Who Invented The Hamburger?

As is true with many recipes, great scholars have debated and disagreed on the humble beginnings of the beloved hamburger. Seems as though many want to stake a claim to the world’s most popular “sandwich”. Here are just a few of the many popular theories swirling around the hamburger’s origin.

One school of thought dates the delicacy of “meat between two pieces of bread” back to the days of Genghis Kahn. Back in his day, the burger was, more likely than not, raw lamb or mutton between bread. In 1238 Kahn’s  grandson, Khubilai Kahn, brought it to Moscow. The Russians modified the meal in to what we now call “steak tartare”. They enjoyed it so much they brought it with them to, you guessed it, Hamburg, Germany. Somewhere between 1885 to 1904, German immigrants brought it to the U.S where it evolved into the present day hamburger.

Other food historians date the hamburger back to a recipe from 1785 called “Hamburger Sausage” found in Hamburg, Germany. Another popular explanation says this universally love meal was on the menu in the early 1800’s aboard a cruise company known as the Hamburg America Line.

Jumping into the act,  The United State’s Library of Congress attributes the creation of the modern hamburger to a businessman named Louis Lassen in 1900. The story goes that he was in a rush and wanted some food in a hurry. Mr. Lassen is said to have placed a piece of grilled meat in between two pieces of toast and thus invented the burger you know and love today.

Not to stay hidden behind the scenes, the people of Wisconsin wanted their just due. Turns out, in 1885, at the age of 15,  Charlie Nagreen, or  “Hamburger Charlie” as he became to be known, was selling meatballs at the Outagamie County fair. When they weren’t selling very well, Charlie figured out that the meatballs were just too difficult to eat while people walked around the fair. His solution? Flatten the meatballs and serve it between bread. This legend is so well known and retold, that in 2007, The State Assembly of Wisconsin proclaimed Seymour, Wisconsin as the “Original Home of the Hamburger”. The town of Seymour holds a festival every year to honor the hamburger. Naturally, it is also the home of the Hamburger Hall of Fame.

Fun Facts About Hamburgers

You’re not alone in your love of a good burger. Did you know:

• Over half of all the sandwiches sold world wide are burgers.
• The world’s most expensive burger can be found in Las Vegas at the restaurant Fleur, located inside the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. It costs a whopping $5,000 and features wagyu beef, seared foie gras, and black truffle shavings.
• On average, Americans eat 3 hamburgers a week. In 2012, PBS estimated that Americans alone eat 50 billion burgers a year.
• Cheese is Americans favorite burger topping with Cheddar and American cheese battling neck and neck for first place.
• In 1921, White Castle became one of the first major hamburger chains to market a square burger as a  “slider”. They cost 5¢ each!
• In 1940, the McDonald brothers opened their first restaurant in San Bernadino, California. Later, with the help of Roy Croc, as the restaurant grew in number and popularity, they created an entirely new concept of fast food restaurants. You know them affectionately as “The Golden Arches”.
• While no one knows exactly how it started, people have been celebrating hamburgers on May 28 in honor of National Hamburger Day since 2010.
• In 2019, Burger King teamed up with the Impossible Meat company and introduced plant-based burgers to its customers world wide.

Gourmet Burger Recipe Ideas

One of the reasons burgers are so universally loved is its ability to be made with ease, speed and adaptable to everyone’s food preferences or dietary needs. Whether you are an avowed meat eater or observe a paleo, keto, vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, there is a burger out there with your name on it. Why not stretch your culinary chops and try a new twist on an old favorite recipe. Here are a few gourmet burger recipes to get you thinking out of the box and out of your recipe rut.

• From out friend Anne Burrell at the Food Network:  Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki
• Also from the Food Network is the mouthwatering, Smashburger Style Burger
• Dana Shultz at the Minimalist Baker brings us Curried Chickpea Quinoa Burgers
• Hilary Meyer at Eating Well offers up Greek Turkey Burgers with Spinach and Feta
• Sally McKenney at Sally’s Baking Addiction you’ll find the Best Black Bean Burger

Regardless of how it’s made, nothing beats that first bite of a juicy burger. You are immediately transported to your happy place. These days, as you search for a smile in your ever day routine, why not take a stab at celebrating National Burger Day? Let the tension  ease from your shoulders as you settle in to enjoy one of life’s simple pleasures.

How will you be celebrating National Hamburger Day? Please share your favorite burger indulgence in the comments below. Thanks, smiles.