Baked Corned Beef Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (2024)

Baked Corned Beef Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (1)

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This Baked Corned Beef is hands down the best! Slathered in mustard and braised in stout beer, you’ll never make it another way.

If you’re looking for an easy, delicious way to try corned beef, you’re going to want to try this Baked Corned Beef ASAP.

Googling “corned beef recipes” always seems to lead one to boiled corned beef or slow cooker corned beef. And while those recipes yield tender, shreddable beef, I crave that crispy outer crust. If you do too, or are simply looking for a different way to prepare corned beef, then this recipe is for you.

Baked Corned Beef Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (2)

You only need a few ingredients, few hours in the oven and voilá! Some of the best corned beef you’ve ever had.

First things first, what is corned beef?

Corned beef is a beef brisket that has been cured in a salt solution. Beef brisket is naturally a tough cut of meat so it responds well to cooking techniques like braising and slow cooking. Low and slow is what is going to give you the most flavorful corned beef. If your beef isn’t tender and fall apart, chances are you haven’t cooked it long enough.

Baked Corned Beef Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (3)

What ingredients you’ll need:

CORNED BEEF BRISKET: Because we aren’t curing our own beef here, you’re going to want to buy a brisket that is already cured. It comes with a seasoning packet that you’re also going to use in this recipe.

STONE GROUND MUSTARD: Mustard pairs well with this corned beef and the mustard seeds in the stone ground mustard really take it to the next level.

GUINNESS STOUT BEER: Corned beef and Guinness are a match made in heaven so it seemed obvious to use it as the braising liquid for this recipe. You can use any stout beer that you like, though.

Baked Corned Beef Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (4)

How do you make baked corned beef?

Some people opt for slow cooker corned beef because of the ease factor, but this baked corned beef is just as easy!

  • Baked Corned Beef Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (5)
  • Baked Corned Beef Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (6)
  • Baked Corned Beef Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (7)
  • Baked Corned Beef Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (8)

STEP #1: Pat the brisket dry with a paper towel. Rub both sides of the corned beef brisket with stone ground mustard.

STEP #2: Place the brisket fat side up in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour the beer around the corned beef. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 325 for 2 hours. Remove aluminum foil and cook f or another hour or until it reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

DES’ TIP: We are cooking the brisket fat side up so that as it cooks, it helps keep the meat tender as it cooks. It will also give you that perfectly crisp topping that we are looking for.

STEP #3: Remove the brisket from the baking dish. Allow to rest 10 minutes before slicing against the grain then serve.

Baked Corned Beef Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (9)

To round out the whole Irish feel of the meal, I served this Baked Corned Beef with Colcannon and it was the perfect comfort food meal for my whole family!

And if there are any leftovers you’ve got to try these Ultimate Corned Beef Sandwiches.

Baked Corned Beef Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (10)

Baked Corned Beef

This Baked Corned Beef is hands down the best! Slathered in mustard and braised in stout beer, you'll never make it another way.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Main Dishes

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 727 kcal

Ingredients

  • 4.50 pounds corned beef
  • 1/2 cup stoneground mustard
  • 24 ounces Guinness Beer or other stout beer

Instructions

  • Use a paper towel to pat dry the corned beef.

  • Brush both sides of the corned beef with stoneground mustard. Place corned beef in a 9 x 13inch baking dish with the fat side up. Sprinkle with seasoning packet. Pour both Guinness beers around the corned beef.

  • Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 325 for 2 hours. Uncover and bake for an additional 45 minutes – 1 hour or until an internal temperature reaches 145 degrees. Remove from oven and allow to rest 10 minutes before slicing.

  • Slice against the grain and serve.

Notes

We are cooking the brisket fat side up so that as it cooks, it helps keep the meat tender as it cooks. It will also give you that perfectly crisp topping that we are looking for.

Letting the meat rest 10 minutes before slicing is essential. It allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a more tender bite.

Nutrition information for estimation purposes only.

Nutrition

Calories: 727kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 51gFat: 52gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 25gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 184mgSodium: 4376mgPotassium: 1039mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 92mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 6mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!

Keywords: beef, saint patricks day

Leave a Comment

  • Reply

    John

    March 17, 2024 at 7:30 am

    Would this be a good for making Reubens?

    • Reply

      Deseree

      March 17, 2024 at 11:01 am

      Absolutely!

  • Reply

    brigit

    March 14, 2024 at 1:24 pm

    Hi hi! I bought a 2.8lb cut before I found this recipe. Would I need to make any temp / time adjustments to account for the smaller size?

    • Reply

      Deseree

      March 14, 2024 at 4:25 pm

      Hi Brigit! You can leave the temperature the same but I would recommend cooking for about half the time. I would cook it covered for 1 hour then uncover and start checking the temperature after another 30 minutes or so. Hope this helps!!

  • Reply

    Jessica

    March 13, 2023 at 8:42 am

    Do you use flat cut or point cut?

    • Reply

      Deseree

      March 13, 2023 at 9:36 am

      Hi Jessica! You can use either in this recipe, I’ve done it with both. With the flat cut the cook time might be a little less but not by much. Hope this helps!

  • Reply

    Ron Scott

    March 14, 2022 at 10:16 am

    Thanks !

  • Reply

    Ron Scott

    March 11, 2022 at 5:43 am

    Der Des,
    the picture looks like you put this n a cooling rack in the roasting pan.
    Is this right ?

    • Reply

      Deseree

      March 11, 2022 at 11:54 am

      Hi Ron! I didn’t put it on a cooling rack. I wanted it to simmer in that Guinness. Just put it right in the baking dish! :)

    Baked Corned Beef Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (2024)

    FAQs

    Is corned beef better in oven or boiled? ›

    Is it better to boil or oven-bake corned beef? Boiled and baked corned beef are delicious, and both methods create a juicy, tender corned beef when done properly. Traditional recipes, like corned beef and cabbage, simmer corned beef in spiced water for about three hours.

    What is the secret to the best corned beef? ›

    Simmering corned beef on the stovetop is a tried-and-true method that results in very tender beef. One of the keys to simmering corned beef correctly is the amount of water in the pot. When there's not ample liquid to cover the meat, your dreams of tender corned beef may be replaced by a tough, chewy result.

    Should I soak corned beef before baking? ›

    Essentially, you'd soak the brisket for one hour in a large pot with cool water, then dump the water and repeat one more time to decrease the sodium before cooking. Note: Be sure to place the beef in the pot back into the refrigerator while doing so to maintain proper food safety procedures in place.

    What is the best cooking method for corned beef? ›

    The most common method for cooking corned beef and cabbage is boiling. Put the meat in a large pot, cover it with water or beef broth, add a seasoning packet and boil before lowering the heat to a simmer. Cook for 2 to 3 hours or until the meat is tender and cooked to your liking.

    How do you tell if corned beef is done in the oven? ›

    Corned beef is safe once the internal temperature has reached at least 145 °F, with a three minute rest time, but cooking it longer will make it fork-tender. Corned beef may still be pink in color after cooking. This does not mean it is not done.

    What not to do when cooking corned beef? ›

    5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Corned Beef
    1. Not rinsing the meat before cooking. ...
    2. Cooking over a high temperature. ...
    3. Not filling the pot with enough water. ...
    4. Not cooking the meat long enough. ...
    5. Cutting the meat incorrectly.

    What makes corned beef taste good? ›

    Corned beef is typically made from beef brisket – a relatively inexpensive cut of beef – cured in salt brine, with some pickling spices: bay leaf, peppercorns, mustard seed, juniper berries, coriander seeds, and whole cloves. Corned beef gets its characteristic sweet and tart taste from the brine.

    How long to cook 3 lb corned beef? ›

    For a two to three-pound corned beef brisket, cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. For a three to five-pound corned beef brisket, cook for 3 to 3 1/2 hours. STOVE: Place brisket fat-side up in a large pot and cover it with water. Bring the water to a boil; then reduce the heat and simmer, allowing about 1 hour per pound.

    Why does my corned beef always come out tough? ›

    Question: Why is my corned beef always so dry and chewy? Answer: Because the brisket is a naturally tough cut of beef, it needs special TLC to become tender and moist. Slow cooking at a low temperature gives the collagen in the meat time to become soft and gelatinous, which makes your meat tender.

    Do you bake corned beef fat side up or down? ›

    Preheat oven to 275F. Take the corned beef out of its package and sprinkle the top (fat cap side up) with the spice pack it came with. Loosely but completely wrap it in tin foil. Make sure the fatty side is up.

    What happens if you forget to rinse corned beef? ›

    Depending on the pickling solution used for the meat, you may be in for a saltier meal than you bargained for if you cook the meat without rinsing it. And don't worry: Rinsing won't make the beef taste bland! The flavor is infused deep into the beef during the curing process.

    Do you use the liquid that comes with the corned beef? ›

    To make the corned beef, open the sealed package right over the slow cooker, because you want to include the brine in the cooking liquid. Don't discard the brine.

    Is corned beef better boiled or baked? ›

    While boiled dinner is all well and good, I much prefer baked corned beef for its more succulent flavor and texture and its hands-off vibe. This recipe: Takes five minutes of hands-on time. Produces excellent, consistent results.

    Should I rinse corned beef before cooking? ›

    It's a good idea to do so. Don't worry that you will be rinsing away flavor. Rinsing the corned beef means it will be less salty. Also, keep the seasoning packet if one came with it.

    What is the most tender corned beef? ›

    Point Cut: More marbling and fat, ideal for slow cooking, results in a richer flavor and more tender meat, best for hearty dishes.

    Does boiling corned beef longer make it more tender? ›

    All that collagen makes for chewy corned beef if it isn't broken down into gelatin, and the long hard boil will get the meat up into the collagen-melting temperature range —above 160°F (71°C)—that it needs to turn that hard, chewy collagen into soft and yummy gelatin.

    Do you cook corned beef in the oven fat side up or down? ›

    Place the corned beef on the foil, in a baking dish, fat side up. Sprinkle with seasoning mix and pat into the brisket. Bring the foil up & around the corned beef, do not close up the foil. Bake, unwrapped, for 2 hours.

    What temperature is corned beef most tender? ›

    It is important to check the meat with a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached at least 160°F for food safety; for optimal tenderness, cook to an internal temperature of 190°F. For best results, monitor at regular intervals.

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