Prepare your tastebuds for satisfying flavors with this Southern Pimento Cheeseburger! Flavorful burger and pork patties are topped with delicious old fashioned pimento cheese and grilled serrano peppers.
If you try this recipe, you have to prepare this delicious Old-Fashioned Pimento Cheese first!
The weather is warming up, with that said, it is time to prepare tasty burgers on the grill. Do not worry, if you don't own a grill, these patties are seasoned and will give that smokey desirable taste. Ready in just under thirty minutes, make these pimento cheeseburgers and enjoy them on your patio!
WHAT IS PIMENTO CHEESE?
Where do we start? This southern staple ranks high next to classic sweet tea. With that said, pimento cheese is a spread or topping made with cheese, mayo, jarred pimentos and spices.
Traditionally, this southern staple is served as a sandwich, with crackers, veggies and much more. To learn more about the history of pimento cheese and how to prepare it, click here.
PIMENTO CHEESEBURGER
This southern staple is said to have been created in the 1950's in Columbia, South Carolina. Pimento cheese pairs well with most items and today, has transformed from being seen as just an appetizer. Today, this blog post will walk you through exact steps to prepare a delicious pimento cheeseburger with my old-fashioned pimento recipe.
A juicy, plump burger patty is filled with ground beef, pork, spices and the creamy topping of the pimento cheese. Lastly, sauteed serrano peppers are added that gives a smokey and spicy flavor that brings this recipe together.
INGREDIENTS FOR BURGER
This recipe calls for ground beef and ground pork. By all means use what works best for your taste and dietary restrictions. In detail, I prefer the beef and pork mix as it holds flavor, and the fat ratio keeps the burgers most.
Here are the overall items needed:
- Ground Beef-80 to 20 ratio works best and ground chuck works best if it's available.
- Ground Pork- Some markets sell ground pork alone or mixed with ground beef. As mentioned, this ingredient is optional but highly recommended.
- Serrano Peppers- These delicious peppers can be found in the produce section. For substitutions, Anaheim, poblano or jalapeno peppers will work too.
- Dijon Mustard- Yellow mustard works too but Dijon mustard provides a mysterious nuttiness to the burger patties.
- BBQ Sauce- Moving forward, I am adding BBQ sauce to all burger patties. With that said, do not omit this step and thank me later.
- Liquid Smoke- This is a great alternative if you decide to cook the burgers inside or do not have a grill.
- Worcestershire Sauce- This is an obvious addition. As noted, this ingredient pairs well with most recipes that include ground beef!
- Pretzel Bun- You certainly can use what buns you have on hand, but pretzel buns paired perfectly with this burger.
- Tomato
- Lettuce
BURGER SEASONING
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic Powder
OLD FASHIONED PIMENTO CHEESE
Just like any southern family, there is at least one person who is designated as making the best macaroni and cheese. Indeed, there is another who is designated at making the best pimento cheese. Thank my lovely Aunt B’ who shared her secrets on preparing the best old fashioned pimento cheese.
PIMENTO CHEESE INGREDIENTS
- Cheddar Cheese. Sharp is best and if you want to stay true to old fashioned pimento cheese, only use cheddar. You will not hear this often but pre-shredded or grating your own works in this recipe!
- Mayonnaise. Get the good stuff. Between Blue Plate or Duke’s, you cannot go wrong.
- Cream Cheese. A lot of recipes do not require cream cheese. It is certainly optional; it is added to help maintain the texture and for a bit richer flavor.
- Salt
- Pepper
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder. It is important to note, this ingredient is a must. This particular garlic powder really enhances the flavor of the pimento cheese. This is a secret ingredient so keep this between us!
- Worcestershire Sauce. Another “secret” ingredient. Do not omit this ingredient.
- Sugar. This helps to balance the flavors and will cut some of the saltiness from the additional ingredients.
- Jarred Pimentos. The star of the show. Find this item at any local grocery market next to the pickles and olives!
HOW TO MAKE OLD FASHIONED PIMENTO CHEESE
Now that you have gathered the ingredients to make this spread. It is best to prepare the pimento cheese first as it will need time to marinate in the fridge.
To learn how to prepare old fashioned pimento cheese and for tons of tips and tricks, click here.
HOW TO MAKE PIMENTO CHEESEBURGER
Do note, in the first place you should prepare the pimento cheese to allow it time to marinate in the fridge. Click here for the ingredients and instructions!
- Prepare pimento cheese and place in an airtight container. Allow pimento cheese to marinate and chill while preparing additional ingredients.
- In a large bowl, add ground meat mixture.
- Next, pour in burger seasoning blend.
- Then, add in liquid ingredients, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke and Dijon mustard.
- Now, mix the ground meet thoroughly ensuring all ingredients are combined.
- Form the patties by measuring the size of the bun and place on wax paper or aluminum foil. It is important to note, creating a slight dent into the burgers will assist with even cooking temperature.
- On medium to high heat, add the burgers to the hot pan being careful not to disturb.
- Flip the burgers only once and when desired internal temperature is reached, place burgers on a rack or paper towels and drain.
- Remove all but one to two teaspoons of oil from the pan.
- Add the sliced serrano peppers to the same pan used to prepare the burgers. Sear until peppers begin to char and become slightly soft.
- Remove peppers from pan and drain.
HOW TO ASSEMBLE PIMENTO CHEESEBURGERS
Now that all components of this recipe are prepared, it is time to assemble and almost enjoy!
- In the same pan used to cook the burger patties and peppers, toast the burger buns for one to two minutes until toasty and brown.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
- Now, begin building your pimento cheeseburger by placing the bottom bun down first.
- Next, add your favorite green lettuce.
- Add the cooked burger patty and sliced tomato. Additionally, season the tomato slice with a dash of salt and pepper.
- Then, layer on the serrano peppers on top of the sliced tomato.
- Dollop the old- fashioned pimento cheese on top of the serrano peppers and add the top hamburger bun.
- Enjoy!
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BEST RESULTS!
- When cooking the burger patties, only flip the burgers one time. This ensures maximum flavor and texture.
- Prepare the pimento cheese ahead of time. Allowing the pimento cheese to set in the fridge helps for max texture.
- Drizzle barbeque sauce over the burger. GAME CHANGER. I'm certain I am creating an additional recipe with a sauce that will be perfect for this burger.
- Looking for a low carb option? Serve this delicious burger between lettuce or thick sliced tomatoes. After shooting this recipe, those were two ways I consumed the burger, and it was delicious!
Southern Pimento Cheeseburger
Ingredients
Old Fashioned Pimento Cheese
- 2.5 cups Cheddar Cheese shredded
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 4 oz Pimentos
- ½ cup Cream Cheese
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 2 tsp Garlic Powder with Parsley
- ½ tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
Pimento Cheeseburger
- ½ lb Ground Beef
- ½ lb Ground Pork
- 1 large Serrano Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ tsp Liquid Smoke
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 2 teaspoon BBQ Sauce
Additional Ingredients
- 4 Pretzel Buns
- 1 large Beefsteak Tomato
- Green Lettuce
Instructions
Pimento Cheese
- First, it is important to realize that prepping the ingredients will make for a quick and under 10-minute recipe.
- Begin by shredding the cheddar cheese.
- Next, measure the mayo, cream cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire Sauce, sugar and pimentos.
- In a large bowl perfect for mixing, add the cheddar cheese.
- Add in the additional ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container and marinate until later use.
Pimento Cheeseburger
- In a large bowl, add ground meat mixture.
- Next, pour in burger seasoning blend.
- Then, add in liquid ingredients, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke and Dijon mustard.
- Now, mix the ground meet thoroughly ensuring all ingredients are combined.
- Form the patties by measuring the size of the bun and place on wax paper or aluminum foil.
- It is important to note, creating a slight dent into the burgers will assist with even cooking temperature.
- On medium to high heat, add the burgers to the hot pan being careful not to disturb.
- Flip the burgers only once and when desired internal temperature is reached, place burgers on a rack or paper towels and drain.
- Remove all but one to two teaspoons of oil from the pan.
- Add the sliced serrano peppers to the same pan used to prepare the burgers.
- Sear until peppers begin to char and become slightly soft. Remove peppers from pan and drain.
- In the same pan used to cook the burger patties and peppers, toast the burger buns for one to two minutes until toasty and brown.
- Remove from heat and set aside. Now, begin building your pimento cheeseburger by placing the bottom bun down first.
- Next, add your favorite green lettuce.
- Add the cooked burger patty and sliced tomato. Additionally, season the tomato slice with a dash of salt and pepper.
- Then, layer on the serrano peppers on top of the sliced tomato.
- Dollop the old- fashioned pimento cheese on top of the serrano peppers and add the top hamburger bun.
- Enjoy!
Certainly, you will love this recipe, you will also love these listed below!
Otay Boo says
I was buying the items needed to make your pimento cheese ! I will now use
Some
Of the spread on top of our burgers in two days!!! Your food and recipes are so tasty and flavorful! Thanks for
Always showing how fun it is to cook!
Lilly says
OMG!!! I loveee the pimento cheese on top of the burger! This was my first time making pimento cheese. I was inspired by your Instagram video. I can't believe how easy it came together. And the flavors of the pimento cheese on top of the burger was just, WOW! Definitely making this recipe again! My family and and I LOVED it!