Barbecued Hamburger is a nostalgic American comfort dish that harks back to mid-20th century home cooking, often scribbled on recipe cards and mailed between relatives. Popular in the 1950s and 60s, it reflects a time when convenience met homey goodness. This one-pot wonder, combining the rich tang of tomato and Worcestershire sauces with sautéed vegetables, epitomizes backyard barbecues and potlucks. The use of ketchup and vinegar gives it a tangy sweetness, while the vegetables bring texture and freshness. Passed down through generations, it remains a beloved classic that captures the warmth and ingenuity of post-war American kitchens.
Ingredients
- 1 onion (large, chopped)
- 1 green pepper (chopped)
- ¼ cup celery (chopped)
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tsp vinegar
- ½ tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ lemon (juiced)
- 1 lb ground hamburger
- salt (to taste)
- pepper (to taste)
Instructions
Step 1: Prep Vegetables
- Chop the onion, green pepper, and celery.
Step 2: Sauté Vegetables
- In a skillet, fry the chopped onion, green pepper, and celery until just tender.
Step 3: Mix Sauce
- In a bowl, combine the tomato sauce, ketchup, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice.
Step 4: Cook Meat
- In a separate skillet, fry the ground hamburger with salt and pepper until fully cooked.
Step 5: Combine Sauce and Meat
- Bring the sauce mixture to a boil in a pot.
- Add the cooked hamburger to the boiling sauce.
Step 6: Final Touch
- Stir in the sautéed vegetables just before serving.
- Simmer briefly to blend flavors.
Tips
- Add a dash of smoked paprika or liquid smoke for a deeper barbecue flavor.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
- For extra tang, replace half the ketchup with chili sauce.
- Serve over toasted buns or spooned on rice for a vintage-style meal.
- To make it heartier, add diced mushrooms or shredded carrots to the meat.
Transcription of the Original Recipe
Read or copy the transcription
Barbecued Hamburgers. Chop 1 large onion) 1 green pepper (put in ¼ cup celery. } crisper or bag Mix 1 cup tomato sauce ½ cup catsup 2 teaspoons vinegar ½ tablespoon Wor sauce Juice of ½ lemon - Fry 1 lb. hamburger, salt & pepper to taste Bring liquid to a boil, add meat Add vegetables just before serving Serves about 12.
From Transcription to Instructions
Hey there, the original directions are that tight little note that lists chopped onion, green pepper and celery, a mixed tomato‑ketchup sauce, then says "Fry 1 lb. hamburger…Bring liquid to a boil, add meat…Add vegetables just before serving." The instructions take that idea and spell it out into practical steps: sauté the vegetables until just tender and hold them, fry the hamburger separately, bring the sauce to a boil and add the cooked meat, then stir the sautéed veg in just before serving. That way you can follow the order easily and know when each thing goes into the pan.
Nutrition
Calories: 220kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 18gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 520mgPotassium: 480mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 2.2mg
