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!

corned beef and cabbage in bowl with horseradish cream sauce on side

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.

“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!”

Bonnie

What You’ll Need To Make Corned Beef & Cabbage

For the Corned Beef and Vegetables

ingredients for corned beef and cabbage
  • 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

ingredients for 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.

making corned beef and cabbage - corn beef in roasting pan with a little water

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.

making corned beef and cabbage - roasting pan covered with foil

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the melted butter, horseradish, salt, and pepper.

making corned beef and cabbage - combining butter, horseradish, salt and pepper in mixing bowl

Mix well.

making corned beef and cabbage - horseradish butter mixed in bowl

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.

making corned beef and cabbage - drizzling horseradish butter over the carrots, potatoes and cabbage

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).

making corned beef and cabbage - vegetables evenly tossed with the horseradish butter

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.

making corned beef and cabbage - bronzed vegetables fresh out of the oven

Remove the meat from the oven and transfer to a cutting board. Let cool slightly, until cool enough to handle.

making corned beef and cabbage - roasted corned beef fresh out of the oven

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.

making corned beef and cabbage - slicing corned beef on cutting board

Simply combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl, and season to taste.

horseradish sauce ingredients mixed together in mixing bowl

Arrange the meat and roasted vegetables on a platter and sprinkle with parsley, if desired. Serve with the horseradish cream sauce on the side.

corned beef and cabbage on serving plate

Frequently Asked Questions

My corned beef did not come with a seasoning packet—can I make my own?

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.

Can I make corned beef and cabbage ahead of time?

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!

Servings: 6 - 8
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 3 Hours
Total Time: 3 Hours 20 Minutes

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

  1. Preheat the oven the 325°F. Set one oven rack in the middle position and another in the bottom position.
  2. Rinse the corned beef several times under running cold water. (No need to dry it.)
  3. 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.
  4. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, horseradish, salt and pepper.
  5. 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).
  6. 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.)
  7. 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

  1. Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more horseradish to taste, if desired.
  2. Note: You won't use the whole head of cabbage; just use enough to cover ⅓ of the sheet pan.
  3. Note: The nutritional information does not include the horseradish cream sauce.

Pair with

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • 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.

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Comments

  • I made this corned beef tonight and it was great!! Got rave reviews and a “this needs to be in our regular rotation”! So easy and delicious. Thanks, Jenn! 🙂

    • — Liz on March 20, 2023
    • Reply
  • Made this for family and friends this year, bypassing the usual boiled corned beef brisket and vegetables. This got rave reviews from the family and my Jewish friend said he was pleasantly surprised how good the corned beef turned out (that’s HIGH PRAISE from him!). Tossing the vegetables with horseradish and butter really elevated their flavor. Serving the cream sauce alongside was a big hit. Actually had NO LEFTOVERS as party ate until food was gone!

    • — Valerie on March 20, 2023
    • Reply
  • I LOVE this recipe! I have always loved corned beef and cabbage, but the horseradish and roasting the meat and veggies definitely kicks it up a notch.

    • — Mickey Barbely on March 20, 2023
    • Reply
  • WOW! I’ve been eating boiled corned beef and cabbage for 20 years, but I stumbled upon this recipe when researching corned beef seasonings, and I’m so glad I took a chance on it. I am blown away by the amount of flavor and the ease of making this dish! I’ve never been a horseradish fan either, but I took a chance and was floored by the amazing flavor! The veggies got a little caramelized and crispy and complemented the perfectly cooked corned beef so well. AND THE DIPPING SAUCE! This dipping sauce has a chokehold on me – it is drool-worthy. I dipped everything on my plate in this sauce even though everything was cooked to perfection and definitely didn’t need a sauce to taste amazing. My husband who is a firm naysayer when it comes to corned beef and cabbage even had seconds so I call this a major win! I am so excited for next St Patrick’s Day to make this again!

    • — Nicole on March 20, 2023
    • Reply
  • Dear Jenn, I use your recipes often and pass them along to my family. I now cook infrequently since I lost my husband a couple years ago and live alone. It’s no fun to cook for one. However, I really wanted to make this recipe, so I invited a couple of my kids over and made this it exactly as you directed. It turned out so incredibly well I could not believe it. My kids loved it also. The best part is that it is so simple to make. I also made the horseradish sauce which was delicious, but I think the corned beef would have been good even with just plain old horseradish. I think I need to bit the bullet, cook more often, and invite more people over.

    • — Inga Cherman-Lurie on March 20, 2023
    • Reply
    • Good for you, Inga. I also hesitate to invite people over and cook for them, but I’m always glad when I do. I’m so sorry you lost your husband. I appreciate the review because I don’t have any sour cream on hand but I do have horseradish and my brisket is in the oven now 🙂

      • — Jennifer on March 20, 2023
      • Reply
  • Oh man, this recipe was dynomite! I did double the butter-horseradish sauce for the carrots, cabbage and potatoes because I made a very large roaster full of them. The horseradish cream sauce is excellent too! I am not a huge fan of corned beef, but I will definitely be making vegetables and potatoes like this again…and the sauce too! The corned beef was very good, it’s just not a favorite for me. lol. I bet the creamed horseradish sauce would be good on quite a few dishes/meats. Thank you so much for sharing this awesome recipe, Jenn!

    • — Jacque on March 19, 2023
    • Reply
  • I made this corned beef tonight for some guests and we all absolutely loved it. Fantastic flavor on the roast. Thank you for sharing.

    • — Jackie on March 19, 2023
    • Reply
  • Recipe was excellent….but the corned beef was really salty…is it because we didn’t boil it? Roasted vegs were excellant!

    • — Carol is on March 19, 2023
    • Reply
    • Hi Carol, I’m sorry you found it to be too salty. . I think that different brands have varying levels of salt, so if you go to prepare this again, I would suggest trying a different brand of corned beef.

      • — Jenn on March 20, 2023
      • Reply
  • Thank you for sharing your easy to folow recipe!
    I won’t boil corned beef anymore.
    We loved this meal!
    This meat was tender and delicious. The vegetables were amazing. As was the horseradish sauce. A winning dinner!

    • — Lorraine on March 19, 2023
    • Reply
  • I have a small 2 pound corned beef. Would you still roast for 3 hours or shorten the roasting time?

    • — Carolyn on March 19, 2023
    • Reply
    • Yes, Carolyn, you can use the same timing. Enjoy!

      • — Jenn on March 20, 2023
      • Reply

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