The first hamburger as we know it (grilled ground-beef patty on a bun) allegedly was made by Oscar Weber Bilby on July 4, 1891, in Oklahoma Territory. Oscar’s burgers were such a hit that he served them every Fourth of July after that, sometimes to as many as 125 friends and neighbors. Check out these recipes for the best hot dogs and hamburgers the next time you host a cookout.
Recipes for the Best Hot Dogs and Hamburgers:
24-Hour Homemade Buns Recipe
Sautéed Onions and Peppers Recipe
Reuben Dog Topping Recipe
Pimiento Cheese Recipe
Easy Burger Toppings Recipes
Some may quibble about the origin of the hamburger, and the first hot dog on a bun is even harder to pin down, but no one disputes the fact that hamburgers and hot dogs are two of America’s most popular foods. No summer cookout is complete without burgers and dogs on the grill!
Most people have no trouble choosing their favorite patties or hot dogs from among all the meat and vegetarian options. Delicious condiments and toppings are easy to find. Where most hamburgers and hot dogs fall short is in the bun department. As K.C. Compton, Grit’s executive editor, said after her encounter with a commercial hot dog bun, “How do you describe the texture of something completely without texture? Or the flavor of something completely lacking in flavor?”
Once you have a hamburger or hot dog on a homemade bun, there’s no going back. The texture and flavor are vastly superior. Take your cookout to new heights with an easy-to-make dough that can be shaped into hamburger, hot dog, slider or sandwich rolls worthy of any summer celebration.
Hot Dogs and Toppings
Everyone has a favorite hot dog brand, whether pork, beef, chicken, turkey or vegetarian. One popular choice is a reduced-fat kosher beef frank. You can even get a free-raised uncured veal hot dog these days. For a gathering, grill a variety to suit all tastes.
While purists might insist on mustard only, the list of hot dog toppings is endless. Here are three you might try instead of, or in addition to, the standard mustard, ketchup and relish. Pimiento Cheese is a Southern classic that can transform a mere hot dog (or even a hamburger) into something special. Set up a hot dog bar near the grill and let guests choose from these three toppings as well as all your favorite condiments.
Hamburgers and Toppings
Ground chicken or turkey patties are best when other ingredients are incorporated. If you’re not careful, though, additions can quickly make the patties “meatloaf-y.” So, chop vegetables very finely and use no more than 1 cup of additions to 4 cups (2 pounds) of ground meat.
Ground beef patties benefit from a bread-and-milk paste to help retain moisture. Dice 11?2 large slices high-quality white bread, crusts removed. With a fork, mash bread to a paste with 3 tablespoons milk and 1 teaspoon each salt and coarsely ground black pepper. Mix in 2 pounds lean ground beef. Form into 8 patties.
Offer at least three variations on the basic burger with standard condiments, lettuce, tomato, pickles and onion.
