Basic Corned Beef Dinner

Homemade Corned Beef and Cabbage
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  • Total: 2 hrs 50 mins
  • Prep: 20 mins
  • Cook: 2 hrs 30 mins
  • Yield: 6 Servings
Ratings (13)

By Diana Rattray

Updated 11/09/18

This basic corned beef dinner recipe is an all-in-one boiled dinner made with a variety of spices and vegetables along with corned beef brisket, but feel free to add turnips or cut-up rutabagas to the pot along with the carrots and potatoes. The corned beef is cooked with whole spices in a bouquet garni bag or cheesecloth bag. In a pinch, if you don't have cheesecloth, use a tea ball or tea infuser, or tie them in a sturdy coffee filter. The mustard sauce is optional but definitely adds a nice layer of flavor to what is otherwise a basic dish.

The recipe makes about six servings, but it can easily be scaled up for more. It is always a good idea to cook more considering the great leftover possibilities like corned beef hash, sandwiches, and casseroles.

What You'll Need

  • 8 allspice berries
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 2 large bay leaves (crumbled)
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme or about 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 corned beef brisket (about 4 pounds)
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 1 medium onion (cut into 6 to 8 wedges)
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • 2 1/2 to 3 pounds potatoes (Yukon gold or red-skinned, washed and quartered)
  • 4 large carrots (halved and cut into 3-inch lengths)
  • 1 small head cabbage (cored and cut into 6 to 8 wedges)
  • For the Optional Mustard Sauce:
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups reserved liquid from corned beef
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons mustard or to taste (grainy variety)
  • Optional: 2 to 3 teaspoons horseradish
  • Optional: chopped fresh parsley

How to Make It

  1. Combine the whole allspice berries, peppercorns, bay leaves, and thyme in a cheesecloth bag; tie tightly.
  2. Put the corned beef in a 6- to 8-quart saucepan or Dutch oven; add beef broth, the seasoning bag, and add water just until beef is covered. Add the onion and garlic.
  3. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2 hours. Remove the corned beef to a cutting board, cover with foil, and keep warm.
  1. Skim fat from the broth and add the potatoes and carrots to the broth (remove some of the broth if there is too much liquid). Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 10 minutes. Add cabbage wedges and continue cooking for about 20 minutes, or until cabbage and vegetables are tender.
  2. Remove the vegetables to a platter and keep warm. Slice the corned beef and add to the platter with the vegetables. Reserve 2 cups of the cooking liquid if making the mustard sauce. 

Optional Mustard Sauce

  1. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in 2 cups of liquid from the corned beef and the heavy cream into the flour mixture. Whisk in grainy mustard. If desired, add a few teaspoons of prepared horseradish, to taste.
  2. Slice the corned beef and serve with the vegetables and mustard sauce. Sprinkle parsley over the potatoes and cabbage, if desired.
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
1289 Calories
62g Fat
79g Carbs
105g Protein
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)