The USDA recommends that corned beef be cooked to an internal temperature of 158 degrees as a safeguard against pathogens, but we recommend a higher internal temp – 165-175 degrees.By the way, we answered the question about the pressure cooker by pointing her toward this blog. whole corned beef brisket that weighs 10 pounds is just not going to cook for the same time and in the same way as a 3 pound piece of first-cut (the thinner, smaller “point” of a whole brisket). But with St. Patrick’s Day looming and people anxious to make a special corned beef dinner, here are 5 tips we can offer.