HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL BURGER DAY

Since the hamburger became popular in the early 19th century, people have enjoyed the deep comfort and satisfaction of a ground beef patty (and optional toppings) lovingly placed between two buns. The humble burger has long been a staple for barbecues, special occasions, and random Tuesdays when you just need a pick-me-up — so why not celebrate it with the gusto it deserves? National Burger Day gives Americans the chance to say, “Hey, hamburgers, we appreciate you!”

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WHEN IS NATIONAL BURGER DAY?

There’s no real consensus about when the first National Hamburger Day happened, but we do know that it occurs on May 28 every year—and the month of May itself happens to be National Hamburger Month.

In 2023, National Burger Day is on a Sunday, and in 2024, the Day of Burgs lands on a Tuesday.

And just for the record: National Burger Day shouldn’t be confused with National Cheeseburger Day, which is a separate (but still important) occasion that occurs every September 18.

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THE HISTORY OF THE HAMBURGER

We don’t know who created the first hamburger—or where—and it’s still a pretty contentious issue today. The Hamburger Hall of Fame is located in Seymour, Wisconsin, which claims itself as the Home of the Hamburger, although New Haven, Connecticut, Buffalo, New York, and Athens, Texas make their own claims as the birthplace of the burger.

One thing food historians do agree on is the name: The hamburger we know and love got its name from Hamburg steaks in Germany, made with minced beef from Hamburg cows that was combined with spices, formed into patties, cooked, and served up hot ‘n’ tasty (sans buns.)

German immigrants eventually brought their hamburger steaks to America, and by the 1930s, it was common to serve them between two buns as a sandwich, making it easier for factory workers to eat while standing.‍

Over time, “hamburger” was shortened to just “burger”—and while they were briefly known as “liberty sandwiches” in World War I (a way to create distance from the burger’s German roots), burgers have maintained their name and their royalty status in the American diet.

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WHAT TO DO ON NATIONAL BURGER DAY

The good news: There’s no wrong way to celebrate National Burger Day! The obvious activity is to eat at your favorite burger place, but you can show your burger love and celebrate the occasion in a ton of other ways. Here are just a few.

GOURMET YOUR OWN BURGER AT HOME

Nothing beats building a burg that you can call your own. Thankfully, the world has about as many burger recipes as there are stars in the sky, so you can try any combination of meat/non-meat, spices, and toppings you could possibly dream of—add and adjust spices and toppings as you go to suit your exact tastes. Some tasty fixin’s you can pile on include:

• Avocado
• Bacon
• Peanut butter
• Blue cheese
• Onion rings
• Mushrooms
• Tasty sauces, like barbecue and aioli

If meat isn’t your thing, try a Beyond Meat burger, or whip up a mess of homemade gourmet vegan patties that incorporate mushrooms, corn, tofu, garbanzo beans, lentils—or any combination of these.

To help you narrow down your choices, we’ve put together a full guide to crafting your own homemade gourmet burger, so try it out this National Hamburger Day!

HOST A BURGER COOK-OFF

If you’re going the homemade burger route, why not invite some friends and make it a fun competition? We all have our own interpretations of what makes (and breaks) a great burger, so get out the portable grills or skillets, elect some judges, and let the burgering begin!

Give participants 30 minutes to make their version of the ultimate burger, and let the judges taste each creation and decide which burger is the best. Include prizes for other superlative categories, like “Most Ambitious Burger” or “Sauciest Burger.” End the celebration with a communal tasting of all the contest entries.

MAKE NEW BURGER BUDDIES ON YOUR BLOCK

Why not make National Burger Day an occasion for building connections and making new friends? Burgers are a ubiquitous common ground that can help you break the ice easily—so host a block party to get to know your neighbors and local community. It’ll take a little planning, but sometimes the only excuse you need to get some strangers together is good burgers, great tunes, and refreshing libations.

Intensify those good vibes by giving back in a way that helps the community—a canned food drive, a neighborhood trash pick-up, or a fundraiser for a local cause or charity of your choosing. Burgers and good deeds go hand in hand!

VISIT YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL BURGER JOINT

Last but not least, if you don’t feel like cooking, stop by your local Hopdoddy burger joint for a hassle-free meal. At Hopdoddy, we’re marking the occasion of National Burger Day by serving what we call the Ultimate—an epic burger that incorporates an ingredient from every other burger on our menu. But it’s only available for a limited time, so stop by on National Burger Day to try it out!

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A BOUNTIFUL BURGER DAY GIVEAWAY

Start your National Burger Day off right by visiting us at any of our locations in Texas, Arizona, California, Colorado, or Tennessee to enjoy a bodacious burger made with unique and quality ingredients. Keep your eyes peeled on our socials for specials, giveaways, and other surprises that will help you appreciate burgers in all their delicious, delightful glory.