master-cooks | Ever Wonder Why White Castle's Burgers Have Holes?

White Castle's burgers are famous not only for their small size but also for the distinctive holes in their patties. This unique feature is both a practical and innovative solution to improve the cooking process. The holes, typically five in each patty, allow steam to pass through during cooking, which helps to evenly cook the meat without flipping it. This method ensures that the burgers are cooked thoroughly and consistently, maintaining their signature taste and texture. The steam-cooking technique also enhances efficiency in the kitchen, allowing the patties to cook faster, which is crucial for handling large volumes of orders quickly. At the same time, the holes contribute to the burger's juiciness by allowing the onions, placed underneath the patties on the grill, to release steam that infuses the meat with flavor. This approach not only speeds up the cooking process but also reduces the need for handling, which helps maintain the integrity of the delicate sliders. Overall, the holes in White Castle's burgers are an ingenious design choice that maximizes flavor, consistency, and efficiency, all of which contribute to the enduring popularity of these iconic sliders.

Rising costs in the early 1950s led to holey burgers

In 1951, White Castle found itself in a challenging situation, caught between federal retail price controls on hamburgers and increasing wholesale costs. The company needed to take action. Four years prior, Earl Howell, who managed a White Castle in Cincinnati, had proposed the idea of a five-hole patty to the corporate team. He was seeking ways to enhance the efficiency of his operation and serve more burgers to eager customers during a surge in business. However, the concept remained on the back burner until the urgent need to cut costs arose in 1951. The holes allowed the company to use 10% less meat per patty while maintaining the same price. Additionally, White Castle opted to make its burger patties thinner — though not as thin as a smash burger, which features crispy edges — for the same reason.

That said, the holes contribute to the exceptional flavor of White Castle burgers. Unlike most fast-food burger chains, White Castle employs a steaming method for cooking its meat. The patties rest on a bed of onions on the grill, and the steam cooks the meat while rising through the holes, infusing the burger and the bun above with flavor. Howell's innovation not only accelerated the cooking process but also enhanced the taste, ultimately saving the company from potential failure.

Ever Wonder Why White Castle's Burgers Have Holes?

Rising costs in the early 1950s led to holey burgers

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