Pimento Cheese Burger with Candied Jalapeños
This classic spread gets the burger treatment, and candied jalapeños add an unexpected burst of spicy-sweet flavor. Candied jalapeños recipe adapted from Serious Eats.
Ingredients
- PIMENTO CHEESE:
- 4 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese grated
- 1 ounce cream cheese room temperature
- 1½ tablespoons mayonnaise
- ¼ cup jarred roasted red peppers chopped
- Kosher salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
- CANDIED JALAPEÑOS:
- ¹/³ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ pound jalapeño peppers stemmed and sliced
- BURGERS:
- 1 pound ground beef
- Kosher salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 4 potato burger buns
Instructions
- ►PIMENTO CHEESE: Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix until thoroughly blended. Set aside.
- ►CANDIED JALAPEÑOS: Combine vinegar and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer until mixture is reduced and syrupy, about about 5 minutes. Add jalapeño slices, return mixture to a simmer, and cook until peppers are slightly wilted and darkened, about 8 minutes. Transfer jalapeño slices to a bowl using a slotted spoon. Continue to cook syrup for an additional 5 minutes, then pour syrup into bowl with jalapeños.
- ►BURGERS: Divide beef into 4 mounds and flatten into ¹/³-inch-thick patties (about 5 inches in diameter)
- ►Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Season both sides of patties with salt and pepper, then cook for 3 minutes, pressing to flatten. Reduce heat to medium, flip, and cook for 2 minutes more. Meanwhile, toast buns.
- ►Top burger patties with smears of pimento cheese. Add some candied jalapeños and transfer patties to toasted bun bottoms. Close burgers with top halves. Serve immediately.
Rebecca Haley-Park
Rebecca Haley-Park is culture's former editor and resident stinky cheese cheerleader. A native New Englander, she holds a BFA in creative writing from University of Maine at Farmington.
