How to Cook Canned Corned Beef Hash Recipe (Air Fryer or Skillet!) (2024)

Learn how to cook canned corned beef hash! Whether you prefer Hormel corned beef hash, Libby’s corned beef hash, Armour, or Great Value (Walmart) brand, you can make it delicious! Get tips on the best canned corned beef hash, the best way to cook a can of corned beef hash, and more. Can’t find canned hash? No worries- you're also getting my favorite canned corned beef hash recipe with canned corned beef!

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Corned beef hash in a can may not be the most healthy option out there, but it’s pretty tasty. It’s a convenient alternative when you don’t have St Patrick’s Day leftovers for your breakfast hash.

I’m cooking with some corned hash beef I picked up at Aldi. However, the cans of beef corn hash are all pretty similar. If you have Hormel Mary Kitchen corned beef hash, or another kind, this recipe should work.

Before we get cooking however, let’s cover some basics. (And if you’d rather skip straight to the corn beef hash recipe and video, just click that jump button below!)

⭐ What is Corned Beef Hash (Canned)?

Corned beef hash is a dish of finely chopped meat (usually cured beef brisket), potatoes, and (sometimes) onions. It was originally made as a way to use up leftovers. The seasoning for corned meat hash tends to be simple.

How is canned corned beef made? Canned corned beef is made with mystery cuts of beef, similar to many hot dogs. Though it has a short ingredients list, the “beef” listed may not be cuts you typically cook with (sorry, just FYI).

Canned corned beef is more fatty, salty, and gelatinous than homemade corned beef. It can be used as a kosher Spam substitute, as it gives off a similar vibe to that pork-based product.

😋 What is the Best Canned Corned Beef Hash?

In the opinion of this dietitian, the best canned corned beef hash is the one you enjoy. It’s a treat, not a dietary mainstay. If you’re into canned corn beef and have no medical contraindications, pick the one you like to savor once in a while.

The health food stores aren’t exactly churning out healthy versions of corned beef hash in a can. (And yes, I’m going to give details on why canned corned beef is not the healthiest option below.)

🥘 Canned Corned Beef Hash Ingredients

Canned corned beef hash has a surprisingly short ingredients list. Here’s what’s listed on my can:

• Beef
• Rehydrated potatoes
• Water
• Salt
• Sugar
• Flavoring
• Spices
• Sodium Nitrite

🔥 How to Cook Canned Corned Beef Hash in Air Fryer

To make air fryer canned corned beef hash, begin by lining your air fryer basket with foil. I used a small air fryer for this recipe.

You can use a Ninja Foodi, Philips, Nuwave, Pampered Chef, Actifry, Instant Pot Vortex, Cosori, Breville, Kalorik, or another air fryer instead. However, keep in mind that cooking times can vary between air fryer brands and may need adjustment.

Break up a 14-ounce can of corned beef hash and place it in the foil-lined basket. Air fry at 400F (200C) for 7 minutes. Then flip and stir the hash around, and air fry at 400F (200C) an additional 7 minutes.

Flip and stir the corned beef hash around once more. Air fry for 5-7 minutes at 400F (200C), until you get the desired level of crispiness.

🍳 How to Cook Corned Beef Hash From a Can in Skillet

To make canned corned beef hash in a skillet, you don’t need any oil. The hash is very high fat, so it cooks well without added oil.

Heat a well-seasoned cast iron skillet over medium heat on the stovetop. Add the corned beef hash, stirring and breaking it up with a spatula. It tends to stick a lot at first, and then less as it cooks down and crisps.

The amount of time it takes to cook depends on how crispy you want your corned beef hash. I like it super crispy, so it takes 15-20 minutes. It could take more like 20-25 minutes if you start with an unheated skillet.

Stir the hash frequently. Despite the fat, it does like to stick. I recommend stirring, flattening the hash for maximum contact with the skillet, stirring and flipping, and repeat.

To serve, top with a fried egg and enjoy!

⏲ How to Cook Canned Corned Beef Hash in Oven

Place the crumbled canned corned beef hash in a metal baking pan. Bake at 325F (163C) for 15-20 minutes or longer, until you get crispy corned beef hash.

🔪 How to Cook Canned Corned Beef Hash in Microwave

You can technically microwave canned corned beef hash for 2-3 minutes on high, stirring halfway through cooking time. Use a microwave safe bowl (NOT the can!) if you try this. That said, I do not recommend microwaving canned corned beef hash, as it doesn’t get crispy.

🤔 What’s the Best Way to Cook Canned Corned Beef Hash?

The best way to cook canned corned beef hash is air frying. It’s a fast way to cook with no mess, little stirring, and zero clean up. All you have to do is throw away the foil and enjoy your canned hash!

🥔 How to Make Corned Beef Hash with Canned Corned Beef?

To make air fryer corned beef hash with corned beef, dice 2 thin-skinned potatoes, an onion, and half a red pepper. It’s important to cut them very small (¼-inch dice, 0.6 cm) so they cook through.

Mince one garlic clove and finely dice one 12-ounce can of corned beef. (Tip! It’s easier to get the corned beef out of the can in one piece if you chill it in the fridge.)

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a seasoned cast-iron pan over medium heat. Add the onion, pepper, potato, and garlic. Soften the veggies in the skillet for about 5 minutes.

Add the corned beef to the pan and cook for about 20 minutes over medium heat, flipping and stirring frequently. Take the hash off the heat at about 15 minutes if you like less browning. Cooking for 25 minutes gets you super brown and crisp hash.

To make crispy corned beef hash, I keep it spread around the skillet in a thin layer. After flipping and stirring, I make sure to spread it around again.

The potatoes should be tender when it is done cooking.

I like to top this hash with a fried egg. I’m not a fan of vinegar in my hash, but feel free to add some for flavor if that’s how you like it. You could also add hot sauce if you want some spicy heat.

You could have a lot of fun experimenting with this recipe. For example, you could try making corned beef hash with canned potatoes, or stir in some canned tomatoes at the end.

❓️ How do you keep corned beef hash from sticking to the pan?

The best way to keep canned corn beef hash from sticking to the pan is to air fry it instead! Unfortunately, canned hash has a tendency to stick to even well-seasoned skillets. Starting with a heated skillet and adding more oil can help keep it from sticking to the pan.

Some report that flipping the hash less at the start of cooking helps prevent sticking. It’s true that corned beef hash tends to stick less as it crisps up. However, I find flipping less makes it more likely to burn before it browns.

🌡️ Does Canned Corned Beef Hash Go Bad?

You can keep cooked corned beef hash and open cans of corned beef hash in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Keep it in a covered food-safe container.

Unopened cans of hash are a non-perishable item you can keep in the pantry. For the best quality, use canned corned beef within 2-5 years. If the cans are in good condition and were stored in a dry, cool area, the corned beef should be safe to eat indefinitely (USDA).

📋 Corned Beef Hash, Canned Nutrition Facts

Here are the nutrition facts for one 14-ounce can of corned beef hash:

• Calories: 640
• Total Fat: 40g
• Saturated Fat: 17g
• Trans Fat: 2.5g
• Cholesterol: 100mg
• Sodium: 1630mg (71% DV)
• Total Carbohydrate: 39g
• Fiber: 3g
• Total Sugars: 2g
• Added Sugars: 2g
• Protein: 29g
• Iron: 15% DV
• Potassium: 10% DV

💭 Expert Tips from a Dietitian

This is a level 3 recipe (weight maintenance and active lifestyles). Canned corned beef hash is a convenient item that keeps well in case of emergencies. However, it is not the best choice for an everyday food (i.e., a dietary mainstay).

You do get nutrients from the beef and the potatoes in canned hash. That means you get protein, iron, potassium, and a little fiber from the veggies. You also get a food product that is high in sodium, saturated fat, and that contains some added sugar.

There was no added fat in the cans of corned beef I bought. All of the fat in this product is coming from the mystery cuts of beef used.

Canned products are also often high in sodium. Unlike with canned veggies, you can’t drain away any of the salt in canned corned beef. Additionally, the nitrites in canned corned beef indicate this is a highly processed meat product, similar to hot dogs.

The high sodium and high saturated fat means that canned corned beef isn’t what we’d call a “heart healthy” food. For a slightly healthier option, you could make corned beef hash with canned corned beef. This allows you to add a lot more veggies, as well as a greater variety of veggies.

A more nutritious option would be to just enjoy a lean steak (such as sirloin) with potatoes. Your meat and potatoes meal will likely be far lower in fat and sodium than corned beef hash from a can. Also, it would contain no highly processed meat products and probably be even more delicious. 🙂

FAQs

How do you make canned corned beef hash crispy?

The best way to make crispy canned corned beef hash is to cook it longer! Add about 5 minutes to the regular skillet cooking time, and make sure to stir often.

Is corned beef hash in a can already cooked?

Yes, canned corned beef hash and corned beef has been pre-cooked. That said, I don’t recommend eating it straight from the can! The texture when it has not been heated is quite mushy, kind of like cat food. (Yuck!)

Is canned corned beef hash keto friendly?

Canned corned beef is usually keto friendly, but canned corned beef hash is not. That’s because corned beef hash contains potatoes, a starchy veggie. In addition, corned beef hash tends to contain added sugar (though the amount is typically minimal).

Is canned corned beef hash gluten free?

I wouldn’t count on canned corned beef hash being gluten-free, as it often contains “flavoring” that may contain gluten. In addition, canned meat hash may have had cross-contact with gluten during manufacturing.

Is canned corned beef hash bad for you?

Canned corned beef hash provides a good amount of protein, as well as some vitamins and minerals, including iron and potassium. That said, it’s an ultra-processed food that is very high in sodium and saturated fat. In general, I wouldn’t call this highly processed meat product the most nutritious option.

👨🏾‍🍳‍ Recipes Using Canned Corned Beef Hash

How do you use leftover corned beef hash? Try serving it with one of these easy recipes:

• Runny Fried Eggs in Air Fryer (SO good over corned beef hash!)
• Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks
• Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

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