This homemade corned beef seasoning recipe is so much better than the spice packet that comes with your corned beef, essential for cooking with real flavor.
Homemade Corned Beef Spices
Are you looking to make corned beef right now? I have a secret tip that always makes the best corned beef for us - it's the Corned Beef Seasoning Blend.
When you buy a corned beef brisket from the grocery store, it always comes with a corned beef spice packet wrapped inside. That seasoning packet has some great spices in there, but there is never enough.
Plus, it only gets the party started.
What Spices are In Corned Beef?
The typical spice packet that comes with a corned beef brisket contains the following ingredients:
- Mustard Seeds
- Peppercorns
- Coriander
- Bay Leaf
- Dill Seeds
It is essentially a tiny packet of pickling spices used as a seasoning. It's time to skip that tiny little spice packet and make our own blend that not only ups the flavor with a few additional high-impact ingredients, but gives us an amount to make a big flavor difference.
Let's talk about how to make corned beef seasoning, shall we?
Homemade Corned Beef Seasoning Ingredients
- Mustard Seeds. Use yellow or a combination of yellow and brown mustard seeds. Black mustard seeds are great, though usually more potent.
- Black Peppercorns.
- Coriander Seeds.
- Allspice Berries.
- Cardamom Seeds. You can also use pods.
- Celery Seeds.
- Whole Cloves.
- Red Pepper Flakes.
- Ground Ginger.
- Bay Leaves.
How to Make Corned Beef Seasoning - the Recipe Method
Dry Toast the Seeds and Berries. Heat a small pan to medium heat. Add the mustard seeds, black peppercorns, coriander seeds, allspice berries, cardamom seeds, celery seeds, and whole cloves. Lightly toast them in the dry pan for 1 minute, shaking/stirring a bit, to let the spices bloom.
Combine and Blend as Desired. Transfer to a food processor/spice grinder along with the red pepper flakes, ground ginger and bay leaves.
Process to a coarse blend, or to your preferred consistency. Use as desired.
Boom! Done! Your corned beef spices are ready to use. Time to make the corned beef! Let's get cooking!
This recipe makes 3 tablespoons of the lightly ground seasoning blend, much more than the included spice packet.
How to Use the Corned Beef Spice Packet?
Use this spice blend to make corned beef the same way you would use the included spice packet. Simple sprinkle over your corned beef before cooking, regardless of the cooking method.
You can rinse the corned beef, then season as desired. This recipe makes 3 tablespoons, enough to season 1 or 2 average sized briskets of roughly 3-5 pounds.
I use the whole recipe for 1 brisket, but you can use half of the recipe, to your preference.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- It is best to lightly toast any seeds or berries before grinding. Toasting them brings out the flavors, resulting in a superior corned beef spice blend.
- Consider adding other popular pickling spices to make this blend your own, including anise seeds, cinnamon, or dill seeds.
Storage
Homemade corned beef seasoning will last 6 months or longer when kept in a sealed container in a cool, dry place.
Spice blends tend to loose potency after 6 months, so it is best to make smaller batches that you will use within that time frame.
Corned Beef Recipes
Ready to make corned beef? Try my following recipes.
Crock Pot Corned Beef. I use this same seasoning blend to cook the corned beef brisket low and slow over a bed of potatoes, carrots, and onions, until it is fork tender.
You can also make a delicious gravy out of the pot liquid for serving. Absolutely delicious and perfect every time.
Pressure Cooker Corned Beef. Perfect for your Instant Pot! Cut the time it takes to make a corned beef drastically with pressure cooking. This is done in only a fraction of the time, and the beef is just as tender.
I think you'll love it. Also, try my Irish Beef Stew with Guinness. Perfect for celebrating St. Patrick's Day!
That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy my favorite corned beef spice blend. Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you, and how you changed it up to make it your own.
Try Some of My Other Popular Spice Blend Recipes
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Corned Beef Seasonings Recipe (Homemade Corned Beef Spices)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon mustard seeds (Use yellow or a combination of yellow and brown)
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice berries
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seeds
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Heat a small pan to medium heat. Add the mustard seeds, black peppercorns, coriander seeds, allspice berries, cardamom seeds, celery seeds, and whole cloves. Lightly toast them in the dry pan for 1 minute, shaking/stirring a bit, to let the spices bloom.
- Transfer to a food processor/spice grinder along with the red pepper flakes, ground ginger and bay leaves.
- Process to a coarse blend, or to your preferred consistency. Use as desired.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Maureen says
I love this recipe! I used it again yesterday for our St. Patrick’s Day family get together. The only ingredient I never have is the allspice berries. Maybe next year. We don’t like the spice packets that come with the corned beef. I will always use this recipe to make my own. So quick and easy!
Mike Hultquist says
Yes!! I know, this is so much better! Glad you like it, Maureen! Cheers!!!
Jeanette Flores says
yes very good saving it
Mike Hultquist says
Glad you like it, Jeanette!
Bonvivant says
Excellent spice blend! So much better than the little packet. I did add extra Chile pepper. I saw that a reviewer added it to a burger blend and I am certainly going to give that a try next!
Mike Hultquist says
Awesome to hear! I know, this makes the best corned beef. Thanks!!
Lisa says
Does this recipe use dill seeds or celery seeds? The beginning part of the article said dill seeds, but the rest of the mentions say celery seeds.
Mike Hultquist says
Lisa, it does include celery seeds, but not dill seeds. However, dill seeds are common and you can add 1/2 teaspoon if desired. Enjoy!
Cindi Tomkins says
hello there, I was wondering if I could use wet mustard mix in this recipe. thank you
Mike H. says
Hi, Cindi, Yes, you can use wet mustard mix, however, there are several factors to consider to ensure that your seasoning maintains its intended flavor and effectiveness, such as texture and moisture impact, quantity adjustments shelf life, etc., so you will just need to experiment with it. Let me know if you do, as I would be keen to hear about your results!
Kevin Looker says
Delicious!
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Kevin!