<P> In both the United States and Canada, corned beef is sold in cans in minced form . It is also sold this way in Puerto Rico and Uruguay . </P> <P> In the United States, consumption of corned beef is often associated with Saint Patrick's Day . Corned beef is not considered an Irish national dish, and the connection with Saint Patrick's Day specifically originates as part of Irish - American culture, and is often part of their celebrations in North America . </P> <P> Corned beef was used as a substitute for bacon by Irish - American immigrants in the late 19th century . Corned beef and cabbage is the Irish - American variant of the Irish dish of bacon and cabbage . A similar dish is the New England boiled dinner, consisting of corned beef, cabbage, and root vegetables such as carrots, turnips, and potatoes, which is popular in New England and another similar dish, Jiggs dinner, is popular in parts of Atlantic Canada . </P> <P> The U.S. version of corned beef is known in the UK as salt beef . </P>

Where did corned beef and cabbage originated from