Corned Beef Spice Packet Seasoning (2024)

This corned beef spices recipe will come in handy the next time you are cooking corned beef and find that it's missing a spice packet. Corned beef seasoning can also be used to make the BEST pastrami!

If you've come here to learn how to make spices for corned beef and cabbage, welcome! My corned beef spice mix includes coriander, peppercorns, mustard seeds, and other herbs and spices to add amazing flavor to your tender corned beef brisket and so many other dishes!

Or maybe like me, you just want to add more corned beef seasoning to your brisket than the tiny little corned beef spice packet that's included with your roast. I mean really, why is that packet so tiny? What part of the brisket are you supposed to season with it?!

Either way, you'll want to keep this recipe handy the next time you make an Instant pot corned beef or run out of pickling spices, yes, it's good for that too!

So, whether you cook your corned beef in a Dutch oven with cabbage, carrots, and potatoes, or smoking a smoked corned beef brisket on your pellet grill, be sure to use my corned beef seasoning mix to make it extra delectable!

🧐 Why This Recipe Works

• Making your own corned beef seasoning couldn't be simpler, so why would you use that tiny spice packet included with your roast?
• When you make your own corned beef spice blend, you can use as much of it as you want and the flavor is fantastic!
• The spice mix can be prepared ahead of time so you always have it on hand when you need it.

🛒 What You Need For This Recipe

🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions

• Coriander Seeds: Be sure to use coriander seeds and not coriander powder.
• Peppercorns: Peppercorns come in various colors, I used black peppercorns.
• Mustard Seeds: You'll need mustard seeds, don't substitute mustard powder.
• Anise Seeds: Anise can be bought whole in the form of star anise or as anise seeds. For this recipe, you'll need anise seeds. Don't confuse anise seeds with fennel seeds. Fennel seeds are larger and taste more savory and earthy, while anise seeds are tiny and have a sweet taste similar to licorice.
• Crushed Red Pepper: Crushed red pepper adds a little spice to the mix. It can be left out if you prefer mild flavors.
• Bay Leaves: Bay leaves come crushed and whole. I used whole leaves and ground them in my spice mill with the other spices. If you decide to use crushed bay leaves, just add them to the ground spices.

*A full list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

🧂How To Make Corned Beef Seasoning

Step 1: Toast coriander seeds, mustard seeds, peppercorns, and anise seeds in a hot cast-iron skillet over medium heat for 2 - 3 minutes, or until fragrant.

Step 2: Add bay leaves and red pepper flakes during the last 30 seconds. You basically want to wake up their flavors.

Pro Tip: Keep a close eye on the spices because they can easily burn.

Step 3: Pour the contents of the pan into a spice mill, coffee grinder,or a Ninja blender. Pulse a few times, just enough to release the flavors.

Pro Tip: Don't over-blend the spices into a powder. You should still be able to distinguish between the various ingredients.

Step 4: Store the corned beef seasoning in an airtight container until needed. Use as much of the spice mix as you'd like to season your corned beef prior to cooking.

Corned Beef Spices

Besides the spices listed in the recipe, there are other spices that you can add to your corned beef seasoning if you're feeling a little adventurous. Any of the following spices would go great in a corned beef spice mix:

• whole cloves
• allspice berries
• cardamom pods
• cinnamon stick
• fennel seeds
• juniper berries
• mace

If you do decide to add the spices mentioned above, I would caution you to go easy at first. This is one of those cases where less is more.

These spices all have intense flavors, so start off with small amounts and adjust the quantity if necessary. I would start with no more than a ¼ teaspoon of each.

🤷🏻‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

👩🏼‍🍳 Pro Tips

• This recipe makes enough corned beef seasoning to fill a regular-sized spice jar. You will not use the entire amount to season your corned beef recipe.
• Store leftover corned beef spices in an air-tight spice jar.
• If you decide to make extra corned beef seasoning, you can freeze what you don't plan on using right away.
• If you prefer milder recipes, you can reduce the amount of red pepper flakes, or leave it out entirely.
• If you don't have the spices mentioned above, you can use pickling spices to season your corned beef brisket.

If you enjoy making your own spices and seasonings, you may be interested in learning how to make your ownbiryani spice,pork rub, andshawarma spice recipe.

📖 Recipe