Last Updated on February 20, 2026 by Souhail
Hey friends! Welcome back to my kitchen. I fell in love with corned beef hash in a tiny East Village diner on a crisp NYC morning, and it quickly became one of my favorite comfort meals, not just a St Patrick’s Day thing. Salty corned beef, crispy potatoes, and sweet onions come together fast, and that mix of golden edges and tender bites makes it totally irresistible. Perfect for a lazy weekend brunch or a quick weeknight dinner when you want something hearty and satisfying.
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Why You Will Love This Skillet Meal
There are so many reasons this dish has become a staple in my apartment. It is versatile, delicious, and honestly, it just makes you feel good. Here is why it stands out from other breakfast options.
- One Pan Wonder: You cook everything in a single cast iron skillet, which means less cleanup and more time enjoying your food.
- Perfect Leftover Solution: If you have ever made a corned beef and cabbage recipe for dinner, this is the perfect way to use the leftovers the next day.
- Customizable Texture: You can control how crispy or soft you want the potatoes and meat to be by adjusting the cook time.
- Dietary Friendly: It is naturally gluten free and can easily be made dairy free if you skip the butter or cheese toppings.
My Secrets for Perfectly Crispy Hash
Getting that ideal crunch takes a little know-how. I have made this dish countless times, and I have learned a few tricks along the way to ensure it turns out perfect every single time.
- Dry Your Potatoes: After dicing your potatoes, pat them dry with a paper towel. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness.
- Do Not Overcrowd: Give the ingredients space in the pan. If the pan is too full, the food will steam instead of fry.
- Resist the Urge to Stir: Let the potatoes sit undisturbed for a few minutes to develop a golden crust before flipping them.
- Season in Layers: Add salt and pepper at different stages to build depth of flavor throughout the dish.
Variations to Try at Home
While I love the classic version, cooking is all about making the recipe work for you. There are plenty of ways to switch up the ingredients based on what you have in your pantry or what your family prefers.
Vegetable Powerhouse You can bulk up the nutrition by adding more veggies. Bell peppers, zucchini, or even kale work beautifully here. Sauté them with the onions until they are soft. This adds color and vitamins without changing the core flavor profile too much. It is a great way to sneak greens into a hearty meal.
Spicy Kick Version If you like heat, add some diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper when you add the onions. You can also top the finished dish with a drizzle of hot sauce or sriracha. The spice cuts through the saltiness of the beef and adds a nice warmth to every bite.
Breakfast Casserole Style If you want to transform this into a bake, you can mix the cooked hash with eggs and bake it in the oven. It becomes similar to a breakfast casserole recipe but with a much crispier top because of the initial frying. This is perfect for feeding a large group on holiday mornings.
Soup Companion Sometimes I serve this alongside a warm bowl of soup instead of eggs. It pairs incredibly well with a creamy hash brown potato soup. The crispy texture of the hash contrasts nicely with the smooth soup, making for a very comforting dinner option.
Serving Suggestions
You really cannot go wrong with how you serve this, but I have some favorites. The classic move is to top each portion with a fried egg. The runny yolk mixes with the potatoes and beef to create a rich sauce. I also love serving it with some cottage cheese pancakes on the side for a sweet and savory brunch spread. Fresh chives or parsley sprinkled on top add a pop of color and freshness. A side of toasted sourdough bread is perfect for scooping up any bits left on the plate.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Leftovers store really well in the fridge. Put them in an airtight container and they will last for up to four days. To reheat, I recommend using a skillet over medium heat. This helps restore the crispiness that the microwave might ruin. You can add a tiny splash of oil if the pan looks dry. It tastes almost as good as fresh when reheated this way.
Creative Uses for Leftovers
Do not let any leftovers go to waste. You can use cold hash as a filling for breakfast burritos. Just wrap it in a tortilla with some cheese and scramble an egg around it. Another fun idea is to use it as a topping for a baked potato. If you want a completely different vibe, you can mix it into a scramble with some leftover pesto chicken recipe ingredients for a fusion twist. It is all about being creative with what you have.
How to Make This Dish
Making this dish is straightforward, but timing is everything. You want to start by getting your potatoes ready since they take the longest to cook. Dice them evenly so they cook at the same rate. Heat your oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the potatoes and let them cook without touching them for a few minutes. You want them to get golden on one side before you flip them.
Once the potatoes are nearly done, add the onions. They cook faster than the potatoes, so adding them later prevents burning. Stir everything together until the onions are soft and translucent. Then add the corned beef. Since the beef is already cooked, you just want to heat it through and get some crispy edges on it.
Season everything with black pepper and a little salt if needed. Finally, make little wells in the hash and crack your eggs into them. Cover the pan until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny
Corned Beef Hash Recipe
4
servings10
minutes20
minutes450
kcalThis corned beef hash recipe brings diner style comfort to your home kitchen with crispy potatoes, savory beef, and perfect eggs.
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Ingredients
1.5 pounds russet potatoes, diced small
12 ounces corned beef, chopped
1 medium onion, diced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon butter
4 large eggs
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
0.25 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
Directions
- Heat the oil and butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat.
- Add the diced potatoes to the pan in a single layer and cook for 8 minutes without stirring.
- Flip the potatoes and cook for another 5 minutes until golden brown and tender.
- Stir in the diced onions and cook for 3 minutes until they become soft.
- Mix in the chopped corned beef and pepper, cooking for 4 minutes until heated through and crispy.
- Create four small wells in the hash mixture and crack an egg into each well.
- Cover the skillet and cook for 3 minutes until the egg whites are set but yolks remain runny.
- Garnish with fresh chives and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use waxy potatoes if you prefer them to hold their shape better.
- Do not salt the beef until the end as it is already quite salty.
- You can substitute turkey bacon for a lighter version.
- Make sure your skillet is hot before adding potatoes to prevent sticking.
- Fresh herbs make a big difference in the final presentation.
- Leftovers can be frozen for up to one month
Nutrition Facts
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 450kcal
- Fat: 22g
- Sodium: 0.980mg
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 2g
- Protein: 25g
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FAQS
Yes, you can prep the vegetables and meat the night before. Store them separately in the fridge and cook them in the morning for the freshest taste.
Russet potatoes are best because they are starchy and get very crispy. Yukon gold works well too if you want a creamier texture.
Yes, naturally it is gluten free. Just check the label on your corned beef to ensure no gluten containing additives were used during processing.
Crack the eggs into wells and cover the pan. The steam cooks the tops of the eggs without needing to flip them.
You can, but fresh deli sliced corned beef has much better texture and flavor. Canned meat can be quite soft and salty.
A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing balances the heaviness of the hash nicely.
Printable Shopping List
- Russet potatoes (1.5 lbs)
- Corned beef (12 oz)
- Yellow onion (1 medium)
- Eggs (4 large)
- Fresh chives
- Vegetable oil and butter
- Salt and black pepper
Health Benefits
This recipe provides a good source of protein from the beef and eggs, which helps keep you full longer. Potatoes offer potassium and vitamin C, especially if you leave the skins on. It is an energy dense meal perfect for active days.
Final Thoughts
There is nothing quite like the sound of sizzling potatoes in the morning. This corned beef hash recipe is more than just food. It is a way to slow down and enjoy the moment. I hope it brings warmth to your table. If you liked this, you might enjoy my other skillet breakfast ideas. Keep experimenting and have fun with your cooking. See you in the next post!