Corned Beef Brisket

Cook Time 2 1/2-3 hours
Yield 8-10
RECIPE Ingredients
  • 1 Beef Brisket Flat, about 5lbs, trimmed if needed
  • 2 quarts water
  • 1 cup coarse or kosher salt
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 2 cinnamon sticks, each broken in half
  • 1 ½ teaspoons mustard seeds
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  • 10 whole cloves
  • 10 whole allspice
  • 10 juniper berries
  • 4 large bay leaves, torn in pieces
  • 1 piece fresh ginger, about 1" square, chopped
  • 2 cups mirepoix; 1 large onion, 1 large carrot, 1 large stalk celery; all coarsely chopped
Recipe notes
Our corned beef brisket recipe is made without chemical curing salts and is brined for several days before cooking. Try it for St. Patrick's Day or anytime.
RECIPE Preparation
  1. Start preparation at least 1 week (up to 2 weeks) before you plan to serve the corned beef.
  2. Add water to a large pot over high heat. Add salt, sugar and all herbs and spices. Cook until the salt and sugar have fully dissolved.
  3. Carefully remove from heat. Allow to cool to room temperature then place in the refrigerator until brine has reached 45 degrees F.
  4. In a large pan (large enough to accommodate the entire brisket while fully submerged in brine but still fit in the refrigerator), place the brisket and brine. Cover tightly with plastic and place in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks. Turn brisket daily, stir brine and check to make sure meat stays fully submerged.
  5. When ready to cook, remove the brisket from brine and rinse well under cool running water. Discard brine. Place the brisket into a pot just large enough to hold the meat, add mirepoix and cover with water.
  6. Set over high flame and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and gently simmer for 2 ½ to 3 hours or until the meat is fork tender.
  7. Remove from the pot and allow the meat to rest on a cutting board. Then thinly slice across the grain.