This Corned Beef Spice Packet recipe might come in handy the next time you are cooking corned beef and find that it's missing a spice pack.
The spice mix includes coriander, peppercorns, mustard seeds, and other herbs and spices to add amazing flavor to your corned beef, which makes the best Reuben sandwiches!
Out of my frustration of never having enough spices for my corned beef, I decided to make my own Corned Beef Spice Packet Blend.
It took a little investigative work for me to figure out what ingredients were included in those tiny little spice packets, but in the end, I nailed it!
Now I can generously season the corned beef with my home-made spice blend, which really enhances the flavor of the roast.
How Do You Make A Corned Beef Spice Packet?
So what spices are included in those elusive Corned Beef Spice Packets, and why are they so stingy with them? It depends on who you ask; I decided to do my own investigating.
Upon a quick examination of the spices in the packet, I identified the following spices: crushed bay leaves, coriander, crushed red pepper, peppercorns, anise seeds, and mustard seeds.
Now doesn't that sound simple enough? The next thing I had to figure out was the correct proportions of each of the ingredients.
Steps to Making Your Own Homemade Corned Been Spice Blend
Ingredients:
- 2 T. coriander
- 2 tsp. peppercorns
- 1 T. mustard seeds
- 1 tsp. anise seeds
- 4 large bay leaves
- 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- Measure out your spices using the recipe card below.
Toast coriander, peppercorns, anise, and mustard seeds in a hot cast-iron skillet for two to three minutes, until fragrant.
Add crushed bay leaves and red pepper flakes in the last 30 seconds. You are basically just trying to awaken their flavors. But be careful so that you don't burn them.
Pour the contents of the pan in a Spice Mill/Grinder or a Ninja blender. Pulse a few times, just enough to release the flavors. You should still be able to distinguish between the various ingredients.
Store the spice mix in an airtight container until needed. If you make extra seasoning, you can freeze what you don't plan on using right away.
Corned Beef Spice Options
Besides the spices listed in the recipe, there are other spices that you can add if you're feeling a little adventurous. Consider adding any of the following:
- cloves
- allspice
- cardamom
- cinnamon
If you do decide to add these different spices, I would caution you to go easy at first. This is one of those cases where less is more.
These spices all have intense flavors, so start off with small amounts and adjust the quantity if necessary. I would start with no more than a 1/4 teaspoon of each.
If you are interested in making your own spice blends, be sure to check out the following posts:
- Baharat Spice Blend
- Easy Dukkah Recipe (Egyptian Spice Blend)
- Santa Maria Dry Rub
- Spicy Dry Rub Seasoning
- Easy Biryani Spice
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Corned Beef Spice Packet Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 T. coriander
- 2 tsp. peppercorns
- 1 T. mustard seeds
- 1 tsp. anise seeds
- 4 large bay leaves
- 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Toast coriander, peppercorns, mustard seeds, and anise seeds in a cast iron skillet for two to three minutes, or until fragrant.
- Add crushed bay leaves, and crushed red pepper flakes for the last 30 seconds.
- Pour contents of the pan into a spice mill and pulse a few times to release the flavor of the spices.
- Store in an air-tight container.
- Use as much of the spice mix as you'd like to season your corned beef before cooking.
Patty Hickman says
Can the packet of spices be used for anything other than pickling or the corned beef?
HildaSterner says
Hi Patty,
Yes, I've used it to pickle vegetables before and they came out great.
Liya says
I came across Hilda’s blog while browsing for a great corned beef recipe. I have always wanted to make homemade corned beef but never had the time coz work has been so demandingly busy ( always a great excuse). After moving to a new home last Christmas, I have discovered that I have a slow cooker that has been sitting in the garage for a long time. I have decided to make corned beef and tried the spice recipe of Hilda and oh my gosh!!!!! It was the best home made corned beef I ever had. My husband liked it so much that he even asked me to make it again. Thanks again Hilda for sharing your recipe.
HildaSterner says
Hi Liya,
Thank you so much for coming back and rating/reviewing the recipe. I really appreciate it and I'm glad that both you and your husband like the recipe so much. See you on Instagram! 🤗
Jennifer says
I'm making a corned beef today and I measured the spice packet. 1/2 tbsp. I like a bit more spiciness to my beef, so I always added a few extra peppercorns and whole cloves to it. This recipe sounds great. A side note: if you don't want to purchase the ingredients separately, Ball (the canning people) makes a pickling spice that's identical to the packet. I found it in the canning section at Walmart.
HildaSterner says
Thanks, Jennifer! I hope you enjoy your corned beef. Which reminds me that I still have one somewhere deep in my freezer. I might have to dig it up today. Take care and stay safe!
Victoria Hanson says
?? can I use dry mustard if I don't have mustard seed?
HildaSterner says
Hi Victoria,
You can do whatever you want, this is America! But seriously, I'd leave it out of the mixture, and use the spice mix as-is for now then add the mustard seeds to the remaining spices when you get some. I would hesitate to add dry mustard because sometimes salt is added to the powder and corned beef is already salty enough. Or you can taste the dry mustard to see if it's salty, and if not, you can just sprinkle some on the corned beef. Later you can add the mustard seeds to the remaining spices.
Joe O’Sullivan says
Hilda,
Would this be the same answer for the coriander. I got powdered coriander at the store and then realized it actually called for seeds (no internet in the store).
Also, they did not have red pepper flakes, so would either a little less cayenne or chili powder work? (I have paprika and cumin in hand, so if I could somehow use one or both of them, it would be great.
Thanks!
HildaSterner says
Hi Joe, I haven't tried replacing the ingredients you mentioned, but the powdered coriander should be fine. Also, if you don't have red pepper flakes, you could try to use a smaller amount of cayenne, as you mentioned. However, I wouldn't use chili powder. It would impart a flavor that's not commonly associated with corned beef. Good lucK!
Kelly Methey says
So good to have this recipe since the packet they include is so tiny! Great idea giving your followers this recipe! We so appreciate you!
Esther Nungaray says
Hi Hilda, thanks so much for the recipe. Smoking my first brisket today.. wish me luck. 🙂
HildaSterner says
Good luck, let me know how it goes!
Carol K says
Thank you thank thank you. This is simply heavenly ( I added a half stick crushed cinnamon), aromatic.
I have to make my corned beef and cabbage from scratch as I cannot consume nitrates and nitrites that they put into the pre- seasoned briskets. It is simmering right now and I am looking forward to dinner!
HildaSterner says
Hi Carol,
Comments like yours make my day! I'm so glad I could be of help, enjoy dinner!
Nancy says
I've always kinda guessed what else to put in my corned beef. This was perfect. Will keep this spice mixture for sure.
HildaSterner says
Thank you, Nancy, I really appreciate you stopping by and letting me know your thoughts! 🙂
mzfry says
Wonderful!
HildaSterner says
Thank you for the review!❤️
Cindi says
Can't wait to try it
HildaSterner says
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! 😘
Taher says
What size brisket is this amount of spice mix good for?
HildaSterner says
This makes enough to fill a jar and use as needed. The packet that is usually included with the brisket is around 1/2 tsp. to 1 tsp. So basically you can add as much as you need, depending on the size of the brisket.
Meg says
Hello! Do you have a corned beef recipe as well?
Thank you!! ☘️
HildaSterner says
Hi Meg, sure do! The link for it is in the first paragraph. 😉
Neville Croswell says
Is this spice blend for brining or for rubbing on the corned beef just before you
roast it.
HildaSterner says
Hi Neville, it can be used both ways. Especially when you consider pre-packaged corned beef is usually brined in a similar spice mix and then there's an additional tiny packet included to rub on the meat prior to cooking. Feel free to use it as a brine, or rub some on the brisket prior to cooking, or both. Enjoy!