Corned beef and cabbage is a classic Irish-American dish that is synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day. It consists of corned beef (a brisket that has been cured with salt and spices) and cabbage, as well as other vegetables like potatoes and carrots. While the traditional method of preparation involves boiling everything together in a large pot on the stovetop, slow-roasting the meat and vegetables separately in the oven yields a far superior result. To amp up the flavor, I toss the vegetables in a horseradish-spiked butter sauce before roasting—it makes all the difference. Once roasted, the corned beef is tender and subtly spiced and the bronzed veggies are near irresistible to resist eating straight from the pan. You may even find yourself thinking, “What else can I roast in horseradish butter?”
Horseradish cream sauce is a classic accompaniment to corned beef and cabbage because it adds a tangy and slightly spicy flavor that complements the rich and salty flavor of the corned beef. The creaminess of the sauce also provides a cooling contrast to the hot and savory meat and vegetables. Serve corned beef and cabbage with soda bread or for a traditional Irish-American meal.
What you’ll need to make Corned Beef and Cabbage
The term “corned” refers to the large grains of salt that were historically used to cure the beef, which gives the dish its distinctively salty and savory flavor. Corned beef briskets are widely available in supermarkets today, and in March, they are often on sale, making it the perfect time to prepare this delicious dish. Look for corned beef that is labeled flat-cut. If it’s not clear based on the packaging, just ask your butcher to point you in the right direction. Do not trim the fat from the corned beef before starting the recipe; the fat helps baste the meat and keep it tender while roasting. You can remove the fat once the corned beef is cooked.
Step-by-step Instructions
Begin by rinsing the meat under cold running water. This will rid the meat of some of the saltiness. Place the corned beef fat side up in a large roasting pan.
Pour about 1/8 inch water around the corned beef. Sprinkle the contents of the seasoning packet into the water around the meat. Cover the pan tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil and roast on the middle rack for 3 hours.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the melted butter, horseradish, salt, and pepper.
Mix well.
Place the carrots, potatoes and cabbage side by side on a rimmed baking sheet (do not line the pan with foil; the potatoes will stick). Drizzle the horseradish-butter mixture over the veggies.
Toss with a spatula to coat all of the vegetables evenly, keeping the vegetables separate. Turn the potatoes so that they are cut side down (they’ll get much crispier that way).
After the corned beef has roasted for 1 hour and 30 minutes, place the pan of vegetables on the bottom rack of the oven. Roast the vegetables and continue cooking the corned beef for 1 hour and 30 minutes more, until both the meat and vegetables are tender. Check on the veggies occasionally to be sure they are browning evenly.
Remove the meat from the oven and transfer to a cutting board. Let cool slightly, until cool enough to handle.
Cut off the layer of fat on top of the corned beef and discard. Slice the meat against, or perpendicular to, the grain into 1/4-inch slices.
How To Make Horseradish Cream Sauce
Simply combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl, and season to taste.
Arrange the meat and roasted vegetables on a platter and sprinkle with parsley, if desired. Serve with the horseradish cream sauce on the side.
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