Corned beef brisket is a delicious cured and brined cut of beef that is a staple in many cuisines. From Irish cuisine to Jewish delicatessen food, corned beef brisket is loved for its rich salty, and savory flavors. But where can you buy high-quality corned beef brisket? Here is your guide to finding the best places to buy pre-brined corned beef brisket, or brisket to corn and brine yourself.
What Exactly is Corned Beef Brisket?
Corned beef brisket starts with a brisket cut of beef, which comes from the breast or lower chest area of a cow. Brisket has a good amount of fat marbling which helps keep the meat moist during the cooking process.
To make corned beef, the brisket is cured and brined in a salty mixture containing ingredients like salt, nitrates/nitrites, spices, and sometimes sugar. This curing process infuses the meat with flavor and preserves it. The term “corned” comes from the coarse granular salts historically used to cure meats, which were known as “corns” of salt.
Where to Buy Pre-Made Corned Beef Brisket
If you want to skip the lengthy corning process yourself, buying pre-made corned beef brisket is a convenient shortcut. Here are some of the best places to purchase ready-to-cook corned beef brisket:
Grocery Store Chains
Many national supermarket chains carry corned beef brisket seasonally around St. Patrick’s Day. Keep an eye out for corned brisket in the fresh meat section. Some specific stores to check include:
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Safeway – Safeway sells corned brisket under its “Signature Select” brand. It is a nicely marbled choice cut brisket flat cured with corn salt and pickling spices.
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Kroger – Check the deli counter at Kroger and Kroger-owned chains for packaged corned beef brisket sold under Kroger’s or other private label brands.
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Costco – Around early March, Costco usually gets shipments of corned beef brisket flats and rounds. Kirkland Signature brand corned beef brisket is a great value.
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Aldi – Aldi sells Cattlemen’s Ranch brand corned beef brisket seasonally. It is cured without nitrates and comes packed with a spice packet.
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Whole Foods – Look for uncured corned beef brisket at Whole Foods, sold under their 365 Everyday Value brand. It contains no artificial ingredients.
Butcher Shops and Delis
For high quality, custom-cured corned beef, visit a local butcher shop or deli. Many butcher shops sell house-brined corned beef brisket. Jewish delis also often carry delicious corned beef, which may be called “deli corned beef.” The curing process can differ slightly from the Irish style.
Online Mail Order
Numerous online retailers ship corned beef brisket nationwide. Buying online is convenient if you can’t find corned brisket locally. Some popular online options include:
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Omaha Steaks – Omaha Steaks has fully cooked corned beef brisket ready to heat and eat. It is also available in smaller portions.
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The Spice House – The Spice House sells raw corned beef brisket to cook yourself along with curing seasonings.
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Porter Road – Porter Road’s pasture-raised corned beef brisket comes pre-brined and with a spice packet.
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Walton’s – Walton’s ships authentic raw corned beef brisket cured for 10-14 days from Chicago.
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Holy Cow BBQ – Holy Cow BBQ hand-trims and cures briskets without preservatives or artificial ingredients.
Buying Raw Brisket to Corn Yourself
For the freshest, homemade taste, consider buying a raw brisket and corning it yourself. Here are some tips:
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Look for a well-marbled brisket flat cut or whole brisket packer cut. Choice grade brisket works very well.
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Inspect the brisket for good fat distribution and avoid lean, thin pieces. About a 1/2 inch fat cap is ideal.
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Purchase the brisket from a trusted butcher shop or meat counter. Ensure it looks, smells, and feels fresh.
-allow 5-7 days for the corning/curing process, so plan timing accordingly.
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Use a wet brine or dry rub curing method. Homemade pastrami uses a dry rub.
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Follow a trusted corned beef recipe and weigh ingredients precisely for food safety.
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Use pickling spice blends and salts specifically formulated for curing meats.
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Keep the brisket submerged in brine using a heavy plate. Monitor brine strength.
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Refrigerate at 36-40°F throughout curing, never leaving meat at room temperature.
With the right brisket and homemade corned beef curing recipe, you can create delicious homemade corned beef.
How to Cook Corned Beef Brisket
Once you have your corned beef brisket, it’s time to cook it! Here are some corned beef cooking tips:
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Cover brisket fully with water in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add pickling spice packet if it came with one.
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For stovetop, simmer covered for 2.5-3.5 hours until fork tender. For oven, cook covered at 300°F for 3-4 hours.
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Remove brisket from liquid, slice across the grain, and serve!
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Keep leftover brisket refrigerated for up to 5 days. Use for sandwiches, hash, casseroles, soups, and more.
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Reheat brisket in the cooking liquid or broth until warmed through.
-To vary flavor, cook with beers, wines, or sodas like Guinness, hard cider, or ginger ale.
- Cook low and slow to achieve ultimate tenderness. Let rest before carving.
With these tips, you can cook delicious, melt-in-your-mouth corned beef brisket for any occasion!
Popular Ways to Enjoy Corned Beef Brisket
Once cooked, corned beef brisket can be used in all kinds of delicious dishes:
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Classic Reuben Sandwiches – Pile sliced corned beef with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing on rye bread. Grill the sandwich to perfection.
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Corned Beef Hash – Dice cooked corned beef along with potatoes. Cook in a skillet and top with eggs for an easy, hearty breakfast.
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New England Boiled Dinner – Simmer corned beef brisket along with cabbage, carrots, potatoes and seasonings for a comforting one-pot meal.
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Corned Beef and Cabbage – The traditional St. Patrick’s Day favorite! Boil corned beef, cabbage, and root vegetables for a fortunate Irish-American dish.
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Rachel Sandwiches – Just like a Reuben but with coleslaw instead of sauerkraut.
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Shepherd’s Pie – Ground leftover corned beef as the base for a homey shepherd’s pie topped with creamy mashed potatoes.
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Corned Beef Soup – Simmer shredded corned beef in broth with veggies for a hearty soup.
The uses for cooked corned beef are practically endless. It’s even great chopped up and eaten straight with mustard on the side!
In Summary
Corned beef brisket is a wonderfully flavored cut of meat that just needs a few simple ingredients for incredible flavor. Look for pre-brined corned brisket at grocery stores and online mail order companies for convenient short-cuts. Or wet brine or dry rub cure your own for the ultimate homemade taste. However you obtain it, cook your corned beef low and slow until fork tender. Then slice it against the grain and pile it high on sandwiches and platters for true Irish-American deliciousness. Sláinte!
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How to Buy the Right Cut of Beef Brisket (Hint: There’s Two Types!)
FAQ
Where do I find corned beef in the grocery store?
Look in the meat section of the grocery store for ready-to-cook corned beef. You’ll find it packaged in a vacuum-sealed bag in brine, weighing an average of three to five pounds. Ready-to-cook corned beef can be cooked exactly the same as one that was cured at home.
What is another name for corned beef brisket?
Corned beef, called salted beef in some Commonwealth countries, is a salt-cured brisket of beef. The term comes from the treatment of the meat with large-grained rock salt, also called “corns” of salt.
Does Aldi sell corned beef brisket?
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, and every day, with ALDI corned beef brisket. Cured in a seasoned brine, this brisket is oven or slow cooker ready, and comes with a packet of expertly blended spices for a taste of Ireland right at home.
Does Costco have corned beef brisket?
Morton’s of Omaha Corned Beef Brisket, 4 lb avg wt | Costco.