Americans Celebrate Love of Beef on National Hamburger Day

As the authority on beef, the Beef Checkoff's BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com continues to be Americans' go-to source for top burger ideas. To further inspire ahead of National Hamburger Day this Sunday, the Beef Checkoff revealed its top ten most-searched-for burger recipes, with Lean Mean Cheeseburger, Ranch Burgers, Caribbean Beef Burgers with Mango Salsa,  Cheesy Jalapeno Pepper-Stuffed Burgers, Carolina Barbecue Burgers, Classic Beef Cheeseburgers, Maple-Bacon Beer Burger, Barbecue Chipotle Burgers, Thai Burger and Zesty BBQ Cheeseburgers taking top billings.

"Americans' love affair with burgers continues, as they say they're twice as likely to visit a grocery store that's promoting beef for grilling, over a store that promotes any other protein," said Dave Zino, Executive Chef at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. "As a high-quality protein packed with 10 essential nutrients, a sizzling, juicy burger is a satisfying meal like no other – perfect for Memorial Day entertaining and experimenting with new flavors."

The Beef Checkoff is also rolling out its new Beef 101: Burger Bar video. Perfect for those hosting at home but craving global flavors, the video takes viewers on a "Tour de Burger," curing foodie wanderlust one bite at a time. The video features burger recipes from around the world – from a burger inspired by southern barbeques to a burger fit for the Greek islands to one that borrows flavors from an Italian summer staple, the Caprese salad.   

With so many culinary twists on the classic, burgers have taken on countless shapes, sizes and toppings over the years since the original burger began its rise to stardom. The origin of the term 'burger' dates back to the 1880s in Hamburg, Germany, where locals ground up beef steak and formed it into patties they called a "Hamburg Steak." German immigrants then brought Hamburg Steak to the United States where Americans placed it between two pieces of bread to form the first hamburger. Though the exact origin of the hamburger continues to be debated, one thing is certain: the first burger was indeed beef – and the hamburger continues to be an American all-time favorite.

For cooking tips, information and more creative takes on Americans' beloved burger, visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.

About the Beef Checkoff
The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.

About NCBA, a Contractor to the Beef Checkoff
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) is a contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program. The Beef Checkoff Program is administered by the Cattlemen's Beef Board, with oversight provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Media Contact:
Hillary Makens
Director of Media Relations
National Cattlemen's Beef Association
Direct: 303-850-3383

SOURCE National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff