There are millions of different foods out there to try, but for obvious reasons, people tend to gravitate towards two classic meals: the sandwich and the burger. These two popular foods are simple to make, delicious to eat, and can be made from just about anything.
The question running through everyone’s mind is whether or not there’s actually a difference between a burger and a sandwich, so we’re going to answer that very question today. Keep reading to discover the undeniable differences between these two timeless meals.
What is the Difference?
By definition, a sandwich is made of two slices of bread and is filled with meat, cheese, and at times, veggies. While most people think sandwiches have been around since the beginning of time, the term wasn’t adopted until the 18th century by Montague, the 4th earl of Sandwich. The earl may not have known what he was doing at the time, but he set a stone in motion that has been gathering speed ever since.
Because of how easy sandwiches are to make they’re a staple in most homes, restaurants, and bars. The great thing about sandwiches is that they can be made with just about any time of meat, cheese, or condiment. They’re completely customizable, filling, and a lot of the time, relatively nutritious.
Now that you have an understanding of sandwiches, we can talk about how they differ from burgers.
Cooking Requirements
A sandwich usually needs little to no cooking, while a burger must be cooked in order for it to be safely eaten. Of course, you can make a hot sandwich, but it’s not exactly necessary like it is with a burger.
Appearance
It goes without saying that sandwiches usually come on two slices of bread and a hamburger comes on a bun. But just because they typically look this way doesn’t mean that that’s the only way they are allowed to look. Sandwiches can come on wraps, submarine rolls, or kaiser rolls. Burgers are pretty versatile, as well. Some people enjoy their burger on pita bread, while others prefer the classic sesame seed bun.
Obviously, there are plenty of ways that sandwiches and burgers can be eaten. It all depends on your own personal preference as to what your sandwich or burger looks like. If you’re the type of person who eats either of these foods on a regular basis, then there’s a good chance that you’re looking for some new recipes to try.
Crispy Chicken Katsu Sandwich
Ingredients:
1 cup panko
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 lb boneless/skinless chicken breast
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 large egg
I tbsp water
¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ English cucumber
2 tomatoes
Unsalted butter
4 pieces of toast
Lettuce leaves
Garlic Tonkatsu:
1 head garlic
1-2 tbsp Tonkatsu
1-2 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise
- Gather all of the ingredients
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Set a rack in the middle position.
- Let’s start with the Garlic Tonkatsu Sauce. Using your fingers, peel away the loose outer layers of the garlic. Trim about ¼ inch off the head of garlic. Drizzles approximately 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil over the exposed part of the garlic. Allow the oil to sink into the cloves.
- Wrap the garlic in aluminum foil. Roast in the oven for 40 minutes. When the center of the clove is completely soft, it’s all done. Leave it in the over for a little bit longer for the caramelized flavor to really pop.
- In a frying pan, combine one cup panko and 1 tbsp olive oil. Toast over medium heat until it’s golden brown. Make sure that you’re careful so as not to break up the panko pieces with your spatula. You can achieve this by shaking the frying pan with your hand instead of stirring with the spatula.
- When the panko has reached a nice golden color, transfer it to a bowl for it to cool.
- Butterfly the chicken breast. Place the edge of the knife parallel to the cutting board and cut the length of the side of the chicken breast. Carefully slice the breast in half widthwise almost to the edge. Open the breast along the fold. Using salt and pepper, season the chicken.
- Crack the egg into a medium bowl. Add 1 tbsp water. Whisk to combine.
- Put ¼ cup of flour in a bowl. Dredge the chicken in flour and shake off all of the excess flour. Dip in the egg mixture.
- Dredge the chicken in the toasted panko. Place it onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake the chicken at 400 degrees for 40 minutes.
- When the garlic is done, let it cool a bit and press the bottom of the clove to push it out of the aluminum foil. Put all the roasted cloves into a bowl. Mash with a fork.
- Add 1-2 tbsp of Tonkatsu Sauce and 1-2 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise. Mix together.
- Slice the cucumber and tomato into thin slices.
- Toast your bread and spread the butter. Put lettuce and the chicken katsu on top. Spread your garlic tonkatsu sauce on top of the chicken.
- Put the cucumber, tomato and another piece of toast on top. Cut the sandwich in half and serve.
Coffee Rubbed Burgers with Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce
Ingredients:
Coffee Rub Seasoning Mix:
1.5 tbsp ground coffee
½ tbsp salt
½ tbsp paprika
½ tbsp brown sugar
½ tbsp pepper
½ tbsp onion powder
1.2 tbsp garlic powder
¼ tbsp coriander
Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce:
2 tbsp butter
½ yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, roughly minced
½ cup ketchup
1 ½ tbsp tomato paste
6 oz Dr. Pepper
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
2 ½ tbsp Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup brown sugar, packed
1 tsp ancho chile powder
½ tsp sale
¼ tsp pepper
3 tbsp brewed coffee
Burgers:
2 lbs Angus ground beef 85/15
2 tbsp Dr Pepper BBQ sauce
Salt and pepper
Pretzel buns
Arugula lettuce
8 slices peppered bacon
2 tbsp butter
- Combine coffee rub seasoning mix ingredients in a small bowl. Mix with a fork and set to the side.
- Using a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and saute. Continue to cook until they’re soft and translucent. Takes 8-10 minutes.
- Add remaining sauce ingredients. Stir to combine. Bring the ingredients to a low boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Keep it on the heat until the sauce has thickened.
- Pour the sauce into a blender and puree. Set aside to cool.
- Put the ground beef, salt, pepper, and 2 tbsp bbq sauce into a bowl. Using your hands, mix the ingredients together. Divide into four equal sections. Each burger should be a ½ pound.
- Rub coffee rub seasoning mix over both sides of each burger.
- Using a large skillet, heat up some butter over med-high heat. Toast the pretzel buns. Remove from the pan to cool.
- Add 1 tbsp butter to the skillet and add burgers. Cook for approximately 4-5 minutes per side. Cook until the burger is cooked to your likeness.
- Spread the BBQ sauce over both sides of the pretzel bun. Add a layer of arugula, the burger, peppered bacon, and then finally, the top bun.
As you can see, there are a few differences when it comes to burgers and sandwiches, but they have a few things in common, as well. They’re both delicious. They’re both completely customizable. And they both make life a little more enjoyable for everyone. Why don’t you try one of these new recipes, or better yet, start looking for new recipes to share with your family on your own?
Resources:
- https://gbymikeisabella.com/sandwich-vs-burger/
- https://foodsguy.com/burger-vs-sandwich/
- https://bestofculinary.com/burger-vs-sandwich/
- http://www.differencebetween.info/difference-between-burger-and-sandwich
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