Gray Corned Beef Is a Thing and Apparently Better for You, Too (2024)

FAQs

Gray Corned Beef Is a Thing and Apparently Better for You, Too? ›

When I asked the butchers in the various meat departments across the SouthCoast, they all had the same answer: The grey is much saltier than the red and is, in fact, somewhat better for you without all the nitrates.

Gray corned beef is cured in a saltwater brine for two weeks plus. This brine contains no preservatives, so the grey corned beef is a great option for those who are looking to avoid nitrates and nitrites. Because the brine isn't seasoned, the grey corned beef can also be seasoned to your tastes.

Both are brisket, but the difference is in the curing process. Red corned beef gets its color from sodium nitrate, while salt is the only ingredient used to cure grey brisket, which is most commonly associated with New England.

The color difference is due to one ingredient: nitrates, either in the form of sodium nitrate or saltpeter, added into the salty brine that gives brisket its corned taste and flavor. Nitrates preserve meat and give it a reddish color, two compelling qualities that make red corned beef much more popular than gray.

Corned beef is an excellent source of protein, vitamin B12, and iron. Individually, these nutrients play many roles in your body, but they all collaborate to make healthy red blood cells ( 2 , 4 , 5 ).

In addition, raw beef (sodium- 66 mg per 100g) also has a lower sodium content than corned beef (sodium- 973 mg per 100g). Therefore, with higher nutritional values and lower sodium content, regular beef is healthier than corned beef.

If only the interior is gray, you can bet that oxygen hasn't touched it to turn it red. This means ground beef with a gray interior is safe to eat. On the other hand, meat that looks gray or brown all over (on the inside as well as the top layer) has likely begun to spoil and is not safe to eat.

Corned beef is safe once the internal temperature has reached at least 145 °F, with a three minute rest time, but cooking it longer will make it fork-tender. Corned beef may still be pink in color after cooking.

Flat Cut: This cut is leaner and uniform, ideal for slicing. It absorbs seasonings well and is perfect for traditional dishes. Point Cut: More marbling and fat, ideal for slow cooking, results in a richer flavor and more tender meat, best for hearty dishes.

If you're looking for a more tender and juicy meat, the best cut of corned is point cut. It has more marbling and fat which is the reason why it's more flavorful, soft, and juicy than flat cut. Both cuts are tough cuts of meat though, so they require low heat and slow-cooking methods.

What part of the cow is corned beef? ›

In North America, corned beef is brisket, taken from the lower chest of a cow or steer, that has been brined in salt and spices. (In general British usage, fresh corned beef is called “salt beef,” while the canned version retains the “corned” designation.)

For a two to three-pound corned beef brisket, cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. For a three to five-pound corned beef brisket, cook for 3 to 3 1/2 hours. STOVE: Place brisket fat-side up in a large pot and cover it with water. Bring the water to a boil; then reduce the heat and simmer, allowing about 1 hour per pound.

Flat Cut: The Best Bet for Corned Beef and Cabbage

The flat cut, with its leaner meat and minimal fat cap, is ideal for the classic corned beef and cabbage dish. This brisket section is characterized by a more uniform thickness and less fat, allowing for a more predictable cooking process and easier slicing.

Today's corned beef is now brined or cured using a salt water or sodium nitrite mixture, which fixes the pigment in the meat and causes it to be pink in color. That's why corned beef remains pink after cooking, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service.

How to Cook Corned Beef Brisket. You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's what you can expect when you make this top-rated corned beef brisket: Brush the whole brisket with browning sauce, then brown it on both sides in a hot skillet with vegetable oil. Place it on a rack set in a roasting pan.