PrintRecipe: Pimento Cheese Burgers
One of the beautiful things about burgerworld is that, despite the legion of fast-food and fast-casual chains out there, regional burger styles have managed to keep a foothold. I've talked before about the cheese-stuffed Jucy Lucy–style burgers in the Twin Cities and the butterburgers of Wisconsin, but today, I'd like to highlight pimento cheese burgers, a specialty in Columbia, South Carolina.
Prior to reading John T. Edge's book Hamburger & Fries, I'd only heard of pimento cheese being served, in the South, on stalks of celery or eaten as the filling of a sandwich. But Mr. Edge ferreted out these delicious-sounding burgers in the Palmetto State.
Here's a recipe, adapted from Mr. Edge's book, that you might want to try this weekend.
Pimento Cheese Burgers
- serves 4 -
Edge counsels against using any condiments beyond the pimento cheese. It will be enough, he says.
Ingredients
For the pimento cheese:
24 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 (4 ounce) jar diced pimentos, drained
1 teaspoon dried, rubbed sage
1 tablespoon black pepper
2 tablespoons scallions, chopped
Pinch of sugar (or more to taste)
1/3 cup mayonnaise
For the burgers:
1 pound ground chuck
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
4 buns
Lettuce and tomato (optional)
Procedure
1. Combine the cheddar, pimentos, sage, pepper, scallions, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the mayo, working the mixture into a chunky paste. Chill mixture if not using immediately, but remove it from the fridge a before you start cooking your burgers because it needs some time to soften.
2. Combine the chuck, salt, and pepper in a bowl, working the meat just enough to thoroughly mix in the salt and pepper (too much handling makes for tough burgers). Form meat into 4 equal-size patties. Heat a heavy skillet or grill to medium-high heat. Cook over heat 3 to 4 minutes (for medium-rare) on each side.
3. Slather buns with pimento cheese spread, add cooked patties, and top with lettuce and/or tomato, if desired.
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5 Comments:
Although I haven't had opportunity to try it, the pimento cheeseburger reminds me of the green chile cheeseburger at the Bobcat Bite. Pimentos are a smaller version but would think mighty tasty too! After seeing the first thang' written on AHT about the Juicy Lucy, every time I hear about a burger I picture it "Juicy Lucified".
texas blues at 8:33PM on 07/07/07
Texas Blues: That's true. I hadn't made the connection only because of the way the cheese-pepper toppings are applied. I wonder what a pimento or green chile burger would be like Jucy Lucified?
Adam Kuban at 11:47AM on 07/08/07
Senor Kuban, I can't imagine any burger that can't be Juicy Lucified. I think the trick though is to not over handle the meat while Lucifying the thang'. 'Tis a fine line.
texas blues at 1:46PM on 07/08/07
Oh, man, I was going to make White Castle clones for my family this weekend, but now I may have to make these, instead. Maybe it'll be an all-burger weekend.
podunkboy at 10:04PM on 03/24/08
Was surfing to find a recipe for pimento cheese and hit the jackpot. I went to college in Columbia SC and used to visit the Dairy Bar for their delicious pimento cheese burgers. I will soon be grilling a lot more burgers. You have made my day!
mandresen at 11:10AM on 06/28/08