Air Fryer Corned Beef

Looking for a delicious and easy corned beef recipe? Our air fryer corned beef recipe is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any other day!

Are you looking for a delicious and easy way to make corned beef? If so, then you need to try this air fryer corned beef recipe!

It’s quick and easy to prepare, and the results are mouthwatering. Plus, using an air fryer is a great way to cook corned beef without having to use the oven or stovetop. Traditional recipes see the corned beef boiled, but this air fryer corned beef is so much better. It is sure to become one of your favourite air fryer recipes.

Is there anything more comforting than a plate of corned beef and cabbage on a cold winter day? This air fryer corned beef recipe takes all the hassle out of cooking this traditional dish. You’ll have a delicious and hearty meal in no time at all!

Do you have an air fryer? If not, you may want to consider adding one to your kitchen tools. An air fryer is a fantastic appliance that cooks food by circulating hot air around it. This cooking method is a great way to cook up a delicious St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

Corned beef is a traditional St. Patrick’s Day dish, but it can be enjoyed all year round. This air fryer corned beef recipe is simple to make and delivers delicious results.

What is Corned Beef?

Corned beef, or salt beef, is a salt-cured beef product. The term comes from the brining of the meat with large grained rock salt, the corned part of the name is from the corn-sized salt crystals that are used. Once cured, the Corned Beef can be boiled, broiled or even baked in its own juices.

Usually, brisket is used, as it is a tough cut of meat that’s made tender when cured.

Why do People Eat Corned Beef on St. Patrick’s Day?

Corned beef isn’t actually Irish, in fact it is an American dish that has become synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day ever since Irish immigrants came to America in droves during the 1800s.

Corned beef and cabbage is a classic Irish-American dish that has its roots in poverty. The meat and vegetables were cheap, and the meal was hearty enough to feed a large family.

Today, the dish is primarily served as a celebratory meal on St. Patrick’s Day, but it can also be found in Irish-American restaurants at other times throughout the year.

Why this is the BEST Corned Beef Recipe

• Made in the air fryer to free up your oven!
• Easy corned beef recipe!
• Delicious, flavourful crust.
• Juicy and tender meat.
• Simple to prepare.
• The cooking process is fast but tastes like it cooked low and slow!
• Perfect every single time!
• Great choice for St. Patrick’s Day Dinner!
• Your new favorite way to prepare corned beef.

How to Cook a Perfect Corned Beef Brisket

• Take it out of the Fridge. Take your brisket out of the refrigerator about 2 hours prior to cooking. This will help ensure that it cooks evenly.
• Rinse your brisket. You will want to rinse it off well with cold water to remove any excess salt and pat dry with paper towels before proceeding. Otherwise you are going to end up with a pretty salty meal.
• Use a thermometer: Sticking an instant-read thermometer into the center of the brisket to check the internal temperature of the meat is the only reliable way to ensure a perfect corned beef brisket every time.
• Let it rest! Loosely tent foil over your meat and let it rest for 15-20 minutes. It will slowly cook as it is resting, and this will ensure your meat turns out nice & juicy! By allowing it to rest the juices are able to fully saturate the meat. If you slice too soon you risk it being on the dryer side as you will lose lots of juice as it leaves the meat.
• Slice it against the grain. The way you cut your brisket matters! Read my tips below.

What Temperature Should Corned Beef be Cooked To?

Get a digital meat thermometer and carefully check the thickest part of the meat as directed!

For food safety, corned beef should be cooked to a minimum of 145 degrees F before being removed from the heat. For fork tender corned beef and optimal tenderness cook your corned beef brisket to 195 degrees F.

Do not let it overcook though, corned beef is more forgiving than prime rib or other roasts, but it can still get dry and tough if left too long.

Will this Recipe Work on a Larger Brisket?

Yes! Just be sure that your air fryer is large enough to hold a larger corned beef brisket. You will need to increase the second cooking time by about 15 minutes per pound. Be sure to use your meat thermometer to keep an eye on it.

You can also use this method for smaller corned beef briskets, but you will need to reduce the cooking time.

Tips & Tricks for Carving a Corned Beef Brisket

• Always allow the roast to rest for at least 15- 20 minutes before carving. This keeps the beef from drying out.
• You want to use a good carving knife always.
• Always cut against the grain to keep the slices tender.
• Use smooth slicing motions, don’t hack at the roast.
• Use a carving fork to help steady the roast for smoother slicing.
• Try to get the brisket so it sits as flat as possible on your cutting board.
• Cut only the number of slices needed to help keep leftover portions juicy.
• Nice thick slices hold in juice so avoid slicing thin unless absolutely needed (like for making reubens, yum!)

How to Store Leftover Corned Beef

Store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days. You can reheat leftovers in the microwave, oven, or right back in the air fryer. Set the air fryer to 375 F and heat for about five minutes, or until warmed through.

Leftover corned beef makes a delicious breakfast hash and is also perfect on Reubens or even Reuben sliders!

What to Serve with Corned Beef

Corned beef is traditionally served with cabbage or even sauerkraut. It’s also delicious with fried potatoes, mashed potatoes, potato salad, or a variety of vegetables!

Try one of these amazing side dishes to turn your corned beef brisket into a complete meal:

• Melting Potatoes
• Crock Pot Baked Potatoes
• Oven Roasted Vegetables
• Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
• Apple Butternut Squash Casserole

Click here to see even more tasty side dishes to serve with beef roast.

About the Equipment Needed for Air Fryer Corned Beef

Air Fryer – If you plan to cook beef roasts, whole chickens etc… you want to look for a 6 to 8 quart air fryer or larger.

Digital Meat Thermometer – A meat thermometer is the only accurate way to cook your roast perfectly!

Cutting Board with Grooves – A large cutting board with grooves is the perfect place to rest your beef and then slice it.

Carving Knife – A good carving knife will help you slice your roast easily.

Carving Fork – A carving fork helps to steady your roast while slicing it.

Homemade Pickling Seasoning for Corned Beef

If your corned beef brisket doesn’t come with a spice packet, make your own corned beef seasoning!

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 2 teaspoons black peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon whole mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

Directions:

In a small, dry skillet over medium heat, toast the coriander seeds, peppercorns, mustard seeds, and caraway seeds until fragrant. Remove from heat and use a mortar and pestle to crush the spices a little. Stir in the dried thyme.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Corned Beef

Corned Beef Brisket – You want a brisket that is around 5 lbs. If you require a smaller brisket to fit your air fryer you will need to reduce the cook times accordingly but still go by the desired temperature to know when it is done. When selecting your corned beef at the store, be sure to feel the meat. The meat should be firm, if it is soft, it may contain too much fat.

Vinegar – Apple cider vingegar is best, but white vinegar is OK if that is all you have on hand.

Mustard – I used regular dijon mustard here, but grainy mustard would work well too.

Sugar – Brown sugar deepens the flavour of the crust.

Garlic Powder – Don’t use fresh garlic, it’s not a great substitute here.

Pickling Seasoning – Most Corned Beef Briskets you purchase at the grocery store come with their own little pickling seasoning packet. If for some reason yours doesn’t include that you can make your own by combining a little caraway seeds, black peppercorn, whole mustard seeds, coriander seeds, and dried thyme. Recipe for homemade seasoning is in the recipe notes.

Looking for More Recipes Featuring Beef?

Check out some of my favourite recipes for cooking beef!

Looking for an easy corned beef brisket recipe? This delicious and simple Instant Pot corned beef brisket is perfect for any occasion. It is faster that using a slow cooker but withg similar results.

Cook a perfect air fryer prime rib roast each and every time with this recipe. Juicy, tender, and cooked to perfection with a tasty horseradish crust! If you are looking for more easy air fryer beef recipes, this is it!

Smoked Tri-Tip is flavourful, juicy, and melt in your mouth tender. Make the best beef tip roast on any type of smoker with this easy recipe!

Cook a perfect sirloin tip roast with this recipe each and every time. Juicy, full of flavour and cooked to perfection, you can’t go wrong with an herb crusted roast like this!

How to Cook Corned Beef in the Air Fryer

Yields: 5-6 Servings | Prep Time: 8 minutes | Cook Time: 55  minutes

Ingredients:

• 5 lb Corned Beef Brisket
• 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• ⅓ Cup Dijon Mustard
• ¼ Cup Brown Sugar
• 2 Tbsp Garlic Powder
• 1 Pickling Seasoning Packet

Directions:

Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees F.

Line the air fryer basket with a large piece of aluminum foil.

Remove the brisket from the packaging. Place the brisket into the foil lined basket.

Set the pickling seasoning packet aside.

In a medium size bowl combine the apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, and garlic powder. Pour the mixture over top of the brisket, making sure to fully cover it.

Next, open the seasoning packet and sprinkle that over the top of the brisket evenly.

Place brisket into the air fryer and set the timer for 40 minutes.

When timer goes off check brisket, and baste it by using a spoon to collect the juices at the bottom of the foil spooning them on top of the meat. You can use a teaspoon or two of  water as well if needed.

Set timer for an additional 15-20 minutes.

Check temperature of the meat using a meat thermometer. The internal temp should be at 145 degrees.

Allow to rest for ten to fifteen minutes. Then slice brisket against the grain for tender results!