Corned Beef Spice Recipe

This Corned Beef Spice Recipe is the perfect way to season your dinner for St. Patrick's Day. Forget about the corned beef spice packet that comes with the meat, and make your own instead. This is so much better.

Since it's a holiday tradition to make corned beef this time of year, it's important to be sure that you make it so that everyone asks you for the recipe. You'll be amazed at the depth of flavor that this adds to your corned beef brisket. It's not only simple to make, but it's loaded with flavors as well. 

The seasoning packet that often comes with the meat can be made using a variety of different spices and ingredients, but I much prefer making my own. That way, I can season the beef in a way that I want to and add more or less without stress.  

This year for St. Patrick's Day, why not make your own seasoning blend? It will help to make this the best corned beef that you've ever made. 

Speaking of the best, check out my Traeger Corned Beef recipe that helps you smoke homemade corned beef perfectly. (This would be so good with this seasoning!) 

Ingredients 

Bay leaves - You don't eat these, but it does add a good flavor. 

Cinnamon stick - The stick will need to be broken down into pieces. 

Black peppercorns - For a hint of spice, without heat. 

Whole cardamon - Adds a bit of mint and spice to each bite. 

Cloves - This is a warm spice that adds a depth of flavor. 

Mustard seeds - For a pop of savory taste. 

Whole allspice - Another great seasoning to add more warmth and layers of flavors. 

How to make Corned Beef Spice Recipe

There is really just one step to making this seasoning blend.

Step One: Mix everything together in a bowl. Once you have everything mixed well, apply generously to the corned beef. 

Expert Tip: If you have a spice grinder you can grind it to make it a powdered spice. Otherwise, you generally wipe it off before serving.

Variations 

While this is a tried and true spot-on recipe, there are always ways that you can change how it tastes.

Make it hot - Adding cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, and more black pepper to this corned beef recipe mixture can really kick up the heat. 

Add other seasonings - Anise seeds are a great addition to add that hint of licorice flavoring. You can also add other ground spices, more bay leaves, dill seeds, and fennel seeds as well. 

Common Questions 

How do I store this perfect blend of spices?

Once you make this mixture, it's important that you store this easy recipe in an airtight container and keep it with the rest of your spices at room temperature. There is no need to store it in the fridge since it's a dry rub.

Does this taste like the corned beef seasoning mix that comes in those tiny little spice packets?

It really does taste like the packaged spice mix. While I think that it has a unique flavor, adding it to the meat and the cooking process are the same. It easily adds flavor to the entire brisket, making it quite the popular dish.

Using this makes the perfect corned beef recipe every time.

When can I use this seasoning?

You can use this mix of whole spices and seasonings anytime that you want. If you are smoking your brisket, use it them. You can use it in the slow cooker, pressure cooker, dutch oven, or even on a corn beef brisket that you're cooking in the oven. The end result with this as your spice mixture will produce the flavor of traditional corned beef every time.

How do I serve corned beef?

The next time that you get a craving to make corned beef, remember that you have options. The first time that you make it, you can put it on a cutting board after it's cooked, slice it, and enjoy.

The next day, enjoy it a different way. Make beef hash, or put the beef cuts on rye bread and make an epic sandwich, too. I like to add a bit of Russian dressing for more flavor.

How long will this seasoning last? 

As long as you are storing it the right way, this seasoning should last for quite some time. If any moisture or water gets into the seasoning mix, that is your sign to throw it out and make it again. 

Since this seasoning doesn't make that large of an amount, you should be able to use it all on your corned beef recipe at once. If you have some leftovers, just be sure that you store them away from the elements so that it's ready to be used again when you need them.