Try This Quick Weeknight Canned Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner Idea
How Do You Cook Canned Corned Beef and Cabbage?
🧑🍳 Cooking canned corned beef and cabbage is a quick and easy way to enjoy a hearty meal. Just combine the beef with fresh cabbage and simple seasonings to bring out delicious flavors. This dish is versatile, fast to prepare, and perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Looking for a quick, tasty, and budget-friendly meal for busy weeknights? Skip the long wait for brisket and enjoy a hearty, flavorful meal ready in under 30 minutes. Try this canned corned beef and cabbage recipe!
Using canned corned beef is a fantastic shortcut that doesn’t compromise on flavor, delivering a comforting meal your whole family will appreciate.
This quick and easy corned beef recipe is perfect for busy nights. You can prepare it in under 30 minutes using just one skillet, making cleanup simple. It’s a budget-friendly meal with basic ingredients you can find at any grocery store.
This keto-friendly dish is packed with protein and healthy fats. Customize it with your favorite seasonings or veggies, and enjoy a tasty meal even with leftovers of corned beef and shredded cabbage.
Table of Contents
- Ingredients for Canned Corned Beef and Cabbage
- Easy Step-by-Step Cooking Methods
- Customizing Your Canned Corned Beef and Cabbage
- Serving Ideas for Busy Nights
- Storing, Reheating, and Meal Prep Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Ingredients and Substitutions for Canned Corned Beef and Cabbage
The beauty of this dish is its simplicity. With just a can of corned beef and a head of cabbage, you can make a tasty meal using basic ingredients from the grocery store.
Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking. You can easily swap ingredients or add extras to suit your taste. Whether you want a keto-friendly meal or a touch of Irish flavor, this dish is flexible and easy to adapt.
Core Ingredients Needed
This easy recipe for canned corned beef and cabbage requires just a few simple ingredients: canned corned beef, cabbage, onion, garlic, and a bit of cooking oil like olive or avocado oil to sauté the vegetables.
For the best results, prepare your ingredients before you start cooking. Start by slicing the cabbage into thin strips, about ¼-inch wide. The thinner you slice the cabbage, the faster it will cook.
Cube the canned corned beef instead of crumbling it to ensure you get meaty, satisfying bites throughout the dish.
Finally, having some salt and black pepper on hand allows you to season the dish to your preference. Remember that canned corned beef is already salty, so it’s wise to taste the dish before adding extra salt.
Simple Swaps and Add-Ins
Experimenting with canned corned beef and cabbage can elevate your meal to new heights.
Consider using green cabbage in place of traditional varieties for a slightly sweeter taste. If you’re out of black pepper, a dash of smoked paprika can add unexpected depth.
For an added layer of flavor, fold in sautéed bacon bits or chopped onions. Leftovers can transform into a hearty corned beef hash, perfect for breakfast.
These simple swaps and add-ins keep your recipe fresh and exciting every time.
Complete Ingredients List
Here are all the ingredients you will need for this quick and easy canned corned beef and cabbage recipe:
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter (or olive oil)
- 1 medium head green cabbage
- 2 cans corned beef
- 1 small onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup water
- salt to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
Easy Step-by-Step Cooking Methods
Getting this comforting meal on the table is easy, whether you’re an experienced cook or a beginner. Simply sauté the ingredients in a large skillet with a little oil over medium heat for easy cleanup.
You can also make this recipe in one pot or an Instant Pot for a hands-off approach. Below are simple steps for each method so you can choose what works best for you.
Skillet Method
To start, heat oil or bacon grease in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced cabbage and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften, about 8-10 minutes.
Once the cabbage has started to cook down, add the sliced onion and minced garlic. Continue to sauté everything together until the cabbage reaches your desired tenderness.
Finally, gently add corned beef to the skillet. Since the corned beef is already fully cooked, you only need to heat it through.
Stir gently to keep the meat cubes intact. Add salt and pepper to taste, and your tasty meal is ready to serve.
Instant Pot
You can also make this recipe in one pot or an Instant Pot. This method keeps the flavors together and is easy to clean up.
Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode and add oil. Cook the cabbage, onion, and garlic until the cabbage wilts.
Next, turn off “Sauté” mode and gently stir in the cubed corned beef along with ¼ cup of water or broth.
Secure the lid, set the valve to “Sealing,” and cook on high pressure for 1-2 minutes.
Finally, perform a quick release of the pressure, open the lid, stir, and serve hot.
Customizing Your Canned Corned Beef and Cabbage
While the simple mix of canned corned beef and cabbage tastes great on its own, adding a few seasonings and extra vegetables can make the meal even better.
Basic spices like black pepper add flavor, and extra veggies bring more texture, color, and nutrients.
Thinking about what goes well with the salty, savory taste of corned beef is important. From root vegetables to tasty sauces, there are many easy ways to make this dish even better.
Best Veggies to Complement Corned Beef and Cabbage
The humble green cabbage is the main ingredient in this dish, but it goes well with many other vegetables.
Adding extra veggies makes the meal bigger and adds new flavors and textures. Most of these vegetables are easy to find at any grocery store.
Onions and garlic are already part of the base recipe, as they build a wonderful aromatic foundation. However, you can expand on that with heartier vegetables.
Once you try this Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe, you’ll see it’s not just for St. Patrick’s Day. Serve it over rice for a complete meal.
Root vegetables are a classic pairing with corned beef, and they cook down beautifully in the skillet alongside the cabbage.
Consider adding some of these vegetables to your dish:
- Red Potatoes: Diced small, they become crispy and tender, turning the meal into a complete hash.
- Carrots: Sliced or diced carrots add a touch of sweetness and color.
- Bell Peppers: Sliced bell peppers, especially red ones, bring a mild sweetness and vibrant look.
- Turnips: For a low-carb alternative to potatoes, mashed turnips are an excellent choice.
Seasonings and Sauces for Extra Taste
Enhance your canned corned beef and cabbage with seasonings and sauces. Freshly ground black pepper adds a sharp kick, while red pepper flakes bring heat. Simmering a bay leaf with the cabbage deepens the flavor.
For extra impact, serve a tangy horseradish sauce on the side. Whole-grain mustard or a drizzle of hot sauce can also add bold, new flavors to your meal.
Serving Ideas for Busy Nights
Once your canned corned beef and cabbage is hot and ready, how should you serve it? For busy nights, you can simply scoop it into a bowl and enjoy it as is. It’s a complete, satisfying meal all on its own.
However, if you have a few extra minutes, there are plenty of serving ideas that can make the dish feel extra special.
From turning it into a classic corned beef hash to pairing it with crusty bread for dipping, a simple presentation choice can transform your quick dinner.
Classic & Creative Ways to Serve
You can use canned corned beef to make a quick and easy version of the classic corned beef and cabbage. Cooking the cubed meat with tender cabbage in a skillet gives you all the traditional flavors in much less time.
Beyond the classic way, you can serve this dish in many creative ways. One popular option is to turn it into a hearty breakfast or brunch.
For more ways to serve your creation, try topping a serving with a perfectly fried or poached egg for a classic hash. Enjoy it alongside a slice of crusty bread or Irish soda bread to soak up the juices.
You can simply enjoy it on its own in a bowl for a satisfying, low-carb meal, or serve it over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes or a low-carb alternative like mashed cauliflower.
Side Dishes and Soup Variations
Pairing your corned beef and cabbage with simple side dishes makes a great meal. Since the corned beef is already salty, choose lightly seasoned sides. Low-carb vegetables are a perfect choice.
If you have leftovers, you can easily turn them into a tasty soup. Just add the leftover corned beef and cabbage to a pot, pour in some beef or vegetable broth, and let it simmer until heated through. This makes a quick and delicious new meal.
Some tasty side dish and soup ideas include keto cauliflower mash, which is a creamy, low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes, and easy keto pickles, whose tanginess helps cut through the richness of the corned beef.
For soup, try adding diced potatoes and carrots to make it chunky, or stir in a little heavy cream at the end for a creamy version.
Storing, Reheating, and Meal Prep Tips
One great thing about this canned corned beef dish is that leftovers taste just as good the next day. Store them in the fridge for up to 3–4 days in an airtight container and reheat in a skillet over medium heat.
Avoid freezing the cooked dish as cabbage loses texture, but you can freeze unused canned corned beef for up to three months.
Make corned beef hash by reheating leftovers in a skillet with bacon grease and topping with a fried egg.
Meal prep makes this recipe even faster. Wash and slice the cabbage, dice the onion, and mince the garlic in advance. Store vegetables in airtight containers in the fridge for a few days.
When ready to cook, simply add the prepped vegetables to your skillet. This works well for Irish-style recipes with potatoes and carrots, too.
For best results, cook fresh. It’s better to prep raw ingredients than freeze cooked leftovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make This recipe Keto-Friendly?
Yes, this canned corned beef and cabbage recipe is naturally keto-friendly. Canned corned beef contains zero carbohydrates, and cabbage is a low-carb vegetable. Just make sure you are not using canned corned beef hash, which includes high-carb potatoes, to keep your meal keto.
What are Some Quick Ways to Use Leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and are great for a quick meal. You can easily reheat the canned corned beef and cabbage in a skillet. For a delicious breakfast, top the reheated leftovers with a fried egg to make a savory hash.
How Do I Add a Hawaiian or Irish Twist to the Dish?
To give this recipe an Irish twist, add diced potatoes to the skillet and cook them until tender before adding the cabbage. For a Hawaiian-inspired flavor, stir in some pineapple chunks during the last few minutes of cooking for a delicious sweet and savory combination.
Final Thoughts
Canned corned beef and cabbage is a tasty and easy meal for busy nights. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make a filling dish that suits different tastes and diets.
From quick skillet techniques to one-pot wonders, the possibilities are endless. Don’t forget to explore different flavor boosters and serving ideas to make your meal unique!
So, gather your key ingredients and get ready to enjoy a simple, comforting meal that’s easy to make. Have fun cooking, and feel free to share your own twists or tips!