Is a Burger a Sandwich

This great debate of whether or not a burger is classified as a sandwich or if it is a matter of opinion needs to be settled once and for all. Technically speaking a hamburger is meat in between two pieces of bread.

The definition of a sandwich in the Webster dictionary is “Two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in-between“. With that being said a burger is definitely a sandwich.

What is a burger

Burgers, also called hamburgers, are a classic American BBQ “sandwich”. It is a patty made of ground meat, typically ground beef that is served in a bun. Want to know how to grill the perfect burger? I have a post on how to grill burgers.

Cheeseburgers are the same as burgers just with cheese melted on top of the patty. You can add all kinds of condiments and toppings to dress a burger.

Common toppings for a burger are lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and pickles. Some like to spice it up and add sauteed mushrooms and onions, bacon, avocado, or over-easy eggs. You can add whatever you want.

Most people put mayo or ketchup on a hamburger but you can use all kinds of condiments. BBQ sauce, aioli, mustard, avocado mayo, ranch dressing, or whatever you think would taste good.

You can also switch up what kind of bun you use. I have a post on just that. Check out Best buns for burgers.

Most popular burger toppings

• Iceburg lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Red onions
• Pickles
• Mayo
• Kethcup
• Yellow mustard
• Cheese (Cheddar or American)

What is a sandwich

A sandwich is two pieces of sliced bread with meat and toppings in between. There are many different varieties of sandwiches such as the classic PB&J (Peanut butter and jelly), paninis, subs, melts, or wraps.

It is endless what kinds of different sandwiches you can make. Sliced meats like ham, turkey, roasted beef, or pastrami. Or you can go the salad route and have egg salad, tuna salad, or chicken salad. Check out my amazing Chicken salad recipe without celery.

Toppings that are popular on sandwiches are lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, (notice the similarities to burgers) mayo, or mustard.

Burger vs. sandwich

You can call anything a sandwich that has two slices of bread and fillings inside of it. Hamburgers are served on a bun with toppings and topped with a bun.

So that would be the same thing as two pieces of bread and meat in between, right? That is what a sandwich is.

Some may argue that there are distant differences between a burger and a sandwich. One being that sandwiches are on sliced bread which is flat and cut in a vertical direction whereas burgers are on buns which are slice horizontally and they aren’t flat.

Others will use the argument that if you say “Man, I could really go for a burger.” One would not suggest going to a deli to fill your craving.

The opposing side might rebut with what about a hoagie roll? Or a sub roll? Those are considered sandwiches but the bread isn’t flat and it is sliced horizontal.

Then again, isn’t calling a burger the same thing as calling any sandwich by a more specific name like a panini, sub, or a melt?

Conclusion

This is an argument that has been going on for decades. Now it is up to you to decide. I have laid out the information for you to make up your mind on whether or not you consider a burger a sandwich.

I personally think that burgers are their own entity and are an all American classic.

I would love to hear your thoughts and arguments!