The History of the Humble All-American Burger

While American’s may not have invented the iconic burger, we’d like to think that culturally, we perfected it.  Have you ever wondered who came up with the idea to grill a ground beef patty, and stack it with delicious condiments and toppings? 

In the United States, more than 50 million hamburgers are consumed annually, or the equivalent of three burgers per person, per week.  Hamburgers also account for 40% of all commercially sold sandwiches, making it the most popular type of satisfying and convenient meal, for American consumers. For the love of burgers, we’re pleased to share a brief history of the hamburger for our Sizzle King burger fans.

Military Food Served by Genghis Khan

Historically, there are many reasons why Genghis Khan is notable, but did you know that technically, he also invented the hamburger?  It’s true!  Genghis Khan lived from 1167 – 1227, and was the Emperor of a vast army, called the “Golden Horde”.   His army was Calvary-based (horseback), and the soldiers spent more than 80% of their time in the saddle, which left very little time for them to stop, build a fire and cook their meals. An entire village of ‘helpers’ would follow behind the Genghis Khan army, with flocks of livestock to sustain the troops.   The Calvary needed food that was nutritious, protein based for good health, and convenient to eat with one hand while they rode.

The army cooks used scraps of meat and formed them into flat patties. The meat was further tenderized by being placed under the saddles of the horses, while they road, air dried, and then eaten raw. In 1238 when the grandson of Genghis Khan (Khubilai Khan) invaded Moscow Russia, the recipe for their military ground meat was introduced to Russian cuisine and became the recipe for Steak Tartare.

The Hamburg Steak

In the 18th century, Germany was the hub of imports and exports for Europe, with fleets of ships traveling from Hamburg, to ports in New York City.   The ‘Hamburg steak’ was made from shredded beef, with regional spices, and it was the mainstay of protein for meals among the working class.    

On ships travelling with goods, meals had to be nutritious and easy.  Placing the Hamburg steak between two slices of bread, was a method of preparing a portable meal for sailors, and an effective way to prevent the natural oils of the hamburger from hitting the ground.  Nobody wanted a slipper ship deck, and the bread helped keep the sailors feeling full and satisfied.

The convenience and short cooking time for the Hamburg steak, and affordability made it very popular, and it caught on quickly around the world.  Today, the humble hamburger is still one of the fastest and most affordable meals for families, and the ideal food for cookouts, and feeding a large crowd.