Slug Burger

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Quick Bite

A Slug Burger is a crispy Mississippi sandwich made from a beef patty stretched with filler, fried until golden, and served with mustard, pickles, and onions. No slugs involved, just Depression-era thrift with a serious crunch.

History

The Slug Burger is most closely tied to Corinth, Mississippi, where it became a local icon. The sandwich grew out of hard times, when meat was expensive and cooks stretched ground beef with fillers like soybean meal, flour, potato flakes, or bread crumbs.

The name is usually linked to price, not ingredients. A “slug” was slang for a nickel, and the burgers were once sold cheaply enough that the name stuck. The sandwich’s reputation survived long after the original price disappeared.

The patty is usually fried, not grilled, which gives it a crisp outer shell and a softer interior. It is traditionally served very simply: bun, patty, mustard, pickles, and onions. Cheese, lettuce, and fancy sauces are not the point.

Corinth still celebrates the Slug Burger with local restaurants and an annual festival. It is one of Mississippi’s great “don’t judge it by the name” foods.

Fun Facts

• A Slug Burger is not made with slugs.
• The name likely comes from “slug” as slang for a nickel.
• Corinth, Mississippi, is the heart of Slug Burger country.

Where to Try

Borroum’s Drug Store Corinth, Mississippi
A historic Corinth soda fountain and drugstore on Mississippi’s Slugburger Trail.

White Trolley Café Corinth, Mississippi
A classic local spot known for serving traditional Slug Burgers in Corinth.

Slugburger Café Corinth, Mississippi
A dedicated Corinth stop for the town’s namesake crispy burger tradition.

About the Game

This recipe is part of Van Life Challenge, a travel-themed board game from Gray Dog Games where players explore the United States, discover regional foods, and collect memorable experiences along the way.

Each featured food celebrates a real place, a local flavor, and the kind of delicious roadside discovery that makes every trip feel like an adventure.

Recipe

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Home-Cook-Friendly Slug Burger Makes: 8 small burgers Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 15 minutes Difficulty: Easy Style: Corinth, Mississippi / Depression-Era Burger

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup plain breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, or cooked soybean grits
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 8 small hamburger buns
• Yellow mustard
• Dill pickle slices
• Chopped onions

Instructions

1. Mix the patty base: In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs or cracker crumbs, egg, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
2. Shape the patties: Shape the mixture into 8 thin patties.
3. Heat the oil: Heat about ½ inch of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Fry: Fry patties for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until crisp, browned, and cooked through.
5. Drain: Drain the patties on paper towels.
6. Build the burgers: Place each patty on a bun.
7. Top: Top with mustard, pickles, and chopped onions.
8. Serve: Serve hot.

Traditional note: To make it more traditional, use a meat extender such as soybean meal, potato flakes, breadcrumbs, or cracker crumbs, fry the patties until crisp, and keep the toppings simple: mustard, pickle, and onion.

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