If you love cheeseburgers, then you have a special day to celebrate. The 18th of September marks International Cheeseburger Day! 

Who invented the cheeseburger? Apparently, it was created in 1924 by a 16-year-old chef named Lionel Sternberger. As the story goes, a homeless man dining at Sternberger’s restaurant in Pasadena, California, suggested the addition of a slice of cheese to his hamburger order. Sternberger slapped a slice of cheese on the hamburger which satisfied the man. The idea caught on and was eventually added it to the menu. The rest is history.

To celebrate Cheeseburger Day we bring you the ultimate Cheeseburger recipe and some wine suggestions to wash it all down with.

Ingredients

Meat Mixture:
1.5 lb of Lean Ground Beef / Lamb / Ostrich
½ Small White Sweet Onion, Small Diced
½ Cup of Cilantro, Chopped
4 Cloves of Garlic, Minced
2 Tablespoon of Oyster Sauce
1 Tablespoon of Worcestershire Sauce
2 Teaspoon of Soy Sauce (Low Sodium)
2 Teaspoon of Hot Chili Sauce
¼ Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
¼ Teaspoon Garlic Salt
Cheddar Cheese, 4 Slices (or favorite cheese)
1 package of Hamburger Buns

Condiments: (Recommended but Optional)
1 Avocado, Sliced
1 Tomato, Washed and sliced
1 Small Red Onion, Sliced
4 lettuce Leafs

Instructions

• Preheat Grill.
• Combined all the meat ingredients into a bowl and mix with your hands until ingredients are evening blended together.
• Divide the meat into four equal parts and form patties with your hands.
• Place each patty onto the grill and cook to desired temperature (it’s recommended to cook meat all the way through).
• Meanwhile wash and slice your favorite condiments such as avocado, tomato and red onion and set them aside.
• Place the sliced cheese on top of each patty about 2 minutes before they are cooked while also placing the buns on top of the grill to heat up the bread.
• Compile burger and enjoy with potato chips and salad.

Wine Pairing

The type of meat determines the best wine match but you also have to take the cheese into consideration.

Beef Burgers – For red wine we suggest you try a Zinfandel. For white wine go for a chardonnay.

Lamb Burgers – Shiraz works great with lamb. Any white blend will work with the lamb.

Ostrich – Go for a Pinot Noir or a Pinot Grigio.