Cheeseburger
A hamburger topped with melted cheese, often with lettuce, tomato and condiments
A cheeseburger is a hamburger with a slice of cheese melted on the beef patty, usually added near the end of cooking. Originating in the United States, it is commonly served hot in restaurants and fast food outlets, often with toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, and various condiments. Cheeseburgers are eaten as a main meal and come in many regional and modern variations.
- Cheese is melted on the patty near the end of cooking
- American cheese is the most common, but many cheeses are used
- Double and triple cheeseburgers stack patties and cheese
- The Jucy Lucy has cheese inside the patty
- National Cheeseburger Day is celebrated on September 18
What is Cheeseburger?
A cheeseburger is a sandwich made by placing a slice of cheese on a cooked beef patty, which sits inside a sliced bun. The cheese is usually melted by adding it near the end of cooking. While American cheese is most common, other meltable cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, or mozzarella are also used. Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, bacon, and a range of condiments such as ketchup and mustard are typical additions. The cheeseburger is widely found in restaurants and fast food outlets, and can be made with one or more patties and slices of cheese.
Where does Cheeseburger come from?
The cheeseburger began in the United States in the 1920s, when cheese was first added to hamburgers. Several places claim to have invented it: Lionel Sternberger reportedly put cheese on a burger in Pasadena, California, in 1924. Other early claims come from Louisville, Kentucky, and Denver, Colorado, where the name 'cheeseburger' was trademarked in the 1930s. The dish grew popular alongside the rise of beef consumption in America, and soon became a staple in diners and fast food chains.
How is Cheeseburger made?
To make a cheeseburger, a ground beef patty is shaped and cooked, usually by grilling or frying. A slice of cheese is placed on top of the patty just before it finishes cooking, allowing it to melt. The patty and cheese are then placed inside a sliced bun. Common toppings include lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and sometimes bacon or avocado. Condiments like ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise are often added. Some versions have multiple patties and cheese slices, or the cheese may be stuffed inside the meat.
How and when is Cheeseburger eaten?
Cheeseburgers are eaten hot, most often for lunch or dinner. They are served in restaurants, diners, and fast food outlets across the United States. The sandwich is usually eaten by hand and may come with sides like fries or a soft drink. There is no set way to eat a cheeseburger, and toppings can be customized to taste. It is a common choice for a quick meal, both at home and when dining out.
Kinds of Cheeseburger
Regional and modern versions of the cheeseburger include the bacon cheeseburger, which adds bacon, and the Jucy Lucy, where cheese is stuffed inside the patty. Double and triple cheeseburgers stack multiple patties and cheese slices. The steamed cheeseburger, found mainly in central Connecticut, steams both the patty and cheese. Toppings and cheeses vary widely, with some versions adding chili, mushrooms, or avocado.
What Cheeseburger means
The cheeseburger is an iconic American food, widely available and deeply associated with fast food culture. It has inspired records, such as the world's largest cheeseburger, weighing over 2,000 pounds. The United States celebrates National Cheeseburger Day every September 18. The dish is part of everyday life and is recognized as a symbol of American casual dining.
Questions people ask about Cheeseburger
What is a cheeseburger made of?
A cheeseburger is made with a cooked ground beef patty, a slice of cheese melted on top, and a bun. Common toppings include lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, bacon, and condiments like ketchup and mustard.
Where did the cheeseburger come from?
The cheeseburger originated in the United States in the 1920s. Several cities, including Pasadena, Louisville, and Denver, have claimed to be its birthplace.
What kind of cheese is used on a cheeseburger?
American cheese is most often used, especially in fast food, but cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, blue cheese, and pepper jack are also common.
Are there different types of cheeseburgers?
Yes, variations include double and triple cheeseburgers with multiple patties, the bacon cheeseburger, the Jucy Lucy with cheese inside the patty, and the steamed cheeseburger from Connecticut.
When is a cheeseburger usually eaten?
Cheeseburgers are typically eaten hot for lunch or dinner, often in restaurants, diners, or fast food outlets.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Cheeseburger", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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