It's easy to make your own corned beef at home. Just plan ahead. The beef brisket will take about 3 weeks to cure. You can also use bottom round roast in place of brisket, if you wish.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 quarts water
- 1 cup salt
- 1 teaspoon saltpeter (see note 1 below)
- 2 beef briskets, about 4 pounds each (see note 2 below)
- 12 garlic cloves
- 3 tablespoons pickling spices
- 8 bay leaves
Preparation:
Boil water. Add salt and saltpeter, stir to dissolve and set aside to cool. Place brisket in a large crock, zipper-style plastic bag or other non-metallic container. Pour salt water over meat and add garlic, pickling spices and bay leaves. Meat should be submerged; use a weighted jar to hold meat under pickling solution. Refrigerate or set in a cool place for 3 weeks. Drain and remove bay leaves before cooking.
Note 1: Saltpeter is known commercially as potassium nitrate and is used to give the meat a pink coloring.
Note 2: Bottom round roasts may be substituted for the brisket for a leaner corned beef.
Source: Poughkeepsie Journal March 8, 1995
Reprinted with permission.
Note 1: Saltpeter is known commercially as potassium nitrate and is used to give the meat a pink coloring.
Note 2: Bottom round roasts may be substituted for the brisket for a leaner corned beef.
Source: Poughkeepsie Journal March 8, 1995
Reprinted with permission.

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