How to Make “Who Hash” from The Grinch

Then he slunk to the icebox.
He eyed the Whos’ feast.
He took the Who-Pudding.
He took… the Roast Beast.
He cleaned out that icebox as quick as a flash.
Why, that Grinch, he even took their last can of Who-Hash.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Jim Carrey’s classic “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” has become a must-watch in our household to officially kick off the holidays. I’ve been watching it for over 20 years now—in fact, at 10 years old, this movie was one of the last, if not THE VERY LAST, movie that my family bought on VHS tape. I’ll let you figure out my age from there.

Everyone wants to recreate the iconic Roast Beast from the movie, but what about the dish you can actually find in real life at Seuss Landing at Universal Studios Orlando?

You can find “Who Hash” at the Green Eggs & Ham Cafe—where it is served in a souvenir can with a Who Hash label. Naturally, I kept the can my lunch came in with the intention of recreating the dish for you Hungry People.

I figured the perfect time to recreate it was for Christmas—it’s the ultimate dish to serve for breakfast after being robbed by the Grinch! Plus, TikTok has been requesting a lot of fictional feasts lately, so I figured now was even more perfect.

A Seuss-Style Recipe

We’ll start with brined brisket
and of course salt and pepper
Plus pickling spices;
and beef broth for good measure

We’ll toss in some cinnamon
And star anise too
Then we’ll give it a stir
before making a roux

The base of our sauce could not be better
With the addition of whole mustard
cayenne,
and mountain aged cheddar

Then give it a whisk before moving ahead
to make tater tots,
that will keep our Whos fed

We’ll bake the tots until they are crispy
Meanwhile,
we can chop up our baked briskey

Then its time, to combine ingredients together
Before baking it once more to complete our endeavor

We’ll top our Who hash with green onions and cheddar
Then serve to the Grinch and he’ll think we’re clever

If this Christmas your heart is too small
This dish will bring cheer to one and to all
And don’t forget, if you are still here
To follow the Starving Chef for more recipes, my dear!

Ingredients for Who Hash

Based off the recipe that you can get at the Green Eggs & Ham Cafe, this is my take on their “Who Hash” but with added flavors for a Christmas-y twist!

• brined brisket – buy a flat cut, pre-brined brisket OR brine your own
• roasted beef broth – for braising the brisket, I recommend using a bouillon based broth for best flavor
• cinnamon sticks – whole cinnamon sticks provide the perfect amount of aromatics and give great undertones of flavor
• star anise pods – additional Christmas-y infused flavor
• pickling spices – blend together bay leaves, cardamom pods, coriander, cloves, ginger, mustard seeds & peppercorns
• butter, flour & milk – for the roux based cheese sauce
• aged mountain cheddar – funky cheddar from Mount Crumpet is best
• whole grain mustard – to enhance the cheddar flavor
• hash browns – crispy, golden hash browns for the base of our casserole (prior to serving it in a can)
• green onions – for chopping, topping and tangy flavor

Brisket Tips

I recommend buying a flat-cut, 1-3 lb brisket that has been pre-brined. Many of my local grocery stores here in Ohio carry a raw corned beef brisket that has been brined in a 35% solution and has a pack of pickling spices provided in the package (try saying that five times fast…).

You can absolutely brine your own brisket to make corned beef from scratch, but keep in mind this process can take up to 10 days for the perfect corned beef brisket. I am not going to cover brining the brisket in my recipe specifically, but you can find all you need to know about brining your own corned beef on Sweet and Savory Meals.

Every home chef should have a reliable meat thermometer to ensure their meats are perfectly cooked. Corned beef is best cooked to 150°F where it is still pink throughout and perfectly tender. Let the brisket rest so it holds on to as much of the juices as possible before you chop it up into bite size pieces.

Don’t want to use corned beef? I’m generally not a big corned beef eater myself – though this recipe definitely converted me. But if you don’t want to risk it for the brisket, chopped prosciutto can be swapped in for similar flavor.

Let’s Cook

Rinse the corned beef brisket under cold water to remove excess brine and pat it dry with paper towels. Trim off any large fat cap, but don’t worry too much about getting every bit—it helps keep the meat juicy. Let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Braise the Brisket

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the brisket into a heavy-bottom pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sprinkle in the salt, pepper, and your prepared pickling spices. Pour in enough beef broth to cover the brisket completely. Bring it all to a boil, then cover and transfer to the oven. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until the brisket reaches an internal temp of 145°F to 150°F.

Make the Cheese Sauce

While the brisket bakes, let’s whip up that delicious cheese sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk until it’s smooth and starting to bubble, but not brown—this is your roux. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking to avoid lumps. Add the chopped cheddar, whole grain mustard, and cayenne pepper. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth, thick, and luscious. Turn the heat to low and keep warm, stirring occasionally.

Cook the Tots

Adjust your oven to the temperature recommended on the tater tots package, usually 425°F or 450°F. Spread the tots in a single layer in a greased casserole dish. Bake according to the package directions, but pull them out about 5 minutes before they’re fully crispy.

Assemble the Who Hash

While the tots are baking, slice your corned beef into bite-sized pieces. Once the tots are mostly done, remove the dish from the oven and scatter the corned beef over the tots. Drizzle about half of your cheese sauce over the top. Pop the dish back in the oven and bake until the tots are fully crispy and the cheese sauce is bubbling—about another 5-10 minutes.

Serve and Enjoy

Pull the casserole out of the oven and drizzle on the remaining cheese sauce. Top with chopped green onions from edge to edge for that classic Who Hash look. Serve straight from the casserole dish, or go all-in with the theme and spoon it into cleaned cans for a Grinch-style experience. Add more green onions if you’re feeling fancy, and dig in while it’s hot! Oh Merry Merry!

Who Hash Brisket Tips

• Brining Time: If you’re brining your own brisket, remember it can take up to 10 days for optimal results. Not a quick process, but definitely worth it if you have the time!
• Cooking Temp: For corned beef, aim for an internal temperature of 150°F. This will keep it tender and pink. Rest it well before slicing to retain those tasty juices.
• Alternative Meats: If corned beef isn’t your thing, chopped prosciutto or even diced ham can be swapped in for similar salty goodness.

Troubleshooting Who Hash

• Tots Not Crispy Enough?: Try cooking the tots on a baking rack inside the casserole dish to allow more air circulation. This helps them crisp up nicely.
• Cheese Sauce Too Thick?: If your cheese sauce turns out too thick, thin it out with a splash of milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
• Corned Beef Dry?: Make sure to keep the brisket covered in broth while cooking and allow it to rest before slicing. This helps keep it juicy!

Common Questions About Who Hash

• Can I make this ahead of time?
  Yes, you can make the corned beef and cheese sauce a day ahead. Store them separately and assemble just before baking for the best texture.
• What if I can’t find aged mountain cheddar?
  No worries! Substitute with any sharp cheddar you like. The funkier, the better to keep it Grinch-approved.
• Can I use frozen hash browns instead of tater tots?
  Absolutely! Frozen hash browns will work just fine. Just spread them evenly in the dish and follow the baking instructions.
• Is there a vegetarian version?
  Swap the corned beef with sautéed mushrooms or a plant-based meat substitute, and use vegetable broth in place of beef broth.

Watch It On TikTok

@fictionalfeastfelicia what about the most overlooked part of the Who feast? the last can of Who Hash (made with 100% Who-beast) 🎄 #thegrinch #fictionalfeast #whohash #thestarvingchef #reciperequest #howthegrinchstolechristmas #whovillechristmas #fictionalfeasts ♬ You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch – Christmas Party Band

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

And there you have it, Hungry People—a Who Hash straight out of Whoville that’s ready to warm your heart and your belly. It’s the perfect way to kick off a cozy morning after the Grinch has stolen your Christmas spirit (and maybe your last can of Who Hash, too). The savory corned beef, crispy tots, and melty cheese sauce all come together in a way that just makes you want to gather around the table and dig in. Serve it up in your finest casserole dish, or go the extra mile and serve it in a can for that authentic Seussian flair. Whatever you do, don’t forget to sprinkle on those green onions for that final touch of holiday cheer. So grab your fork and let’s make this season the most delicious one yet!

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