Barbecue hash is a delicious, protein-packed dish that combines the smoky flavors of barbecue with the hearty goodness of corned beef hash. This simple recipe can be prepped in advance and then finished on the grill or in a skillet for an easy weeknight meal or fun weekend brunch. With just a few ingredients and basic techniques, you can make irresistible barbecue hash at home.
Ingredients Needed to Make BBQ Hash
Making barbecue hash starts with gathering a few basic ingredients:
- Corned beef – Use about 1 pound of corned beef, chopped or shredded into small pieces. This can be leftovers from a corned beef brisket or canned corned beef.
- Potatoes – Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes work well. Peel and dice 2-3 medium potatoes into 1/2 inch cubes.
- Onion – One medium yellow or white onion, diced.
- Worcestershire sauce – 2-3 tablespoons for flavor.
- BBQ sauce – Use about 1/2 cup of your favorite bbq sauce. Sweet and tangy flavors work well.
- Butter or oil – For cooking the hash. Butter provides great flavor.
- Salt and pepper – To taste, for seasoning.
- Eggs – Optional, if making a barbecue hash breakfast skillet.
- Cheese – Optional, for serving. Shredded cheddar or pepper jack.
Extra Tasty Add-Ins
Jazz up your barbecue hash with any of these fun add-ins:
- Diced bell peppers – red, yellow, orange
- Minced garlic
- Chopped jalapeño
- Crumbled cooked bacon
- Scallions, chopped
- Parsley, chopped
- Hot sauce or bbq rub, to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions for BBQ Hash
Follow these simple steps for outstanding barbecue corned beef hash every time:
Step 1 – Cook the Potatoes
- Peel and dice the potatoes into 1/2 inch cubes.
- Place the potatoes in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5-8 minutes until potatoes are fork tender but still hold their shape.
- Drain and set the potatoes aside.
Step 2 – Cook the Corned Beef and Onion
- While the potatoes cook, start the corned beef and onion.
- Heat 1 Tablespoon oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
- Add the chopped corned beef. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Season with salt and pepper.
Step 3 – Make the Hash
- Once potatoes are cooked, add them to the skillet with the corned beef and onion.
- Pour in the Worcestershire sauce and bbq sauce. Stir well to coat.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
- Taste and season again with salt, pepper, or hot sauce if desired.
Step 4 – Finish on the Grill
- For deeper smoky barbecue flavor, transfer the hash to a well-oiled grill grate set over medium heat.
- Cook for 4-5 minutes, gently stirring occasionally, until browned and crispy on the edges.
Step 5 – Serve and Enjoy
- Serve the barbecue hash hot, topped with shredded cheese, chopped parsley, and a fried egg for breakfast.
- Or enjoy on its own or with bbq baked beans and cornbread for dinner. Dig in!
Grilling Tips for Perfect BBQ Hash
Grilling the hash after sautéing adds nice charred bits and smoky essence. Follow these tips for the best results:
- Use a clean, well-oiled grate. Mash a ball of aluminum foil over the grate before oiling for a nonstick surface.
- Choose a medium heat level to avoid scorching.
- Stir gently and frequently to promote even browning.
- Watch closely to prevent overcooking or burning. Hash has a tendency to stick to grates.
- Consider using a grill basket or perforated grill pan to contain the hash and make stirring easy.
- Just 2-3 minutes per side should provide enough char. Don’t overdo it.
BBQ Hash Breakfast Skillet
For a hearty breakfast, turn your barbecue hash into a skillet meal:
- Prepare hash as directed through step 3.
- With hash browning in the skillet, make wells and crack eggs directly into the skillet.
- Cover and cook until eggs reach desired doneness, 3-5 minutes for runny yolks.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheese, like cheddar or pepper jack.
- Cover again until cheese melts, 1-2 minutes.
- Serve skillet hash straight from the pan, topped with extras like hot sauce, scallions, or crumbled bacon.
The runny eggs combine with the savory hash for total breakfast deliciousness!
Substitution and Variation Ideas
Don’t have corned beef on hand? Get creative with these substitution ideas:
- Smoked ham or turkey
- Cooked chicken breast
- Italian or chicken sausage
- Diced bacon
- Ground beef or turkey
Almost any cooked meat or poultry can be used. Play around with spices, sauces, and mix-ins to complement the flavors.
Some other tasty variations to try:
- Use sweet potatoes instead of russets.
- Add salsa or taco seasoning for a Tex-Mex twist.
- Stir in chopped spinach or kale for an extra serving of greens.
- For a lighter hash, try using cauliflower rice in place of potatoes.
- Top with a fried egg, avocado slices, queso fresco, or cilantro for Southwest flair.
FAQs About Making Barbecue Hash
What kind of bbq sauce is best for hash?
Sweet and tangy bbq sauces pair well with the corned beef in hash. Ketchup-based sauces add nice flavor and moisture without overpowering. Bold spicy or vinegar-based sauces may clash. Go for a middle of the road sauce.
Can you prepare the hash ahead of time?
Yes, the hash can be made 1-2 days in advance. Prepare through step 3, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, cook in a skillet with butter to reheat, or finish on the grill for crispy edges and smoky flavor.
Is canned corned beef OK for hash?
Absolutely! Canned corned beef makes quick and easy hash. Rinse and drain the beef before chopping to reduce excess saltiness. Choose lower sodium options if available.
What are good side dishes with bbq hash?
Cornbread, biscuits, baked beans, coleslaw, and leafy greens all pair wonderfully. For breakfast, serve with eggs, toast, and fresh fruit. Hash is also great stuffed into potatoes or sandwiches.
Can you use leftover brisket for hash?
Yes, leftover smoked brisket makes amazing barbecue hash. Chop or shred the brisket and use in place of corned beef. Adjust any extra seasoning needed.
Is bbq hash gluten-free?
Hash can easily be made gluten-free. Use canned corned beef, gluten-free bbq sauce, and avoid bread crumb toppings. As always, check labels to confirm ingredients if highly sensitive.
Tips for the Best Homemade BBQ Hash
- Use high quality ingredients. Splurge on good bbq sauce and fresh produce.
- Cut the potatoes and onions uniformly for even cooking.
- Let the hash get crispy and browned for maximum flavor.
- Season in stages. Taste and adjust seasoning as you go.
- Keep the hash moist. Add Worcestershire, broth, or extra bbq sauce as needed.
- Embrace leftovers. Hash tastes even better the next day after flavors meld.
- Customize with mix-ins. Make it your own with unique add-ins.
- Grill it or skillet it. Choose your preferred cooking method for the texture you like.
- Learn doneness cues. Cook until potatoes reach tender-crisp and beef browns.
- Rest before serving. Let sit 2-3 minutes to allow juices to redistribute after cooking.
Cooking for a Crowd? Scale Up Your Hash
Barbecue hash is a fantastic dish to serve at gatherings and cookouts. Follow these tips for easily scaling up the recipe:
- Stick to the ratio. Retain the basic ratio of ingredients as you multiply the quantities.
- Use big batches. Cook meat and potatoes in very large skillets, dividing into smaller pans to finish. Or cook in batches and mix together after.
- Keep it warm. Transfer cooked hash to a slow cooker set on low to keep warm for serving.
- Reheat carefully. If refrigerating ahead, reheat in a low oven with a bit of water in the pan to restore moisture.
- Top it off. Offer fun personalized toppings buffet-style like hot sauces, cheeses, and scallions.
- Make ahead. Cook a day or two before and reheat gently. Or par-cook components in advance to reduce event-day cooking.
- Leftovers! Extra hash keeps for 3-4 days refrigerated. Repurpose in omelets, sandwiches, or potato skins.
How to Make the Most Amazing BBQ Hash at Home
Barbecue hash is comfort food at its finest. Smoky, meaty, crispy, and saucy, this satisfying dish takes just a few easy steps using simple ingredients most cooks have on hand.
By cooking the potatoes and corned beef separately before combining, you achieve the perfect tender-crisp potato texture and browned meat. Finishing the hash on the grill adds deep, rich flavor. But pan-fried works great too!
Feel free to riff on the basic recipe with fun additions like salsa, spices, veggies, and cheese to match your tastes. Barbecue hash also reheats beautifully, so cook up a big batch to enjoy leftovers all week.
With this handy guide to making incredible barbecue hash at home, you can become the MVP of breakfast, lunch, dinner, or potlucks! Now grab your BBQ sauce and get ready to enjoy mouthwatering smoky hash anytime.