Burgers' Smokehouse: Legacy of Flavor & Innovation

Burgers’ Smokehouse has been delighting taste buds for nearly a century, especially during the holidays. What began as a family’s passion for curing country hams has transformed into a national brand synonymous with premium smoked meats and impeccable quality. Today, Burgers’ Smokehouse stands as a beacon of culinary craftsmanship, celebrated for its diverse product line, customer-first philosophy, and innovative approach to food gift-giving.

A Humble Beginning

The story of Burgers’ Smokehouse traces back to 1927, when E.M. Burger started curing hams using traditional methods learned from his family. With little more than a vision and determination, E.M. perfected his craft, and word of the superior taste of Burger’s hams spread. Initially, customers came from surrounding towns, drawn by the promise of a perfectly cured ham.

From Catalog to Nationwide Fame

In the mid-20th century, the Burgers recognized the untapped potential of mail-order sales. By introducing a gift catalog featuring their smoked meats, they tapped into a growing market of customers seeking unique and high-quality food gifts. Their catalog became a hit, particularly during the holiday season, as families across the country sought out Burger’s hams, bacon, and sausages as centerpiece gifts for festive feasts.

The family’s innovative approach to marketing and distribution helped Burgers’ Smokehouse gain a national foothold, well beyond the small town of California, Missouri. The company’s reputation grew as a trusted purveyor of fine meats delivered right to the customer’s doorstep.

Expansion and Diversification

As demand for their products surged, Burgers’ Smokehouse expanded its facilities to accommodate new lines of smoked and cured meats, including turkey, beef, and pork ribs. The business also invested in state-of-the-art meat processing locations, allowing for increased efficiency while maintaining the traditional methods that set them apart.

Burgers’ Smokehouse’s commitment to quality extended to every facet of their operations. They prioritized sourcing local ingredients, adhering to time-tested recipes, and constantly innovating to meet modern tastes. The company now offers everything from artisan bacon to gourmet sausages and complete meal kits, catering to a wide audience with varied palates.

A Legacy of Giving

While their products are the star, Burgers’ Smokehouse has also made a name for itself through exceptional customer service. Whether sending a holiday ham to a loved one or stocking up on weekend grilling essentials, customers trust Burgers’ for consistent quality. Their emphasis on sustainability and community involvement ensures that their legacy is one of care and craftsmanship, not just profit.

Continuing the Tradition

As Burgers’ Smokehouse approaches its centennial, it remains a family-owned business with deep roots in its Missouri community. The blend of tradition and innovation that brought them national fame continues to drive their success. With a growing online presence, expanded product lines, and a steadfast commitment to quality, Burgers’ Smokehouse proves that some flavors never go out of style.

Whether you’re savoring a slice of their signature country ham or discovering their latest smoked delicacy, one thing is clear: Burgers’ Smokehouse has earned its place at America’s table. For more information visit https://www.smokehouse.com/

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Recipes Shared from Burgers' Smokehouse:

Best Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

Ingredients

2 oz. cream cheese

4 oz. pepper jack cheese

2 oz. cheddar cheese

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. cumin

8-10 whole jalapenos

16-20 slices Burgers’ Smokehouse Bacon

Panko bread crumbs (optional)

Instructions

Pull the cream cheese from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put the cream cheese, cheddar, pepper jack, garlic powder, and cumin in a medium-sized mixing bowl and mix to combine ingredients. Set the bowl aside.

Cut the stems off the jalapenos and then cut them down the middle, longways, making sure each half is equal-sized. Seed and devein the jalapenos to hollow out the insides. Repeat with all the jalapenos.

Scoop out a spoonful of the cheese mix and insert it into the hollowed part of the halved jalapenos. Fill the hollow jalapenos, making sure to not overfill them. Do this with each jalapeno half until the cheese mix is gone.

Grab a slice of bacon with the thickest end at the stem end of the jalapeno and wrap the bacon around until you reach the end of the pepper. Make sure to cover the cheese mix and tuck the ends of the bacon underneath the uncut side of the jalapeno. Repeat with all jalapenos, until the peppers and bacon are gone.

Transfer the poppers, cheese side up, onto an oven-safe rack, with a baking sheet underneath to catch any bacon grease. Disperse them so they are not touching. Transfer the rack, with the baking sheet under into the oven and cook for 15 minutes. After that time, pull all of it out and set the oven to broil.

While the broil is heating, you have the option to cover the tops of the jalapenos with bread crumbs to get a more crunchy and crispier popper. Once the broil is ready, transfer the rack, with the baking sheet into the broil and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the tops of the poppers become golden brown. Pull the poppers from the broil and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes: The rack on top of the baking sheet helps to cook the popper faster while reducing the amount of bacon grease. The rack is optional but highly recommended for a crispier popper. The jalapeno seeds hold a lot of spice. Leave a few in if you want to increase the heat levels for a spicier popper.

Shared by Burgers' Smokehouse

More recipes may be found at https://www.smokehouse.com/recipes/

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Creamy Spinach and Ham Bread Bowls

Ingredients

1 yellow onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

12 oz. sour cream

12 oz. cream cheese

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. thyme

1/2 tsp. dill

1/4 tsp. cayenne

1 Tablespoon olive oil

5 oz. Burgers’ Smokehouse Country Ham or Hickory Smoked Ham, chopped

8 oz. fresh spinach

6 medium-sized bread rolls

3 oz. shredded Swiss cheese

1 oz. grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

Heat a small pan to medium heat and cook the onion and garlic until onions are soft. Add the onions and garlic to the crockpot.

Add in the sour cream, cream cheese, salt, pepper, thyme, dill, cayenne, and olive oil into the crockpot. Turn the crockpot to high temperature and cover with a lid. Cook for 45 minutes, stirring cheese mix occasionally.

Once the cooking time is complete, add in the ham and spinach, mixing into the cheese mix. Cook for 15 minutes and stir occasionally.

While the cheese mix is cooking, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare the rolls by cutting into the top and removing the middle portion of the roll to create a bowl (keep the bottom intact to hold the cheese mix.)

Place all cut rolls onto a baking sheet and equally fill up each bread bowl with the cheese mix. Evenly cover the tops with Swiss and parmesan then place into the oven to cook for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned. Will be a chowder-like consistency when done.

Once the bread bowls have cooked, they are ready to serve. Notes: Baking the bread bowls in the broiler will help speed up the cheese melting time. It will also brown the top easily. Broil for only 5-7 minutes if choosing to do so.popper. The jalapeno seeds hold a lot of spice. Leave a few in if you want to increase the heat levels for a spicier popper.

Shared by Burgers' Smokehouse, https://www.smokehouse.com/recipes/