Best Southern Pimento Cheese Burgers

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Are you looking for a twist on the classic beef burger or the best homemade cheeseburger? Try my Southern Pimento Cheese Burgers recipe, which adds a unique Southern-style flair to this mouth-watering burger.

With all things Southern, including melted savory Pimento Cheese, yummy Fried Green Tomatoes, crispy and oh-so-crunchy Onion Rings, and tangy sweet and savory Tomato Jam, you won’t believe how juicy and flavorful these Southern burgers are!

A hamburger with onions rings, melted pimento cheese and fried green tomato

Burgers have earned their well-deserved popularity in America, with options such as Fried Chicken Burgers, Smoked Burgers, Shrimp Burgers, and this amazing Pimento Cheese Burger.

I can assure you that your family and friends will absolutely adore it! Although it may seem a bit extravagant, trust me when I say that the blend of flavors in this flavorful burger recipe will revolutionize your burger experience.

Preparing my Southern-Style Pimento Cheese Burger may take some time due to its various components, but the end result is definitely worth it. But, if you’re pressed for time, you can opt for store-bought pimento cheese, canned onion rings, and ripe tomato slices to replace the fried green tomatoes.

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Ingredient notes and substitutions:
How to make Southern Pimento Cheese Burgers:
Top tip:
What is pimento cheese:
Best Southern burger toppings:
The best cheese for burgers:
What type of bun is best for burgers:
What to serve with this burger:
Recipe FAQs:
More southern recipes you will love:
📋 Recipe:

Ingredient notes and substitutions:

Pimento cheese in a small wooden bowl with a knife and crackers.

Ground beef – I usually use 80/20 ground beef, which means the beef is 80% lean meat and 20% fat, or you can substitute ground chuck.
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
Peanut or canola oil
Pimento Cheese Spread – purchased or homemade.
Fried Green Tomatoes – or sliced fresh tomatoes
Crispy Onion Rings – or you can substitute a can of fried onions
Lettuce and hamburger buns
Tomato jam – purchased or homemade, or you can substitute ketchup, bacon jam, or bacon and onion jam.

(A complete list of all ingredients and measurements is listed in the recipe below.)

Crispy Onion Rings in a homemade cast iron pan garnished with parsley.

Three fried green tomato slices on a black plate.

How to make Southern Pimento Cheese Burgers:

Prepare or purchase pimento cheese, fried onion rings, fried green tomatoes, and tomato jam. Set aside.
Gather your burger ingredients and use a light touch to divide the meat into four equal portions. Use your hands to form each piece into a patty about three-quarters of an inch thick. Make a deep depression with your thumb in the middle. (This will keep the patty from puffing up when it cooks.)

Raw ground beef shaped into a hamburger patty.

Season the patties on both sides with kosher salt and pepper.
To cook the patties on a grill, preheat your grill to high and oil the grates. Grill the patties for about three minutes on the first side, flip them over, and cook for another four minutes or until until their internal temperature reaches 160 °F.
Top with a quarter cup of pimento cheese during the last minute of cooking and let it melt. Remove the burgers from the grill and keep them warm until you are ready to assemble.

Hamburger patties cooking in a cast-iron skillet.

If cooking the burgers on the stove, use a cast iron skillet and preheat over medium-high heat. Add the oil, and when it is hot, add the patties. Cook the patties for about three minutes on the first side, flip them over, and cook for another four minutes or until their internal temperature reaches 160 °F.
During the last minute of cooking, top the patties with a quarter cup of pimento cheese, place a lid on the pan, and let the cheese melt. Remove the patties from the pan and keep them warm until you are ready to assemble.

Pimento cheese melting on hamburger patties cooking in a skillet.

Toast your buns on the grill or under a broiler.
To assemble the burgers, spread one tablespoon of tomato jam on the bottom bun. Add lettuce and top with the burger. Add a slice of fried green tomato and a handful of onion rings. Then, top with another tablespoon of tomato jam. Add the top bun and serve immediately.

Burgers piled high with onion rings, fried green tomatoes and melted pimento cheese.

Top tip:

Season the meat: Season the ground beef with salt and pepper or your favorite seasonings to enhance the flavors, and after cooking, let the burgers rest for a few minutes to allow time for the juices to redistribute.

What is pimento cheese:

Pimento cheese is a popular spread in the South made from shredded cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, diced pimentos or roasted red peppers, and various seasonings. The spread can be used as a dip, a sandwich filling, or a topping for crackers or vegetables.

The combination of the cheddar cheese’s sharpness, the mayonnaise’s creaminess, and the pimentos’ sweetness give it a unique flavor and texture. It is considered classic Southern comfort food.

It is a popular topping for burgers in the South, and it is a delicious way to add flavor and richness to your burger. Homemade is best, but most purchased pimento cheeses will work well in a pinch.

Best Southern burger toppings:

As a Southern burger fan, I can confidently say that adding pimento cheese makes it even more delicious. Its rich and creamy texture perfectly complements the savory flavors of the burger. But why stop at just this?

Let me share with you the other Southern toppings that make this Southern Burger exceptional:

Fried onion rings are a delicious addition to this burger. The onion rings’ crispy texture and savory flavor contrast with the soft and juicy texture of the burger patty and pimento cheese. The combination also creates an enjoyable mix of flavors and textures in each bite.
Including fried green tomatoes on a burger makes it even more flavorful. The tanginess and slight sourness of the tomatoes add a distinct taste, and the crispy texture complements the burger’s other toppings.
In this recipe, tomato jam is used instead of ketchup. It has a sweet-tart taste and a spreadable consistency similar to ketchup. The main difference is that tomato jam is cooked longer, resulting in a more concentrated natural sweetness and richer flavor.

A jar of tomato jam with a spoon full of it.

The best cheese for burgers:

If you’re craving a pimento cheese burger, pimento cheese is a must-have ingredient. But if you’re in a bind, you can substitute another type of cheese if it melts quickly.

American cheese: This classic cheese is known for its mild flavor and ability to melt evenly.
Cheddar cheese: This sharp cheese has a bold flavor that pairs well with the richness of the beef patty.
Monterey Jack cheese: This mild cheese has a slightly nutty flavor and melts well.
Pepper Jack cheese: This spicy cheese adds a bit of heat to the burger.
Swiss cheese: This mild cheese has a slightly sweet flavor and melts well.
Blue cheese: This strong cheese has a sharp flavor that pairs well with the richness of the beef patty.

What type of bun is best for burgers:

I usually use sesame seed buns. They have a slightly sweet and nutty flavor and a firmer texture than some other options, and they hold up well to the juiciness of the burger. I always toast my buns before assembling them.

Here are some other popular options:

Brioche Bun – Brioche buns are a rich buttery option that can add a touch of sweetness to the burger. They have a soft texture and can hold up well to the weight of the burger and toppings.
Potato Bun – Potato buns are a classic choice for cheeseburgers. They have a soft and fluffy texture that can soak up the juices and flavors of the burger while still maintaining their shape.
Pretzel Bun – Pretzel buns are a hearty and slightly salty option that can add a unique flavor and texture to the burger. They are chewy and have a dense texture, which can help keep the burger and toppings in place.

Other options include whole wheat buns, ciabatta buns, and sourdough buns, which can add different flavors and textures to the burger.

What to serve with this burger:

This southern burger pairs beautifully with casual sides such as Potato Salad, Broccoli Salad, Smoked Baked Beans, Deviled Eggs, or Mac and Cheese.

Recipe FAQs:

What type of ground beef should I use?

Generally, it’s best to use ground beef with a higher fat content, such as 80/20 (80% lean meat and 20% fat), as it can help keep the burgers juicy and flavorful.

How do I form the burger patties?

Divide the ground beef into evenly sized portions and gently form them into patties with your hands. Avoid overworking the meat or pressing them too hard, as it can make the patties tough.

How do I cook the burgers?

The burgers can be cooked on the stove or grilled. I have provided easy instructions for cooking them either way.

How do I know when they are done cooking?

You can use a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the beef patty. They are done when the internal temperature reaches 160 °F, the minimum safe temperature.

Can I make this recipe ahead?

While you can make the pimento cheese spread ahead, the rest of the components are best made right before you are ready to serve the burgers.