The Hamburger Started Where?

For #NationalHamburgerDay, we wanted to show some appreciation to the creators of the dish we have devoured on too many campouts to mention.

So who created the hamburger?

Short answer: The hamburger’s origins are up for debate!

Full scoop: Check out this video from NowThis to see who claims to have started serving up burgers first.

The Hamburger’s Roots Probably Start With the Mongols

If you watched the video above, you know about all the debate around who made burgers a “thing” in the U.S. But at least a little credit for the cookout classic probably goes to the Mongolian cavalry of the 13th century.

According to National Geographic, these guys kept meat under their saddles. While they rode on horseback, their saddles not only kept meat in place for future consumption. They also tenderized the stuff.

This little morsel of meat history led to steak tatare and steak in the “Hamburg” style as Mongolian cavalry moved west.