What Is The Spice Packet In Corned Beef?

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Try this easy recipe to make your own corned beef spice packet from scratch! It’s so much more delicious and you’ll love how easy it is to make your own corned beef seasoning.

Try this easy recipe to make your own corned beef spice packet from scratch! Its so much more delicious and youll love how easy it is to make your own corned beef seasoning.

This is the amount I use for 3 – 4 pounds of corned beef in my favorite Corned Beef with Cabbage recipe, but feel free to use as much or as little as you like based on your preference!

If you dont have all the spices, dont feel like you have to run to the store! I think this recipe is amazing as-is, but would still be great if you have to omit a couple of the spices. The spices are definitely based on your personal preference. The only spices I would consider 100% critical for the success of the recipe are the mustard seeds, peppercorn, and bay leaves.

In the Kitchen- Corned Beef Spice Blend

Corned Beef Spice Packet

I was shopping for corned beef to make my Corned Beef with Cabbage recipe for St. Patrick’s Day this year, and the only corned beef I could find didn’t come with a spice packet. This definitely left me wondering, “Can you make corned beef without a spice packet?”

It took a little testing, but I’m SO obsessed with this spice blend! It’s so much more flavorful than the spice packets, and I love that I can add as much seasoning as I want to (seriously those packets are way too tiny!).

I’m completely convinced that making my own spice packet from scratch makes the best corned beef now. Seriously, I’m never going back to using the packets that come with it.

Corned Beef Seasoning

This spice blend uses so many of the traditional corned beef pickling spices. You could also add allspice berries if you have them on hand. It’s a super versatile recipe, so feel free to adjust the ingredients or amounts based on your preferences. In this recipe we’re using:

  • Mustard Seeds
  • Peppercorns
  • Anise Seeds
  • Whole Cloves
  • Cardamom Pods
  • Bay Leaves
  • Ground Coriander
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
  • Ground Ginger

How To Make It

It’s super simple to make! Just toast the whole spices, then pulse them a few times in a spice grinder or food processor. Mix all of those spices with the ground spices and add it to your boiling water when you cook the corned beef on the stove or in the slow cooker.

Seasoning Recipes

If you love this recipe, be sure to check out our reader favorites seasoning blends:

Try this easy recipe to make your own corned beef spice packet from scratch! Its so much more delicious and youll love how easy it is to make your own corned beef seasoning.

  • 1 Tablespoon mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 1/2 – 1 teaspoon anise seeds (depending on preference)
  • 8 whole cloves
  • 4 cardamom pods
  • 4 large bay leaves (crushed)
  • 1 Tablespoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • Heat a medium sized heavy bottomed skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the mustard seeds, black peppercorns, anise seeds, cloves, and cardamom pods. Toast for 2 – 3 minutes, or until they are fragrant.
  • Pulse the toasted seeds and bay leaves in a spice grinder a few times, or use a food processor and pulse a few times.
  • Mix the seeds and the crushed bay leaves with the ground coriander, red pepper flakes, and ground ginger.
  • Use as you normally would when making your corned beef recipe.

Store in an airtight container.

This is the amount I use for 3 – 4 pounds of corned beef in my favorite Corned Beef with Cabbage recipe, but feel free to use as much or as little as you like based on your preference!

If you dont have all the spices, dont feel like you have to run to the store! I think this recipe is amazing as-is, but would still be great if you have to omit a couple of the spices. The spices are definitely based on your personal preference. The only spices I would consider 100% critical for the success of the recipe are the mustard seeds, peppercorn, and bay leaves.

FAQ

What is corned beef seasoning made of?

What’s in corned beef seasoning mix? Corned beef seasoning mixes, or pickling spices, vary from cook to cook. But it’s safe to say that black peppercorns, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, allspice, mace, cinnamon, bay leaf, clove, and ginger will be part of it. Ours adds crushed red-pepper flakes for a wee bit of heat.

Why does corned beef come with a spice packet?

Truthfully, corned beef packet spices bestow all its goodness on this chunk of meat to make it super flavorful and appetizing. As you see, flavorings like peppercorns, crushed red chili flakes, mustard seeds, dill seeds, bay leaves, and coriander seeds pair perfectly with each other.

What if my corned beef didn t come with a spice packet?

If it doesn’t have a corned beef spice packet, you can easily make your own spice mix. I use a bay leaf, a tablespoon of yellow mustard seeds, two teaspoons of coriander seeds, a teaspoon of fennel seeds, ten allspice berries, ten peppercorns, and two whole cloves.

What gives corned beef its distinctive flavor?

Commonly used spices that give corned beef its distinctive flavor are peppercorns and bay leaf. Of course, these spices may vary regionally. For more information on Corned beef go to Corned Beef and Food Safety.