The fast-food world has its origins back in 1921, America, and today, it is the favorite go-to meal for millions of people worldwide. From chicken fingers to french fries, burritos, tacos, burgers, pizza, or onion rings, these addictive foods are part of our “guilty pleasure.”
However, there are still some discussions concerning the origins and meanings of the fast-food names. For instance, the internet is still wondering if a ‘beefburger’ is the same as a ‘hamburger’ and, if not, what are the differences.
I am sure that both these mouthwatering fast food recipes are not only on my favorite food-list, too. Therefore, let’s discover how they are related or if they mean the same thing.
Beefburger and Hamburger. Name Etymology
I started my research to find the differences or similarities between a beefburger and a hamburger from these dishes’ names. But first, let me disappoint you and spoil the verdict: the differences are little, and it is a matter of lexis.
The term ‘hamburger‘ (1), at least in North America, means the very exact thing as the beefburger.
However, elsewhere in the English-speaking countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom, the term hamburger is part of the sandwich etymology. At the same time, beefburger refers to a burger with a specific type of meat. In simpler words:
- A hamburger or simply burger is a generic term, consisting of a hot sandwich, with a cooked beef/chicken/pork/lamb or vegetarian ground, perfectly arranged in a sliced bun.
Hamburgers can also contain different spices, salads, vegetables, or both of them. The hamburger is also called this way because of its history, which originated in Hamburg.
- A beefburger refers to a specific type of burger, made only with beef meat, and seasoned with different kinds of sauces, vegetables, and sometimes cheese.
Key Difference
Thus, yes, the main difference between beefburger and hamburger is the actual filling.
Let’s recap!
So, a hamburger is a burger that consists of a cooked patty of ground meat, such as chicken, beef, pork, or vegetarian-made. On the other hand, the beefburger has only beef and vegetables between the bread buns. As such, the filling of these burgers gives their names.
Origins of Hamburger
As mentioned above, the “burger” is actually the American version of the “hamburger” nickname. However, the hamburger (2), as we know it, started off as a Hamburg steak during the late 19th century.
Due to German immigrants’ courtesy, we now can eat such tasty fast food. These immigrants brought and incorporated in their dietary habits the pounded beef. In a very short time, hamburgers became a popular entree.
Eventually, the blue-collar Americans made hamburgers more tasty by slapping the pounded beef steak between two slices of bread. Doing so, it became a meal much more comfortable to eat. What followed was the evolution from regular ground beef to patties.
However, there is still a debate whether White Castle was or wasn’t the very first to create a whole menu and fast-food chain around this famous fast-food from the early 1920s.
What we do know is that the famous McDonald’s (3) was the one who helped introduce hamburger culture among millions of Americans during and World War II and later too.
Beefburgers vs. Hamburger Recipes
- Hamburgers
When it comes to hamburgers today, we have fish burgers, turkey burgers, pork burgers, veal burgers. We even have vegetarian burgers, with mushroom or lentil fillings. We serve them into a broad flush of rampant variety but mostly using fluffy buns.
Hamburgers are also burgers at their origins, but we use the “hamburger” word in the context of a filling that consists of a type of meat. Therefore, the filling in a hamburger can be made of:
- Pork
- Turkey
- Chicken
- Beef
- Veggies
The buns used for preparing hamburgers do not have a flat surface, like other burgers, but actually a round shape. The bun is nicely sliced into two equal parts, followed by the filling inside.
Now, the original recipe for hamburgers has the filling made of meat. After putting the meat filling above the lower part of the bun, you can add:
- Tomatoes
- Chilli
- Mayonnaise
- Onion rings
- Cheddar cheese
- Blue cheese
- Ketchup
- Etc
It all depends on the taste you are looking for. After setting the fillings nicely, cover everything with the bun’s upper portion to create a unitary dish called a burger. The recipes of hamburgers are different, and this is the beauty of this fast-food – the easy customization.
No wonder why hamburgers increased in popularity so rapidly. It is all due to the multiple fillings inside, as well as the delicious buns, with or without seeds toppings.
Personal opinion: I do think that gourmet burgers should come with buns that are free of any kind of seeds on top. Just a nice melted butter wash should do the trick.
- Beefburgers
As discussed in the etymology section, beefburgers are those types of hamburgers that contain a beef patty. Once the beef patty is nicely cooked, whether medium or well-made, you can start adding your favorite toppings, such as:
- Salt and pepper
- Layers of greens and fresh garden tomatoes
- Diced and cooked onion
- Mayonnaise
- Garlic sauce
- Jalapeno
- Etc
The extra fillings can be anything cooked or raw vegetables, cheese, and any kind of sauce you fancy. Just think about your favorite ingredients and start creating your signature beefburger.
The bun will be the same round one, with a fluffy texture, that will nicely absorb the ingredients’ savory without getting “wet.” You can experiment with the beefburger recipes. However, I recommend you to stay as classic as possible, so you can enjoy the juicy beef meat.
Attention!
In order to make a juicy, nice beefburger, it is crucial to have fresh meat. The meat should not be overcooked and eating semi raw meat that is not 100% is not good for your health. We also recommend you add simple ingredients, so the beef can be the star of your burger.
Personal opinion: For an even more intense experience, try making smashed beefburgers.
Last Thoughts
People love both beefburgers and hamburgers. The similarities are multiple. Let’s face it. Rather than the actual meat, there are no actual differences.
And the truth is that these two fast-food dishes have increased in popularity due to the multiple fillings, the juicy meat, and the fluffy buns. One can start experimenting with the ingredients and the fillings inside the bun. It is just a matter of taste.
For sure, these fast foods are easy to make, simple, and always available in restaurants. Furthermore, they do not need serving on a plate, which makes them easy to grab at work, picnics, or vacation.