Every year, we embark on a culinary quest to discover the ultimate summer burger, a dish that captures the essence of the season with unforgettable flavor and perfect texture. This year, the crown jewel is none other than our spectacular Southern Pimento Cheeseburger, served proudly on thick, golden-grilled Texas Toast. Forget everything you thought you knew about classic burgers; this recipe is a game-changer, fusing Southern comfort with grilling mastery to create a truly iconic meal.
You might be surprised to learn that for many years, I harbored a strong dislike for hamburgers. As a child, I was quite the picky eater, often gravitating towards comforting dishes like our ever-popular Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole. However, my wonderful partner, Cade, gradually transformed my palate, introducing me to the world of well-crafted, flavorful burgers. So, when the opportunity arose to partner with New York Bakery®Texas Toast for a grilling recipe challenge, my initial thought was to stick with something familiar and safe. Yet, Cade, with his adventurous spirit and deep appreciation for Southern cuisine, pushed for something bold, new, and distinctly different. That creative tension, as we’ve learned over the years, often sparks our best culinary inventions, and this Southern Pimento Cheeseburger is no exception.
Why Texas Toast Makes the Ultimate Burger Bun
When it comes to building a truly standout burger, the bread is just as crucial as the patty and toppings. While traditional hamburger buns have their place, using New York Bakery® Texas Toast elevates this Southern Pimento Cheeseburger to an entirely new level. Its thick, sturdy slices provide the perfect structural integrity to hold a juicy burger and a generous dollop of creamy pimento cheese without falling apart. Each slice is typically pre-buttered, often with a hint of garlic, which crisps up beautifully on the grill, adding an irresistible savory flavor and a delightful crunch that a standard bun simply can’t replicate. This unique texture and flavor profile make Texas Toast not just an accompaniment, but an integral part of the burger experience.
Can You Cook Texas Toast in a Toaster?
A common question we hear is whether Texas Toast can be cooked in a standard electric toaster. The answer is generally no. The slices of Texas Toast are cut significantly thicker than regular bread, making them too wide to fit comfortably into most conventional toaster slots. Attempting to force them in can damage your toaster or result in unevenly cooked toast. Furthermore, Texas Toast is usually pre-brushed with butter or garlic butter, which can melt and drip inside an electric toaster, creating a smoky mess and a potential fire hazard. For the best results and safest cooking, especially for a grilled burger, we recommend alternative methods.
Instead, Texas Toast is perfectly suited for methods that offer more control and allow for that glorious buttery, garlicky crust. You can easily grill it, broil it in the oven, oven-toast it on a baking sheet, or pan-fry it in a skillet. Each of these methods allows the toast to achieve a golden-brown crispness on the outside while remaining wonderfully soft and fluffy on the inside. For this Southern Pimento Cheeseburger, grilling is our absolute favorite method, as it infuses the toast with a smoky aroma and creates beautiful char marks, making it even more delicious.
I distinctly remember my childhood fondness for New York Bakery Texas Toast. It was the ultimate garlicky side, perfect with almost any dinner. That rich, savory goodness was something even my picky palate couldn’t resist. So, when Cade suggested a Southern Burger, a brilliant idea sparked: marrying my cherished Texas Toast with his Southern roots. He proposed using a quintessential Southern cheese, and naturally, pimento cheese was the only choice. Our best recipes have always come from blending our individual preferences, creating something truly special that neither of us would have conceived alone. This collaborative spirit led to the creation of what we believe is the best burger of the summer.
Grilling Texas Toast: A Game-Changing Technique
One of the revelations we made during this recipe development was how incredibly easy and delicious it is to grill New York Bakery Texas Toast, even straight from the freezer! There’s no need to thaw it beforehand. Simply remove the slices from their packaging and place them directly on a preheated grill. Cook them over medium heat until beautiful grill marks appear and the toast turns a deep golden brown, usually just a couple of minutes per side. If you thought you loved the classic crisp-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside texture of oven-baked Texas Toast, just wait until you try it grilled. The heat of the grill truly intensifies that signature garlic flavor, transforming it into something even more irresistible and making it the perfect foundation for our Southern Pimento Cheeseburger.
Crafting the Perfect Southern Pimento Cheeseburger
The Foundation: A Flavorful Beef Patty
The success of any great burger starts with the patty. For this Southern Pimento Cheeseburger, we rely on our special meat blend, detailed in our popular post, 2 Secrets for the BEST Hamburger. This blend ensures a juicy, flavorful base that can stand up to the rich pimento cheese. However, since the pimento cheese spread delivers a powerhouse of flavor, we keep the seasoning on the burger itself simple and classic: just a generous sprinkle of salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides. This minimalist approach allows the high-quality beef and the vibrant pimento cheese to truly shine without competing for attention. Once you’ve shaped your burger patties, let them rest briefly while you prepare the irresistible pimento cheese spread.
The Star: Homemade Pimento Cheese Spread
No Southern Pimento Cheeseburger would be complete without a luscious, homemade pimento cheese spread. This creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy mixture is what truly defines the burger and elevates it from good to extraordinary. Our recipe combines softened cream cheese and mayonnaise for a silky-smooth base, then folds in sharp cheddar cheese for that classic cheesy punch, diced pimentos for their signature sweet and peppery notes, and a dash of Tabasco for a subtle kick that rounds out the flavors beautifully. Making your own pimento cheese ensures the freshest taste and perfect consistency, allowing it to melt into a wonderfully gooey blanket over your hot burger patty.
Grilling and Assembly for Perfection
Once your patties are shaped and seasoned, and your pimento cheese is ready, it’s time to hit the grill. Preheat your grill to high, then reduce it to medium heat. Lightly oil the grates with an oil-soaked paper towel to prevent sticking. Place the burger patties on the hot grill and cook them to your desired temperature, flipping them halfway through. For a medium-cooked burger, aim for about 4-5 minutes per side. During the last few minutes of cooking, after you’ve flipped the burgers, generously spoon the pimento cheese onto each patty. This allows the cheese to get beautifully melty and gooey, creating an irresistible topping that will cascade over the sides of the burger.
At the same time, place your New York Bakery Texas Toast slices directly on the grill grates. Keep a close eye on them, as they cook quickly. Turn them once to get grill marks on both sides, then remove them promptly when they’re golden and crisp. The timing is crucial to ensure both the burger and the toast are perfectly cooked and hot when you assemble your masterpiece.
When it comes to assembly, we’ve discovered a crucial tip: place a fresh leaf of crisp lettuce on the bottom slice of Texas Toast before adding the burger. This simple step creates a barrier, preventing the delicious juices from the hot burger and melted pimento cheese from making the toast soggy. Then, carefully transfer the cheese-topped burger onto the lettuce, and crown it with the second piece of grilled Texas Toast. This thoughtful layering ensures every bite is a delightful combination of savory beef, gooey pimento cheese, crisp lettuce, and perfectly grilled, garlicky bread. Dig in and savor every incredible moment of this summer’s best burger!
read more: If you’re a true burger enthusiast, don’t miss out on making our homemade Hamburger Sauce, a killer accompaniment that takes any burger to the next level!
Can You Eat a Southern Pimento Cheeseburger the Next Day?
Yes, absolutely! Southern Pimento Cheeseburgers are still delicious the next day, provided they have been properly refrigerated. To enjoy leftovers, we recommend disassembling the burger and storing the components separately. Keep the cooked burger patties and pimento cheese in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to eat, you can gently reheat the burger patty and pimento cheese (either in a skillet or microwave) and re-grill fresh Texas Toast, or lightly toast it in an oven or air fryer for best texture. Reassembling the burger with fresh, crisp toast and lettuce will give you a nearly identical fresh-off-the-grill experience.
For added convenience, you can prep the burger patties and the pimento cheese spread up to a full day in advance. This makes the grilling process on the day of serving quick and stress-free, perfect for entertaining or busy weeknights. Prepare the patties, mix the pimento cheese, and store them separately in the refrigerator. This way, all you have to do is grill the meat and toast, then assemble, for a fresh and delicious meal. We love hearing from you! Comment below with your favorite thing to grill this summer for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card! Your grilling inspirations help us create even more amazing recipes.
[more-posts]You can find all of our beef recipes here, offering a wide array of delicious dishes for every occasion.[/more-posts]
Southern Pimento Cheeseburger Recipe
Southern Pimento Cheeseburger
Ingredients
- ▢ Burger blend (click for details on our best hamburger post)
- ▢ 8 Slices New York Bakery Texas Toast
- ▢ 4 Leafs of Lettuce
For the Pimento Cheese Spread
- ▢ 8 Ounces Softened Cream Cheese
- ▢ 1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
- ▢ 8 Ounces Diced Pimentos
- ▢ A dash of Tabasco
- ▢ 1 1/2 Cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- ▢ Salt & Pepper to Taste
Instructions
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For the Pimento Cheese Spread:
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Place cream cheese and mayonnaise into a large mixing bowl and beat at medium speed until thoroughly combined and smooth.8 Ounces Softened Cream Cheese, 1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
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Add the sharp cheddar cheese to the cream cheese mixture.1 1/2 Cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese
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Mix until just combined, then fold in the diced pimentos. Be careful not to overmix.8 Ounces Diced Pimentos
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Season the pimento cheese spread to taste with salt, black pepper, and a dash of Tabasco for a subtle kick. Set aside.Salt & Pepper to Taste
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For the Burgers: Preheat your grill to high heat, then reduce to medium heat. Rub the grill grates with an oil-soaked paper towel to prevent sticking.
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Form your burger patties (refer to our linked post for the best burger blend). Season each side generously with salt and pepper.Burger blend (click for details on our best hamburger post)
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Place the seasoned burger patties on the preheated grill.
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Grill on each side until desired temperature is reached, approximately 4-5 minutes per side for a medium-cooked burger.
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After the first flip of the burger, generously spoon a dollop of pimento cheese onto each patty. At the same time, place the New York Bakery Texas Toast slices directly on the grill grates. Close the lid for a minute or two to allow the pimento cheese to melt and the toast to grill.8 Slices New York Bakery Texas Toast
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Flip the Texas Toast once to ensure even grilling. Once the toast has golden grill marks and the cheese is beautifully melted, remove everything from the grill.
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To Assemble: Place a leaf of lettuce on one piece of grilled Texas Toast (this helps prevent sogginess). Top with the cheesy burger patty, then close it up with another piece of grilled Texas Toast. Serve immediately and enjoy!4 Leafs of Lettuce, A dash of Tabasco
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of New York Bakery®. The opinions and text are all mine.