Corned Beef Hash Recipe: The Ultimate Guide to Crispy, Flavorful Hash

Welcome to the ultimate Corned Beef Hash Recipe, a breakfast classic that transforms leftovers into a culinary masterpiece. If you’ve ever dreamt of a perfectly crispy, savory hash that rivals your favorite diner, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through every step, ensuring you achieve that coveted golden-brown crust and a tender, flavorful interior every single time. Forget mushy, underwhelming hash; we’re on a mission for breakfast perfection.

This isn’t just about using up leftover corned beef; it’s about creating a dish so good you’ll cook a brisket just for the leftovers. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right potatoes to the essential techniques for getting that signature crispy texture. Get ready to elevate your breakfast and brunch game.

A spoonful of savory corned beef hash being lifted from a skillet, with a runny egg yolk in the background.
The perfect bite of savory, crispy hash.

Why This is the Best Corned Beef Hash Recipe


There are countless ways to make hash, but this recipe stands out. We focus on simple, high-quality ingredients and a technique that guarantees a crispy result without fail. It’s a hearty, satisfying meal perfect for a lazy weekend morning or a special holiday brunch. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile and easy to customize.

  • Unbeatable Texture: We use a two-step potato cooking process to ensure a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior.
  • Deep Flavor: Sautéing the onions and using the right balance of seasonings creates a rich, savory flavor base that complements the salty corned beef perfectly.
  • Uses Leftovers Beautifully: This recipe is the perfect way to give leftover corned beef a delicious second life, reducing food waste and saving you time.
  • Quick & Easy: From start to finish, you can have this amazing breakfast on the table in under an hour.

Key Ingredients for a Classic Hash

The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. You don’t need a long list of fancy ingredients to create a truly spectacular meal. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Hash:

  • Leftover Cooked Corned Beef: The star of the show! About 3 cups, chilled and diced into 1/2-inch pieces. Chilling the meat makes it easier to chop and helps it crisp up.
  • Potatoes: 2 pounds of waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes. They hold their shape better than starchy potatoes.
  • Yellow Onion: One large onion, finely chopped, provides a sweet and savory backbone.
  • Unsalted Butter & Olive Oil: A combination of butter for flavor and oil for a higher smoke point creates the perfect frying medium.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: A secret weapon for adding a deep, umami flavor.
  • Seasoning: Freshly ground black pepper and a pinch of salt (be mindful, as the corned beef is already salty). A little fresh parsley for garnish adds a pop of color and freshness.

For Serving:

  • Eggs: Fried or poached eggs with a runny yolk are the classic topping, creating a delicious sauce that coats every bite.
  • Toast or Crusty Bread: Perfect for sopping up any leftover yolk and savory bits from the pan.

Speaking of delicious breakfast dishes, if you have a sweet tooth, you must try this recipe for the most fluffy pancakes.

A close-up view of homemade corned beef hash, showing the crispy texture of the potatoes and savory pieces of corned beef.
Look at that perfect crispy texture!

How to Make The Perfect Corned Beef Hash Recipe

Follow these steps closely, and you’ll be rewarded with the best homemade corned beef hash you’ve ever had. The key is patience—don’t rush the browning process!

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

Place the diced potatoes in a medium pot and cover with cold, salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until they are just tender enough to be pierced with a fork but still firm. Drain them completely and set them aside to steam-dry for a few minutes. This step is crucial for achieving a crispy finish.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

In a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-6 minutes.

Step 3: Crisp the Potatoes

Add the par-boiled potatoes to the skillet in a single layer. Let them cook, undisturbed, for 4-5 minutes to allow a golden-brown crust to form on one side. Stir and repeat this process, allowing them to crisp up on all sides. This should take about 15-20 minutes in total.

Step 4: Combine and “Hash”

Add the diced corned beef to the skillet with the crispy potatoes. Gently fold everything together. Drizzle with Worcestershire sauce and season with black pepper. Now, for the most important part: press the mixture down firmly into the pan with a spatula. Let it cook, completely undisturbed, for 5-7 minutes over medium heat. This creates the signature crispy, cohesive layer on the bottom. Scrape the bottom, flip the hash in sections, and press down again. Cook for another 5 minutes until the other side is browned and crispy.

Step 5: Serve Hot

While the hash is finishing, cook your eggs to your liking. Serve the corned beef hash immediately, topped with a perfectly cooked egg and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. This dish is a complete meal, but for a lighter counterpoint, a simple green salad like this strawberry spinach salad is a fantastic pairing.

Expert Tips for the Crispiest Hash

Want to take your Corned Beef Hash Recipe from great to absolutely unforgettable? Here are some pro tips from my kitchen to yours.

  • Don’t Crowd the Pan: Use a large skillet (a 12-inch cast-iron is ideal) to ensure the ingredients have enough space to fry, not steam. If needed, cook in two batches.
  • Let it Be: The secret to a crispy crust is minimal stirring. Press the hash into the pan and let it sit. Let the heat do its work!
  • Use Chilled Corned Beef: Cold, firm corned beef is much easier to dice neatly and will hold its shape better in the hot pan.
  • Dry is Good: Ensure your potatoes are as dry as possible after par-boiling. Pat them dry with a paper towel if necessary. Water is the enemy of crispiness.

Variations and Serving Suggestions

While the classic recipe is a masterpiece on its own, feel free to get creative. You could add a chopped bell pepper along with the onions for extra color and flavor. A pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper can add a lovely warmth. For a heartier meal, consider serving it alongside one of these balanced slow cooker meals.

FAQs About This Corned Beef Hash Recipe

Waxy potatoes like Yukon Golds or red potatoes are best. They hold their shape well during cooking and get wonderfully creamy on the inside while crisping up on the outside, unlike starchy potatoes which can fall apart and become mushy.


The key to crispy hash is threefold: 1) Par-boil the potatoes and let them dry completely. 2) Use a large hot pan (cast iron is best) with enough fat. 3) Press the hash mixture into the pan and let it cook undisturbed for 5-7 minutes per side to form a deep brown crust.


Yes, you can absolutely use canned corned beef. The result will be slightly softer than using leftover brisket, but still delicious. Simply drain the canned beef, chop it up, and add it to the pan with the crispy potatoes as instructed.


Corned beef hash is traditionally topped with a fried or poached egg with a runny yolk. It’s also excellent served with toast, a simple green salad to cut the richness, or some sautéed greens like spinach or kale.


Store leftover corned beef hash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat and maintain crispiness, warm it in a skillet over medium heat with a little oil or butter until heated through and re-crisped on the bottom.


Enjoy Your Homemade Hash!

This Corned Beef Hash Recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a comforting, satisfying experience that brings everyone to the table. It proves that simple ingredients and proper technique can create something truly special. We hope you love making and eating this dish as much as we do.

If you tried this recipe, let us know how it turned out in the comments below! And don’t forget to save it to your favorite breakfast board on Pinterest!

An overhead shot of the ultimate corned beef hash recipe in a cast iron skillet, topped with a perfect sunny-side-up egg. The hash is golden brown and crispy.
Nothing beats a homemade crispy corned beef hash for breakfast!

The Recipe

A close-up view of homemade corned beef hash, showing the crispy texture of the potatoes and savory pieces of corned beef.
FL Recipes

Corned Beef Hash Recipe: The Ultimate Guide to Crispy, Flavorful Hash

Learn how to make the best homemade Corned Beef Hash Recipe! This guide provides expert tips for achieving a perfectly crispy, savory hash using leftover corned beef, potatoes, and onions.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American, Irish
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups cooked corned beef chilled and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 large yellow onion finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • Salt to taste
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Large Cast-Iron Skillet A 12-inch skillet is ideal.
  • 1 Medium Pot
  • 1 Spatula

Method
 

  1. Place diced potatoes in a pot, cover with cold, salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for 5-7 minutes until just fork-tender. Drain completely and let them steam-dry.
  2. In a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat, melt butter and olive oil. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5-6 minutes.
  3. Add the par-boiled potatoes to the skillet in a single layer. Cook without stirring for 4-5 minutes to form a crust. Continue cooking for another 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and crispy on all sides.
  4. Add the diced corned beef, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper to the skillet. Press the mixture down firmly with a spatula and cook undisturbed for 5-7 minutes. Scrape, flip in sections, and press down again. Cook for another 5 minutes until crispy.
  5. While the hash cooks, prepare eggs to your liking (fried or poached is recommended). Serve the hash immediately, topped with an egg and a garnish of fresh parsley.

Nutrition

Calories: 550kcalProtein: 28gFat: 35gFiber: 4g

Notes

Tip 1: For the crispiest hash, make sure your potatoes are well-dried after boiling. Moisture is the enemy of a good crust.
Tip 2: Don't be afraid to let the hash sit in the pan without stirring. This contact with the hot surface is what creates that delicious, crispy texture.
Tip 3: Using a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet will give you the best results and a non-stick surface.
Keyword corned beef hash,crispy hash,leftover corned beef recipe

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