15 BEST Sauces for Corned Beef!

Planning on serving up corned beef for dinner tonight? 

You’ve come to the right place! 

Whether you’re making it with a side of cabbage, adding some creamy mashed potatoes, or simply piling it high into a sandwich, you’ll already know that adding the right sauce can take your meal to the next level. 

In this guide, we’re going to take a look at a selection of the very best sauces for corned beef, from the traditional to the more creative. 

What Sauces Go With Corned Beef?

Classic sauces that work well with corned beef include mustard based, horseradish, and creamy choices like sour cream with dill, lemon, and black pepper. 

If you enjoy your sauces with a bit of a tang, consider sweet and sour, ketchup, and barbecue. 

For those who like to experiment with international flavours, try chimchurri, thousand island, or Russian dressing. 

Read on to discover more about the fundamental culinary considerations that will help you to select the very best sauce for your corned beef, as well as some recipes for you to try, and extra tips for making your dinner one to remember… 

(By the way, if you love Irish inspired foods, you’ll also enjoy what to serve with Irish stew, and what to serve with colcannon!) 

Fundamentals of Corned Beef Sauces

Ingredients

When preparing sauces for corned beef, it’s essential to choose ingredients that complement the meat’s rich flavour.

Common ingredients in corned beef sauces include:

• Mustard: A popular choice, mustard can provide a tangy and spicy contrast to the meat. For example, a Dijon mustard sauce can enhance the corned beef with its sharpness.
• Ketchup and red wine vinegar: These two ingredients can be combined to create a slightly sweet and tangy sauce. 
• Herbs: Fresh herbs like parsley can add a vibrant flavour to your sauce. A Gremolata sauce is an Italian condiment consisting of parsley, lemon zest, and garlic that pairs well with corned beef.

Textures

The texture of your sauce plays an essential role in how it interacts with the corned beef.

Some popular textures include:

• Smooth: Creamy sauces made with mayonnaise or sour cream can provide a velvety texture that complements corned beef. This mustard sauce combines Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, and sour cream for a smooth and indulgent experience.
• Chunky: Some sauces, like chutneys or relishes, can add a more textured element to your corned beef dish. Don’t be afraid to explore chunky sauces for a unique eating experience.

Flavours

To enhance the taste of your corned beef, consider experimenting with different flavour profiles in your sauces:

• Spicy: Amp up the heat with a spicy sauce made using ingredients like chilli peppers or hot sauce to add some kick to your corned beef.
• Sweet: A touch of sweetness, such as honey or fruit preserves, can create a delightful contrast with the saltiness of corned beef. Remember to balance your sweet sauce with acidity or heat to avoid overwhelming the dish.
• Savoury: Umami-packed ingredients, like Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce, can further accentuate corned beef’s savoury goodness.

In summary, when creating sauces for corned beef, remember to choose ingredients that complement the meat and provide a range of textures and flavours.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and play with various components – you might just discover your new favourite corned beef sauce!

Classic Sauces for Corned Beef

Mustard Based Sauces

One quintessential sauce for corned beef is a mustard sauce.

You can choose from various mustard types like dijon mustard, yellow mustard, or even spicy brown mustard for a unique twist.

A simple recipe starts with mixing your preferred mustard with a touch of honey to add sweetness, creating a delightful honey mustard sauce. 

Horseradish Sauces

For those who enjoy a bit of heat, a horseradish sauce is an excellent choice to serve with corned beef.

Horseradish is a pungent root that adds both heat and flavour to your sauce.

One option is to blend grated horseradish with sour cream, resulting in a creamy and flavourful horseradish sauce.

This blend of sharp and mellow flavours, offset with the sour cream, creates a tangy accompaniment to your corned beef.

Creamy Sauces

Sometimes, you might want a more indulgent sauce to pair with your corned beef.

Creamy sauces can balance out the richness of the meat without overpowering its flavour.

A popular choice is to create a sauce using sour cream as the base.

Combining sour cream with other ingredients such as fresh dill, lemon juice, and black pepper can elevate your sauce to new heights while enhancing the taste of your corned beef dish.

Sweet and Tangy Sauces

Sweet and Sour Sauce

Sweet and sour sauce is an absolute classic when it comes to enhancing the flavour of your corned beef, and it brings a fusion twist to your plate. 

This delightful blend of sugar, vinegar, and tangy flavours creates a perfectly balanced sauce.

I like to serve it alongside some chopped pineapple for extra zing! 

To make your own sweet and sour sauce, simply combine sugar (or honey for a healthier alternative), apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and a splash of hot sauce for a bit of spice.

Feel free to experiment with the ratios to find your desired balance of sweetness, tanginess, and spice.

Ketchup Based Sauces

Ketchup-based sauces are a tasty and convenient option for your corned beef.

The mix of sweet, tangy, and savoury elements in ketchup lend themselves well to creating versatile sauces.

One delicious option is a combination of ketchup, honey, red wine vinegar, butter, and mint jelly.

This sauce is not only delectable but also has a rich history, as it has been passed down through generations.

Another ketchup-based sauce you can try combines ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and a hint of Worcestershire sauce for an irresistible tanginess. 

Barbecue Sauce

Barbecue sauce is a wonderful accompaniment to corned beef, providing a balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavours.

The key is selecting a high-quality BBQ sauce made with real sugar, rather than corn syrup, for an authentic barbecue taste.

You can elevate your BBQ sauce by adding your favourite ingredients, such as apple cider vinegar for a fruity tang, or hot sauce for a bit of heat.

Pairing your corned beef with barbecue sauce not only enhances its taste but also adds an extra layer of enjoyment to your meal.

Simply slather on your preferred barbecue sauce and let your taste buds do the rest.

International Sauces for Corned Beef

Chimichurri Sauce

Looking to add a zesty twist to your corned beef and cabbage? Try pairing it with a vibrant chimichurri sauce.

This Argentinian sauce, known for its bold flavours, will give your corned beef dish an exciting kick.

The combination of fresh herbs, garlic, red pepper flakes, and vinegar creates a tart and tangy taste that complements the savoury meat wonderfully.

Enjoy your corned beef with this zesty Chimichurri sauce and a side of traditional Irish soda bread.

Thousand Island

For a classic and versatile option, consider topping your corned beef with thousand island dressing.

This creamy and tangy sauce pairs well with the rich flavours of the meat, providing an extra level of depth.

Aside from being a delicious choice for corned beef, thousand island dressing can also be used in sandwiches, salads, or as a dipping sauce for veggies. 

Russian Dressing

Another excellent sauce for your corned beef is Russian dressing.

Similar to thousand island, this dressing offers a delightful blend of flavours: sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy.

A well-balanced Russian dressing brings out the best in corned beef, elevating the taste to new heights.

Try it for yourself – you’ll find that these international sauces breathe new life into the classic dish.

To help you decide which of these international sauces to try with your corned beef, here’s a quick comparison:

Sauce	Flavour Profile	How to Serve
Chimichurri	Tart & Zesty	Drizzle or serve on the side
Thousand Island	Creamy & Tangy	Spread or use as a dipping sauce
Russian Dressing	Sweet, Tangy & Spicy	Spread or use as a dipping sauce

Give these international sauces a go next time you cook up a corned beef feast, and take your taste buds on a flavourful journey!

Unique and Bold Sauces

When it comes to enjoying corned beef, why not elevate the experience by trying some unique and bold sauces?

In this section, we’ll explore two types of distinctive sauces that can enhance the flavours of your corned beef: Cheese Based Sauces and Herb and Spicy Sauces.

Cheese Based Sauces

Mornay Sauce: A classic French cheese sauce, Mornay is made by combining béchamel sauce with grated cheese.

The result is a smooth and velvety sauce that adds both creaminess and a hint of sharpness to your corned beef.

You can play around with different types of cheese to add uniqueness; for example, a blue cheese sauce can add a pungent kick that complements the saltiness of corned beef.

Cheese Sauce: For a simpler approach, you can make a basic cheese sauce by melting your favourite cheese with butter, milk, and a touch of flour.

Adding garlic powder can give a mild garlic flavour, while a splash of lemon juice can help cut through the richness and brighten the sauce.

Herb and Spicy Sauces

Garlic Herb Butter Sauce: A fragrant and flavourful option, this sauce is made by combining melted butter with minced garlic, lemon juice, and your choice of fresh herbs.

Opt for bold herbs like rosemary or thyme to create an herbaceous sauce that will make your corned beef shine.

The garlic and lemon offer a zesty contrast to the rich, salty meat.

Béarnaise Sauce: A classic French sauce, béarnaise is made by emulsifying butter with egg yolks and white wine vinegar, infused with shallots, tarragon, and peppercorns.

This béarnaise sauce brings a luxurious, peppery, and slightly acidic note to corned beef, cutting through the richness and enhancing its umami flavours.

Vietnamese Fish Sauce: For a slightly more adventurous choice, try a Vietnamese fish sauce made by combining fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and water, seasoned with garlic and chilli.

The sauce has a pungent flavour and mild heat, imparting a unique spiciness to corned beef that contrasts well with the meat’s saltiness and fattiness.

Which of these choices will you be trying?

Leave a comment and share your ideas below!