Cheeseburger lovers across the United States celebrate National Cheeseburger Day on the 18th of September. While many of you might think this delectable occasion is a new tradition, this is untrue. Its rich history goes back to the 20s, making it a fun tradition among foodies. Here, we will explore the amazing origin of the cheeseburger and uncover some fun facts too. But first, what is a cheeseburger?
A cheeseburger is a popular hamburger with a slice of cheese on top of the meat patty. Along with the ham, the cheeseburger also may include other toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, bacon, avocado, mushrooms, mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard. Today, it has become one of the most famous fast foods and people of all age groups enjoy eating it.
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Where was the cheeseburger invented?
The cheeseburger’s story started with a teenager called Lionel Sternberger whose father had a sandwich shop named the Rite Spot in Pasadena, California, USA. In 1924, the young boy had a culinary revelation when he decided to put a slice of American cheese on top of a hamburger patty. Lionel and his dad found the combination tasty and that is how, ladies and gentlemen, the cheeseburger was born.
However, the concept of the cheeseburger took some time to be popular. It was only in 1934 at Kaelin’s restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky, USA that the first sandwich was officially labeled as a cheeseburger. Surprisingly, just a year later, in 1935, the term cheeseburger was trademarked at the Humpty Dumpty Drive-in in Denver, Colorado. The invention of the cheeseburger became a matter of pride for some individuals across the US.
How to celebrate National Cheeseburger Day?
National Cheeseburger Day can be celebrated in various ways. However, one common thread is the happiness of treating yourself to this delicious dish. Many local fast-food chains often participate in this celebratory occasion by offering free cheeseburgers to customers, accompanied by special promotions.
Five little-known facts about cheeseburgers
1. Cheeseburger’s origin in 1924
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History said that the cheeseburger was invented by young Lionel Sternberger in 1924. While he worked at his dad’s sandwich shop, he placed a slice of cheese on a hamburger, calling it the cheese hamburger. A Louisville, Kentucky restaurant trademarked the word cheeseburger a decade later.
2. It is the world’s largest commercially available burger
Mallie’s Sports Grill and Bar takes burger indulgence to another level with a 1,800-pound burger at a jaw-dropping $10,000. This amazing creation holds the title of both the world’s largest burger and the largest commercially available burger.
3. The American cheese preference
As per How Stuff Works, a whopping 70% prefer American cheese on their cheeseburgers, surpassing cheddar(59%), Swiss(40%), and Mozzarella(39%). Cheese is the most popular topping with a 2020 YouGov poll saying that 74% of respondents adding to their burgers.
4. McDonald’s contribution to the burger chain realm
In 2021, McDonald’s became the highest-grossing fast-food burger chain in the United States. Wendy’s and Burger King came second and third respectively, as per Restaurant Business Online in 2022.
5. The burger dog
For those who do not know, the burger dog is a real deal. This creative invention involves shaping ground beef like a hot dog, making it a perfect choice for those who want to have a hamburger but only have hotdog buns, as reported by HuffPost in 2017.
Recipes for cheeseburger
While making cheeseburgers is not that hard, we are providing you with some tips that might help you. From choosing the best beef for your burger to the best bun to the best cheese, find out the perfect choice of burger sauces.
Now the only question is, single or double cheeseburger? Stove or BBQ?
What do you need for a delicious cheeseburger?
1. The beef
There is no doubt that the better the beef, the better the burger will be. But you would not want your burger made from a usual supermarket beef. Here are some tips:
- For company: Since briskets really bring good beefy flavor and chuck brings texture, make sure the beef has 50/50 brisket and a chuck with 20% fat.
- For the everyday: Standard beef mince from the grocery also makes tasty burgers. Mince can be the mixture of any cuts and offcuts but it’s usually more chuck. The fattier the chunk, the juicier and more flavorful your burger.
- Single vs double cheeseburger: While the decision is entirely up to you, you can take 150g/5 oz per patty for a 10cm/4” wide bun. In case you want a double, just double up. The big and mighty might just be a great treat.
2. The Cheese
If you want a truly classic cheeseburger experience, it is a must to have processed cheese. Nothing stretches, oozes, and runs like the luridly orange processed American cheese when it melts. Swiss, cheddar, tasty, Colby, and gruyere, are also great options.
3. The soft and white bun
In my opinion, the soft white buns with sesame seeds are the best options for a yummy cheeseburger. You have to ensure that the bun is soft so that everything is jammed inside.
4. The Green and pickled stuff
- Lettuce: Shredded iceberg lettuce and cos/romaine lettuce are very classic with burgers. You can also get gourmet with baby greens, rocket/ arugula, spinach, or even kale for a tasty bite.
- Onion: Raw red onions bring freshness and fatty beefiness to a burger. If you find them harsh, you can dice them and scatter some on your burger.
- Tomato: Tomato brings moisture and a touch of freshness to this dish.
- Pickles: You can choose big gherkins rather than smaller ones to make them tasty and look good too.
5. The Sauce
Last but not least, the sauces you prepare for your burger will decide its ultimate flavor. While you can put the tried-and-true ketchup/mustard script, there are also some homemade burger sauces to make your burgers tasty.
- Special Burger Sauce: This is an orange-hued, mayonnaise-based sauce which is a copy of a popular burgery sauce that you can find at grocery shops.
- Tomato Burger Sauce: This is basically a tomato chutney but has a more savory taste which is better than traditional chutney which is quite sweet and flavored with ginger, chilli, and cardamom.
FAQs
Q: What is a cheeseburger?
A: A cheeseburger is a popular American burger consisting of a cooked ground beef patty placed inside a sliced hamburger bun, typically garnished with various toppings and condiments. What sets a cheeseburger apart from a regular hamburger is the addition of a slice of cheese, usually melted, placed on top of the beef patty.
Q: How long can you eat a cheeseburger?
A: We recommend never to leave it at room temperature for more than 2 days. Keep the leftovers in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking and eat them within 3-4 days.
Q: Are cheeseburgers unhealthy?
A: Cheeseburgers are indeed high in protein, they are not healthy food at all. Long Island-based dietician Kimberly Wiemann, MS, RDN, says, “Burgers are high in saturated fat, which can lead to heart disease and high cholesterol levels.”
Q: Who invented cheeseburgers?
A: It all started with a young boy named Lionel Sternberger, who worked at his father’s sandwich shop in California. In 1924, he decided to place a slice of American cheese on top of a hamburger patty. That was how the tasty cheeseburger was born.
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