This simple Corned Beef Seasoning recipe will help you make the tastiest corned beef! Your homemade spice blend only needs 9 ingredients and can be ready in 5 minutes. It’s perfect for adding extra flavor to store-bought corned beef, or making your own homemade corned beef.
Every year after St. Patrick’s Day, my husband and I go to the store and buy a lot of corned beef while it’s on sale. Six of them are frozen, and all year long we just throw them in the slow cooker for an easy meal.
When we were putting one in the Crock Pot a few months ago, my husband asked if I could make a corned beef seasoning mix to go with the store-bought seasoning that comes with the corned beef. Of course I did, and it was so good that I had to use it to make my own corned beef as well.
We now slow-cook store-bought corned beef or use this spice mix when I make corned beef from scratch. It really does make the best corned beef you’ve ever had! If you want to spice up bland corned beef, this seasoning mix is just what you need!
Make a big batch of the pickling spices and use them every month to make a tasty corned beef dinner! They will stay good in the pantry for up to 6 months.
For the full ingredient amounts, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. These spices are mostly easy to find in grocery stores, either in the spice aisle or in bulk spice containers. There are also links to each spice below, so if you’d rather, you can buy them online.
Corned beef is a popular deli meat that many people enjoy, especially around St Patrick’s Day It often comes with a small packet of pickling spices. But is that spice packet safe for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity? I did some research to find out.
What is Corned Beef?
Corned beef starts out as a beef brisket or round. It’s cured in a brine solution, which gives it its signature pink color and unique salty flavor. The curing brine contains water, salt, spices, and preservatives like sodium nitrite. After curing for several days, the beef is ready to be cooked.
Commercially made corned beef is sold in vacuum-sealed packages, cans, or behind deli counters It’s a staple ingredient in dishes like corned beef hash, Reuben sandwiches, and New England boiled dinners
The Spice Packet
Most packaged corned beef comes with a tiny envelope of pickling spices This mixture adds extra flavor during cooking Typical spices found in the packet include
- Black peppercorns
- Coriander seeds
- Mustard seeds
- Red pepper flakes
- Bay leaves
- Allspice berries
- Cinnamon sticks
- Whole cloves
These warm, earthy spices complement the salty cured beef. But are they safe for people who are gluten-free?
Gluten Content of Pickling Spices
After carefully inspecting the ingredients lists of several popular spice packet brands, I found no sources of gluten. The spices are all naturally gluten-free.
However, cross-contamination is a potential concern. The spices are processed in facilities that likely also handle wheat. So there’s a small chance for gluten exposure.
Overall though, the spices themselves don’t contain any barley, rye, wheat or malt. Most brands explicitly state “No MSG” and “No Preservatives” on the label.
Best Practices for Gluten-Free Diet
To be extra cautious, you can take a few simple steps:
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Carefully read the ingredients on the spice packet. Avoid any questionable ingredients.
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Consider choosing a corned beef brand that’s explicitly labeled “gluten-free” for added assurance.
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Rinse the spice packet in hot water before using to remove surface traces of gluten.
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Add more of your own favorite gluten-free herbs and spices to the pot for extra flavor.
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Cook the corned beef in fresh water rather than the packaging brine to limit preservatives.
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Use a clean pot, utensils and cutting board to prevent cross-contact.
Gluten-Free Corned Beef Brands
Here are some recommended brands of corned beef that are labeled gluten-free:
- Wellshire Farms Corned Beef Brisket
- Hormel Corned Beef Brisket
- Hope Foods Corned Beef with Spices
- Prarie Creek Shredded Corned Beef
- Oregon Trail All Natural Corned Beef
- Stryve Biltong Spicy Peri-Peri Beef
I always advise reading ingredients lists and allergen statements carefully. Manufacturing can change, so don’t make assumptions. When in doubt, contact the company.
Make Your Own Brine
For full control over ingredients, consider making your own brine solution. It takes a few days but yields delicious homemade corned beef.
You can find recipes that leave out the worrisome malt vinegar and rye whiskey. Stick to gluten-free aromatics like:
- Sea salt
- Brown sugar
- Bay leaves
- Garlic
- Black pepper
- Mustard seeds
- Celery seeds
This way you can ensure a gluten-free curing process from start to finish.
Is Corned Beef Hash Gluten-Free?
Like the spices, corned beef hash itself is naturally gluten-free. Most brands simply contain chopped corned beef, potatoes, onions, and salt. But again, be diligent about reading labels to confirm.
I recommend choosing a certified gluten-free brand for hash, or making your own from scratch. Homemade hash browns are easy and let you control every ingredient.
Corned Beef Recipes
Once you’ve obtained a gluten-free corned beef, there are endless tasty ways to eat it:
- Classic Reubens with sauerkraut
- Hash with eggs for breakfast
- Stir into cabbage or beans
- Simmer in stew or soup
- Slice for sandwiches or nachos
- Cube for hearty salad topping
- Layer into shepherd’s pie
The rich, distinctive corned beef flavor pairs well with so many gluten-free foods. Get creative with recipes!
Is Corned Beef Safe for Celiac?
I recommend choosing reputable brands labeled gluten-free and taking precautions around prep and cooking. With some extra care taken, both you and your corned beef can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!
Frequency of Entities:
celiac disease: 2
gluten: 14
corned beef: 16
spice packet: 7
In the Kitchen- Corned Beef Spice Blend
FAQ
Is pre-packaged corned beef gluten free?
What is corned beef seasoning made of?
What are the ingredients in the Freirich corned beef spice packet?
Is Murphy and David’s corned beef brisket gluten free?
Is corned beef gluten-free?
This is our most recent list of brands of gluten-free corned beef. As always, read labels, avoid any gluten ingredients, and trust your gut. Brookdale corned beef contains no wheat or gluten ingredients, and list no wheat or gluten allergens. Columbus corned beef contains no wheat or gluten ingredients, and list no wheat or gluten allergens.
Are cornflakes gluten free?
Corn is a naturally gluten-free grain. Though cornflakes are a byproduct of corn, one should choose the brands that label their product gluten-free as most of them add added ingredients, additives and flavorings that has gluten in them. Sometimes cross-contamination in the manufacturing of the products can cause the product not to be a gluten-free product. So, always check the labelling.
Is Colorado premium corned beef gluten free?
All corned beef products produced by Colorado Premium are gluten free. Colorado Premium Corned Beef Brisket Ingredients: It is sugar-free, gluten free, MSG-free, and contains no artificial ingredients. Freirich All the corned beef produced by Freirich is gluten free.
Is corn beef gluten free?
Corn beef by itself is gluten free as it’s basically just meat. But you need to know about other things before you simply just put it in your mouth and that’s what this article is all about.