The 12 BEST Sauces for Corned Beef

Corned beef is a classic favorite enjoyed during the St.

Patrick’s Day fever, but how do you make it even better? This article dives into the 12 best sauces for corned beef to answer your burning question.

Looking no further if you are wanting to find out what ingredients pair perfectly with corned beef, or ideas for exciting and delicious recipes.

Whether you’re looking for a light and refreshing salad dressing or a spicier salsa, this article has something that will tantalize your taste buds.

So, if you’re in search of some hall-of-fame sauces that will surely elevate your next corned beef dish, read on for all the details.

Why Sauces Are Important for Corned Beef?

Sauces are an important element when it comes to truly enjoying corned beef as a meal.

The right sauce can take a basic corned beef meal and transform it into something special, adding unique and complementary flavors that bring out the best in the meat.

There are many different types of sauces, each offering its own flavor profile.

Knowing the basics of each type of sauce can help you to choose the right one for your meal.

Different types of sauces can be used in different ways with corned beef, depending on what flavors work best together.

As a general rule, sauces with strong sweet or acidic notes work well with corned beef because they balance out the salty taste and create a more complex flavor profile.

The 12 BEST Sauces for Corned Beef

Corned beef is often enjoyed with a great sauce or condiment to enhance its flavor.

From creamy, horseradish-based sauces to spicy chili sauces, there are plenty of options out there for the perfect pairings.

The following are some of the best sauces to consider when serving up your corned beef:

1. Mustard Sauce

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Mustard sauce is perhaps one of the most classic accompaniments to corned beef, and for good reason.

Mustard adds a sharp and savory flavor that perfectly complements the meat with its distinctive tanginess.

There are numerous varieties of mustard you can use in your sauce, from sweet and spicy to hot and exotic.

You can also mix it with other ingredients such as horseradish, honey, or capers to create more complex flavors.

For a creamy version of this classic condiment, blend together some mayonnaise with yellow or dijon mustard—the possibilities are almost endless.

2. Horseradish Sauce

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Horseradish sauce is a tangy and slightly spicy addition to corned beef.

It’s made from grated horseradish, lemon juice, mayonnaise, and heavy cream.

The horseradish is a key ingredient for its mild heat, adding just a hint of spice amidst the creamy texture of the sauce.

This combination of ingredients creates a superb dipping sauce for corned beef that adds its own unique flavor to compliment the succulent meat.

3. Thousand Island Dressing

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Thousand Island dressing is an American condiment that is typically made with a mixture of mayonnaise, ketchup, hard-boiled eggs, and sweet pickle relish.

Other common ingredients can include Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, onions, garlic, mustard, herbs and spices.

This flavorful condiment pairs perfectly with corned beef for a zesty twist on a classic dish.

To use it as topping for your corned beef dish, simply combine all the ingredients listed above to create your own homemade version or buy pre-made Thousand Island dressing from the store.

Additionally, you can customize your own version of Thousand Island dressing by adding additional ingredients such as bacon bits or even hot sauce.

4. Beer Cheese Sauce

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Beer cheese sauce is a delicious and cruncy combination of beer, sharp cheddar cheese and garlic: an ideal compliment for corned beef.

This savory sauce is best prepared with a light to medium red or pale ale.

Begin by melting two tablespoons of salted butter in a medium-sized pot over low heat.

Add in two cloves of minced garlic and one quarter cup of a light to medium ale, stirring gently until the butter the melted.

Increase the heat to low-medium and gradually add one cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, stirring constantly until it has melted completely and formed into a smooth sauce.

Serve warm over your favorite cuts of corned beef for an extra bit of flavor.

5. Honey Mustard Sauce

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This combination of honey, mustards, and a few spices makes an excellent sauce for corned beef.

It has a sweet and tangy flavor that ties in nicely with the saltiness of the beef.

The requirement is simple: mix 3 tablespoons of honey, 2 tablespoons of mustard, 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ¼ teaspoon pepper with ¼ cup mayonnaise until they are combined.

This sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated up to 3 days.

6. Russian Dressing

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Russian dressing is a sweet and tangy condiment made of mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, garlic and paprika.

It’s a creamy dressing that is perfect for enriching the flavor of corned beef.

This slightly spicy mixture has complementary flavors that work well with corned beef’s savory taste.

Russian Dressing also pairs nicely with potato salads, cold cuts sandwiches and wraps.

Try adding some to your corned beef for an exciting twist.

7. Spicy Brown Mustard

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Spicy Brown Mustard is an intensely flavorful option for topping off your corned beef.

The mustard adds a nice tangy element to the dish and has just enough of a kick to add some extra flavor.

While a basic grocery store variety will do in a pinch, many enthusiasts swear by homemade condiments as a way to take their corned beef sandwiches to the next level.

Simply combine brown mustard, garlic powder, dry mustard, cayenne pepper, and hot sauce in your preferred proportions, mix well and you’ll have yourself an excellent addition to any plate of corned beef.

8. Dijon Mustard Sauce

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Dijon Mustard is a great alternative to traditional condiments like ketchup and mayonnaise.

It has a sharp, slightly sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with corned beef.

To make the sauce, simply combine 2 tablespoons of Dijon with 1/4 cup unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon each of minced garlic and shallots, a teaspoon of freshly chopped sage and a pinch of sea salt.

Mix together until all ingredients are fully combined.

Spread over corned beef and enjoy.

9. Caper Sauce

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This caper sauce is savory, creamy, and oh so delicious.

Coconut milk, capers and a few other simple ingredients come together to make a zesty and creamy topping.

Simply blend up all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth and creamy.

There is no cooking involved; it will be ready to enjoy in no time.

Drizzle it over cooked corned beef for an extraordinary flavor experience.

10. Guinness Gravy

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This classic Irish dish is certainly a favorite among corned beef fans.

The Guinness gravy brings together the flavors of naturally sweet and nutty Guinness beer with the nutty sweetness of butter and caramelized-onion gravy that coats the soft, tender pieces of corned beef.

It’s undoubtedly delicious, and an ideal addition to serve alongside cheesy potatoes, pickles and hot mustard.

To create this heavenly comfort food dish, first put 1 can of Guinness beer in a saucepan on low heat for about 10 minutes until it reduces to about 1 cup.

Next melt 3-4 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat, add some diced onions and cook until they’re golden brown.

Now add 2 tablespoonfuls each of flour, dijon mustard and tomato paste, stirring continuously for a few minutes before whisking in the reduced Guinness beer.

Finally reduce the heat to low and simmer for several minutes so that all of the flavors mingle together nicely before serving over slices of corned beef.

11. Sweet and Sour Sauce

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Sweet and sour sauce is a classic condiment that pairs perfectly with corned beef.

Often made with ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and some type of sweetener like honey or brown sugar, it delivers a hint of sweetness together with a subtle tanginess.

If desired, you can also experiment with any of your favorite BBQ sauces or hot sauces for added flavor.

Simply whisk the ingredients together in a bowl, heat on the stove until warm and then pour over your corned beef for an extra punch of flavor.

12. Chimichurri Sauce

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Chimichurri sauce is a flavorful condiment from Argentina popularly served with beef and grilled meats.

Traditionally made from a combination of fresh flat leaf parsley, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano and chili flakes, it has a bright herbaceous flavor and a garlicky kick.

This sauce compliments corned beef nicely and provides a tasty twist to an Irish classic.

To make Chimichurri sauce, blend 1/2 cup of minced parsley (stalks removed), 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar (or white wine vinegar), 1/2 teaspoon of sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of dried oregano together in a food processor until the ingredients are well combined.

Season with cracked black pepper to taste before serving.

Conclusion

When a corned beef dish is cooked to perfection, the flavors are intensified, and the bold and intense taste lingers even after the last bite.

Sauces help add texture and flavor with extra elements that contribute something unique.

There’s a variety of sauces available for this dish, each with its own special ingredients to provide distinctive flavors that bring out the full taste from the corned beef.

By trying out different recipes using these different types of sauces you can explore and enjoy the multitude of flavors they can provide while ensuring your concentration doesn’t stay too much on one flavor profile alone.

The combination of cooked slabs of corned beef paired up with any either light or creamy type of tomato sauces can be hard to beat when it comes to creating delicious meals.

If you want an easy way to jazz up your typical Irish cuisine while still maintaining traditional flavors then experimenting on these 12 best sauces for corned beef is worth considering.