A nod to the classic How The Grinch Stole Christmas, this Who Hash Recipe made with roast beef and potatoes is savory and so delicious. No wonder the Grinch stole some!
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If you've watched How The Grinch Stole Christmas, then you probably remember how he cleaned every toy, every decoration, and every bit of food from the Who homes—including that last can of Who Hash.
While I may not know exactly what's inside a can of Who Hash, the Whos' fondness for roast beast leads me to believe that it's probably a flavorful beef hash with potatoes and onions. And this is the blend you'll find in my recipe for Who Hash!
Cook up this tender roast beef hash to serve as part of an old-fashioned New England breakfast with a side of fried eggs. Or, make some as part of a filling lunch or supper.
In a nutshell... 🐿️
- What this is: Inspired by the Who's love for "roast beast", this savory, diner-style hash is a nostalgic nod to the holiday specials we all grew up watching. It warms you up on chilly New England mornings with diced roast beef and potatoes fried to perfection.
- You'll love this part: It's a smart way to use up leftover Sunday pot roast or beef roast and turn it into a warm meal. New England frugality meets comfort food!
- How it's made: Mix diced roast beef, cooked potatoes, and onions with a splash of milk and seasonings. Fry it all in a hot skillet until it gets that flavorful browned crust.
Jump to:
Christmastime is here 🎶
We all know those classic holiday specials: A Charlie Brown Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Those of us who grew up in the '70s and '80s even remember that special intro that TV stations would play right before these shows began.
Whatever corner of the house you were lounging in, when you heard this intro you knew it was time to hightail it to the living room and grab that spot on the rug right in front of the television! (Before your dad could change the channel to something boring.)
One very funny, Christmas parody song refers to these annual shows as "stale TV specials." What a Grinchy thing to say!
Go ahead and roll your eyes, but I know you have your favorite holiday specials just like I do, and your favorite lines from those shows and movies, too! (One of mine? "Nobody likes a Charlie-in-the-box!")
One year my friend and I decided to recreate some foods featured in our favorite holiday shows. He created a delicious, homemade cheese pizza just like Kevin's in Home Alone!
And I decided to make this Who Hash, in honor of that last can of Who Hash that the Grinch stole in the classic, How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
Speaking of classics...
Have you tried Elf Spaghetti?
My son and I did! Here's how it went!
Why you'll love Who Hash (aka Roast Beef Hash)
No offense to the Grinch, but I prefer a hash that's a cut above the canned variety. Perhaps The Grinch does, too, but we understand that he was pressed for time that evening.
And really, he was just trying to make a point: that the Whos should quiet the heck down so he could relax on Mount Crumpit!
Anyway, this recipe for Who Hash is much tastier than any canned hash. It has diced potatoes, onions, and chopped roast beast—whoops, I mean beef!
This beef hash recipe is a great way to use up a holiday or Sunday evening roast. New Englanders love a good hash, especially served at the local diner as a quick, savory breakfast. Roast beef hash is also very good paired with cooked vegetables and soft rolls spread with butter, for lunch or a casual supper.
I love a holiday breakfast!
Christmas Muffins
Filled with spiced eggnog and tender, sweet and tart cranberries!
🔪 How to make this Who Hash recipe
Ingredients:
- Diced potatoes: Choose a waxy type of potato such as Yukon gold or white. They hold their shape when cooked in the hash.
- Roast beef: This is a great way to use up leftover pot roast or beef roast from last night's supper! You can also pick up slices of thick-cut roast beef from the deli.
- Onion: Dice up a yellow onion, Spanish, red, or sweet onion for the hash.
- Milk: While any percentage will do, I like to use whole milk in the mixture for the extra richness.
- Salt and pepper: You always need a little salt and black pepper to make things taste good, and that's true of Who Hash, too.
- Hot sauce: This is optional, but just a little dash of hot sauce is very good in this hash. Go with a classic Frank's Red Hot Sauce, or try other mild, medium, or spicy varieties like Chalula or Huy Fong sriracha.
- Oil: A little vegetable oil in the pan helps give the hash a delicious browned crust. Use grapeseed, sunflower, soybean, or another type that holds up well to high heat.
Combine the meat, potatoes, and seasonings
In a large bowl, mix together diced roast beef, diced cooked potato, and diced onion. Mix these with milk and seasonings.
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Fry it up in a pan
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and when it's hot, add the hash mixture. Spread it in an even layer and let it cook. Once a crust has formed on the bottom, stir the hash around and cook it until it's hot and browned throughout.
Invite your Grinches and little Whos to join you!
Serve plates of Who Hash while it's hot, with fried or scrambled eggs and buttered toast or hot biscuits on the side.
I ♥ a Savory Breakfast
Make Ahead Breakfast Sandwiches
Serve some Who Hash on the side!
Who Hash FAQs
We may never know the true ingredients of that cartoon can of Who Hash: there is no ingredients label! In real life, canned hash is usually a blend of diced potatoes and diced beef or corned beef. Either way, this homemade Who Hash is far tastier than any canned Hash.
I prefer to use waxy types of potato in this recipe, like Yukon golds or white potatoes. They hold their shape better during cooking than starchy potatoes.
Tips:
- Use cooked beef leftover from a suppertime roast beef, pot roast, or chuck roast.
- Want to prepare some roast beef for this recipe more quickly than an oven or slow cooker require? Here's what I do:
- Buy about 2 pounds of stew beef, which is chuck roast cut into cubes.
- Place the beef in an Instant Pot cooker with ¾ cup of water and some seasonings. Cook the beef for about 45 to 60 minutes in the Instant Pot until it's tender.
- Another option is to ask for some thick slices of roast beef at the deli counter, then dice them up at home.
What a tasty, savory supper of Who Hash. And it makes a hearty breakfast, too! It's easy to warm the heart of even the grinchiest Grinches with this hot dish!
"Fahoo Fores, Dahoo Dores!" The Who Hash recipe is below! And here are a few more holiday treats for you:
💬 Did you make and devour this recipe? Leave a comment below.
📖 Recipe
Who Hash (Savory Roast Beef and Potato Hash)
SAVE THIS RECIPE OR POST!
I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked, diced potatoes (Choose a waxy type like Yukon gold or white potatoes)
- 3 cups cooked roast beef, chopped
- 1 cup diced onion (About 1 medium onion)
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (your favorite)
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the hash:
- Combine in a bowl the diced potatoes, diced roast beef, and diced onion.
- Add in the milk, salt, black pepper, hot sauce, and 1 tablespoon of the oil. Stir to combine.
Cook the hash:
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium heat until it’s hot.
- Spread the hash mixture over the bottom of the skillet in an even layer.
- Cook the layer for 8-10 minutes, pressing down occasionally with a spatula, until a dark brown crust forms on the bottom.
- Stir the contents a few times, then continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes until the hash is hot, with plenty of browning on the meat and potatoes.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately, with extra hot sauce if you'd like!
- Makes 4 servings (or about 2 Who Hash cans-worth!)
Notes
Tips
- Use cooked roast beef leftover from a dinner roast, or chuck roast.
- Need to prepare some roast beef for this recipe? Try this: buy about 2 pounds of stew beef, which is chuck roast cut into cubes. Place the beef in an Instant Pot cooker with ¾ cup of water and some seasonings. Cook the beef for about 45-60 minutes in the Instant Pot until it's tender.
Nutrition
Isabel Miller says
I'm putting on a movie night for my family, the movie of course is The Grinch and a themed dinner/desert. I think I might just have to try this!
Nancy Mock says
Isabel, this sounds like fun!! I hope you’ll try my Who Hash, and let me know how you all like it... and what else folks bring to the party!
Jo Wake says
Not into Hash. Never eaten it, never appealed I'm afraid. I would, of course, have tried your Who Hash but not sure if it would have converted me.
Nancy Mock says
Hmmm, Jo you are making me think of Green Eggs & Ham. 'Would you like some in a box?" 🙂
MOCK! says
As one who was able to partake in the feast, I will say it was quite delicious!
Nancy Mock says
Thanks, Mock!
themindofschmid says
Nan,
This look delicious! Thank you for allowing me to join you on this cinematic food journey. I look forward to co-blogging again soon.
Cheers!
Nancy Mock says
The honor was mine! I had fun working on this with you. Save me some of that meatloaf!!