I found this recipe on the internet that doesn't call for saltpeter:
http://teriskitchen.com/visitors/jenbeef.html
This will probably make the gray Irish Corned Beef.
The red corn beef (Jewish corn beef ) is made with salt peter.
CORNED BEEF
8 cups water
1 cup salt
1/4 cup sugar
1 bay leaf
6 peppercorns
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon plus 1-1/2 tablespoons whole mixed pickling spices, divided
5-6 pound round roast
1 celery stalk
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
To Prepare: Mix water, salt, sugar, bay leaf, peppercorns, garlic, 1 T pickling spice and beef in a crock, cover with a plate and put a weight on top. Let meat stand in brine 36 hours. Meat will then be ready to cook.
To cook: Wash the corned beef. Put it into a large kettle. Cover with boiling water. Add remaining 1-1/2 T pickling spice, onion, celery, and carrot. Cover and simmer for 4 to 4-1/2 hours until tender. Cool beef in broth.
This will probably make the gray Irish Corned Beef.
The red corn beef (Jewish corn beef ) is made with salt peter.