Corned Beef Hash

Many people remember corned beef hash as the creamy meat-and-potatoes mixture from a can—but there's nothing like a homemade version. After you're finished with your St. Patrick's Day feast of traditional Irish food and you've had your fill of corned beef and cabbage (or slow cooker corned beef and cabbage) it's time to make good use of the leftovers—and learn how to make this hearty, filling hash. Any leftover corned beef you have is the perfect start to making this dish. It's a satisfying meal to gobble up for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

What is corned beef hash?

Typically, corned beef hash is made up of a mixture of cooked corned beef, diced potatoes, onions, and bell peppers. These ingredients are cooked in a hot skillet with butter or vegetable oil until browned and crisp. A runny egg makes a great topping!

What kind of meat is corned beef? 

Traditional corned beef is actually beef brisket that has been placed in a well-seasoned brine for five to seven days. Familiar with brining a turkey? It's the same idea: salt, sugar, and spices (such as pickling spice) are dissolved in hot water. Once the liquid has cooled, the brisket is placed in that brine to "cure" or season it well. 

What kind of potatoes are best for corned beef hash?

Any type of potato that's cooked will work. Russet, red-skinned, fingerling, or even sweet potatoes all make great options for hash. Just use what you have on hand!

How do you make corned beef hash from scratch? 

Corned beef hash from scratch is a simple one-skillet meal. Start by dicing up cooked corned beef, onion, green bell pepper, and garlic. If your potatoes are not yet cooked, the microwave comes in handy here. Simply prick them with a fork and microwave on high for about six minutes. Once they are cool enough to handle, dice them up. If they aren't perfect squares, that's even better! Any texture on the surface of the potato pieces will make them nice and crispy as they cook. 

Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the potatoes first to crisp them up. Remove them from the pan, then add the corned beef, onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Once these have softened, add the potatoes back in the pan to bring the hash together. 

How do you crisp corned beef hash? 

For the crispiest corned beef hash, use a heavy bottomed skillet that holds heat well, such as a cast-iron pan—it'll create a good crust on the potatoes and golden brown corned beef. A good amount of butter certainly helps as well! 

How long does corned beef last in the fridge?

Cooked corned beef will last three to four days in the fridge. That means there's plenty of time to make this delicious hash with your St. Patrick's Day leftovers!