Best Burgers For National Cheeseburger Day
Best Burgers For National Cheeseburger Day – National Cheeseburger Day on September 18th honors America’s favorite sandwich with a slice of cheese.
The story goes that a teenager, Lionel Sternberger, who was working in his father’s sandwich shop, The Rite Spot in Pasadena, California, USA, just decided to put a slice of American cheese on a burger one day.
He found it to be tasty so he shared the idea with his dad who liked it too.
Many food historians credit 16-year-old Lionel Sternberger, who in 1924 decided to slap a slice of American cheese (what else?) onto a cooking hamburger at his father’s Pasadena, California, sandwich shop, the Rite Spot.
He liked it, and so did his dad, and thus the cheeseburger was born.
Or was it? They called it a “cheese hamburger,” so that may disqualify the Sternbergers on a technicality.
The first sandwich to actually be called a “cheeseburger” was at Kaelin’s restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky. Charles Kaelin claims to have invented the cheese-topped burger in 1934 because he wanted, reports Louisville writer Robin Garr, to “add a new tang to the hamburger.”
This is the earliest example of a menu claiming to be “the birthplace of the cheeseburger.”
Then there’s Louis Ballast of Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver, who trademarked the name “cheeseburger” in 1935.
The hamburger dates back at least to the late 19th century, while the earliest appearance of anything resembling a grilled cheese sandwich is from 1902, so clearly the hamburger came first.
There are many theories to the beginning of the cheeseburger dating back to the 1920s.
One story suggests that Lionel Sternberger invented the cheeseburger in 1926 while working at his father’s Pasadena, California sandwich shop, The Rite Spot.
During an experiment, he dropped a slice of American cheese on a sizzling hamburger.
However, like numerous iconic foods, many people and restaurants claim the origin story.
For example, a restaurant in Los Angeles called O’Dell’s placed the cheeseburger on their menu in 1928.
It came smothered with chili – all for the price of a quarter.
Kaelin’s Restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky claims they invented the cheeseburger in 1934.
One record that gives the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver, CO bragging rights is the trademark they received in 1935 for the name “cheeseburger.”
Another who applied for a trademark of that word was Gus Belt, the founder of Steak n’ Shake. Sometime in the 1930s he also applied for the trademark.
The first sandwich to actually be called a “cheeseburger” was at Kaelin’s restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky
Best Burgers For National Cheeseburger Day -Classic Cheeseburgers
This recipe is for a classic, diner-style burger with all the right toppings.
Adding a mustard layer to the beef before frying creates the most insanely delicious crust—you’ll be an immediate convert.
Classic Cheeseburger Directions
In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck and sirloin and mix gently but thoroughly.
Divide into eight equal portions and shape them into burger patties (see opposite for tips).
Season both sides with salt and pepper and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
Split and toast the buns in the pan until toasty and golden brown. Set aside.
Remove the burgers from the fridge and place a thumbprint in the center of each patty.
Smear 1 teaspoon of the mustard on both sides of each patty (best burger crust ever).
Melt the butter in the preheated pan and, working in batches, fry the burgers for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until a dark brown crust begins to form.
The result: perfectly juicy medium-cooked burgers.
For folks who prefer their burgers a little more well done, fry for 5 to 6 minutes per side.
Transfer the patties to a baking sheet as they’re done.
Top each with cheese and place in the oven to melt, 2 to 3 minutes.
Build the burgers on the toasted buns with 1 or 2 burger patties, a slice of tomato, pickles, a slice of red onion, and lettuce.
Top each with ketchup or mayo. Or both. Serve immediately.
Classic Cheeseburger Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds 80% lean 20% fat ground beef or ground chuck
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons seasoning salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Optional: 4 slices of cheese
4 hamburger buns
Optional: hamburger toppings – lettuce tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, mustard, mayo, etc.
Best Burgers For National Cheeseburger Day -Cheddar BLT Burgers with Tarragon Russian Dressing
This burger recipe from Laurent Tourondel features a homemade tarragon Russian dressing, and we recommend pairing it with a substantial red wine.
Cheddar BLT Burgers with Tarragon Russian Dressing Directions
In a medium bowl, whisk the mayonnaise with the ketchup, red wine vinegar, onion, parsley, tarragon and Worcestershire sauce.
Cover and refrigerate.
In a large skillet, cook the bacon over moderately high heat, turning once, until crisp, about 6 minutes.
Drain and cut the bacon into large pieces.
Light a grill and fill a large bowl with ice water.
Gently mix the ground chuck with the ground sirloin, salt and pepper.
Form the meat into six 4-inch patties, about 1 1/4 inches thick.
Submerge the patties in the cold water and let soak for 30 seconds. Immediately transfer the burgers to the grill and brush with some of the melted butter.
Grill over high heat for 9 minutes for medium-rare meat, turning once or twice and brushing occasionally with butter.
Top the burgers with the cheese during the last minute of grilling and let melt.
Spread the Russian dressing on the buns.
Set the lettuce leaves and tomato slices on the bottom halves and top with the burgers, red onion and bacon.
Close the burgers, cut in half and serve right away.
Cheddar BLT Burgers with Tarragon Russian Dressing Ingredients
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon grated onion
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 tablespoon chopped tarragon
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
12 ounces thickly sliced bacon
1 1/3 pounds ground beef chuck
1 1/3 pounds ground beef sirloin
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 6 slices
6 hamburger buns, split and toasted
6 iceberg lettuce leaves
6 slices of tomato
6 slices of red onion
Best Burgers For National Cheeseburger Day – Spicy 50/50 Burgers
Mixing seasonings into ground beef can make the burgers tough if the meat gets overworked.
Chef Michael Symon ingeniously solves the problem by combining seasoned hot Italian sausage with the ground chuck.
The sausage gives this cheeseburger, which is adapted from Symon’s 5 in 5 cookbook, a great texture as well.
Spicy 50/50 Burger Directions
In a medium bowl, combine the ground chuck with the sausage just until they are thoroughly mixed.
Form the meat into four 4-inch patties, about 3/4 inch thick. Season the patties with salt and pepper.
In a large cast-iron skillet, heat the olive oil until shimmering.
Add the patties to the skillet and press down slightly with a spatula to flatten them to a 1/2-inch thickness.
Cook the patties over moderately high heat until very crusty on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes.
Flip the patties and cook until well browned, about 2 minutes more.
Top each patty with 2 slices of the Monterey Jack cheese and add the water to the skillet.
Cover the skillet and cook over moderate heat until the cheese slices are melted and the burgers are cooked all the way through, 1 to 2 minutes.
Set the cheeseburgers on the toasted buns and top with the cilantro leaves and sliced pickled peppers.
Close the burgers and serve right away.
Spicy 50/50 Burger Ingredients
3/4 pound ground chuck
3/4 pound hot Italian sausage, casing removed
Salt
Pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
8 slices of Monterey Jack cheese ( 1/2 pound)
2 tablespoons water
4 brioche hamburger buns, split and toasted
1 cup cilantro leaves
Thickly sliced hot or sweet pickled peppers, for serving
Best Burgers For National Cheeseburger Day – Hatch Chile Smash Burgers
This spicy, crispy, cheesy, swoon-inducing smash burger will have you going back for seconds thanks to the cheese and salsa that melt into a queso-like moment and take this burger to the next level.
Hatch Chile Smash Burger Directions
Using your hands, combine beef, onion, chiles, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl just until evenly incorporated. Shape into 8 (2 1/2-ounce) balls.
Heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over high until smoking.
Add 2 tablespoons oil. Add 4 meatballs, and immediately flatten to 1/4-inch-thickness with a sturdy, wide spatula.
Cook until bottoms are crisp and deep brown, about 1 minute.
Flip patties, top each with 1 cheese slice, and cook until bottoms are well charred and cheese is melted, 45 seconds to 1 minute.
Remove from skillet, and cover to keep warm.
Repeat with remaining 2 tablespoons oil, remaining 4 meatballs, and remaining 4 cheese slices.
Preheat broiler to high with oven rack 5 to 6 inches from heat. Brush cut sides of buns with butter.
Arrange buns, cut side up, on a baking sheet. Broil in preheated oven until toasted, 1 to 2 minutes.
Spread each bottom bun half with 1 1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise, top with 2 patties, and spoon 1 1/2 tablespoons Hatch chile salsa over top.
Cover with top bun halves, and serve immediately.
Hatch Chile Smash Burger Ingredients
1 pound 85% lean ground beef
1/4 cup grated sweet onion (from 1 small onion)
2 tablespoons roasted, peeled, and chopped Hatch chiles (from fresh or thawed frozen chiles)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup canola oil, divided
8 white American cheese slices
4 brioche hamburger buns, split
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
6 tablespoons mayonnaise
6 tablespoons Hatch Chile Salsa
Best Burgers For National Cheeseburger Day – Spicy Jalapeño Cheeseburgers
A well-flavored beef burger covered with melted cheese can be considered perfection on a bun, but may be missing a little something for those who like a bit of heat at their cookouts.
This deliciously spicy cheeseburger gets its kick from finely chopped jalapeño peppers, and when combined with the onion soup mix, steak seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce, you get one flavorful hamburger—especially when it is topped off with cheese.
This cheeseburger recipe calls for American cheese, but you can use other types of cheese as well; sharp cheddar is a good choice, but if you want to kick up the spice even more, place a slice of pepper jack cheese on top.
Feel free to adjust the number of jalapeño to suit you and your family’s or guests’ particular palate.
The toppings can be kept simple here as this cheeseburger can stand on its own, but the flavors also work well with a strip of cooked bacon and crispy or caramelized onions on top.
And instead of mayonnaise, mustard, and ketchup, consider slathering a homemade ranch dressing on the toasted buns.
Spicy Jalapeño Cheeseburger Directions
Mix the jalapenos, soup mix, steak seasoning, salt, and Worcestershire sauce with the ground beef in a large mixing bowl.
Form the mixture into six 1/2-inch-thick patties. Preheat the grill to high heat.
Place the burgers on the grill and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until the desired level of doneness is achieved.
During the last minute of cooking, place 1 slice of cheese on each burger.
Once the burgers are cooked through and the cheese is melted, remove from the grill and place on the toasted hamburger buns.
Top with additional sliced jalapenos, if desired, and condiments and toppings.
Spicy Jalapeño Cheeseburger Ingredients
1 to 2 pickled jalapeño peppers, finely chopped, plus extra for topping if desired
1/2 package dried onion soup mix
1 1/2 teaspoons steak seasoning
1 teaspoon kosher salt, or sea salt, or to taste
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
3 pounds ground beef
6 slices American cheese, or cheese of choice
6 hamburger buns, toasted
Condiments, such as mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, optional
Toppings of your choice, such as lettuce, tomato, onion, optional
Best Burgers For National Cheeseburger Day Deals
Best Burgers For National Cheeseburger Day – Americans consume an average of 2.4 burgers per day according to the USDA, which is about 50 billion burgers per year.
Oklahomans lead the nation when it comes to the number of hamburgers we eat.
It determined Oklahoma came in 5th overall but number one in burger eating. Hawaii was the top state, with annual expenditures of $379 per capita.
It found Oklahomans eat a whopping average of 267-burgers per person every year. That works out to eating about one burger three out of every four days!
Here’s a look at some of the specials you can expect to find at a restaurant in your area on/or leading up to National Cheeseburger Day:
7-Eleven: 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards loyalty members can enjoy a Cheeseburger Made with Kraft American Cheese for $2.The cheesy deal is also available for delivery through the 7NOW app on September 18 only.
Applebee’s: Offering an online-only Burger Bundle deal consisting of any one of its Handcrafted Burgers paired with Classic Fries and Applebee’s exclusive MTN DEW Dark Berry Bash for $10.99 on September 18, 2022.Simply select the ‘National Cheeseburger Day’ option from the online menu, order for To Go or delivery on theApplebee’s mobile app or by visiting Applebees.com.
Burger King: Royal Perks members can receive a free cheeseburger with any $1 purchase on September 18, 2022. This deal is exclusively available for Royal Perks members through the BK app or bk.com.
Carl’s Jr.’s & Hardee’s: (1) New My Rewards members will receive an in-app offer for a Free Famous Star or Western Bacon Cheeseburger with purchase when they register. (2) All My Rewards members can take advantage of BOGO $1 Famous Star with in-app offer. (3) All My Rewards members receive 2x Stars on all cheeseburgers purchased through the app on National Cheeseburger Day.
Dairy Queen: Offering $1 off any of the five flavor-filled Signature Stackburgers (excluding combo meals) with the DQ App on September 18, 2022.
Farmer Boys: Offering all guests a Big Cheese for $2 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on September 18, 2022.
Jack in the Box: Offering a Jumbo Jack Cheeseburger for $2 with any purchase via the brand’s mobile app.
McDonald’s: Offering a free Double Cheeseburger with a $1 purchase via the brand’s mobile app on September 18, 2022.
Miller’s Ale House: Offering its Classic Cheeseburger for $6.99, or guests can upgrade to one of its signature burgers like the Prime Burger or Smashed Queso Burger for $3 more from September 18-24, 2022.
Mooyah Burgers: Get a $5 MDC Burger with a minimum $5 spend using the Mooyah app now through September 18, 2022.
Smashburger: Buy one, get one free deal in-store and online with promo code “BOGO22” on September 18, 2022.
The Habit Burger Grill: Buy one Charburger (with cheese), and get a second 50 percent off. The Habit Mobile App users will be getting a “Buy One Original Charburger, Get One 50% Off” offer, but in order to get the offer they must be signed up/registered on the app before September 15 – 11:59 PM.
Wayback Burgers: Buy one, get one free Classic Burger via the brand’s mobile app on September 18, 2022. Limited to one per app account.
Wendy’s: (1) Offering a Free Dave’s Single with purchase in-app from September 15 through September 21 – in the Wendy’s app. (2) Buy one premium sandwich, get one for $1 exclusively via the Wendy’s app under the “Offers” tab.
