George W. Bush’s Favorite Cheeseburger Ain’t for Purists

A White House cookbook would be a book few people would want to cook from. The grandiose state dinner for Queen Elizabeth II in 2007 that ended with meringue and spun sugar “rose blossoms” is not a meal anyone but a truly dedicated political junky wants to re-create at home.

Laura Bush, who wrote the cookbook’s foreword, has specific rules for assembling this cheeseburger, and they work to good effect:

• Use extra sharp cheddar, to contrast the sweet barbecue sauce.
• Don’t go too thick with your patty.
• Use a toasted whole-wheat bun.

And that’s it—add only the few other ingredients you demand on a burger.

But go easy on the extras: According to Wendel and Mrs. Bush, it should be a cheeseburger, not a buffet. The following recipe is adapted from Recipes From the President’s Ranch.

Sweet and Smoky Cheeseburgers

Serves 4

1 1/3 lb. lean ground beef
3 tbsp. favorite barbecue sauce
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Oil, for brushing the grill
4 slices extra sharp cheddar
4 whole-wheat buns, toasted

In a bowl, mix the ground beef with barbecue sauce and salt and pepper just until combined; do not overmix. Divide the meat into 4 equal patties about ½-inch thick.

Lightly brush a charcoal or gas grill with oil and heat to medium. Grill burgers for about 5 minutes, until charred on the bottom. Flip burgers and cook for 1 minute more. Top each burger with cheese and cook just until melted, 1 to 2 minutes more, or until cooked to desired temperature.