08/23/2026
Ground beef was introduced to Americans in the mid 1800’s.
First came the hamburger steak, and Salisbury steak.
But in 1904, at the World’s Fair in St. Louis, came the first idea of using ground beef “on the go” as it was sold as a patty between two slices of bread. The world changed as Americans embraced the idea of consuming beef both as a plated meal, but also ground as a way for a quick meal “on the go.”
American infatuation grew rapidly. In 1921, the hamburger was officially recognized as the name of the sandwich which consisted of ground beef made into a patty, and consumed with bread.
Widespread use of ground beef in meals continued to grow. In 1971, Hamburger Helper hit store shelves, again revolutionizing the thoughts behind food prep and time involved with feeding a family. Fast food eating establishments continued to grow in vast numbers, and the family budget grew to include dedicated dollars for eating out.
In 2026 ground beef stands at the top of the list of preferred purchases made by American consumers. Ground beef, alone stands for nearly 50% of the beef purchased by a family in a calendar year. Consumers cite value AND ease of use for reasoning in choosing ground beef above other cuts.
One pound of ground beef contains approximately 1,200 calories and 65 grams of protein.
Throw in a wee bit of fiber and healthy carbohydrates, and you can satisfy one human’s daily requirement for nutrients.
I guess it’s easy to see why ground beef is a favorite subject for Americans, and why discussion of it, the health, the price, and who benefits from the sale of it, brings out a lot of passion, opinions, and politics.
What’s a pound of ground beef cost at your local store?
