Oven-Braised Corned Beef

This is a variation of a recipe I saw on All Recipes about 6 or so years ago. I decided to go out on a limb and give it a try, and boy am I glad I did! It is a very unconventional way to cook corned beef, but it turns out great every time, not at all stringy like it can be when boiled.

Go ahead, take a little risk of your own and cook your corned beef this way this year. You will be glad you did!

Oven-Braised Corned Beef

1 Corned Beef Brisket - About 5 Pounds for 6 servings with leftovers
Spice Pack from the Corned Beef, or 2 Tbsp Pickling Spice
1 Large Orange, Cut in Rounds
2 Celery Stalks, Cut in 2-inch Pieces
1 Large Onion, Peeled and Sliced
1/2 - 1 Cup Guiness Beer (or Beef Broth or Water)

Preheat the oven to 300

Line a 9 x 13 inch roasting pan with aluminum foil, leaving about 8 inches extra on both ends, enough to seal in the roast.

Pat the roast dry and rub with the spices.











Place it in the prepared roasting pan and cover with the orange slices, celery pieces, and onion slices, stacking along the sides of the roast as well as covering the top. Pour in 1/2 cup - 1 cup of Guiness (it should come about 1/2 up the roast, not cover it completely) and seal up the aluminum foil.









Bake in the 300 degree oven for 3 1/2 - 4 hours, or until the meat is tender. Remove to a cutting board and let rest about 10 minutes before slicing.










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Irish Soda Bread

St. Patrick's day is one week from today, so over the next little while I will be posting some of my favorite St. Paddy's recipes.

When I was growing up, St. Patrick's day was a huge deal in our house. We got new green clothes, and my mom always threw a big party with corned beef and all the fixings.

This is her recipe for Soda Bread. She always made 2 loaves, one with caraway seeds for the grown-ups, and one without for the kids. I must admit, however, that even though I can't claim to be a kid anymore, I still prefer my soda bread without the caraway seeds. You should make it whichever way you will enjoy it!


2 Cups Flour
2 Tbsp Sugar
1 tsp Salt
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1 Tbsp Caraway Seeds (optional)
2 Tbsp Oil
1 Cup Milk

Preheat oven to 350

Lightly grease an 8-inch cake pan

Combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and caraway seeds (if using) in a medium bowl. Combine the oil and milk in a measuring cup. Pour the milk and oil into the flour mixture and stir to combine. It will be pretty sticky. Pat the dough into your prepared cake pan and bake in the 350 oven until nicely browned and a wooden skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 30 minutes.

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