20 Best Sauce for Corned Beef
It was the year 2015. I was a sophomore in college. My roommates and I had decided to throw a St. Patrick’s Day party.
We wanted to serve corned beef because it’s a traditional Irish dish. But we didn’t know what sauces to serve with it.
So, we did some research and came up with a list of sauces that would be perfect for corned beef. At first, we didn’t quite get it right. We tried a few sauces that were too sweet or too spicy.
But after a few trials and errors, we finally found the perfect sauces to serve with our corned beef.
That event completely changed my mind about what sauces to serve with corned beef. No longer was I satisfied with the same old ketchup and mustard on my sandwich. I wanted to try new sauces, sauces that would really complement the flavors of the corned beef.
So, if you’re looking for a new sauce to try with your next corned beef dish, here are 20+ sauces that are sure to please.
Best Sauce for Corned Beef
- Creamy Gravy
- Horseradish Sauce
- Mustard Sauce
- Sweet and Sour Sauce
- Apple Sauce
- Plum Sauce
- Sour Cream & Caraway Sauce
- Mornay Sauce
- Garlic Herb Butter Sauce
- Chimichurri Sauce
- Hot Sauce
- Peppercorn Sauce
- Vietnamese Fish Sauce
- Pipian Sauce
- Tomato-Onion Sauce
- Blue Cheese Sauce
- Beurre Blanc Sauce
- Whisky Sauce
- Béarnaise Sauce
Creamy Gravy
This was the first sauce we tried and got right. It’s a classic for a reason. The creamy gravy really brings out the flavor of the corned beef and it’s so easy to make.
Seriously, you don’t need anything else. The creamy gravy is rich and flavorful and it goes so well with the corned beef. If you’re looking for a classic sauce to try, this is the one.
Horseradish Sauce
This sauce is perfect if you want a little bit of a kick. It is commonly served with roast beef, as well as with corned beef.
The horseradish sauce is tangy and slightly spicy and it really complements the flavors of the corned beef.
Be careful, this sauce can literally bring tears to your eyes. So, if you like the spice, but don’t want to cry while eating, it would be better to mix it with vinegar.
Mustard Sauce
For a delicious holiday meal, make a mustard sauce. This will give your corned beef the perfect flavor.
Furthermore, you can use dijon mustard, whole-grain mustard, or even honey mustard. All three of these mustards will give your sauce a unique flavor.
Although, my favorite is Dijon mustard. It has this very strong flavor that stands up to the corned beef in a really good way.
Sweet and Sour Sauce
If you’re looking for something sweet and sour, this is the one.
It’s perfect for corned beef because it has the perfect balance of flavors. The sweetness comes from the sugar and the sourness comes from the vinegar. This sauce is really easy to make and it’s so delicious.
Moreso, the sugar in the sauce will accentuate the flavor of the corned beef. In addition, the acidity from the vinegar will add another layer of flavor to the dish.
Apple Sauce
This is a great sauce to try if you want something sweet and simple. Apple sauce is perfect for corned beef because it’s not too sweet or too spicy. It’s also really easy to make.
If you want to, you can add a little bit of cinnamon to the apple sauce. This will give it a little bit of flavor. But, if you don’t want to add anything else, it’s still really good.
Plum Sauce
This is another wonderful option if you’re looking for something sweet and tart. Plum sauce is perfect for corned beef because it’s not too sweet or too spicy.
However, if you want to add a little more spice, ginger will work. This will add a wonderful taste to the plum sauce.
Sour Cream & Caraway Sauce
I love the flavor of caraway seeds. They have this wonderful flavor that is perfect for corned beef.
This sauce is made with sour cream and caraway seeds and it’s so delicious. The caraway seeds add a depth of flavor to the sauce and the sour cream really cuts through the richness of the corned beef.
Mornay Sauce
This sauce originates from France and it’s made with cheese. So, if you’re looking for a cheesy sauce, this is the one.
Apart from corned beef, I love pairing mornay sauce with orecchiette pasta and chicken. The sauce is so rich and flavorful and it really elevates the dish.
Garlic Herb Butter Sauce
This is a simple sauce that’s made with butter, garlic, and herbs. It’s perfect for corned beef because it adds a ton of flavor without overpowering the dish.
I like to use this sauce as a finishing sauce. I simply put it on top of the corned beef and let it melt into the meat. Yummy!
Chimichurri Sauce
If you see me eating corned beef, there’s a good chance that I’m also eating chimichurri sauce. This Argentinian sauce is made with parsley, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar.
It’s the perfect condiment for corned beef because it has a ton of flavor. The parsley and garlic really stand out and the acidity from the vinegar cuts through the richness of the corned beef.
Hot Sauce
Just like its name implies, this sauce is hot. But how hot can hot sauce get?
The hottest hot sauce in the world is pure capsaicin, which has a Scoville rating of 16 million. Can you imagine it?
Well, it all depends on the type of chili pepper that’s used. Some hot sauces are made with jalapeño peppers and some are made with habanero peppers.
Either way, this sauce is perfect for corned beef because it really kicks up the flavor. If you like your food spicy, then you’ll love this sauce.
I love to put hot sauce on all kinds of things, but it’s especially good on corned beef. The heat from the chili peppers really compliments the flavor of the corned beef.
Peppercorn Sauce
The mere mention of peppercorn sauce is enough to make my mouth water. This sauce is made with heavy cream, green peppercorns, and brandy.
It’s the perfect sauce for corned beef because it’s rich and flavorful. The green peppercorns add a bit of spice to the dish and the brandy really adds a depth of flavor.
Vietnamese Fish Sauce
When I was in Vietnam, I had the most amazing fish sauce. It was so good that I brought some home with me.
This sauce is made with fish, salt, and water. That’s it. But it’s so much more than that.
The flavor is out of this world and it’s perfect for corned beef. The pungent, salty, and briny flavor of the fish sauce really compliments the flavor of the corned beef.
Pipian Sauce
I know there are a lot of sauces on this list, but I just couldn’t help myself.
Moreover, this one stands on its own. Pipian sauce is a Mexican sauce that’s made with roasted pumpkin seeds, tomatillos, and chili peppers.
It has a unique flavor that’s perfect for corned beef. The pumpkin seeds add a lovely sweetness to the corned beef.
Tomato-Onion Sauce
Tomatoes and onions are two of my favorite things. So, it’s no surprise that I love this sauce.
This sauce is comprised of tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices. It’s the ideal combination of both sweet and savory.
I enjoy using this sauce on a variety of meals, but it’s spectacular with corned beef. The tomatoes’ sweetness enhances the flavor of the corned beef.
Blue Cheese Sauce
Apart from the fact that I’m a die-hard sucker for cheese, blue is my favorite color.
So, it should come as no surprise that I’m a big fan of blue cheese in all forms, especially as a sauce. This sauce is made with blue cheese, heavy cream, and spices.
It’s the ideal condiment for corned beef since it complements the meat’s taste. The blue cheese is creamy and delicious, and the cream adds a touch of lavishness to the dish.
Beurre Blanc Sauce
When you take a bite of corned beef, the first thing you taste is the fat. It’s luxuriant and flavorful, and it really coats your palate.
But after a few bites, you start to crave something else. That’s where beurre blanc sauce comes in. This sauce is made with butter, white wine, and lemon juice.
It’s the perfect sauce for corned beef because it cuts through the richness of the meat. The acidity from the lemon juice really balances out the flavors.
Whisky Sauce
When I first heard about this sauce, I was a bit judgy. I thought, who wants to drink or eat whisky-like soup? But I was so wrong.
Yes, this sauce is made with whisky, but that’s not all it is about. The sauce is also made with dijon mustard, lemon, double cream, and spices. You can even add meat to it. So you see? It is so much more.
I’ve learned that whisky sauce is a terrific accompaniment for corned beef because it adds a bit of smokiness to the dish.
The whisky enhances the corned beef’s flavor and the cream makes it extra rich and delicious.
Béarnaise Sauce
Finally, I want to talk about béarnaise sauce. This is my all-time favorite sauce and I could eat it on just about anything.
Béarnaise sauce is made with clarified butter, egg yolks, white wine vinegar, shallots, and tarragon. It’s rich, flavorful, and creamy.
This sauce is wonderful with corned beef since it truly intensifies the flavor of the meat. Also, the basil adds a lovely sweetness to the dish.
For Other Options
I understand that not everyone is into sauces. So, for those of you who are looking for other options, I’ve got you covered.
There are a few other things you can serve with corned beef. One option is to simply add some vegetables to the dish. Carrots, Brussels sprout leaves, potatoes, and cabbage are all great choices.
You could also complement your corned beef with bread, bacon, and Thai chiles.
There are also other options for sauces I haven’t mentioned before, namely; red wine jus sauce, mushroom sauce and Diane sauce
Frequently Asked Questions
What else goes well with corned beef?
Ketchup, Thousand island dressing, Russian Dressing, and horseradish are all sauces that go well with corned beef.
Can I use a store-bought sauce?
Yes, you can use a store-bought sauce. Just make sure to read the label to see if it contains any ingredients that you’re allergic to.
Should you rinse corned beef before cooking?
Yes, you should rinse corned beef before cooking. This will help to remove any excess salt from the meat.
What is the best way to cook corned beef?
The best way to cook corned beef is to slow cook it in a crockpot with some water, carrots, celery, and onions.
You could also cook it in the oven at a low temperature, around 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
How can I make my corned beef taste better?
First, add some pickling spices to the water when you’re boiling the beef. This will give it a nice flavor. You can use bay leaves, mustard seeds, bay leaves, allspice spices, and so on.
Second, make sure to cook the beef until it’s tender. You don’t want it to be tough and chewy.
And finally, let the beef rest for at least 20 minutes before slicing it. This will help to seal the juices.
Conclusion
Now that you know about all of these sauces, it’s time to get cooking!
But before you do, ensure you keep at the back of your mind what sauces go best with what dishes. That way, you can be sure to whip up a sauce that will perfectly complement your corned beef.
Do you have a favorite sauce that I didn’t mention? Let me know in the comments below! And don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family. They’ll definitely appreciate it.