Southern Comfort: Pimento Cheese Burgers
By: Leah Rodrigues
Published: June 15, 2012

Pimento cheese is a staple in Southern kitchens.  It is served at any and every occasion and each family has their own recipe.  This recipe melds pimento cheese with a classic cheeseburger.  Pimento cheese, a combination of cream cheese, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, and pimento peppers, is stuffed inside burger patties.  When the meat is cooking, the cheese melts and becomes gooey and delicious.  You can top these burgers with the usual condiments or keep with the southern tradition and add slices of fried green tomatoes.
 
Pimento Cheese Burger
 
Ingredients:
 
1 1/2 cups finely grated, extra-sharp Cheddar Cheese
1/4 cup to ⅓ mayonnaise
2 tablespoons cream cheese
2 tablespoons to 3 chopped/diced jarred pimentos, drained
1 pound ground sirloin
1 pound ground chuck
Sea salt or kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Large hamburger buns
Garnish: Lettuce, tomato slices
 
Directions:
 








Form the burger patties and press a nice 'well' on top of each where you put the pimento cheese.


   
With a large spoon or tablespoon put a nice sized dollop of pimento cheese in each well on top of the meat patties.


   
Pull the sides of the ground meat up and around the cheese as best as possible, sort of like the sides of a bowl.


   
Form another thin meat patty and place it on top.


   
With your fingers, tightly seal the two layers of meat patties so that the cheese will stay contained within when grilled.


   
Sprinkle the burgers with your favorite seasons and plenty of salt.


   
Grill for at least 5 minutes on each side.

Form the burger patties and press a nice 'well' on top of each where you put the pimento cheese.


     
With a large spoon or tablespoon put a nice sized dollop of pimento cheese in each well on top of the meat patties.


     
Pull the sides of the ground meat up and around the cheese as best as possible, sort of like the sides of a bowl.


     
Form another thin meat patty and place it on top.


     
With your fingers, tightly seal the two layers of meat patties so that the cheese will stay contained within when grilled.


     
Sprinkle the burgers with your favorite seasons and plenty of salt.


     
Grill for at least 5 minutes on each side.