Rinse Corned Beef First?
17 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (15)
- 17 years ago
- 17 years ago
Related Discussions
How long does corned beef keep?
Comments (2)Botulism isn't usually a concern if its cured with nitrates/nitrites. The 'Prague' is adding nitrites (and nitrogen) to the meat and has a preservative effect, which makes it stay pink. They use these in pepperoni, and you have probably seen pepperoni and other meats that are not even refrigerated, like some specialty sausages and even summer sausages. Because you don't have good control over the amount or salt and nitrites/nitrates in the Morton Tender Quick, it tends to be suitable for those who are not too concerned if its overly salty, or just want to give it a simple single try. When I make this brine, its usually the meat that gets weighed and the brine amount its based on the salt and Prague (nitrites/nitrates) and water. Here, I do use measuring devices, as its important to get the right amount of salt, and after curing if its too salty its hard to remove it. Prague is also got pink color and salt added so its not just pure nitrites/nitrates. If it were, it would be about 1/8 the amount that is in a tablespoon of Prague. They do this so that its easier to measure or weigh the nitrites/nitrates, and you are less likly to over do the amount. Soaking the meat for that long (2 weeks!? )is too much time. No matter what the books say. I use a meat pump, an oversized hypodermic needle and syringe and inject the brine into the meat. Because a brisket is quite thin, it needs very little brining, maybe 2-3 days tops. A very low, slow cooking is essential for a tender result. In this forum are many sources for the nitrites and nitrates and other curing supplies as well as links to recipes. Corned beef is also made into pastrami, by coating the outside with the same pckling spices and baking very slowly like 6 hours at 250 degrees. Usually the nitrates are used for longer, slower air curing, and nitrites are used for fast curing like sausages and corned beef. They also identify these as Instacure #1 and Instacure #2. Here, I don't use a pickling spice mix per se, but instead grind up peppercorns, mustard seed, coriander, bay leaf, celery seed, dried garlic, onion, and a few other spices (done in a small blender type coffee grinder) THis spice mix is also added to the brine. Suggest that uou remove it from the brine now, and rinse it off well, then either simmer to cook it very slowly for several hours, or bake at a very low 200-250 degree oven, covered, for about 4-6 hours. The internal temp should eventially reach about 160. I have even made a great pastrami from very lean eye of the round, which in itself tends to be quite tough. Not sure if you actaully tasted the brine before it was soaking the meat, but if it was overly salty, it may result in that same end result. Years ago, before I started making cured meats, my mom had gotten a recipe off a package of Morton Tender Quick to make a hamburger type pepperoni that was wrapped in aluminim foil like a big sausage and baked. It did turn out quite interesting, but was a bit salty. I still have that almost full bag of Morton Tender Quick here, for nearly 30 years now, and have not used any since. Lots of good info on nitrates and nitrites at this link to: http://www.butcher-packer.com/pages-document_general_info/product-743/nitrite-and-nitrate-curing-salt.html Here is a link that might be useful: Butcher Packer...See MoreDo you rinse your corned beef before cooking?
Comments (8)I don't know that lightly rinsing it would make it "bland", because it's been soaking in that stuff for a long time. But you may be using too much water if you've got a really large slow cooker, that can leach some of the flavor out. I don't rinse it myself, just dump the whole thing in there. I add extra spices too, because the packet is pretty skimpy. Another way to intensify the flavor is to remove the corned beef from the liquid when it's almost done and finish it in the oven....See MoreCorned beef and the spice bag
Comments (16)We absolutely love corned beef so I cook it fairly often especially if on sale. I have done in the slow cooker and the oven both are good but have a different flavor. I most often use the slow cooker, I put in a layer of sliced onion on the bottom, put the corned beef in, add the baby red potatoes not peeled, chunks of carrots which I don't peel I scrub the heck out of them with a vegetable scrubber, and contents of the spice package, I add a little Tony's Cajun seasoning for a kick. I add one can of beer or that equivalent of water. Cover and cook on high till meat is fork tender, I add wedges of cabbage on top the last 15 to 20 minutes. I like my cabbage with a little crunch left. I found some time ago I much prefer nice carrots well scrubbed over peeled they have so much more flavor. I don't like those supposed baby carrots in the bags. They aren't really baby carrots they are cut and shaped and don't have much flavor. I buy nice big orange carrots and cut into chunks. The best ones I have found are at the Mexican market. I don't have a corned beef since we were gone and I didn't get to go grocery shopping. I am jealous!...See MoreBrining your own Corned Beef
Comments (12)I don't worry a lot about it, but I avoid adding them when possible. I made the canadian bacon and the peameal bacon without it, as they were only brined two and three days, respectively. The salt brine for corned beef is going to keep the meat fine for five days in the fridge without an issue, but if I were leaving it for a couple of weeks, I might have second thoughts. Then again, those fancy steakhouses dry age beef for 40 days or more, so there's that, everyone has to make their own choices about what they are comfortable with. I know that 90% of the nitrates in our bodies come from vegetables, and 10% from processed meats, but there's a difference in nitrates. According to the University of Minnesota: "Normally, sodium nitrate in vegetables does not pose the same health risk as nitrites found in processed meat. The nitrites added to processed meats as preservatives and color enhancers can combine with proteins called amines to form compounds called nitrosamines. Nitrosamines have shown cancer-causing potential in animal studies. Nitrates and nitrites themselves do not have cancer-causing potential. Vegetables contain ascorbic acid, a form of vitamin C and an antioxidant which helps prevent nitrosamine formation, although it might not completely prevent it. Store fresh cooked vegetables high in nitrates for no more than one to two days in the refrigerator or cook only as much as you plan to eat at one time." So, are you more concerned about the food safety issues with leaving beef in brine alone, or with the nitrates added to your diet? It's strictly your call, the flavor will be there no matter what. Laceyvail, I never thought of corning the tongue, that's a good idea! Do you take the skin off it first, or brine with the skin on? Annie...See More- 17 years ago
- 17 years ago
- 17 years ago
- 17 years ago
- 17 years ago
- 17 years ago
- 17 years ago
- 15 years ago
- 4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
- 4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
- 4 years ago
- 2 years ago
Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGNSimple Pleasures: Wake Up and Smell the Coffee
Slugging down any old sludge while pulling on socks is no way to start the day. Learn to brew amazing java and savor the experience here
Full Story
KITCHEN DESIGNKitchen Recipes: Secret Ingredients of 5 One-of-a-Kind Cooking Spaces
Learn what went into these cooks’ kitchens — and what comes out of them
Full Story
MOST POPULARThanksgiving Tales: When the Turkey Tanks
Houzz readers prove adept at snatching victory from the jaws of entertaining defeat
Full Story
COTTAGE STYLECute, Cook-Friendly Cottage Kitchens
Before you lament the limitations of a cottage kitchen, have a look at the possibilities
Full Story
LIFEHow Do You Make Your Tea and Coffee in the Morning?
A morning cup is a must for many, and preparation comes in many guises. We look at coffee and tea habits across the Houzz community
Full Story
SAVING WATER11 Ways to Save Water at Home
Whether you live in a drought-stricken area or just want to help preserve a precious resource, here are things you can do to use less water
Full Story
MOST POPULAREasy Green: 23 Ways to Reduce Waste at Home
Pick from this plethora of earth-friendly ideas to send less to the landfill and keep more money in your pocket
Full Story
KITCHEN DESIGNHouzz Call: What’s Cooking in Your Kitchen?
Most of us turn to recipes, videos and culinary shows when we cook. Where do you set your cookbook, tablet or TV screen?
Full Story
HOUSEKEEPINGHow to Clean a Glass Shower Door
See which tools and methods will keep those glass shower walls and doors sparkling clean
Full Story
HOUSEKEEPINGVinegar and Voilà: Clean Your House the Natural Way
Ditch the commercial cleaners for nontoxic, inexpensive and versatile white vinegar
Full Story
shaun