Corned beef hash is the ultimate comfort food for breakfast or brunch, packed with flavour and simple ingredients. Perfect for a family breakfast or just a cozy morning at home, this recipe is easy, affordable, and absolutely delicious.
Hash is a brilliant way to use up bits in the fridge and anything left over from the night before. Any spare bits of veg or this or that can be fried up with a bit of meat fat and potato…completely delicious!
This recipe is costing in at well under £5 to feed 4 people
Why Corned Beef Hash is a Breakfast Essential
Corned beef hash is the ultimate breakfast recipe. Originally designed to use up leftover meat and potatoes, hash is a genius way to make a flavorful breakfast with minimal ingredients. With just a few pantry staples, you can create a warm, crispy, and delicious breakfast that’s sure to satisfy. Not only is corned beef hash incredibly filling, but it’s also versatile enough to customize with your favorite toppings or add-ins, making it perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a quick weekday meal.
What in the world is hash?
Hash is a simple, cheap and extremely versatile dish made with three main ingredients; chopped meat, potatoes and onions. As it sounds, its a really, hearty, potentially quite substantial dish but completely adaptable if you need something a bit lighter.
The name “hash” comes from the French word “hacher,” meaning “to chop,” reflecting the dish’s preparation method. It originated as a way to use up leftovers and really doesn’t disappoint. This dish has an almost unlimited potential ingredient list…I mean…you can literally put almost anything in this dish!
The classic hash is commonly served as a breakfast or brunch item, and often accompanied by eggs and toast. Its also a really easy dish to change up to peoples different tastes and palettes. We, for example, love to serve this with a fried egg and crushed avocado with a sprinkle of chilli.
…3 Easy Ingredients…
The Basic Recipe…
This corned beef hash recipe makes four generous portions and costs about £1 per serving, making it both budget-friendly and perfect for a family breakfast.
Ingredients…
- 1kg potatoes, peeled and diced into 2cm cubes
- 30g butter and or oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 340g Corned beef
Method…
- Prepare the Potatoes
Start by peeling and dicing the potatoes into 2cm cubes. Boil them in salted water for about 6-7 minutes, until they’re just tender. Drain and allow them to dry slightly—this helps them get extra crispy when frying.
2. Sauté the Onion
In a large skillet or frying pan, heat the butter or oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until it’s soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the Potatoes and Corned Beef
Add the boiled potatoes to the frying pan, spreading them into an even layer to ensure they brown well. Fry, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are golden and crispy. Then, add the cubed corned beef, gently breaking it up as it heats. Continue cooking until everything is hot and has a nice crisp.
4. Serve Your Corned Beef Hash
Dish up the hash and serve with your favorite breakfast toppings—like a fried egg, avocado slices, fresh herbs, or even a sprinkle of chili flakes for a spicy twist.
Notes and Tips…
- Use a cast-iron pan if possible; it gives the hash a great crispy texture.
- You have your choice of any potato here. If you are going for budget and trying to make a cheap meal, use what you have at the bottom of the veg cupbiard or what ever the cheapest is at the veg store.
- You can also use any choice of meat here! It wont beef corned beef hash but will still be amazing. You can try any thing from any meat you have left over from a sunday dinner or big stew to a few sausages left in the fridge. You could use beef, pork sausage, ham, lamb, chorizo or chicken.
- Give the potatoes space in the pan to avoid steaming and help them brown nicely.
Try these alternative ideas…
Sweet Potato Hash: Replace regular potatoes with sweet potatoes for a sweeter but much more nutritious twist.
Vegetarian Hash: Omit the meat and add extra vegetables like peppers, mushrooms, onions and spinach for a vegetarian-friendly option. You can also add tofu or beans to increase the protein level.
Seafood Hash: Substitute the meat with seafood such as prawns, crab, smoked salmon or a nice chunky white fish.
Mexican twist: Add spices like cumin, chilli powder, and paprika near the start of the cook and include ingredients like black beans, corn, and chopped fresh tomatoes.
Greek twist: Incorporate Mediterranean flavours by adding feta cheese, diced tomatoes, olives, and fresh herbs like oregano and parsley.
Hash with Cheese: Sprinkle grated cheese over the hash during the last few minutes of cooking to create a gooey and delicious cheesy crust.
Breakfast Corned Beef Hash FAQs
Can I make corned beef hash ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the potatoes and onions in advance, then simply reheat in a skillet with the corned beef for a quick breakfast.
What can I serve with corned beef hash?
Corned beef hash is a classic breakfast on its own, but it’s even better with a fried egg, avocado, toast, or a side of fresh greens to balance the flavors.
Can I freeze corned beef hash?
Absolutely! Let the hash cool, then freeze in an airtight container for up to three months. Reheat in a skillet for a deliciously crispy breakfast.
Corned beef hash is the ultimate comfort food for breakfast or brunch, packed with flavor and simple ingredients. Perfect for a family breakfast or just a cozy morning at home, this recipe is easy, affordable, and absolutely delicious. Give this classic breakfast a try and enjoy the satisfying flavors of corned beef hash with your own tasty twist!
