Corned beef and cabbage is a beloved Irish-American dish often served around St Patrick’s Day The salty, fatty brisket pairs perfectly with tangy mustard. But with the vast array of mustard varieties available, how do you choose the best one for corned beef? Here is a guide to picking the ideal mustard to take your corned beef sandwiches and dinner to the next level.
A Brief History of Corned Beef
Before getting into mustards, let’s look at what exactly corned beef is. Corned beef originated as an Irish dish made by curing beef brisket in large grains of salt, known as “corns” of salt. This salting helped preserve the meat. Brisket is a fattier cut that becomes tender during the brining process. The saltwater brine also gives the beef its trademark pinkish hue.
Once cured, the corned beef is slowly simmered until fork tender. This cooking mellows the saltiness and gives the meat a wonderful tender texture. The hearty, beefy flavor is enhanced by the seasonings absorbed from the brine.
Mustard Varieties and Flavor Profiles
Now onto the mustard options to pair with corned beef. There are three main categories of mustard, each with their own distinct flavor:
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Yellow mustard – This classic American mustard is made from mild yellow mustard seeds and turmeric It has a smooth, tangy flavor with just a hint of heat. The iconic yellow color comes from the turmeric.
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Dijon mustard – Originating in Dijon, France, Dijon uses brown or black mustard seeds instead of yellow. It has a robust, spicy flavor with more heat than yellow mustard. The texture ranges from smooth to coarse depending on how finely the seeds are ground.
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Honey mustard – Sweet honey balances out some of the bitterness of mustard in this variety. It can be smooth or retain some graininess from the seeds. The honey mellows the sharpness.
There are also many other specialty mustards like beer mustard, horseradish mustard, or whole grain mustard. But the above three are the most common and accessible.
Matching Mustard to Corned Beef
So which mustard pairing works best with salty, tender corned beef? Here are some recommendations based on complementing flavors and textures:
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Dijon – The zesty, sharp flavor of Dijon mustard stands up well to the strong corned beef. The hint of heat complements the meat’s saltiness. The coarse texture also contrasts nicely with the tender brisket.
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Spicy brown – This deli-style mustard has a robust kick from horseradish and other spices. The complex heat pairs wonderfully with corned beef’s richness. The seedy texture alsooffsets the meat’s softness.
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Honey mustard – While not as fiery, honey mustard offers sweetness to balance the salt and fat of corned beef. The honey mellows out the other flavors for a more mild, crowd-pleasing option.
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Yellow mustard – While yellow mustard is mild, it still has enough acidity to cut through beef’s heaviness. The pop of tang is welcome amidst the other rich flavors. The smooth texture contrasts with slices of tender brisket.
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Whole grain mustard – Retaining mustard seeds gives a pleasant crunch that contrasts nicely with tender corned beef. The coarse, spicy flavor stands up to the meat better than smooth yellow mustard.
Special Mustards to Try
To take your corned beef to the next level, look for these gourmet mustard varieties:
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Stout beer mustard – Mustards made with stouts or porters pair perfectly with corned beef’s Irish origins. The residual malty sweetness contrasts the meat’s saltiness.
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Irish whiskey mustard – What better for an Irish dish than Irish whiskey? The whiskey notes in the mustard complement corned beef sublimely.
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Garlic mustard – Savory garlic and onion mustards accentuate the meaty flavors of corned beef. Roasted garlic mustard is ideal.
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Three pepper mustard – Mustards spiced with combinations of peppercorns, like black, green and white, give extra complexity. The heat enhances corned beef’s richness.
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Lager mustard – Like stout mustard, lagers lend malty, slightly sweet notes that counterbalance corned beef wonderfully.
Maximizing Flavor Balance
Beyond the mustard, ensure the other sandwich or dinner components provide balance as well:
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Use a hearty rye or pumpernickel bread that can stand up to the fatty meat.
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Add swiss cheese for nutty, mellow contrast to the mustard and beef.
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Don’t forget crunchy vegetables like cabbage, pickles and onion for freshness.
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Try tangy sauerkraut or Thousand Island dressing for more acidity.
With the perfect mustard and supporting ingredients, you can make corned beef sing. Next St. Paddy’s Day, grab some good corned beef and your mustard of choice to enjoy this Irish-American classic.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
I love simple sauce recipes that boast big flavors, like my crab cake sauce and this mustard sauce! Its amazing how a few simple ingredients can elevate a dish!
Adds Flavor – The tangy and zesty flavors of mustard and lemon juice make this sauce the perfect accompaniment to corned beef brisket. It cuts through the rich and salty flavors of the beef, creating a delicious balance of flavors.
Simple Ingredients – Its easy to quickly throw this recipe together using simple ingredients that you may already have in your kitchen!
No Cooking – Save the stovetop for your Corned Beef! This recipe is ready in minutes using just a whisk and a bowl.
If you are planning a St. Patricks Day feast, youll want to follow this Dutch Oven Corned Beef recipe! And be sure to finish your meal off with a minty frozen treat!
Looking for the full recipe? The recipe card at the bottom of this post includes the complete list of ingredients, measurements, and instructions. Save This Recipe
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Sour cream: This ingredient is the foundation of our creamy sauce. It adds a tangy element and also helps to balance the sharpness of the mustard and lemon juice. If you dont have sour cream, you can substitute it with plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise.
Dijon mustard: The mustard provides a pungent flavor that pairs well with the salty and savory flavors of corned beef. You can substitute Dijon mustard with yellow mustard or whole-grain mustard if you prefer.
Lemon juice: The lemon juice adds a bright and acidic note to the sauce, which helps to cut through the richness of the corned beef. An equal replacement of white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be used.
Spices: Salt, black pepper, and garlic enhance the flavors of the other ingredients. This recipe uses garlic powder but you can replace it with ½ teaspoon of minced garlic.
You dont need a complex set of instructions for this sauce. You literally just put everything into a small bowl, then mix it together.
The total time it takes to make this tangy sauce is minutes.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
- Give it a taste. If you want it to have a stronger mustard flavor then add a little more mustard. If you want it brighter or more citrusy then add more lemon juice. And of course, you can add extra salt, pepper, or garlic powder to suit your tastebuds.
- For a thinner sauce replace half of the sour cream with heavy cream.
- If you like a little sweetness, stir in one tablespoon of brown sugar.
There are many other ways to use this creamy mustard sauce beyond pairing it with corned beef. Here are some ideas:
- Use it as a dip for vegetables or crackers.
- Spread it on sandwiches or burgers for extra flavor.
- Serve it as a condiment for grilled or roasted meats, such as chicken, pork, or beef.
- Use it as a dressing for a green salad, or drizzle it over roasted vegetables.
- Serve it alongside fish or seafood, such as salmon or shrimp.
- Use it as a sauce for dipping chicken tenders or nuggets.
- Use it as a marinade for chicken, pork, or beef before grilling or roasting.
Yes, you can make the sauce ahead of time. Keep it in the refrigerator in an airtight container and it should stay fresh for up to one week.
I do not recommend that you freeze this sauce. Because it has a sour cream base the texture will completely change the texture of the sauce.
Yes, you can use other types of mustard, such as yellow mustard, stone-ground mustard, spicy brown mustard, or even honey mustard, depending on your personal preference.
Easy Mustard Sauce For Corned Beef #shorts #cornedbeef #stpatricksday #easyrecipe #mustard #howto
FAQ
Which mustard is best with corned beef?
Whole Grain Dijon Mustard – This is for flavor and texture. I love whole grain mustard for the grainy texture it has. You can also use normal Dijon Mustard as well. White Wine – A lot of people use beer in their corned beef braise, however I like the acidity white wine brings, and it is gluten free.
What mustard goes with beef?
- 2 tbsp grainy Dijon mustard.
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil.
- 3 Cloves garlic, crushed.
- ¼ tsp fresh ground pepper.
- 1.5–2 Kg (3–5 Pound) Beef Roast (we had Top Sirloin Oven Roast)
Why mustard on corned beef?
It adds texture to the dish while enhancing its overall flavor.
What mustard to use on brisket?
Yellow mustard: Slathering the brisket with yellow mustard adds flavor, helps the seasonings stick and promotes browning for a gorgeous bark. The acid in the mustard also works like a marinade and breaks down the brisket’s tough muscle proteins for a more tender brisket.