Homemade Corned Beef

Name: Homemade Corned Beef
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 30 min
Yield: 12 servings.
Cuisine: Europe, Irish
Ingredients: 1 gallon water; 1-1/2 cups kosher salt; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 1/4 cup mixed pickling spices, divided; 4 teaspoons pink curing salt #1; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 2 oven roasting bags; 1 fresh beef brisket (4 to 5 pounds); 2 large carrots, chopped; 2 medium onions, chopped; 2 celery ribs, chopped

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min. + brining Cook: 3 hours YIELD: 12 servings.

Here's a recipe you've gotta plan for, but you don't need to do much work to get this deli-quality corned beef. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado

Ingredients

1 gallon water
1-1/2 cups kosher salt
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup mixed pickling spices, divided
4 teaspoons pink curing salt #1
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 oven roasting bags
1 fresh beef brisket (4 to 5 pounds)
2 large carrots, chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped

Directions

1. In a large stockpot, combine water, kosher salt, brown sugar, 2 tablespoons pickling spices, pink curing salt and garlic. Bring to a simmer, stirring until salt and sugar are dissolved. Remove from heat; cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled.
2. Place 1 large oven roasting bag inside another. Place brisket inside inner bag; pour in cooled brine. Seal bags, pressing out as much air as possible; turn to coat meat. Refrigerate 10 days, turning occasionally to keep meat coated. Remove brisket from brine; rinse thoroughly. Place in a Dutch oven with water to cover. Add carrots, onions, celery and remaining pickling spices. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, adding water if necessary to keep brisket covered, until meat is tender, about 3 hours.
3. Serve warm or cool. Slice brisket thinly and serve in a sandwich or with additional vegetables simmered until tender in cooking liquid.
4. To make ahead: Refrigerate meat in cooking liquid for several days; reheat in liquid.

Nutrition Facts

4 ounces cooked corned beef: 277 calories, 21g fat (7g saturated fat), 108mg cholesterol, 1252mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 20g protein.