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!
Would you like to save this recipe?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
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!
Jump to:
🔖 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
Did you make this recipe?
📖 Recipe
Would you like to save this recipe?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
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.
Rob Normand says
I buy the pre brined and season corned beef brisket, and that little packet they give you is pointless. I made this recipe, but ground it to powder and just added 1 TBS to the water my beef was cooking in. Seems like a lot of spice at first but it flavors everything really well without being overpowering. LOVE IT.
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks, Rob, so glad you enjoyed it! I accidentally overground the last batch of spices that I made. I actually liked that better. I'm glad you also enjoyed it, thank you so much for the review! 🙂
Monica says
I made corned beef for the first time a few weeks ago as a trial run for St. Patrick's day and am making it again for tomorrow. The spice packet that comes with the corned beef is so small so I did a search for spices for corned beef. It is too late for me to make my own spice blend for tomorrow's corned beef as I don't have all the spices on hand and want to get it started first thing tomorrow morning in the slow cooker before I head to work. I can't wait to make this spice blend for my next try. It looks perfect!
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Monica,
The recipe takes less than 10 minutes to prepare so it's not too late. Make a quick run to the store to get what you need, good luck!
Jamie says
I only used 1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes, and had to sub powdered coriander for the seeds, but this is the BEST recipe for corned beef I've found, and I've tried about 20 since the packet got so absurdly small.
This tasted like my moms' and it was excellent, especially on this wet and nasty night.
Thank You for posting this recipe, I love it, and will keep it!
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Jamie, What a sweet review, thank you! I'm so happy that you finally found a recipe that matched your mom's recipe. Enjoy!
Cheryl T says
This is my go-to recipe for corned beef spices!
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you so much, Cheryl.I appreciate the feedback and the review!
Frank Nelson says
What size brisket will this recipe flavor & can you recommend an online site to purchase spices at reasonable prices? Thanks for the recipe.
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Frank,
When I make this recipe, I use a tablespoon or so to season an average-sized brined corned beef brisket. Just enough to give it a decent coating on both sides. If you are purchasing an unseasoned/brined brisket, it will have to be brined first. You can follow this recipe for the brining recipe then boil the meat instead of smoking it. https://hildaskitchenblog.com/recipe/smoked-pastrami-a-beginners-guide/
Sherry says
I had to alter the recipe to fit what I had in stock so I can't give it 5 stars yet. I had to substitute star anise for anise seeds and used ground mustard in place of mustard seed. It was still wonderful! I'm very curious to try it again with the proper ingredients.
Mike says
You gave it 4 stars because you didn't make it as intended? Ok
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Mike, I get comments like this a lot. It comes with being a food blogger, I guess.
Edmund J Goodrow says
I've been doing this for years and I have to say, your spot on. Good eye.
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks, Ed, sounds like you also have a good eye! 🙂
Darlene L Lenard says
Do you add salt to this recipe for corned beef email ldloma382@gmail.com
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Darlene,
I usually use this to add more flavor to corned beef that's already salted. I haven't made corned beef from scratch yet, but plan to soon. I will be adding salt at that point. I hope that helps.
Katherine says
Your recipe looks excellent! How much of each spice did you use? Sometimes with seasonings I can go by the seat of my pants, but most often I need the exact quantity. Thank you
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Katherine,
Thanks for the comment and the review! The exact measurements are on the bottom of the page in the recipe card. Does that earn me 5 stars instead of 4? 😉
Darren Stevens says
Tasted authentic enough for me! Great job.
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks, Darren, I really appreciate the review!
Rachell says
I was in a hurry to get this in the crockpot and didnt read directions...i used all ingredients to my recipe, hope this turns out..ugh
Reba says
Oh my! The corned beef is cooking right now and the spice packet smells SOOOO good! I can hardly wait, thanks so much Hilda. This is definitely NOT pickling spices. Much better!
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you, Reba, enjoy!!