What Does Corned Beef Taste Like

What Does Corned Beef Taste Like? – Curiosity Sufficed!

Perhaps, the first thing you would think when we say corned beef is, why is it being called “corned” beef. Does it contain any corns? Well, you have landed on the right page as we will discuss a lot of things about corned beef and questions like “what does corn beef taste like”, “can I make corned beef from the scratch?”, and “is this different from the canned corned beef?”.

First of all, the canned corned beef you see in your favorite grocery store is different from the corned beef we are about to discuss. Corned beef is salt-cured beef, which uses a large grain of corn or rock salt to do the process of tenderizing and preserving the meat. It is called “corned” because the salt that was used to make one is as big as a corn kernel. Hence, why corned beef is called now corned beef.

What Does Corned Beef Mean and What Is It?

As mentioned a while ago, corned beef a salt-cured beef, particularly the brisket beef – which is located on the front part of the cow. Corned pertains specifically to the process of salt-curing which is done to preserve and tenderize the meat using a large or corn-sized salt. This method was discovered and done traditionally; today, we just make brine solution (salt and water) to replace the ancient method and add seasonings and other spices to make it more flavorful.

Corned beef has also other names such as salt beef, Reuben, and bully beef – which all pertain to the method used to cure the meat.

What Does Corned Beef Taste Like?

Since corned beef is done with the process of salt-curing, you should expect to have a salty taste. It is far from the taste of roast beef so we are not comparing the taste with it. Corned beef is tender, (thanks to the tenderizing ability of salt) with a hint of the sweet and sour mixture. You can also say that it is meatier in taste as the salt also did bring out more flavors to it.

Overall, corned beef is simply delicious and a perfect idea to prepare for lunch or dinner. If you find it too salty, you could always add cabbage and potatoes along the dish to balance the saltiness.

How To Make Corned Beef

In case you have suddenly craved corned after discovering how it tastes like, we have prepared a simple and easy corned beef recipe for you to try. 

Ingredients:

  • Brisket
  • 350g sea salt
  • 65g sugar
  • 5 tsp. pink salt
  • Pickling spice
  • 3 liters water
  • Garlic
  • Carrots
  • Celery stalks
  • Onion

Procedure:

Wash the brisket (uncut) and pat off excess water then set aside. On a large casserole, bring a liter of water to boil then add some minced garlic, some pickling spice, sugar, sea salt, and pink salt. Once the mixture started to boil, lower heat and allow it to simmer until all added ingredients are dissolved. Transfer the mixture into another bowl (make sure this fits the brisket) and add another liter of cold water. Do not cover the mixture to steam off its heat. Once cold, submerge the brisket in the brine mixture and put it in the fridge for 5 to 10 days – this process is what you call salt-curing using the brine mixture that you made.

Afterward, discard the brine mixture and run the brisket with cold water. For the final cooking procedure, put the brisket in a large pot with another liter of water and add the remaining pickling spice to boil. Once it boils, add the carrots, celery, garlic, and onion. Finally, lower the heat and wait for the meat to tenderize. Then, voila! Transfer the brisket from the mixture and slice it depending on your desired thickness!

Too Much Work to Make A Homemade Corned Beef? – Use Canned Corned Beef!

If you don’t have the time to work on the recipe of corned beef given above, there’s always another option. In the modern world we’re living in today, many people prefer to cook dishes that are way easier and less time consuming such as canned corned beef. However, some people don’t find this much tasty as homemade and therefore ask “how to make canned corned beef taste better?” Well, worry no more since we have come ready and prepared you a simple recipe that will only take you 10 to 15 minutes to cook!
Ingredients

  • Canned Corned Beef
  • Potatoes
  • Cabbage
  • Garlic
  • Onions
  • Oil
  • Spring Onion

On a pan over medium heat, fry the potatoes until mildly soft then set aside. Using the same pan, put the oil and sauté minced garlic and onions then add the canned corned beef and mix it. Then put the fried potatoes and add the sliced cabbage. Cover the pan with lower heat for a couple of minutes. Put the sliced spring onions to garnish the dish and serve! You just made your boring canned corned beef into a delicious meal! Just take note to consume it while hot as the oil from the canned corned beef tend to get clumpy once cold.

Conclusion

Hopefully, by now, you have finally the answer to your questions including “how does corned beef taste like”. Corned beef is a delicious meal that requires a salt-curing process that gives out the full flavor of the meat. With a modern salt-curing process using brine solution/mixture that replaced the use of corn sized grain salts, you can now easily make one at home. If you don’t have the time to set and leave the brisket for days to wait for the salt-curing process, you can always buy a canned corned beef.

Therefore, we suggest you go out and buy the ingredients mentioned on this article and start making your very own version of corned beef. Remember, there is nothing wrong to add one, two, or more spices or vegetables to make your version a little different and more flavorful. On the other hand, do not also forget that too much consumption of canned goods may also lead to health risks due to nitrite content that preserves the beef. 

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