Description
Mediterranean-inspired Crispy Corned Beef delights palates with rich flavor profiles from slow-cooked meat and golden-brown edges. Hearty textures and savory notes invite home cooks to explore classic comfort cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 to 4 lbs corned beef with spice packet
- 1 cup apple juice or apple cider
- 2 tbsps apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tbsps brown sugar
- ½ tsp black pepper, coarse ground
- ¼ tsp fennel seeds
- 1 spice packet (included with corned beef)
Instructions
- Preparation: Meticulously pat dry the corned beef, discarding the brine. Spread Dijon mustard across the fatty surface of the meat.
- Seasoning: Craft a robust spice blend using minced garlic, brown sugar, black pepper, and crushed fennel seeds. Evenly distribute the aromatic mixture over the mustard-coated meat.
- Slow Cooker Method: Pour apple juice and apple cider vinegar into the cooking vessel. Nestle the seasoned corned beef with the fat side facing upward.
- Cooking Process: Set the slow cooker to low temperature and allow the meat to simmer gently for 6-7 hours, ensuring optimal tenderness and flavor infusion.
- Broiling Technique: Transfer the cooked corned beef to a foil-lined baking sheet positioned near the broiler. Broil for 4-5 minutes, vigilantly monitoring to achieve a caramelized, crispy exterior with a rich, golden-brown finish.
- Oven Alternative: Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Combine apple juice and vinegar in a roasting pan, placing the seasoned corned beef fat-side up. Cover securely with a lid or aluminum foil, baking approximately 50 minutes per pound until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Final Crisping: Remove the covering and briefly expose the meat under the broiler to enhance the exterior’s crispness.
- Serving Suggestion: Slice the corned beef and present with roasted cabbage and herb-infused potatoes, or repurpose leftovers into a hearty hash for subsequent meals.
Notes
- Ensure Meat Dryness: Thoroughly pat corned beef with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve maximum crispiness and better spice adherence.
- Spice Blend Precision: Use freshly ground spices for more intense flavor; adjust sugar and pepper ratios according to personal taste preference.
- Fat Side Positioning: Always place meat fat-side up during cooking to promote self-basting and enhance natural tenderness of the cut.
- Temperature Monitoring: Use a meat thermometer to guarantee precise doneness and prevent overcooking, which can result in tough, dry meat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg