Corned Beef and Cabbage
-This homemade take on a popular Irish recipe is grain free, gluten free, dairy free and preservative free making it the healthiest and best tasting Corned Beef and Cabbage you’ll ever have!-
I can’t even believe that it’s mid March already, but seriously… where did the last 3 months go?! I heard people talking about St. Patrick’s Day festivities last week and was absolutely shocked when I realized that it was already that time of year. I guess the old saying {time flies when you’re having fun} is all too real in this situation.
Aside from the usual green beer drinking, Irish kissing celebrations that come along with this spring time holiday there are some very traditional recipes that are also associated with this long-standing Irish festival. To name just a few of the most famous there are: Corned Beef and Cabbage, Shamrock Shakes, and Irish Soda Bread.
Corned Beef + Cabbage easily comes in at #1 for the most popular traditional Irish meal. For many families, preparing this meal every year on St. Patrick’s Day is a well-known tradition. Grocery stores always run amazing specials on both beef brisket and cabbage heads right around this time of year solely because they know that the demand for these items is going to exponentially increase with the coming holiday. Even most restaurants significantly modify their menu to try to include as many corned beef recipes as possible. And yet, here I am at 25 years old without EVER having a meal of corned beef and cabbage on St. Patty’s Day In. My. Life.
How did this even happen?
I guess it was just never a tradition that my family had, so I didn’t know any better. However, now that I have had this meal and tasted all the {gloriousness} that comes with it, I can tell you that’s it’s most definitely being added to the list of traditions that I will have with my future family. It will be right alongside Christmas Cookie Baking and Oscar Style Steaks on New Years!
So basically what I’m saying, is that whether you make it a point to have this meal as part of a yearly tradition or if you’ve never had it before, this Corned Beef and Cabbage is a MUST try! Generally this is made with beef brisket, but I’ve also tried it with just a beef roast I had hanging out in our deep freezer and it was equally as good! This homemade take on a popular Irish recipe is grain free, gluten free, dairy free and preservative free making it the healthiest and best tasting Corned Beef and Cabbage you’ll ever have, so let’s get to work!
Corned Beef and Cabbage
Ingredients:
· 4lb Beef Brisket {or Beef Roast}
{For the brine}
· 2 quarts Filtered H2O
· 1C. Kosher Salt
· ½ C. Organic Sugar
· 1 Cinnamon Stick
· 5 Garlic Cloves, whole + 4 Garlic Cloves, whole
· 8-10 Cloves
· 2-3 Bay Leaves
· 2 Tbsp. Peppercorn
· 1 Tbsp. Coriander Seeds
· 1 Tsp. Allspice Berries
· ½ Tsp. Ginger, ground
· ½ Tsp. Thyme
{For the cabbage}
· 1 Cabbage Head
· 2 Garlic Cloves, minced
· ½ White Onion, diced
· 1 Tbsp. Ghee
Methods:
1. Combine all ingredients {except for the beef+4 garlic cloves} into a large stock pot and bring to a low simmer or just until all the spices are dissolved
2. Remove from heat and let the brine cool down to room temperature
3. Add in the beef brisket and fully submerge it in the brine
4. Cover with a lid and refrigerate for 5 days
5. On the morning of the 6th day remove the brisket from the brine and add the remaining 4 garlic cloves and 1 Tsp. peppercorns to a crockpot
6. Fully submerge the meat with filtered water
7. Cook on low for 8 hours
8. Remove meat from the crockpot and allow to cool, slicing when cool enough to touch
9. While the meat is cooling, add the ghee, garlic, and onion to a large skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes
10. Shred the cabbage head and incorporate into the skillet
11. Add in 2 Tbsp. of juice from the crockpot and cook under the cabbage is tender {about 6-8 minutes}
12. Plate the cabbage and top with the beef brisket
13. If desired you may drizzle some of the broth from the crockpot on top of the meal to add additional flavor
14. Enjoy!
I would have never thought that this would be such an easy meal to make on my own, but it really is! I see absolutely no reason to ever buy a pre-cured corned beef again {especially after looking at some of the ingredients in them}.
Chat with me!
What are your yearly traditions surrounding this holiday? Have you ever made Corned Beef and Cabbage? What was your experience like?
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