Every year on September 18th, hamburger fans celebrate National Cheeseburger Day, to pay homage to one of the most iconic American foods. No matter how you top it, anytime you make the extra effort to prepare a scratch burger from home, using Florida Raise grass-fed ground beef, you are making a choice to eat healthier (and save money too).
About 70% of all ground beef sales in grocery stores and to the commercial market, go to creating amazing burgers that everyone enjoys eating. Hamburgers are a fast, economical and satisfying meal to create at home, on the grill, or when you are outdoors and want to enjoy a classic meal with family and friends.
What is behind National Cheeseburger Day? For burger fans, we’re going to share some interesting ideas, and links to some extraordinary homemade burger recipes that you can try at home. Because nothing tastes better than home raised beef from the State of Florida, cooked at home on your grill.
The History of National Cheeseburger Day
While the actual invention of the first historical burger goes all the way back to the Mongolian Army and Genghis Khan (1167 to 1227), the origin of the first real cheeseburger in America is still hotly debated by burger historians and fans.
One version suggests that a man named Lionel Sternberger (good name for a burger inventor), invented the cheeseburger in 1926 while he was working at his Father’s restaurant in Pasadena California. The sandwich shop was called “The Rite Spot”. While he was moving ingredients around a hot grill, he accidentally dropped a slice of cheese on a cooking patty, and to his surprise, it was a winning combination that they started to serve hungry customers thereafter.
One of the earliest examples of a cheeseburger being added as a menu option was credited to O’Dell’s, which was a Los Angeles California restaurant. In 1928 O’Dell’s served their cheeseburger with a new and at the time, unthinkable topping… hot chili. The cost of the chili cheeseburger would set back patrons 25 cents.
By 1935 innovators at the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In actually registered a trademark for the name “cheeseburger”, which was appointed to Louis Ballast, the owner. Another business owner Gus Belt, the founder of the famous “Steak n’ Shake’ restaurant also applied for a trademark of the word “cheeseburger” in the early 1930’s.
So, if you are trying to figure out which American cook gets the credit for creating the first true all-American cheeseburger, good luck. But what we do know is that today, more than 50 billion burgers are sold every year in the United States, and that internationally it is recognized as a truly iconic American food.
Free Burgers on National Cheeseburger Day? Check Your Local News Outlets
One of the really great things about National Cheeseburger Day is that large fast-food franchises get in on the action. Many burger chains offer significant discounts on burgers (and some even provide a free burger) to celebrate the official (but unofficial) holiday.
So, if you are working on September 18th, you can enjoy a great burger for lunch and then head home to celebrate with your family, by creating an amazing scratch burger in your own kitchen. Two burger meals in one day? Why not! It’s all about celebrating for serious burger fans.
Get Creative at Home During National Cheeseburger Day
Mix the burger, add seasonings and then grill and serve? You could do that, but there are so many unique flavor combinations that you can create at home with Florida Raised premium grass-fed beef. Whenever you choose our ground beef (available now at Publix grocery stores), not only are you selecting antibiotic and hormone free goodness, but you are also supporting our Florida Ranchers, and beef industry.
There are many reasons to feel good, about adding Florida Raised beef to your grocery cart. Try some of these cheesy, crowd pleasing burger recipes at home.
1. Taco Burgers
Aside from the humble cheeseburger, Americans are huge fans of Mexican flavors. So, if you can’t decide whether you want to have tacos or burgers, you shouldn’t have to. This recipe combines all the great flavors of both, for a unique and fresh take on the humble cheeseburger.
Source: Web 2018 Taste and Tell
2. The Canyon Creek Burger
This burger recipe (according to the food blogger) was inspired by the Ted’s Montana Grill, located in Denver Colorado. The Canyon Creek Burger is a little bit of sweet, a little bit of spicy and a whole lot of awesome, and easy to make at home with just a few ingredients, including our premium Florida Raised grass-fed ground beef.
Source: Web 2018 Iowa Girl Eats
3. Bobby Flay’s Classic Burger Recipe
We’re going to be honest with you, we’re huge fans of Bobby Flay (even though he’s from New York and not from Florida). But it’s hard to beat some of the flavor combinations the celebrity Chef comes up with.
On many YouTube videos hosted by Bobby Flay, he explains why the hamburger is one of his all-time favorite foods; we’ve tried this recipe with our Florida Raised grass-fed ground beef, and it was amazing, so we’re going to recommend it to you too.
Source: Web 2018 Food Network
4. Umami Burgers with Port and Stilton
Salivating yet? The rich flavors of both the Stilton cheese and Port make this grown-up burger recipe classy and full of flavor in every bite. In fact, the recipe is so unique and fancy, Food & Wine magazine suggests serving it on the Cadillac of burger buns; right between succulent brioche.
Don’t worry too much about the heat provided by the umami dust in this recipe. It’s just a sprinkling on top of the cooked patty, that brings a little extra special spice to the unique recipe.
Source: Web 2018 Food and Wine
Watch for some upcoming blog posts about cooking instructions and more delicious recipe ideas for hamburgers and other versatile and healthy meal options, using Florida Raised grass-fed ground beef. Because healthy cooking starts at home.