It’s an Irish-American tradition to cook up some Corned Beef and Cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day but what makes the celebration complete are the sides. Take a look at this list of 30 of the best ideas to serve with Corned Beef and Cabbage.
Corned Beef and Cabbage isn’t necessarily a classic Irish meal. It’s not the national dish of Ireland, that would be Irish Stew, and it’s not widely served on special occasions. But once a year in the United States it becomes a must-have meal for Irish-Americans.
St. Patrick’s Day gatherings just wouldn’t be the same without the deliciously salty, sour taste of Corned Beef and Cabbage.
Corned Beef is tender, salty, and savory but is balanced out by the addition of cabbage.
Of course, no celebration is complete with just a main dish on the table. Even though Corned Beef and Cabbage could be considered a complete meal on their own, what makes a party is all the best side dishes around the dinner table.
If you are unsure what goes well with this delicious brisket, I’ve got 30 ideas sure to fill everyone up!
FAQs
Corned Beef and Cabbage is one of those dishes everyone has their own secret recipe for, but what most have in common is cooking the Corned Beef low and slow, over several hours. For this reason, the slow cooker has become one of the most popular methods for preparing Corned Beef and Cabbage.
Crock pots do a great job of cooking meat at a low, steady temperature all day long and locking in moisture as it cooks. This allows the meat and the cabbage wedges to soak up the juices and flavors and become fall-apart tender.
Traditionally, Corned Beef was often simmered in spices on the stovetop or in a dutch oven for about three hours, but this calls for monitoring the amount of liquid in the pot and always making sure it doesn’t boil over.
You can also cook Corned Beef and Cabbage in an instant pot, pressure cooker, or in the oven. The cooking process you choose is up to you, just make sure you account for enough liquid to keep the meat moist.
Cabbage has been served with Corned Beef for centuries. Initially it was because cabbage was a vegetable that was readily available to the Irish immigrants who came to America. Adding cabbage to the meal made it more filling and nutritious for families.
It has stood the test of time, however, because of its incredible flavor. Cabbage does an excellent job of soaking up the flavor of the spices while also providing some balance and contrast to the salty meat.
Some of my other favorite cabbage recipes include this Vegetarian Borscht Recipe, Pikliz from Haiti, and Beef Yakisoba from Japan.
Corned Beef is, in a way, pickled brisket. It is cured with curing salt and spices.
Some people think it’s a good idea to rinse away that extra salt before cooking to ensure your meat is not too salty. Others say it doesn’t make much of a difference. I would recommend rinsing before cooking but don’t feel stressed if you forget that step!
There are a few common mistakes people make when making Corned Beef. The biggest is probably not using enough liquid. You want to be sure when you put your beef into a pot to cook, it is completely submerged.
I recommend checking it often as it cooks to ensure it is covered by liquid the entire time.
If you keep the fat on your Corned Beef to cook I would recommend placing it with the fat side up in the pot or slow cooker. This allows the fat to melt and drip into the meat as it cooks and protects it from drying out on the top.
Corned Beef doesn’t contain any corn. The name comes from the curing process when the piece of meat is covered in coarse salt, called corns, which helps to preserve the meat and give it its distinct flavor.
To serve Corned Beef, cut the meat against the grain in slices and place it on a tray to make it easy for guests to grab a slice.
Corned Beef is cured in salt and a salt brine. It is often seasoned with a mixture of allspice, peppercorns, mustard, coriander and bay leaf. Most Corned Beef is sold with a seasoning packet that has all of these and more.
Favorite Recipes
- The Magical Slow Cooker shares how to make an entire meal in the crock pot!
- Short on time? This recipe from Foodie Crush shares how to cook Corned Beef in the Instant Pot.
- Well Plated shares how to make Corned Beef and Cabbage with just a simple stock pot.
Expert Tips
- Be sure if you are cooking Corned Beef and Cabbage to include enough liquid in the pot or slow cooker. You want the meat to be fully submerged, otherwise it will end up tough and chewy.
- If you are cooking your Corned Beef in a crock pot and want it to go a little quicker, try cutting the meat into smaller pieces to cook. It will still end up just as tender and beautiful!
- Most Corned Beef is sold in the grocery store with a spice packet, but you can play around with the seasonings you add to bring out different flavors. Bay leaves, mustard seeds, black pepper, coriander, and allspice are staples.
- Be sure and allow your meat time to rest between cooking and serving. A 15-minute rest will allow for the best flavor and texture.
- Save leftover Corned Beef for sandwiches on rye bread the next day! The tender meat for a delicious meal
What to Eat With Corned Beef and Cabbage
Side Dishes: Colcannon, biscuits, crusty bread, traditional Irish soda bread, muffins, rye bread, soft dinner rolls, fresh salad, potato salad
Vegetables: mashed potatoes, boiled potatoes, scalloped potatoes, grilled carrots, roasted carrots, green beans, sauteed spinach, brussels sprouts, red potatoes, sweet potatoes
Sauces: Mustard, sour cream, creamy horseradish sauce, honey mustard
Dessert: Brownies, Irish apple cake
Recipes to Serve with Corned Beef and Cabbage
Colcannon
German Potato Salad
Beet and Potato Salad
Sauteed Spinach From Botswana
Roasted Mini Potatoes
You need these delicious crispy Roasted Mini Potatoes in your recipe arsenal! This side dish is easy, pairs well with a variety of meals, and is a crowd-pleaser!
Irish Soda Bread Scones
Irish soda bread scones, whether they be traditional Irish or Scottish, (also referred to as white bannocks) aren’t just for St Patrick’s Day! After you try this recipe, soda scones may become a favorite in your household quite quickly!
Roasted Garlic Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Garlic are the best side dish! A Healthy Brussel Sprouts Recipe that is easy to make and delicious!
Mashed Potatoes in the Instant Pot
Sweet Buttermilk Cornbread
This moist and tender Southern-style buttermilk cornbread is a perfect addition to any meal. This quick and easy recipe can be prepared, baked, and ready to serve in under 30 minutes.
Garlic Redskin Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Heirloom Carrot Salad
We love it when a dish takes one classic ingredient like a carrot and makes it sing! And this delicious roasted heirloom carrots salad certainly does that. A simple side dish with a natural sweetness that everyone will love and it’s sure to look stunning on any table.
Kale Salad Recipe with Cranberries, Hazelnuts and Turmeric Vinaigrette
This kale salad recipe with cranberries and hazelnuts is a flavorful, healthy, and pretty dish to add to your table! Whether it’s a holiday celebration or a random Wednesday evening, you’ll keep coming back to this go-to kale salad with cranberries because it’s filled with so much goodness, a lovely color, and is incredibly easy to make! The turmeric vinaigrette is the best part!
Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts
Cheddar and Chive Mini Irish Soda Bread
I love this Soda Bread recipe because it is so simple but also because they bake up quickly. Normally you would shape the bread into a large round loaf but I have divided it up to make the process quick. They are a lot like a biscuit in shape but the texture is a little different. Plus, when you add cheddar cheese and chives to anything…you automatically make it extra delicious.
Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
Honey Roasted Carrots & Parsnips
With winter comes the season of all things roasted, including these delicious honey-roasted carrots and parsnips.
Stoemp
Beet Salad with Feta Cheese and Walnuts
This Beet Salad with Feta Cheese is an incredibly nourishing and refreshing salad that is packed with savory and tangy flavors. Topped with crumbled feta, black pepper, oregano, and basil leaves, glazed with vinegar, this beet salad recipe gathers in just 15 min.
Loaded Roasted Radishes
Oven roasted radishes are deliciously tender and flavorful! And this keto recipe makes it even better: these radishes are topped with caramelized onions and loaded with cheese and sour cream, making for a colorful spring time dish!
Homemade Beer Bread
This simple homemade beer bread is soft, moist, and chewy with a beautiful golden crust. This one-bowl recipe is all made by hand with a few simple everyday ingredients. It is the easiest bread you’ll ever make, just simply mix and bake!
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Fudgy Brownie Recipe
Irish Potatoes
Irish Potatoes are a hearty side dish made with creamy mashed potatoes, garlic and cabbage. Serve for St. Patrick’s Day or anytime of year!
Crispy Baked Polenta Fries
Crispy Baked Polenta Fries Recipe (Parmesan Herb)– with a crispy exterior and a creamy interior, these fries will make your heart skip a beat. Seasoned with a blend of herbs and generously coated with Parmesan cheese, each bite brings a yummy delight. Whether hosting a dinner party or treating yourself to a flavorful snack, get ready to savor the magic of these sensational polenta fries that will leave you craving more!
Sauteed Broccolini and Garlic
This sautéed broccolini and garlic recipe is a simple and decadent recipe! It’s vibrant and flavorful, requires just 6 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep, and can be served in a number of different ways. Enjoy it as a side dish or incorporate it into your favorite pasta dish.
Smashed Potatoes
These Smashed Potatoes use only a handful of simple ingredients for the best potato side dish. Learn the secrets to making them extra crispy in less than 30 minutes. Kids adore this one!
Sauteed Oyster Mushrooms
These easy sautéed oyster mushrooms are cooked in butter and tossed with garlic and fresh herbs for a quick and delicious side dish. This recipe is adapted from Julia Child’s champignons sautés au beurre.
Easy Sweet Potato Cornbread
This sweet potato cornbread is incredibly moist, tender, and delicious. Roasted sweet potato adds a natural sweetness to this savory side dish.
Roasted Sweet Potato Feta Soup with Rosemary
Roasted Sweet Potato Feta Soup with rosemary – a delicious fall or winter soup. This soup is so good and simple to make. It is ready in 40 or so minutes but most of that time is hands-off as it is a sheet pan soup.
Air Fryer Cabbage
Air Fryer Cabbage is a quick and easy side that pairs with all your favorite mains. Just 5 ingredients and a few minutes of prep time are all that’s needed to cook up this deliciously healthy dish.
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