The Best Places to Buy Corned Beef Brisket in Calgary

Calgary is home to a vibrant food scene, with many excellent options for buying quality corned beef brisket. If you’re looking to make some delicious homemade pastrami or corned beef, Calgary has you covered. In this article, we’ll explore the top places to buy pre-brined and ready-to-cook corned beef brisket in Calgary.

Traditional Butcher Shops

For an authentic corned beef brisket made using old-fashioned techniques, Calgary’s traditional butcher shops are a great option Here are some top choices

• Bon Ton Meat Market – This butcher shop has been a Calgary staple since 1921. Their corned briskets are made from Alberta beef, seasoned, marinated, and cooked in-house for a unique flavor. Order online for delivery or pickup.

• The Meat Shop at Pine Haven – Located in southwest Calgary, they offer expertly trimmed and cured briskets using a traditional time-honored curing process. You can order online for delivery or pickup.

• Claresholm Sausage and Meats – A small-town shop north of Calgary that makes delicious custom corned beef from AAA Alberta beef. Call to order for pickup.

• MacEwans Meat & Deli – This Calgary market has a 60+ year history of quality meats. Their beef corned briskets are brined for over a week. Order online or visit their shop.

For traditionally made corned beef with meticulous curing and seasoning techniques Calgary’s classic butcher shops have plenty of tasty options to choose from.

Gourmet Meat Shops

In addition to old-school butcher markets Calgary also has some excellent gourmet meat shops offering unique artisanal corned beef briskets

• The Main Dish – This gourmet market sells corned briskets from cattle sustainably raised without hormones or antibiotics. Order online for delivery.

• Charcut – Charcut uses locally sourced meats for their house-made charcuterie including a stellar smoked corned beef brisket. Order online or visit their shop.

• Sidewalk Citizen Bakery – Although better known for bread, they also sell house-cured pastrami and corned beef online and at their cafe.

• MEAT – This hip downtown butcher shop offers a maple bourbon brined corned beef flat. Order online or visit for pickup.

For those seeking specialty seasoned or smoked corned briskets, Calgary’s gourmet meat purveyors have creative options on hand.

Big Box Grocery Chains

Of course, for convenient one-stop shopping, Calgary’s major grocery store chains also carry corned beef brisket:

• Safeway – Corned briskets shipped from their central meat plant are sold pre-brined and ready for cooking. Check your local flyer for any deals.

• Co-op – Co-op grocery stores stock corned briskets from Alberta along with their house-branded packaged corned beef.

• Sobeys – Offers Safeway branded corned brisket as well as their own store-branded refrigerated packaged brisket. Watch for sales.

• Superstore – This chain regularly stocks corned beef brisket flats in their self-serve meat cases. Price match guaranteed.

• Costco – When in stock, Costco sells full packer-cut corned beef briskets at warehouse prices. Check their monthly coupon book.

These major supermarkets provide the convenience of one-stop corned beef brisket shopping. Look for occasional deals and stock-up pricing.

Tips for Cooking Corned Beef Brisket

Once you’ve purchased your brisket in Calgary, here are some tips for cooking up the perfect corned beef at home:

• Slow cook – Cook low and slow, about 1-2 hours per pound at 225°F for tender juicy meat.

• Fat side up – Place brisket fat-side up in your roasting pan or slow cooker to baste the meat.

• Add spices – Flavor with pickling spices, bay leaves, onions, garlic, peppercorns.

• Don’t boil – Simmer gently – boiling makes the meat tough.

• Rest before slicing – Let the cooked brisket rest at least 15 minutes wrapped in foil before carving.

• Cut against the grain – To ensure tender slices, always cut perpendicular to the meat grain.

With these handy tips, the corned beef brisket you buy in Calgary will turn out mouthwateringly delicious.

Where to Find Corned Beef Brisket in Calgary Year-Round

Craving corned beef but worried certain shops or brands may stop carrying it outside of St. Patrick’s Day season? Here are a few places in Calgary that sell corned brisket year-round:

• Bon Ton Meat Market – Fresh corned briskets in stock all year.

• The Meat Shop at Pine Haven – Cured corned briskets always available.

• Costco – When in stock, their full packer briskets are sold year-round.

• Co-op – House-branded corned brisket regularly available.

• Sobeys – Safeway branded pre-brined briskets in constant supply.

So even when the St. Paddy’s Day craze has passed, there are still places to buy corned beef brisket in Calgary 365 days a year.

Ordering Tips

To ensure you get the corned beef brisket you want, keep these tips in mind when ordering:

• Call/email ahead – Give 1-2 days notice to place special orders if needed.

• Specify size – Order the size you need (full brisket, flat only).

• Request extras – Ask for additional pickling spices to be included.

• Pick the right day – Arrange pickup early in the week for maximum freshness.

• Confirm availability – Verify they have briskets in stock before making the trip.

With a bit of planning, you can get the perfect brisket for your St. Patrick’s Day feast or anytime corned beef craving.

Corned Beef Brisket in Calgary for St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is a popular time for enjoying corned beef brisket, and Calgary offers great options for your celebrations:

• Pre-order for your party – Many butchers and grocers take special orders for St. Patrick’s. Get your brisket request in early.

• Hit the specials – Look for markets and pubs running holiday specials on brisket plates and sandwiches.

• DIY corned beef – Buy a raw brisket 3-10 days prior to cure yourself for bragging rights.

• Cookoff contest – Enter your brisket in a local St. Paddy’s Day cook-off competition.

• Enjoy the parades – After cooking up your brisket, head downtown to watch the St. Patrick’s Day parade.

With the right brisket and a bit of Celtic spirit, you can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in true Calgary style. Sláinte!

In Closing

Whether you’re looking for a traditional cured brisket from an old-school butcher shop, a specialty gourmet brisket from an artisanal purveyor, or a convenient pre-brined brisket from the grocery store, Calgary offers great options for buying quality corned beef brisket. With a bit of preparation and the proper cooking technique, the brisket you buy locally will deliver on deliciously authentic corned beef flavor. From St. Patrick’s Day feasts to everyday comfort food, Calgary’s got you covered for corned beef brisket.