Air-Fried Corned Beef: A Quick, Crispy Delight!

Corned beef is a popular dish for St. Patrick's Day, but it can be enjoyed all year round. It is typically made by boiling or roasting, but did you know you can also cook corned beef in an air fryer? This method promises to deliver tender, juicy, and flavourful corned beef with a crisp crust in a fraction of the time.

The process involves wrapping the corned beef in foil and cooking it in the air fryer for about 1 hour and 40 minutes to 2 hours in total, depending on the size of the brisket. The air fryer's even heat distribution and quick cooking time make it ideal for preparing this dish, resulting in a delicious corned beef that is tender and juicy on the inside with a perfectly crisp crust.

How to cook corned beef in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Corned beef brisket (3-4 pounds)
• Pickling spice packet
• 1/4 cup brown mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• Non-stick aluminium foil
• Meat thermometer

Method:

First, preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees F.

Rinse the corned beef under running water to remove any excess salty brine, then pat dry with paper towels. If your corned beef came with a pickling spice packet, you can use this to season the meat now. (If it didn't, you can buy pickling spices separately or make your own.)

Next, mix the mustard and apple cider vinegar together, and brush this mixture over the corned beef. (Some recipes suggest adding honey to this mixture, or even a little brown sugar.)

Now, wrap the corned beef tightly in aluminium foil and place it in the air fryer basket. Air fry for one hour, then open the basket and foil, and baste the brisket with the juices from the meat. Close the foil and basket again, and cook for about another 40 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 145 degrees F.

Finally, if you want to brown the meat, open the foil and air fry for about another 5 minutes.

Remove the corned beef from the air fryer basket and allow it to rest for 20 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips:

• Slice the corned beef against the grain for more tender meat.
• If you want to add vegetables, cook them separately.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days, or in the freezer for up to three months.

How to cut corned beef

When cutting corned beef, it's important to cut against the grain. This will help make the meat more tender and easier to chew. Look for the thin lines of muscle fibre running through the meat, and slice perpendicular to them. Thinner slices will also be more tender than thicker ones.

To identify the direction of the grain, look for the parallel lines of muscle fibre running down the meat, and slice perpendicular to them. Use a large serrated knife and slice in a slow and steady see-sawing motion.

Before slicing, it's a good idea to let the meat rest for at least 10 minutes. This will help the meat retain moisture and result in more tasty and juicy slices.

What to serve with corned beef

Corned beef is a delicious dish, often enjoyed as a St. Patrick's Day staple, but it can be enjoyed all year round. The right side dishes can turn corned beef into a feast. Here are some ideas for what to serve alongside corned beef:

Traditional Sides

The traditional side dish to serve with corned beef is cabbage, and this is a classic for a reason! The two are a perfect pairing, and cabbage can be boiled, braised, or roasted. You could also try an Asian cabbage salad with shredded cabbage, green peppers, and chopped onion, drizzled in olive oil and lemon juice dressing.

Another classic is potatoes, and there are many ways to cook them. You could try mashed potatoes, roasted red potatoes, or even potato cakes.

Other Vegetables

Corned beef also goes well with carrots, and you could try classic glazed carrots, or grilled carrots with tallow.

Other vegetables that pair well with corned beef include broccoli, green beans, and brussels sprouts.

Breads

Soft dinner rolls are a great addition to corned beef, as is soda bread, or even a buttermilk biscuit with cheddar and parmesan.

Sauces

Corned beef is often served with mustard, but you could try making your own honey mustard sauce, or horseradish sauce.

Other Ideas

If you're feeling more adventurous, you could try marinated artichoke hearts, deviled eggs, or even a corned beef hash breakfast with fried eggs, potatoes, and peas.

There are so many options to choose from, so get creative and enjoy your corned beef feast!

How to store leftover corned beef

If you have any leftover corned beef, you can store it in a shallow airtight container or wrap it tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic wrap. It should be placed in the refrigerator and can be kept for up to three or four days.

Leftover corned beef can be frozen to extend its shelf life. To do this, place the corned beef in a freezer-friendly container or wrap it tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or freezer wrap. It will maintain its best quality for about two to three months but will remain safe to eat if kept constantly frozen.

When it comes to reheating your corned beef, you can place an unsliced hunk of corned beef in the air fryer basket and cook at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for around eight minutes, or until warmed through. If you're reheating slices, this will only take one to two minutes.

There are many ways to use up your leftover corned beef. You could serve it with eggs and potatoes for a delicious breakfast hash, or stack it on rye bread with sauerkraut and Russian dressing for a traditional Reuben sandwich. You could also use it as a pizza topping or add it to your cabbage or lettuce wraps for a zesty, crunchy meal.

How to reheat corned beef

• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
• Cut the corned beef into 1-inch cubes or strips to increase the surface area.
• Place the corned beef pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding.
• Lightly mist the pieces with olive oil or cooking spray. The oil helps promote browning.
• Air fry for 5-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Heat until warmed through and slightly crispy on the outside.
• For extra flavour, toss the corned beef cubes in barbecue sauce before air frying.
• Let the meat rest for 1-2 minutes before serving.

Some general tips for reheating corned beef:

• Always opt for thicker slices or larger chunks. Small pieces can overcook quickly.
• Add a small amount of liquid to introduce moisture. Beef broth, onion soup mix, barbecue sauce, or water all work well.
• Heat uncovered first to warm it through, then optionally broil or air fry briefly to add crispiness.
• Allow a rest time after reheating so that moisture can redistribute evenly.
• For oven reheating, add corned beef to a baking dish with some beef broth or Guinness beer. Cover and bake at 325°F until warmed through. The broth or beer adds extra moisture.
• When microwaving, use a lower power level, such as 50% power, to gently warm the corned beef without overcooking.

Frequently asked questions