Oven or Slow Cooker Corned Beef with Spiced Mustard and Apple Cider Recipe
A flavorful and tender corned beef recipe that can be prepared using either an oven or slow cooker method. The beef is seasoned with a blend of spices, Dijon mustard, garlic, and brown sugar, then slow-cooked to perfection and finished under the broiler for a caramelized crust.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 20 minutes (oven, for 4 lbs) or 6 to 8 hours (slow cooker)
- Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes (oven) or 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (slow cooker)
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish-American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 to 4 pounds corned beef (with spice packet)
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 3 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (coarse ground)
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 cup apple juice (or apple cider)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Season the Corned Beef: Remove the corned beef from its packaging, rinse off the brine thoroughly, and pat the meat dry with paper towels. Discard the excess brine to prevent overly salty flavor.
- Prepare the Spice Mix: Using a mortar and pestle or the bottom of a heavy pan, gently crush the spice packet that came with your corned beef to release its aroma.
- Combine Seasonings: Mix the crushed spices with finely minced garlic, brown sugar, coarse black pepper, and fennel seeds in a small bowl until well combined.
- Apply Mustard and Seasonings: Rub 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard evenly over the top fatty side of the corned beef. Then spread the mixed seasoning blend over the mustard layer, pressing lightly to adhere.
- Oven Cooking: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Pour the apple juice or apple cider together with apple cider vinegar into the bottom of a roasting pan. Place the seasoned corned beef, fat side up, on top of the liquid, then cover the pan tightly with foil or a lid. Roast for about 50 minutes per pound, or until a knife can easily pierce the meat and the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Slow Cooker Cooking: Pour the apple juice (or apple cider) and apple cider vinegar into your slow cooker. Add the seasoned corned beef with the seasoned side facing up. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours until the beef is tender and easily pierced with a knife.
- Broil to Finish: Just before serving, transfer the cooked corned beef to a small foil-lined sheet pan. Place it under a preheated broiler about 6 to 7 inches away for 5 to 6 minutes to caramelize and crisp the top. Watch carefully to prevent burning as it browns quickly.
Notes
- Rinsing the corned beef reduces excess saltiness and improves flavor balance.
- If you prefer spicier beef, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix.
- Using apple cider vinegar brightens the flavor and tenderizes the meat.
- Broiling at the end creates a desirable crispy crust for texture contrast.
- For best results, allow the beef to rest for 10 minutes before slicing to retain juices.
Keywords: corned beef, oven corned beef, slow cooker corned beef, corned beef recipe, Irish beef recipe, broiled corned beef
