Why Is It Called "Corned" Beef? - Eat Like No One Else

Find out why "Corned Beef" is actually called "Corned Beef" when it does not have any corn in it. Learn the true meaning of the word "corned" and what it has to do with brining brisket.

A picture of pacaged O'Brien Corned Beef Brisket with the words "Why Is It Called Corned Beef" underneath.

Why?

If you have kids or have ever been around really young ones you will get this question a lot. Why do I need to go bed? Why do I need to eat my broccoli? Why? Why? Why? As an adult I still find myself asking the question a lot.

One St. Patrick's Day I was wondering why do we call the meat that we Americans eat on St. Patrick's Day corned beef. If you have wondered this, your about to wonder no more!

Jump to:

? Why Is It Corned Beef?
? It's Pickled
? Why is It Pink?
? Recipes

? Why Is It Corned Beef?

Time for a little history lesson. Corned beef has been around for quite a while, since the 17th century. Back when beef was first corned, we didn't have those delightful sweet ears we all enjoy. Corn just meant a small particle. So to corn beef was to pack it with a small particles.

There is no actual corn in corned beef. Unless they added some corn derivative to it. That is another story.

Salt and spices are used to replace the moisture in the beef, thus preserving it.

Sy Ginsberg's packaged corned beef brisket is shown at the grocery store. — Sy Ginsberg's Corned Beef is produced in Michigan and sold at many stores throughout the state including Costco.

? It's Pickled

The beef is typically pickled, that is put into a wet brine that contains salt, sugar, and spices.

Those spices can include things like:

Mustard seeds
Juniper berries
Allspice berries
Peppercorns
Cinnamon
Bay leaves
Ginger

? Why is It Pink?

Most manufacturers add potassium nitrate (saltpeter) to give the beef it's pink color. Corned beef is made from brisket that needs a long time to cook, so there is no way it will be pink without some help, that is where the saltpeter comes in.

? Read about the best cut of brisket for corned beef.

You can make your own corned beef that doesn't have saltpeter in it. It won't retain that pink color, it appears a less appetizing gray.

I have done this before and it honestly doesn't bother me.