This Corned Beef Hash is more than just a dish; it’s a celebration of hearty flavors and comforting textures, perfect for marking St. Patrick’s Day and equally delightful any time of the year. Whether you’re craving a robust breakfast alongside a perfectly fried egg and crispy toast, or a satisfying lunch or dinner, this classic meat and potatoes meal promises to deliver pure culinary joy. Forget the canned versions; once you experience the rich, savory taste of homemade corned beef hash, there’s no turning back.
As the days whiz by and the anticipation builds for spring, we often find ourselves looking forward to cherished traditions. For many, the approach of St. Patrick’s Day brings with it thoughts of vibrant green, festive gatherings, and, of course, delicious Irish-inspired cuisine. While my own roots may not trace directly back to the Emerald Isle, my childhood was rich with St. Patrick’s Day feasts, a tradition that deepened when I married an Irishman. This annual celebration always means a table laden with Irish favorites, and at the heart of it, for my family, is a truly exceptional corned beef hash.
St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef Hash: A Timeless Classic
This particular Corned Beef Hash recipe holds a special place in my heart, thanks to my younger sister, Carolyn. For years, her family has raved about it, making it a constant request at their gatherings. After experiencing its incredible flavor and comforting appeal myself, I knew I had to share this culinary gem with you. It’s truly a standout dish, offering a wonderful blend of savory corned beef, tender potatoes, and aromatic vegetables, all seasoned to perfection. While it shines brightly as a festive meal for St. Patrick’s Day, its versatility makes it an ideal choice for a comforting breakfast, a satisfying lunch, or a delightful dinner any day of the year. We, just like Carolyn’s family, especially love to serve it with a side of crispy toast and a perfectly fried egg, letting the runny yolk mingle with the hash for an extra layer of richness.
What Exactly is Corned Beef Hash?
At its core, corned beef hash is a beloved dish featuring a harmonious blend of diced or shredded meat, typically corned beef, combined with potatoes and fried onions. The term “hash” itself originates from the French word “hacher,” meaning “to chop,” perfectly describing the preparation method. Historically, hash was a resourceful way to utilize leftovers, transforming yesterday’s roast or boiled meat and potatoes into a brand-new, delicious meal. This tradition of resourcefulness is part of what makes corned beef hash so appealing – it’s a simple, honest dish that maximizes flavor and minimizes waste. It’s a testament to rustic cooking at its finest, evolving from humble origins into a breakfast, brunch, and dinner staple enjoyed worldwide, particularly in North America and across the UK and Ireland.
The Essential Corned Beef Hash Ingredients
- Butter: For rich flavor and perfectly browned potatoes.
- Dried Sage: Adds a warm, earthy, and aromatic note that complements the beef and vegetables beautifully.
- Yellow Onion: Provides a sweet, pungent base for the hash.
- Red Bell Pepper: Contributes a touch of sweetness, color, and essential vitamins.
- Celery: Offers a subtle crunch and savory depth.
- All-Purpose Flour: Used as a thickener to create a luscious sauce that binds all the ingredients.
- Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: Forms the liquid base for our savory sauce, adding moisture and flavor.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A secret ingredient that brings a deep, umami richness and a hint of tang.
- Corned Beef: The star of the show, providing its signature salty, savory flavor.
- Potatoes: The foundational carb, offering texture and substance.
- Heavy Cream: Adds a touch of richness and helps create a creamy, decadent sauce.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors.
Crafting this incredible corned beef hash is a straightforward and rewarding process. You’ll begin by sautéing your cubed potatoes in a generous amount of butter, allowing them to soften and develop a beautiful, light brown crispness. This initial step is crucial for achieving that desirable texture in your hash. Next, the aromatic trio of chopped onions, bell peppers, and celery joins the pan, cooking down until tender and fragrant, creating a flavorful base for the dish. Once these vegetables are perfectly softened, a sprinkle of flour is added to the mix, creating a roux that will thicken our sauce. This is quickly followed by the rich low-sodium chicken broth and the unmistakable savory punch of Worcestershire sauce, simmering until a thick, cohesive sauce forms. The grand finale involves stirring in the heavy cream for a touch of luxurious richness and, of course, the star ingredient: the flavorful corned beef. A quick mix to heat everything through, and your homemade corned beef hash is ready to be devoured.
This isn’t just an easy dish to prepare; it’s a timeless classic that brings warmth and satisfaction to any meal. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the depth of flavor achieved with readily available ingredients. It truly embodies the spirit of comforting home cooking.
Why Homemade Corned Beef Hash is Superior
While canned corned beef hash might offer convenience, there’s simply no comparison to the vibrant flavors and fresh textures of a homemade version. When you make corned beef hash from scratch, you’re in control of every ingredient, from the quality of the corned beef to the freshness of the vegetables and the perfect seasoning balance. You can achieve crispy, golden-brown potatoes that aren’t mushy, and vegetables that retain their distinct flavors and slight bite. The sauce is richer, the meat is more tender, and the overall experience is infinitely more satisfying. It transforms what can be a mundane meal into an extraordinary culinary delight, a true testament to the power of home cooking.
This is the kind of cozy comfort food that truly nourishes the soul, and I can almost guarantee you’re going to fall in love with it. Whether it’s the centerpiece of your St. Patrick’s Day feast or a simple, hearty meal on a quiet Tuesday, it’s sure to hit all the right notes and satisfy those deep-seated comfort food cravings. Don’t hesitate to give this recipe a try! I’d love to hear how it turns out for you. If you have any questions along the way or simply want to share your experience, please feel free to drop a comment below. Enjoy every delicious bite!
Essential Cook’s Notes for the Best Corned Beef Hash
Choosing Your Potatoes:
For this hash, you have excellent flexibility when it comes to potatoes. Red, white, or Yukon Gold varieties all work wonderfully. Yukon Golds are particularly favored for their creamy texture and buttery flavor, while red potatoes hold their shape well and add a rustic touch. If you’re using raw potatoes instead of pre-cubed refrigerated ones, simply peel and cube them into roughly half-inch pieces, ensuring even cooking. Par-boiling raw potatoes for about 5-7 minutes before sautéing can help them cook faster and more evenly in the skillet.
Sourcing Your Corned Beef:
This recipe is an ideal way to use up leftover corned beef from your St. Patrick’s Day corned beef and cabbage dinner. The pre-cooked, tender beef will integrate beautifully into the hash. If you don’t have leftovers or prefer not to make your own corned beef from scratch, don’t worry! You can easily head to your local deli counter and ask them to slice you some thick pieces of cooked corned beef. Then, simply dice it yourself into small, manageable cubes. This offers a convenient shortcut without sacrificing flavor.
Perfect Accompaniments:
While delicious on its own, this hash truly shines when served with traditional accompaniments. A freshly fried egg, with its warm, runny yolk, adds an incredible richness that blends perfectly with the savory hash. Poached eggs are another excellent, lighter alternative. Don’t forget a side of hot, buttered toast for dipping and soaking up all the delicious flavors. For an extra kick, a dash of your favorite hot sauce or a dollop of spicy mustard can elevate the experience even further. Consider also serving it alongside some fresh Irish soda bread for a truly authentic St. Patrick’s Day meal.
Customization and Serving Ideas for Your Hash
One of the joys of making homemade corned beef hash is the ability to customize it to your liking. Feel free to experiment with additional vegetables, such as diced carrots, peas, or even spinach, wilted in at the end. A pinch of thyme or rosemary can complement the sage beautifully, adding another layer of herbal aroma. For those who enjoy a bit of spice, a dash of red pepper flakes or a finely diced jalapeño can introduce a welcome heat. And if you’re feeling adventurous, a sprinkle of cheddar cheese melted over the top just before serving takes this comfort food to a whole new level of indulgence.
Beyond breakfast, lunch, and dinner, corned beef hash makes a fantastic brunch item, especially when hosting. Pair it with a fresh fruit salad and mimosas for an elevated experience. It’s also excellent as a side dish to roasted meats or grilled chicken, offering a hearty, flavorful complement to almost any meal. The possibilities are truly endless once you master this basic, yet incredibly versatile, recipe.
Storing and Reheating Your Leftovers
Should you be lucky enough to have any leftovers, corned beef hash stores beautifully. Allow the hash to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can gently warm it in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Adding a tiny bit of butter or broth can help moisten it if it seems a little dry. For an extra crispy texture, spread the hash in a single layer in the skillet and allow it to cook undisturbed for a few minutes on each side. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave, though the skillet method yields a superior texture. This makes it an excellent meal prep option for busy weekdays!
More Delicious St. Patrick’s Day Recipes to Enjoy
To truly complete your St. Patrick’s Day celebration or simply explore more delightful Irish-inspired dishes, consider these fantastic recipes:
Homemade Irish Soda Bread: A simple, rustic bread that’s perfect with butter or alongside your hash.
Mini No-Bake Key Lime Pie Cheesecakes: A refreshing and easy dessert option (perhaps for something green!).
No-Churn Mint Chocolate Chip Brownie Popsicles: A fun, cooling treat with a hint of green for the holiday.
Bangers and Mash with Guinness Onion Gravy: Another hearty and classic dish that will transport you straight to an Irish pub.
Corned Beef Hash
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Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp. butter
- 1 16 oz. bag refrigerated cubed potatoes, I use Simply Potatoes brand
- 1/4 tsp. dried rubbed sage
- 1 1/2 cups yellow onion, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
- 2 stalks celery, coarsely chopped
- 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 lb. corned beef, chopped
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large deep skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add the potatoes and cook for 5-7 minutes until they are lightly browned and beginning to soften. Stir in the sage, chopped onion, bell peppers, and celery. Cover the skillet and continue to cook for 5-6 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened.
- Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the cooked vegetables and stir thoroughly to coat. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes to toast the flour. Gradually pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce, continuing to stir constantly to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce begins to thicken. Finally, add the chopped corned beef, heavy cream, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Mix well and cook until the corned beef is heated through. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious homemade corned beef hash!
Notes
You can make this hash with leftover corned beef from your corned beef and cabbage from St. Patrick’s Day. If you don’t have leftover corned beef or don’t want to make your own corned beef you can simply head to your deli counter and ask them to slice you some thick slices of corned beef and then just chop it yourself.
This hash is delicious served with a fried or poached egg on the side along with some toast.
Nutrition
Adapted from Zingerman’s Roadhouse