A hamburger is a popular meal made by placing a grilled ground beef patty inside a bun.Â
There is a lot of disagreement about where the hamburger came from. Wisconsin, Hamburg, Germany, Hamburg, New York, and Athens, Texas, among other places, have made different claims. Regardless, it is quite certain that hamburgers have been around since the late nineteenth century.
Hamburgers are quickly served and easily eaten. This convenience has made them a favorite food for generations of Americans. If you can’t find it at a grocery store, you can get it at diners and fast food places, and you can also buy it at stands at games, beaches, and other outdoor events.
As a burger lover I’ve tried countless types of burgers in my lifetime. From beef to turkey veggie to bison burgers, the variety seems endless. But one burger that always seemed oddly missing from most menus is the ham burger. This got me wondering – are there really burgers made of ham?
The History of Hamburgers
To understand why ham burgers are less common, it helps to look at the history of the hamburger. As many know the name “hamburger” comes from the German city of Hamburg. In the 1700s German sailors who traveled between Hamburg and New York often ate salted minced beef, which they called “Hamburg steak.”
When Germans immigrated to America they brought this Hamburg steak with them. In the late 1800s, restaurants in America started serving the Hamburg steak between two slices of bread – and the hamburger was born.
So despite its name, the traditional hamburger has always been made from beef, not ham. The name refers to the city Hamburg, not the meat.
The Rise of Ham Burgers
While beef has dominated the burger scene, ham burgers have started gaining popularity over the years. Some people prefer the leaner, less greasy taste of ham over beef. The smoky, salty flavor also makes for an interesting burger experience.
Ham burgers are often made with minced ham, rather than slices or chunks. Ground ham has a texture closer to ground beef, making it a better substitute in burgers. Minced ham tends to be saltier but lower in fat and calories compared to beef. It’s also typically cheaper than buying ground beef.
Recipes for Ham Burgers
If you want to try making your own ham burger at home, there are plenty of recipes out there. Here are a few tasty-looking options:
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Minced Ham and Onion Burger – This recipe uses minced or ground ham in place of beef. Lightly seasoned, with sauteed onions for flavor.
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BBQ Ham Burger – Made with diced ham, these burgers are coated in sweet and tangy BBQ sauce. Melted cheddar cheese adds even more flavor.
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Hawaiian Ham Burger – With diced ham, pineapple, swiss cheese and a toasted bun, this burger screams Hawaii.
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Monte Cristo Burger – A unique spin, with sliced ham, swiss cheese and a touch of honey mustard stuffed between French toast slices instead of a bun.
Availability in Restaurants
While you can certainly make ham burgers at home, they are still relatively hard to find in restaurants. Some establishments do offer specialty ham burgers on their menus, but they are not nearly as common as beef burgers.
Chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s focus almost entirely on beef patties. So getting a ham burger requires seeking out local, non-chain restaurants that offer more unique options. There are also some chains like Red Robin that allow customizing burgers with different patty options, including ham.
Why Aren’t They More Popular?
Ham burgers may never achieve the same popularity as classic beef burgers. Here are some of the main reasons they haven’t caught on in restaurants:
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People expect and prefer the heartier beef taste they are used to when ordering a burger.
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Ham patties don’t grill up quite the same way as beef. The texture and cooking process is different.
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Ham prices fluctuate more than beef, making costs unpredictable for restaurants.
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Pre-made frozen ham patties have less supply and availability compared to beef.
So in the end, while ham burgers definitely exist, most customers simply don’t think to order them. And restaurants shy away from an item that is less in demand, harder to work with, and less profitable. The classic beef burger still rules the menus.
How to Order Healthy Burgers
You have limited options if you are eating at a restaurant or ordering take-away. Most burgers are made with ground beef that has enough fat to make it flavorsome. You might not be able to pick leaner meat, but you can always choose a burger with a smaller patty. Look for the childrens menu or a junior burger â these are usually smaller. Avoid mayonnaise-based sauces and toppings like bacon and cheese. If you need additional flavor, look for avocado or guacamole.
The bun is important, too. More than the type of bun, size matters. A large bun can have as much as 37 grams of carbohydrates and 250 calories. If faced with such a monster, avoid eating all of it.
Restaurants often have meal packages. These include a glass or can of soda and french fries with your burger. Such add-ons put a lot of sugars and saturated fats into your meal. If you want to add some variety, look for a fruit salad or vegetable side dish. Â.
What Are Burgers Made Of?
First of all, typical hamburgers contain no ham. The patty is often made from ground beef. If you order a buffalo burger in the U. S. , theres no buffalo in there, either. The patty is made from bison meat, which is generally considered healthier. Other options to make a burger are ground turkey or chicken meat. Vegetarian and vegan options include patties made of potatoes, black beans, or chickpeas.
Most burgers at restaurants or fast food outlets contain beef. The beef is ground and shaped into a patty. This patty is grilled and placed between the halves of a sesame seed bun. The process for making a burger from bison or turkey meat is similar.
Burgers are available in many types and sizes. The nutritional values are different depending on weight and type of ingredients. As an example, a McDonalds hamburger 100-gram portion contains:Â.
- 263 calories
- 13.3 grams protein
- 10.2 grams fat
- 29.6 grams carbohydrates
- 1.8 grams fiber
- 5.95 grams sugar
Burgers are often available, though, with options like a double patty and quarter-pound patties. These will have more calories and other nutritional values. Â.
Though burgers provide protein and other nutrients, theyre not seen as a healthy food option. Thats because theyre high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Theyre also often bundled with sodas and french fries, which contain large amounts of sugar and saturated fats. Â.
Most hamburgers sold in stores have a 4-ounce (120 grams) or 6-ounce (180 grams) patty of ground beef or another meat. Current recommendations are for adults to eat 70 grams or less of red meat a day. Since beef, lamb, mutton, venison, pork, bison, and veal are all red meats, one burger is too much. Â.
The type of meat also affects how healthy your burger is. Most beef available is from corn-fed cows. Even lean cuts of beef have 7 grams or more of fat per 100 grams. Â.
Bison meat is healthier. Lean cuts of bison meat contain less than 2 grams of fat per 100-gram portions.
The accompaniments included with many burgers are significant, too. Sauces made with mayonnaise, cheese and bacon slices, and ketchup with high-fructose corn syrup can make your food a lot higher in calories and fat.
The ancient history of the modern hamburger | Edible Histories Episode 4 | BBC Ideas
FAQ
Are hamburgers made out of ham?
Was there ever ham in hamburgers?
What’s the difference between a burger and a hamburger?
Why is a hamburger made of beef?
Does a burger have Ham?
First of all, typical hamburgers contain no ham. The patty is often made from ground beef. If you order a buffalo burger in the U.S., there’s no buffalo in there, either. The patty is made from bison meat, which is generally considered healthier. Other options to make a burger are ground turkey or chicken meat.
Is there a difference between a hamburger and a ham burger?
There is no difference! While we can’t say for sure why a hamburger is called a hamburger, beef burgers are still called hamburgers, even though there’s no ham in them.
How do you make a ham burger?
Combine minced ham, green pepper, onion, parsley, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl. Blend in beaten egg with hands or a wooden spoon. Divide mixture into 4 portions and shape into burgers. Heat butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat until hot.
Why is it called a hamburger if there’s no ham?
Unraveling the Name’s Origins Why is it called a Hamburger if there’s no ham? Unraveling the Name’s Origins The term “burger” originates from Hamburg, Germany, known for the “Hamburg steak,” a ground beef patty different from today’s burgers. This dish was introduced to America by German immigrants and gradually evolved into the modern hamburger.