Brisket Brine for Corned Beef
User Reviews
4.7
36 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
20 mins
-
Cook Time
3 hrs 20 mins
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Total Time
3 hrs 40 mins
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Servings
8
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Calories
5639 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Irish
Brisket Brine for Corned Beef
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This easy brisket brine is a simple recipe that makes the best corned beef. You'll be amazed at how this brining solution transforms a brisket. It's perfect for St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
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Ingredients
FOR THE BRISKET BRINE:
- 2 cups Morton's kosher salt
- 1 gallon water
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons pickling spices Use store-bought or a homemade recipe (given in the Variations above).
- 4 teaspoons pink curing salt (prague powder)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
FOR MAKING CORNED BEEF:
- 5 pounds beef brisket
- 2 tablespoons pickling spice
- water
FOR TRADITIONAL CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE
- ½ pound small red potatoes
- 1 head cabbage cut into eighths, vertically through the core
- 1 large onion peeled and sliced vertically, root to tip in ½" strips
- 3 large carrots Peeled and cut into 2" pieces
Instructions
MAKE BRISKET BRINE:
- In a large pot, combine all the ingredients for the brine and simmer until the salt and sugar are dissolved. Cool to room temperature and refrigerate several hours until cold.
BRINING BEEF BRISKET:
- Place the brisket in a pot or receptacle large enough to hold both the brine and the meat. (I purchased an industrial restaurant container with a 12 quart capacity -- and it filled it about half way up). Pour the chilled brine over the meat and refrigerate for 5 days. If the meat isn't completely submerged in the brine, place a plate on top of it to push it into the liquid. Flip the meat every day or so.
COOKING THE BRINED CORNED BEEF
- Remove the brisket from the brine and rinse well under cold running water. Discard the brining solution.
- Place the brisket in a large, heavy pot or dutch oven and cover with cool water.
- Place the pickling spice in the center of the cheesecloth, bring the ends together in a bundle and secure it tightly with the kitchen string. Add the pickling spice to the pot. Bring the pot just to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and cover with the lid slightly askew. Cook for 3 hours or until beef is very tender.
- Remove the pickling spice bundle from the pot and discard. Transfer the corned beef to a cutting board and slice thinly to serve.
FOR TRADITIONAL ST. PATRICK'S DAY BOILED DINNER:
- Proceed with cooking the meat as described above, but scale back the simmer to 2 hours and 15 minutes -- then add the vegetables to the pot and continue the simmer with the lid tightly secured for an additional 45 minutes or until the vegetables are very tender.
- Remove the pickling spice bundle. Transfer the brisket to a cutting board and slice thinly. Arrange a few slices of meat in a shallow bowl, adding potatoes, carrots and a wedge of cabbage. Spoon the liquid over the the dish to serve.
Notes
- Note: Nutrition information includes all of the brine (salt and sugar), which doesn't get eaten. The brisket soaks in the brine solution, then rinsed off, so the sodium and other nutritional values are off in the recipe card. The brine will only add nominal counts to a standard beef brisket.
- I don't have a way of adjusting the values for more accurate reporting.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
563.9kcal
(28%)
Carbohydrates
30.41g
(10%)
Protein
61.44g
(123%)
Fat
21.44g
(33%)
Saturated Fat
7.49g
(37%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.79g
Monounsaturated Fat
9.86g
Cholesterol
175.77mg
(59%)
Sodium
28588.5mg
(1191%)
Potassium
1413.17mg
(40%)
Fiber
5.07g
(20%)
Sugar
18.56g
(37%)
Vitamin A
4640.51IU
(93%)
Vitamin C
48.48mg
(54%)
Calcium
129.34mg
(13%)
Iron
6.78mg
(38%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 5639 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 563.9kcal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 30.41g | 10% |
| Protein | 61.44g | 123% |
| Fat | 21.44g | 33% |
| Saturated Fat | 7.49g | 37% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.79g | 5% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9.86g | 49% |
| Cholesterol | 175.77mg | 59% |
| Sodium | 28588.5mg | 1191% |
| Potassium | 1413.17mg | 30% |
| Fiber | 5.07g | 20% |
| Sugar | 18.56g | 37% |
| Vitamin A | 4640.51IU | 93% |
| Vitamin C | 48.48mg | 54% |
| Calcium | 129.34mg | 13% |
| Iron | 6.78mg | 38% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
36 reviews
Excellent
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