10/07/2025
I asked Grok about this recipe from Johnny Cash and this was the response. We probably would have tried it in the Bisbee Burger Truck if we would’ve seen it.
This handwritten recipe for “John & June’s Cashburgers” is a vegetarian patty creation from country music legends Johnny Cash (whose full name was John R. Cash) and his wife, June Carter Cash. It was invented on October 7, 1995, as noted on the original recipe card, during a time when the couple was living in Hendersonville, Tennessee. The ingredients were sourced from a local health food store called 4 Seasons (now known as 4 Seasons Health Food Store), emphasizing all-organic, plant-based components like brown rice, soy beans, roasted sunflower seeds, and a variety of chopped vegetables including chestnuts, onions, okra, carrots, bell peppers, potatoes, squash, mushrooms, and corn. Tapioca flour serves as the binder, with seasonings like cracked black pepper, garlic flakes, minced garlic, salt, sugar or honey, and oil for frying. The recipe encourages flavoring the patties in styles like Oriental, Mexican, or plain, reflecting the couple’s creative and health-conscious approach to cooking. 21
The story behind it comes from their family traditions, where food was a central part of gatherings and travels. Johnny and June often experimented in the kitchen, drawing from Southern roots but incorporating healthier twists—possibly influenced by periods of focusing on wellness amid their busy careers in music. This particular recipe was preserved as a handwritten note and later featured in “The Cash and Carter Family Cookbook: Recipes and Recollections from Johnny and June’s Table,” published in 2018 by their son, John Carter Cash. 21 He compiled the book to share family stories and dishes passed down through generations, including contributions from extended relatives like the Carter Family (June’s musical lineage). The original card lacked specific quantities, so John Carter Cash tested and refined it in his own kitchen to create a reproducible version for the cookbook, making it accessible for fans. It’s one of many recipes in the book that highlight the Cashes’ love for simple, hearty, home-cooked meals with a personal touch, blending nostalgia, music history, and Southern hospitality. 21 The dish represents a “healthy reinvention” of a burger, aligning with occasional vegetarian choices in their diet, though Johnny was also known for heartier fare like chili.