Is Corned Beef Whole30 Compliant? Navigating This Delicious Cured Meat on Your Next Whole30

Corned beef and cabbage is a beloved St, Patrick’s Day tradition for many, But can you enjoy this tasty cured meat if you’re doing the Whole30 diet? I did some digging into the rules and ingredients to find out if corned beef is Whole30 compliant

What Exactly is Corned Beef?

First, let’s cover the basics Corned beef is brisket or another beef cut that has been cured, or preserved, in a brine solution. The “corn” in corned beef refers to the coarse salt kernels historically used in the curing process, not anything to do with corn or other grains

Traditional corned beef brines contain water, salt, spices like garlic and bay leaves, and preservatives called curing salts. The meat soaks in the brine anywhere from 3-14 days. This both flavors the meat and preserves it.

Is Store-Bought Corned Beef Whole30 Approved?

This is where it gets tricky. Many commercial corned beef preparations contain non-compliant ingredients, especially sugar, preservatives, and artificial coloring. However, some brands of corned beef are just beef and spices, making them Whole30 friendly.

When selecting corned beef carefully read the ingredients list and avoid anything with

• Sugar or honey
• Dextrose, lactose or other added sugars
• Nitrates or nitrites
• Artificial colors or flavors
• MSG or HVP

Stick to brands with only beef, water, spices, and curing salts. Kosher corned beef is a good bet, as it meets kosher standards of only using natural ingredients. Organic is ideal if you can find it.

Safely Preparing Corned Beef on Whole30

Curing salts used in making corned beef contain nitrates/nitrites to inhibit bacteria growth. While small amounts occur naturally in foods like celery, large concentrations from curing can be harmful long-term. Cooking the meat thoroughly and discarding the liquid after cooking helps reduce this risk.

When cooking corned beef on Whole30:

• Rinse thoroughly before cooking to remove excess salts
• Cook in fresh water instead of package liquid
• Simmer until very tender, about 3 hours for full flavor
• Discard liquid after cooking instead of making gravy

This helps draw out extra curing salts for safety. Choose only high quality meat and limit intake to occasional meals, not daily.

Making Whole30 Corned Beef at Home

For the best ingredient control, consider making your own Whole30-friendly corned beef at home. You control the quality of meat and spices used.

Homemade corned beef steps:

• Choose a beef brisket or round roast
• Make a simple brine of water, sea salt, spices, and celery juice or powder
• Submerge meat fully in brine 3-10 days
• Rinse well, cook, and discard liquid

A simple Whole30 corned beef brine contains:

• 1 gallon water
• 1 cup sea salt
• 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
• 1⁄4 cup celery juice or 2 tablespoons celery powder

No sugar or artificial preservatives allowed!

Whole30 Compliant Ways to Serve Corned Beef

Once you’ve sourced or prepared compliant corned beef, what are some tasty ways to serve it?

• With cabbage, potatoes, and carrots for a Whole30 take on a traditional boiled dinner. Use cooking liquid for broth instead of gravy.

• Slice thin and pile high on roasted vegetables instead of rye bread for delicious Whole30 Reuben-style sandwiches.

• Dice or shred into hearty salads with compliant dressing.

• Stuff into bell peppers or cabbage leaves for hand-held meals.

• Pair with sauerkraut and compliant mustard for a satisfying dose of probiotic-rich fermented foods.

Other Whole30 Meat Curing Considerations

The same rules apply to other cured and processed meats like bacon, sausage, hot dogs, deli meats, and ham. Read labels carefully and limit intake of these foods, even if compliant. Homemade is ideal for control over ingredients.

Whole30 also cautions against eating smoked meats for similar reasons involving sodium content and preservatives. An occasional celebratory grass-fed beef pastrami may be deemed compliant, but not daily deli sandwiches.

The Verdict on Corned Beef and Whole30

In conclusion, corned beef can be part of your Whole30 plan if you select compliant brands or make your own at home. Limit portion sizes and frequency due to the high sodium content. Avoid package broth and gravy. With a little adaptation, you can still enjoy delicious corned beef without derailing your Whole30 goals.