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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Head cheese

Head cheese is a savoury meat jelly or terrine made from meat from the head of a pig, calf, sheep, or cow, usually set in aspic.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Head cheese is a savoury meat jelly or terrine made from meat from the head of a pig, calf, sheep, or cow, usually set in aspic. Despite the name, it is not a cheese and contains no dairy products. In Canada, it is recognized as a traditional jellied meat loaf made from pig or calf head meat.

Description

Head cheese is a cold meat preparation made by cooking parts of an animal's head, chopping the meat, and pressing it into a mould or loaf. The result is a sliceable product with a jelly-like matrix.

Ingredients and preparation

Typical versions use meat from the head of a pig or calf, and may include tongue, feet, or other edible parts. The mixture is cooked until the collagen releases natural gelatin, then cooled to set.

Names and regional variants

The term head cheese is used in North America, while brawn is a common British term for similar preparations. Dictionaries also record regional variants and related terms such as hog's head cheese.

Culinary context

Head cheese belongs to the broader tradition of charcuterie and nose-to-tail cooking, which uses less commonly consumed parts of the animal. It is usually eaten chilled, often as a sandwich filling or cold cut.

Key facts

  • Head cheese is made from cooked meat, usually from a pig's or calf's head, pressed into a loaf or terrine.
  • The dish is not a dairy cheese despite its name.
  • It is typically set by natural gelatin from the cooked meat and bones, or by aspic.
  • In Britain and some other countries, a similar dish is called brawn.
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Canadian context

Head cheese is recognized in Canadian English as a traditional jellied meat loaf made from pig or calf head meat, and Canadian dictionary sources record the term in that sense.[2][10]

Frequently asked questions

Is head cheese actually cheese?
No. It is a meat product made from cooked animal head meat and gelatin, not a dairy cheese.
What meat is used in head cheese?
It is usually made from the head of a pig or calf, and sometimes includes other edible parts such as the tongue or feet.
How is head cheese set?
It sets when the cooked meat releases natural gelatin, or when aspic is added.
What is head cheese called in Britain?
A similar dish is commonly called brawn.
How is head cheese usually served?
It is generally served chilled and sliced, like a cold cut or deli meat.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_cheese
    Supports: Basic definition; meat jelly/terrine made from head meat; not cheese; alternate name brawn.
  2. The Free Dictionary — https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Head+cheese
    Supports: North American/Canadian definition; ingredients; also called brawn.
  3. Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headcheese
    Supports: Definition as a jellied loaf or sausage made from edible parts of the head, feet, and sometimes tongue and heart.
  4. Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/headcheese
    Supports: Definition as meat from the head of a pig, cooked and pressed into a block.
  5. Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/headcheese
    Supports: Alternate name brawn and definition as a seasoned jellied loaf made from head and sometimes feet.