13
Mar

Corned Beef Brisket: Brine (Nitrate-Free)

Update from US Wellness Meats: “All the xylitol has been removed from the corned beef brisket and flatiron. The natural spices are clove, cinnamon, and allspice.”

I originally planned on using pre-brined meat for this corned beef brisket so my timing would have been precise. It would have allowed enough time for you to purchase your meat and cook it before St. Patrick's Day. Then I pulled my brisket from US Wellness Meats out of the freezer and realized there were a few ingredients in it that I would prefer not to promote on my site because I don't use them – xylitol and natural flavorings. Just goes to show that you still need to carefully check labels. Even when the product is from such a trusted source such as US Wellness Meats! They have told me that they are in the process of removing those ingredients from their products. The corned beef is on it's way there or has been already. So that's good news!

I needed a plan B though for the interim and that meant getting a plain brisket and then brining and corning it myself. Which takes 4 days. Kind of threw a wrench in my plans! So I'm posting this recipe for you in 2 parts. The first, being the brine. Grab your meat today and get it into the brine and then I will post the recipe for the corned beef with cabbage on Sunday morning! It's a little bit of a time crunch, but this dish wasn't initially created for St. Patrick's day anyhow, so you can enjoy it all year long!

Update:

We had to take an unexpected trip this weekend so I am going to have to let my brisket sit in its brine until Monday. If you plan to make this for St Patrick's Day- any corned beef preparation recipe will work. I usually slow cook mine for 8 hours with cabbage and carrots or simmer it covered for 3 hours on the stovetop. Because this brine is nitrate free, your beef will be more of a gray color than the typical bright pink you are likely accustomed to. This is also a solid recipe to use

Nitrate-Free Corned Beef Brine from Against All Grain
corned beed soaking in nitrate free brine

Corned Beef Brisket: Brine (Nitrate-Free)



AUTHOR:

Cuisine: Irish American

Category: Dinner

Ingredients:

  • 1 gallon water
  • 1½ cups kosher salt
  • ½ cup coconut palm sugar, or honey
  • 3 bay leaves, torn
  • 1 tablespoon peppercorns
  • 1 tablespoon juniper berries
  • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
  • 1 tablespoon allspice berries
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 cinnamon stick, broken into pieces
  • 1 small brisket, 3-4 pounds , defrosted partially

Instructions:

  1. Heat all of the ingredients except for the brisket over medium heat until the salt has dissolved. Bring the brine to room temperature.
  2. Trim any excess fat from the brisket. Place the meat into the brine and put 2 heavy plates over the meat to keep it fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for 4 days.


Keywords: irish, saint patricks day, gluten free, grain free, paleo diet, against all grain, danielle walker, healthy recipes, clean eating, comfort foods, nitrate free