This corned beef spices recipe will come in handy the next time you are cooking corned beef and find that it's missing a corned beef spice packet. I always use this corned beef seasoning to make smoked pastrami; it's such a hit!
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If you've come here to learn how to make corned beef spices for corned beef and cabbage, welcome! I'm proud to say that I was the first to post a corned beef spice recipe years ago; many others have followed since.
You'll want to keep this recipe handy the next time you make an Instant Pot corned beef and smoked corned beef brisket, or when you run out of pickling spices. Yes, you can use this mix for making pickles too!
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🔖 Ingredients You'll Need
My original spice mix includes exactly what you'd find in the spice packet that usually comes with your corned beef, but now you can make more of it and use as much as you'd like! My recipe includes the following ingredients found in those tiny packets:
- coriander
- peppercorns
- mustard seeds
- anise
- crushed red pepper
- crushed bay leaves
🧂How To Make Corned Beef Seasoning
Step 1: Toast coriander seeds, mustard seeds, peppercorns, and anise seeds in a hot cast-iron skillet over medium heat for 2 - 3 minutes, or until fragrant.
Step 2: Add bay leaves and red pepper flakes during the last 30 seconds. You basically want to wake up their flavors.
Pro Tip: Keep a close eye on the corned beef spices because they can easily burn.
Step 3: Pour the corned beef seasoning into a spice mill, coffee grinder, or Ninja blender. Pulse a few times, just enough to crush the spices and release their flavor.
Pro Tip: Don't over-blend the spices into a powder. You should still be able to distinguish the ingredients in your corned beef spices.
Step 4: Store the corned beef seasoning in an airtight container until needed. Use as much of the corned beef spices as you'd like to season your corned beef before cooking it.
What Readers Are Saying
Just wanted to thank you for an AMAZING PASTRAMI seasoning mix! I made pastrami for the first time in my smoker( very intimidating ), and it was SOOOO DAMN DELICIOUS !! This seasoning mix was absolutely on POINT! And now I don't have to be disappointed in going to 'The best pastrami in the world', wherever that is. 😁
You won't be disappointed, I promise!!
-Ria
👩🏼🍳 Pro Tips
- This recipe makes enough corned beef seasoning to fill a regular-sized spice jar. You will not use the entire amount to season your corned beef recipe.
- Store the leftover spice mix in an airtight spice jar.
- If you decide to make extra seasoning, you can freeze what you don't plan on using right away.
- If you prefer milder recipes, you can reduce the amount of red pepper flakes in this corned beef seasoning, or leave it out entirely.
- If you don't have the spices mentioned above, you can use pickling spices to season your corned beef brisket.
🍋 More Spice Recipes
If you enjoy making your own spices and seasonings, you may be interested in learning how to make your own everything but the bagel seasoning, biryani spice, pork butt rub, Lebkuchen Gewürz (German gingerbread spice), and shawarma spice recipe.
☘️ More St. Patrick's Day Recipes
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📖 Recipe
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Corned Beef Spice Packet Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Toast coriander seeds, mustard seeds, peppercorns, and anise seeds in a hot cast-iron skillet over medium heat for 2 - 3 minutes, or until fragrant.
- Add bay leaves and red pepper flakes during the last 30 seconds. You basically want to wake up their flavors.
- Pour the corned beef seasoning into a spice mill, coffee grinder, or a Ninja blender. Pulse a few times, just enough to crush the spices and release their flavor.
- Store the corned beef seasoning in an airtight container until needed. Use as much of the corned beef spices as you'd like to season your corned beef before cooking it.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
-
- Keep a close eye on the corned beef spices because they can easily burn.
- Don't over-blend the spices into a powder. You should still be able to distinguish the ingredients in your corned beef spices.
- This recipe makes enough corned beef seasoning to fill a regular-sized spice jar. You will not use the entire amount to season your corned beef recipe.
- Store leftover corned beef spices in an air-tight spice jar.
- If you decide to make extra corned beef seasoning, you can freeze what you don't plan on using right away.
- If you prefer milder recipes, you can reduce the amount of red pepper flakes in this corned beef seasoning, or leave it out entirely.
- If you don't have the spices mentioned above, you can use pickling spices to season your corned beef brisket.
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!