The Ultimate Crispy & Savory Homemade Corned Beef Hash: A Hearty Breakfast Skillet Recipe
Corned beef hash is more than just a dish; it’s a comforting classic, celebrated for its robust flavors and satisfying nature. This delightful breakfast skillet combines tender, crispy potatoes with savory corned beef, sweet caramelized onions, and aromatic seasonings, all pan-fried to golden perfection. It’s a truly filling and delicious meal, perfect for kickstarting your day or enjoying as a hearty brunch or even a casual dinner.
Why This Corned Beef Hash Recipe Will Become Your New Favorite
Originating from humble beginnings and deeply rooted in American-Irish culinary traditions, this hearty corned beef hash recipe is designed to quickly become a cherished household favorite. Its appeal lies in its simplicity, versatility, and the incredible depth of flavor it offers with every bite. Unlike many breakfast dishes, corned beef hash perfectly balances savory meat, tender yet crispy potatoes, and aromatic vegetables, making it incredibly satisfying.
Traditionally, corned beef hash was a brilliant way to use up leftover corned beef from a St. Patrick’s Day feast or a Sunday roast. This recipe embraces that spirit of resourcefulness while delivering maximum flavor. It’s one of those magical skillet dishes where you can truly customize the flavors to your liking, adding anything from bell peppers to a touch of spice, or even leftover cabbage for an authentic touch. The combination of oven-roasted potatoes and pan-fried corned beef ensures a delightful textural contrast – crispy on the outside, tender within – that will keep you coming back for more. Whether served with a perfectly fried egg on top or as a standalone star, this corned beef hash is a testament to comforting, delicious home cooking.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Corned Beef Hash
To craft this delicious corned beef hash, you’ll need a handful of fresh ingredients and pantry staples. While the full list with precise measurements is available in the printable recipe card at the end of this post, here’s a detailed look at what makes this dish so special:
Ingredient Spotlight: Tips & Smart Substitutions
BEEF – The star of the show, corned beef, is a wonderfully flavorful salt-cured beef brisket. You can typically find it ready-to-cook at the deli counter of your local grocery store. For this recipe, we’re using fresh corned beef, which offers a robust flavor and texture. However, corned beef hash truly shines as a way to utilize leftovers, so if you have any leftover cooked corned beef from a holiday meal, it works just as well and is highly encouraged! Simply chop or shred it before adding.
POTATO – For the perfect hash, the right potato makes all the difference. While we’ve opted for classic white potatoes in this recipe due to their balanced starch content, you have excellent alternatives. Russet potatoes are fantastic for a crispier exterior and fluffy interior, thanks to their high starch. Yukon Gold potatoes offer a creamier texture and a beautiful golden color when cooked, with a slightly waxy consistency that holds its shape well. Feel free to substitute with whichever potato type you prefer for your desired texture.
ONIONS – A foundational flavor component, onions add a crucial layer of sweetness and aroma when caramelized. We recommend a yellow or white onion for their balanced flavor profile. If you’re feeling adventurous, finely diced bell peppers (red, green, or yellow) can be added alongside the onions for extra color, sweetness, and a touch of garden freshness.
SEASONINGS – Dried thyme and black pepper are our chosen herbs to complement the rich flavors of the corned beef and potatoes. Thyme brings an earthy, slightly minty note that pairs wonderfully with beef. Don’t hesitate to experiment with other seasonings like a pinch of paprika for color and a subtle smoky flavor, garlic powder for an extra aromatic kick, or a dash of cayenne pepper for those who enjoy a little heat. Adjust to your personal taste!
OIL & BUTTER – A combination of extra virgin olive oil (or regular olive oil) and salted butter ensures our hash achieves that desirable golden-brown crust and rich flavor. The oil helps with high-heat cooking and prevents sticking, while butter adds an unparalleled depth and a beautiful browning effect.
How to Make Crispy & Flavorful Corned Beef Hash
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe perfectly. For a concise, printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and comprehensive instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this post.
- Pre-heat your oven to 400F (200°C). This ensures your potatoes will start cooking immediately and achieve that lovely golden crispness.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine your cubed potatoes with the olive oil, dried thyme, and black pepper. Toss everything thoroughly until the potatoes are evenly coated. This step is crucial for distributing flavor and ensuring consistent crispiness.
- Evenly spread the seasoned potatoes onto a small, greased baking sheet. Bake for approximately 20 minutes. The goal here isn’t to burn them, but to achieve a beautiful light brown and tender interior, preparing them for their final pan-fry.
- While the potatoes are baking, melt the salted butter in a durable cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until they soften and start to become translucent.
- Now, add the chopped or cubed corned beef into the skillet with the softened onions. Cook for another 4-5 minutes, allowing the corned beef to develop some crispy edges and deepen its savory flavor. Then, carefully add the pre-roasted potatoes to the skillet. Mix everything together gently and continue to cook for about 2-3 minutes, pressing down lightly with your spatula to encourage browning. This final pan-fry brings all the flavors together and creates those irresistible crispy bits.
- Transfer your glorious corned beef hash to a plate, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and enjoy this incredibly satisfying meal!
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Corned Beef Hash
Leftover corned beef hash is a real treat! To store, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For best results and to retain its delicious crispiness, we highly recommend reheating it in a skillet or a pan over medium heat until warmed through and the edges are slightly crispy again. The microwave can be used in a pinch, but it won’t yield the same delightful texture.
Absolutely! While this recipe uses fresh corned beef, canned corned beef is a traditional ingredient in many hash recipes and works perfectly. Just make sure to drain any excess liquid and break it up before adding it to the skillet. Its softer texture will blend beautifully with the potatoes and onions.
As mentioned in the ingredient section, white potatoes, Russet, or Yukon Gold are all excellent choices. Russets tend to give you the crispiest results, while Yukon Golds offer a creamier interior. Choose based on your preferred texture, ensuring they are cut into even cubes for consistent cooking.
Several tricks ensure maximum crispiness! First, don’t overcrowd your baking sheet or skillet – give the potatoes and hash room to breathe and brown. Second, ensure your pan is adequately hot with enough oil/butter. Finally, after combining all ingredients in the skillet, press the hash down with a spatula and let it cook undisturbed for a few minutes on each side to form a golden crust before flipping.
Yes, this recipe is incredibly adaptable! Finely diced bell peppers (any color), chopped carrots, or even leftover cooked cabbage (a nod to its Irish roots) make wonderful additions. Add them with the onions to ensure they soften properly.
Delightful Serving Suggestions for Your Corned Beef Hash
Corned beef hash is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways. While it makes a fantastic main course on its own, it also shines as a hearty side dish. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your meal:
- With Eggs: The most classic pairing! A perfectly fried egg, poached egg, or even a scramble, placed directly on top of the warm hash, is simply divine. The runny yolk adds a rich, creamy sauce that ties everything together.
- Cheese Topping: Sprinkle some shredded cheddar, Swiss, or Gruyere cheese over the hash during the last few minutes of cooking, or immediately after serving, allowing it to melt into a gooey, savory layer.
- A Touch of Heat: A dash of your favorite hot sauce or a dollop of sriracha adds a delightful kick that complements the savory flavors beautifully.
- Fresh Herbs: Beyond parsley, consider fresh chives, dill, or even cilantro for a burst of freshness and color.
- Creamy Accents: A spoonful of sour cream, crème fraîche, or plain Greek yogurt can provide a tangy contrast that balances the richness of the hash.
- Mustard Magic: A side of dijon or whole-grain mustard offers a piquant counterpoint to the beef.
- On the Side: Serve your corned beef hash alongside warm toast, buttered English muffins, or a simple fruit salad for a complete and balanced breakfast.
- Make it a Dinner: Don’t limit this delicious dish to breakfast! Corned beef hash makes for an excellent, comforting dinner, especially on a chilly evening.
More Irresistible Breakfast Recipes to Explore
If you loved this corned beef hash, we have plenty more breakfast and brunch recipes that are sure to satisfy your cravings for hearty and delicious morning meals. Explore these other fan favorites:
- Classic Country Sausage Gravy
- Fluffy Blueberry Muffins
- Easy Sheet Pan Breakfast Pizza
- Hearty Breakfast Casserole with Ham & Cheese
- Savory Turkey Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
I absolutely adore sharing my passion for baking and cooking, along with all my kitchen experiences, with each and every one of you! Remembering to revisit for new recipes daily can be a challenge, which is why I offer a convenient newsletter delivered right to your inbox every time a new recipe posts. Simply subscribe here and start receiving your free daily dose of delicious inspiration!
Corned Beef Hash
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 2 cups white potatoes cubed, about 3 small-medium potatoes
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil or regular olive oil
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 Tbsp salted butter
- 1 cup onion chopped, 1 medium onion
- ⅓ lb corned beef 2 1/2 cups cubed or chopped
- 1 Tbsp fresh parsley chopped for garnish
Things You’ll Need
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Baking sheet
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Cast iron skillet
Before You Begin
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For best results, it is recommended to reheat it in a skillet or a pan to maintain crispiness.
- Corned beef can typically be found at the deli counter of your grocery store. This recipe works wonderfully with both fresh corned beef and any leftover cooked corned beef you might have on hand.
- For extra crispy hash, ensure your potatoes are cut into uniform cubes and avoid overcrowding the baking sheet or skillet.
Instructions
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Pre-heat oven to 400F (200°C).
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In a medium bowl, add your cubed potatoes, oil, dried thyme and pepper. Mix well until all potatoes are evenly coated.
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Lay potatoes on a small, greased baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 20 minutes. They should be tender and lightly browned, not burnt.
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In a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, melt the salted butter. Add the chopped onions and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.
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Add the corned beef (cubed or chopped) into the skillet and cook for another 4-5 minutes, allowing it to brown slightly. Then, add in the oven-roasted potatoes and cook for about 2-3 minutes, mixing everything together until well combined and heated through. Press down with a spatula to create crispy bits.
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Serve immediately on a plate, optionally garnished with fresh parsley, and enjoy your homemade corned beef hash!
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.