Pimento Cheese Burgers
Get ready for the ultimate Southern comfort upgrade to your classic burger! This pimento cheese burger brings together two beloved favorites in one mind-blowing combination that’ll make your taste buds dance.
Imagine the most perfectly seasoned beef patty, topped with a creamy, slightly spicy blend of sharp cheddar and pimentos that melts into pure heaven. This Columbia, South Carolina specialty (known locally as the PC burger) is about to become your new grilling obsession.
Ingredients
For the Pimento Cheese:
- 4 oz sharp yellow cheddar, grated (about 1 cup)
- 3 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp finely grated onion
- 1 Tbsp finely chopped jarred pimentos
- ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Kosher salt and black pepper
For the Burgers:
- 1½ lb ground beef, formed into 4 equal patties
- 4 hamburger buns, toasted
- Iceberg lettuce
- Sliced tomatoes
- Kosher salt and black pepper
Steps
- Prepare the pimento cheese mixture by combining 4 oz grated sharp cheddar, 3 Tbsp mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp grated onion, 1 Tbsp chopped pimentos, and ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce in a medium bowl. Mix thoroughly until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. The mixture should be creamy but still hold its shape. Let rest for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high (400-450°F/204-232°C). While heating, form beef into 4 equal patties, making them slightly larger than your buns as they’ll shrink during cooking. Create a small dimple in the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent puffing. Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Grill patties for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare (135°F/57°C internal temperature). In the last 2 minutes of cooking, top each patty with 2 Tbsp pimento cheese mixture and close the grill lid to melt. The cheese should be just melted but not completely runny. Build burgers on toasted buns with lettuce and tomato, serving immediately while cheese is still warm and gooey.
Smart Swaps
- Use Greek yogurt-based mayo to reduce calories while maintaining creaminess
- Substitute turkey patties for beef to cut fat (adjust cooking time to 4-6 minutes per side)
Make It Diabetes-Friendly
- Use low-carb buns (reducing carbs from 30g to 5g per serving)
- Choose reduced-fat cheese to lower overall fat content
- Serve open-faced to halve the carb count
- Add extra lettuce for fiber and fullness
Pro Tips
- Let pimento cheese come to room temperature for easier spreading
- Don’t overwork the meat when forming patties
- For best melting, grate cheese yourself rather than using pre-shredded