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!
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.
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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
Corned Beef Spice Packet Seasoning
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.
James Fisher says
Turned out great!
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you so much, James! I would love a star rating, if you have a minute. Have a great day!
Travis says
I made this last year for 50lbs of corned beef. None of the packets came with seasoning. This seasoning was absolutely amazing! If you need a seasoning this is the one! So easy to make and taste amazing.
Thank you!!
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you so much Travis, really appreciate the review and I'm glad to hear you love this recipe as much as we do! Would you give it 5 stars? 🤓
Travis says
Yes!
Hilda Sterner says
Yay, thank you so much!
Jason says
Hi, do you grind the bay leaves up too, or remove them?
Thanks!
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Jason,
Yes you do grind the bay leaf. Check out the video in the recipe card, it shows excatly how to do it.
Aaron says
Best corned beef seasoning I’ve ever had!
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you for the review, enjoy!
Ria says
Hi Hilda,
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 going to ‘The best pastrami in the world place ’ , where ever that it. 😁
You won’t be disappointed I promise!!
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you so much, Ria! Your comment made my day! 🙂
Spencer Medford says
Very nice aromatic fragrance from all the different spices. I'm so excited to try this tonight on my first full size Corned Beef Brisket on the pellet grill. Thank u so much for the simple to follow recipe.
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you so much, Spencer! I really appreciate the review!
JP says
Love the clear explanations
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks, Jp, enjoy!
Christopher A Laramore says
Just the recipe I was looking for. Great great great! Thanks so much
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Christopher, I'm so excited that you found the recipe and enjoyed it. Happy St. Patrick's Day!🍀
Diane Conroy says
Hi Hilda!
I am so happy that I found your site! I prefer to make my mixed blended spices by hand if possible. Just made the corned beef spice. Now to use it! What I do not see is what amount of your spice mixed would be considered to be the equivalent of a "spice packet"?
Happy St. Paddy's Day!
Diane
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Diane, Thank you so much for your comment! I left that part out on purpose since the packets have such a tiny amount, I like it use more. But if you wanted to keep it around the same, I'd estimate it's around 1 teaspoon. I end up using closer to 1 tablespoon when I make my corned beef. It comes down to a matte of preference. Good luck!
Marianne says
Wonderful post, Hilda! Great recipe for the once-a-year corned beef recipe that I always forget come St. Patrick's Day. I particularly value your advice on spices. Thank you!
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you, Marianne, I really appreciate the feedback, Happy St. Patrick's Day! 🍀
Heather Marquette says
Thank you!
Can't wait to make this tomorrow.
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you, Heather, enjoy!