Jul 1, 2010

Pimento Cheese Burger

Pimento cheese is a popular burger topping in and around Columbia, South Carolina. The cheese gives so much flavor to the burger that you won't need ketchup.

Credit: André Baranowski

4 oz. grated sharp yellow
   cheddar cheese
3 tbsp. mayonnaise
1 tbsp. diced pimentos
1 tbsp. grated onion
1⁄2 tsp. worcestershire
Kosher salt and freshly ground
   black pepper, to taste
1 1⁄2 lbs. ground beef,
   formed into 4 medium-size patties
4 hamburger buns, toasted
Iceberg lettuce, for garnish
4 slices tomato, for garnish

1. In a bowl, combine cheese, mayonnaise, pimentos, grated onion, and worcestershire; season with salt and pepper. Set pimento cheese aside.

2. Season patties with salt and pepper. Prepare a medium-hot charcoal fire or heat a gas grill to medium-high (or heat a tablespoon of canola oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat). Grill burgers, flipping once, until cooked to desired doneness, about 10 minutes for medium rare. Spread 2 tbsp. pimento cheese over each burger; cover and let melt. Serve burgers on buns with lettuce and tomato.

MAKES 4 BURGERS

This article was first published in Saveur in Issue #122

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Ratings & Reviews (7)

by drmfcohen on 2009-07-31

If you make four small patties and put the cheese mixture in the middle and seal the top and bottom and cook it is both easier and more pleasantly surprising to the diner.

by turtles_27 on 2009-08-03

Pimento cheese makes anything taste amazing!

by TheFantasticFox on 2009-08-03

I'm salivating just looking at that photo. I'll be making these tonight!!!

by JEANI on 2010-03-28

Love pimento cheese! It's also good on hot dogs and bacon sandwiches. The only thing that would make this burger better is to use my homemade hamburger buns.

by JMDDC on 2011-05-23

We love pimento cheese and make it all the time. There are many variations but your recipe is the basic best. I also add a couple of dashes of smoked Tabasco.

by jschwait on 2011-05-23

Just had this very burger at the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill. It's a perfect combination. My grandmother's recipe for pimento cheese begins with all the leftover bits of unidentifiable cheeses (including cream cheese, but perhaps not the blues) in the ice box and homemade mayonnaise.

by ARNOLD MENDE on 2012-06-26

diner tonight amongst the tornado lightening strikes and 25 inches of
rain!!!! yep, 25 is correct...will try the cheese n stuff on hand no
way jose am I going out in this for pimentos or tobasco, either...

am sure it will be superb...I am a terrific cook...alm

good recipies as usual...many thanks for keeping me on my toes...

give it a bunch of stars to keep us going in the downpours...

Pimento Cheese Burger 5 5 4 7