Cathy talked about how she spreads a mixture of brown sugar, Dijon, cloves and red wine vinegar on the brisket, before serving. Now, why hadn’t I ever thought of that?! Cathy uses a slow-cooker, and think that’s a great idea. The problem is, when it’s 1:00 in the afternoon, and I’m craving Corned Beef and Cabbage on a Sunday afternoon– I had to improvise.
First, rinse and drain the brisket (this is a 3-pound flat-cut piece of brisket. After trimming off the excess fat, simply open the seasoning packet and set it atop the brisket– then into a Dutch Oven. Cover the brisket with water and simmer very slowly for about 3 hours.
I had almost completely forgotten about these Cippollini onions! They’re cute, and a bit sweeter than yellow onions. I peeled some carrots and quartered some red potatoes, and of course I quartered a head of green cabbage.
Preheating the oven to 350F, remove the brisket (reserving the liquid). I improvised a glaze of my own, remembering one I use for my Glazed Meatloaf recipe. The glaze ingredients are brown sugar, cider vinegar, Dijon mustard and ketchup.
The Best Corned Beef and Cabbage with a Tangy Glaze
Equipment
- 1 Dutch Oven or one slow cooker (double the cooking time)
Ingredients
- 1 3-pound flat-cut corned beef brisket
VEGETABLES
- 8 medium red potatoes cut in half
- 8 carrots peeled
- 2 large onions cut into chunks
- 1 green cabbage cored and cut into quarters
GLAZE:
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Rinse and drain the brisket.
- In either a Dutch oven or slow cooker, cover the brisket with water and empty the spice packet.
- Cook at a very low simmer for 50 minutes per pound, or in a slow cooker for 6 to 8 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and remove the brisket into a foiled lined baking pan.
- Whisk together the glaze ingredients and brush all over the brisket.
- Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes.
- Optional: Turn the broiler to high and broil the brisket for a minute or two, so the glaze will “set”.
- While the brisket finishes, add the potatoes, carrots and onion to the pot and cook on medium-high until fork tender, about 20 minutes.
- In the last 5 minutes, add the cabbage quarters and cover. Cook the cabbage until it’s slightly tender, but not overcooked.
- Slice the brisket and serve with the vegetables.
Healthy and Homemade says
I LOVE the idea of doing a glaze! I think I'll be cooking this on Wednesday, since husband is gone on Thursday!
T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types says
Well, I could eat your corned beef for breakfast! It looks amazing, and I never knew it was so easy. No blarney there!
From the Kitchen says
Lovely! All the tastes I like. And, yes, one must have a splash of cider vinegar on cabbage. Are you, perchance, originally from the south? That's how we eat all our greens.
Best,
Bonnie
Joanne says
I've never even thought about making corned beef at home before but you've got those gears turning. That glaze sounds fantastic!
Penny says
Your pictures are fabulous and I love the idea of the glaze. I've already cooked one corned beef and cabbage, but you make me want to do it again this way. Thanks!
Cheryl says
Gorgeous, makes my mouth water and that photo pops!
Kim says
Debby – Your plate of corned beef and all the trimmings looks beautiful! I love how you changed it up with a glaze.
Cathy says
Oh my, thank you for such a lovely write up, Debby. I'm sorry to be so slow in commenting on your mouthwatering post. We had a corned beef dinner twice last week and I'm ready for another one any time. And I enjoy all the wonderful uses for any leftovers we might have.
Mom24 says
I like to simmer the corned beef until it's done, then pull it and glaze it and bake until the glaze is bubbly. I follow the technique on Closet Cooking. http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/03/corned-beef-glazed-in-honey-and-mustard.html
I'll definitely have to check out this method for the cabbage though, sounds wonderful and the roasted veggies too.