Corned Beef and Cabbage with Horseradish Cream Sauce
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Take your corned beef and cabbage to a whole new level by swapping the traditional boiling method for oven roasting—it’s a total game changer!
A beloved St. Patrick’s Day tradition, corned beef and cabbage is a cherished Irish-American dish, typically featuring corned beef—a brisket cured with salt and spices—and assorted vegetables like cabbage, potatoes, and carrots. While traditionally these components are boiled together in a big pot, I’ve found that slow-roasting the meat and vegetables separately yields a far more delicious outcome. My personal twist? Adding a horseradish-spiked butter sauce to the vegetables before roasting—it makes all the difference!
No corned beef and cabbage meal would be complete without a creamy horseradish cream sauce. Its cool, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor beautifully complements the rich, salty taste of the beef. To round off this traditional Irish-American meal, serve the corned beef and cabbage with my cheddar soda bread.
Table of Contents
“My goodness this corned beef and cabbage with horseradish cream sauce is definitely taking it up a notch! I will never boil corned beef again!”
What You’ll Need To Make Corned Beef & Cabbage
For the Corned Beef and Vegetables
- Corned Beef with Seasoning Packet: Named for the large “corns” or grains of salt used for curing, corned beef has a distinctive salty and savory flavor. Opt for a flat-cut brisket for even cooking and slicing. To ensure juiciness, do not trim the fat before cooking; it’s best to remove it after. Most corned beef packages come with a seasoning packet—essential for adding flavor with spices like peppercorns, bay leaves, and mustard seeds. If missing, refer to FAQs for a homemade substitute.
- Butter: The base of the roasting mixture, butter adds richness while assisting in the browning and caramelization of the vegetables in the oven.
- Prepared Horseradish: Combined with butter, this condiment adds a sharp, tangy flavor to the roasted vegetables. This spicy condiment is made from grated horseradish root mixed with vinegar and salt, and can typically be found in the refrigerated section of the supermarket.
- Carrots, Small Gold Potatoes, and Green Cabbage: Roasted together in the butter and horseradish mixture, these vegetables contribute variety of textures and flavors. The carrots introduce sweetness and color; the potatoes, a creamy texture; and the cabbage, a crunchy and slightly bitter balance.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
For the Horseradish Cream Sauce
- Sour Cream: Forms the creamy base of the sauce, offering a rich texture and a slight tanginess.
- Prepared Horseradish: Provides the sauce’s signature spicy, pungent flavor. Start with a recommended amount and adjust according to taste for more of a kick.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds depth and a mild heat, enhancing the complexity of the sauce while meshing well with the horseradish.
- White Wine Vinegar: Introduces a bright acidity, balancing the creaminess of the sour cream and the spiciness of the horseradish.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-By-Step Instructions
Begin by rinsing the meat under cold running water. This will rid the meat of some of the saltiness. Place the corned beef fat side up in a large roasting pan.
Pour about 1/8 inch water around the corned beef. Sprinkle the contents of the seasoning packet into the water around the meat. Cover the pan tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil and roast on the middle rack for 3 hours.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the melted butter, horseradish, salt, and pepper.
Mix well.
Place the carrots, potatoes and cabbage side by side on a rimmed baking sheet (do not line the pan with foil; the potatoes will stick). Drizzle the horseradish-butter mixture over the veggies.
Toss with a spatula to coat all of the vegetables evenly, keeping the vegetables separate. Turn the potatoes so that they are cut side down (they’ll get much crispier that way).
After the corned beef has roasted for 1 hour and 30 minutes, place the pan of vegetables on the bottom rack of the oven. Roast the vegetables and continue cooking the corned beef for 1 hour and 30 minutes more, until both the meat and vegetables are tender. Check on the veggies occasionally to be sure they are browning evenly.
Remove the meat from the oven and transfer to a cutting board. Let cool slightly, until cool enough to handle.
Cut off the layer of fat on top of the corned beef and discard. Slice the meat against, or perpendicular to, the grain into 1/4-inch slices.
Simply combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl, and season to taste.
Arrange the meat and roasted vegetables on a platter and sprinkle with parsley, if desired. Serve with the horseradish cream sauce on the side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can create your own seasoning mix for the corned beef. Combine equal parts of mustard seeds, coriander seeds, and allspice berries to make about one teaspoon in total. I would also include a bay leaf for added flavor. Feel free to adjust the mix based on the spices you have available.
The corned beef can be roasted up to 3 days ahead of time and reheated. However, for best results, roast the vegetables just before serving to maintain their crispiness. The horseradish cream sauce can be prepared up to two days in advance and stored in the fridge.
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Corned Beef and Cabbage with Horseradish Cream Sauce
Take your corned beef and cabbage to a whole new level by swapping the traditional boiling method for oven roasting—it’s a total game changer!
Ingredients
For the Corned Beef and Vegetables
- 1 (4-lb) flat-cut corned beef with seasoning packet (do not trim the fat)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 6 medium carrots, cut into 2-in chunks
- 1¼ lb small gold potatoes (about 2.5" in diameter), halved
- 1 very small green cabbage, cored and cut into ½-inch-thick slices (see note)
- 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley, for garnish (optional)
For the Horseradish Cream Sauce
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish, plus more to taste
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven the 325°F. Set one oven rack in the middle position and another in the bottom position.
- Rinse the corned beef several times under running cold water. (No need to dry it.)
- Place the corned beef fat side up in a large roasting pan (you'll trim the fat after the meat is cooked). Pour about ⅛ inch water around the meat. Sprinkle the contents of the seasoning packet into the water around the corned beef. Cover the pan tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil and roast on the middle rack for 3 hours.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, horseradish, salt and pepper.
- Place the carrots, potatoes and cabbage side by side on a rimmed baking sheet (do not line the pan with foil; the potatoes will stick). Drizzle the horseradish-butter mixture over the veggies and toss with a spatula to coat all of the vegetables evenly, keeping the vegetables separate. Turn the potatoes so that they are cut side down (they'll get crispier that way).
- After the corned beef has roasted for 1 hour and 30 minutes, place the pan of vegetables on the bottom rack of the oven. Roast the vegetables and continue cooking the corned beef for 1 hour and 30 minutes more, until both the meat and vegetables are tender. Check on the veggies occasionally to be sure they are browning evenly. (The cabbage will brown first, so give it a toss when the bottom pieces look golden. The potatoes and carrots may need to be turned, but only if they are nicely browned on the bottom before the cook time is up.)
- Transfer the corned beef to a cutting board and let sit until cool enough to handle, about 5 minutes. Cut off the layer of fat on top of the corned beef and discard. Slice the meat against (or perpendicular to) the grain into ¼-inch slices. Arrange the meat on a platter with the roasted vegetables and sprinkle with parsley, if desired. Serve with the horseradish cream sauce.
For the Horseradish Cream Sauce
- Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more horseradish to taste, if desired.
- Note: You won't use the whole head of cabbage; just use enough to cover ⅓ of the sheet pan.
- Note: The nutritional information does not include the horseradish cream sauce.
Pair with
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (8 servings)
- Calories: 577
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated fat: 14 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Sugar: 3 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Sodium: 2813 mg
- Cholesterol: 138 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
I have prepared corned beef for decades on top of my stove as did my mother and grandmother. It was good, we loved it with the cabbage and carrots, made Reuben’s with the left overs; little did we know! Never again. This is without question the way to go. It is so moist, delicate…not the stringy meat we are all accustomed to with corned beef. Try it, you will not regret it. I’m stocking up tomorrow while it is still on sale before St. Paddy’s day. Might actually get us through the next few weeks!!! Good stuff, folks.
I’m looking forward to making this today for St. Patrick’s Day! Being able to cook for my family during the quarantine is one of the bright spots.🍀
Hi Jen, love your site! Can’t wait to make the cornbeef cabbage and vegetables! I was hoping to make this and then take it to my brother’s house the next day. Will reheating the corned beef, cabbage and vegetables work? Any suggestions would be most helpful.
Thank you!
Rebecca
Hi Rebecca, So glad you like the site! 🙂 Yes, you can reheat this, covered, in a 325°F oven until heated through. Hope you enjoy it!
Hi Jenn,
I dug out my roasting pan and it has a V rack, should I use the rack or just put the beef directly on the pan?
PS, received a copy of your book as a gift from my brother. Just love it!
KC
Hi KC, you can put the beef directly in the pan (and so glad you like the cookbook)! 🙂
Wow! This recipe is so delicious that my husband changed his mind about his opinion about corned beef and cabbage. He originally said he hated corned beef and cabbage so I haven’t made it in our 3+ years of marriage. I finally got the confidence to take the corned beef (from 2018!) out of the freezer and followed this recipe today. My husband said Guy Fieri would be pleased! I got many compliments from him during the meal and can put this recipe in rotation. Thank you for such a wonderful recipe!!!
Hi Jenn…thank you for your continued inspiration in the kitchen. With regards to the ‘package’ in the corned beef, in Canada there is no spice package in the bag. What do you suggest in this situation?Thank you in advance.
Gail
Glad you like the recipes! Regarding the spice package, you can make your own by combining mustard seeds, coriander seeds, and allspice berries – you’ll need about a teaspoon total. I’d also add a bay leaf. Use any combination depending on what you have in your spice cabinet. Hope that helps and that you enjoy!
What temp do you use for this recipe?
Hi Gail, the oven temp is 325°F/165°C. Hope you enjoy!
How long to cook a 3lb corned beef?
Hi Tara, It may take a bit less time but you’ll have to keep an eye on it. I’d start checking for doneness at around 2.5 hours. Hope you enjoy!
This question/reply are helpful for me today. I’m roasting a 2.5 lb corned beef for dinner tonight. I can’t wait to try it, and thank you!
Had a bunch of people last year, so I planned to cook three 2 pound corned beefs. Since I wasn’t sure if everyone would like this roasted version, I cooked 2 in the oven and 1 boiled in a pot, the traditional way. The only leftovers I had were from the boiled version – everyone loved the roasted meat and vegetables. This year I am only doing the roasted version – it was awesome!
P.s., I was also concerned the horseradish would make it too spicy – but it didn’t. It just made it yummy.
Do you have a version of the recipe scaled to about 50 servings? Thanks
I don’t George — I’m sorry! You could certainly scale the recipe up to serve more, but you’ll likely need to prepare it in several batches.
So this is my second recipe now. I am not a cook but the way that this site lays out recipes, allows me to follow with no problems. My husband is usually the cook but now he’s going through the site picking out things for me to cook next lol. I have never have corned beef before and I have decided that it’s just not for me. It’s extremely tasty, the potatoes were delicious and oh my goodness the sour cream dressing that goes on top….Wow! I just don’t like corned beef but my husband licked the plate lol
I’m glad I found this recipe. Tried it yesterday and it was a huge success. Thank you!
Yes! Made this tonight and it’s delish!
Not sure how to add a photo here, but it looks great! Used cabbage, carrots, turnips, onions, and acorn squash. All browned beautifully. Added bonus is because the corned beef roasted in the oven – my house doesn’t smell like corned beef! The flavor of the meat is subtle and really just perfect! Thanks!
Oh bummer – im waiting for mine to be done! Acorn Squash sounds like an amazing add!
Have made this recipe twice (1 with and 1 w/o creamy horseradish sauce) and it is definitely a keeper! Honestly for us the best part is the cabbage….OMG! Rest of veggies are delicious, but we have now started making a double batch of cabbage as well as stand alone for side with other dishes.
Love that recipe allows for cooking of all ingredients at same temperature!
Corned beef is very flavorful (not too salty) and fork tender.
Only challenge I have at times is adjusting cook time as we tend to get a smaller cut (2lb) since it is just for 2.