Sous Vide Corned Beef

This Sous Vide Corned Beef recipe just might become one of your new favorite recipes. Not only does it have great flavor, but using sous vide bath creates a tender texture that creates literally the best corned beef. This is a must-make for St. Patrick's Day or any time of you you are craving delicious beef! 

​The secret to perfectly cooked sous vide recipes is the long cook time in the sous vide bag. Think of it like a slow cooker meets a pressure cooker, with the end result being tender and delicious meat 24 hours later. 

Using a sous vide water bath isn't a method that is perfect for quick cooking, but it is a cooking method that makes perfectly tender corned beef brisket. You'll notice a huge difference in the sliceable texture using this method of cooking, as the precise temperature keeps is slow and steady, with tender end results. This is a great way to try a new recipe for St. Patrick's Day or a weekend meal. 

Be sure to check out my Traeger Corned Beef for another fun cooking method and option. There are so many ways to cook corned beef. 

Ingredients

Corned beef - You can get this at the local butcher or grocery store. 

Corned beef seasoning - Check out my homemade seasoning recipe, corned beef spice recipe, that would be perfect for this dish. 

How to Make Sous Vide Corned Beef

Step One: Add the seasoning to the corned beef.

Step Two: Add the seasoned meat to a bag and vacuum seal it so that no air or water can get inside. 

Step Three: Sous vide at 135 degrees for 24 hours. 

Variations 

Use a pickling spice packet - Some people like to make their own sprinkle seasoning, while others use the one that comes with the corned beef. It's up to you what you prefer. Sometimes the pre-made seasonings have excess salt, so that is something to keep in mind. We like to use our Corned Beef Spice Recipe. 

Common Questions 

Do I have to have a sous vide machine for the cooking process? 

Actually, you don't. If you have an Instant Pot, you can easily replicate the sous vide method using that. You can set the cooking option to a lower temperature and then use the large pot for the sous vide technique. You will need to have a large vacuum bag and vacuum sealer to perfect the sous vide cooking method. 

How does sous vide cooking make corned beef more tender?

Sous vide cooking ensures that corned beef is cooked at a low, precise temperature for an extended period, resulting in a tender and juicy texture.

Can I use any cut of corned beef?

Yes, you can use any cut of corned beef for sous vide cooking, such as brisket, flat cut, point cut, or round.

What are all the different ways to serve corned beef? 

While I can't say that there are dozens of ways, there are a lot! You can use this recipe to make corned beef hash, an Irish Reuben sandwich, or just enjoy it like it is. You can even do a quick sear once it's cooked in a cast iron skillet to add a nice crisp texture. 

The next time you're at the grocery store, grab some rye bread and some sauerkraut so that you can create and use this corned beef recipe in all the different ways. 

What is the key to perfect sous vide cooking? 

​It's all about making sure that there isn't much air in the vacuum bag, and then keeping that water temperature low and slow. The first time that you try it, you may actually start to wonder if it's going to work. But be patient. There is a reason that this recipe cooks over the span of 24 hours. 

Will the meat still have a pink color? 

It will. Even after cooking for a long time, the middle of the corned beef will still have a pink coloring to it. This is common and nothing to worry about. 

Can I speed up the cooking process and cook at a higher temperature? 

The slow and steady cooking temperature is important to break down the tough connective tissue and give the meat its tender and juicy properties. If you try and rush the cooking process, the end result could be tough meat, overcooked meat, or even meat that you don't want to eat. 

What side dishes pair well with corned beef?

For a fun Irish feast, pair it with baby potatoes and smoked cabbage! You can also cook up some Brussels sprouts and serve them as well because they taste just like baby cabbage once they're cooked and paired with this tasty meat. 

Since it has such a versatile flavor profile, you can easily mix and match what you want to serve it with. Anything potatoes are always a good idea.