Pimento Cheese Patty Melts are a delightful twist on the classic diner favorite, combining the creamy richness of pimento cheese with the comforting simplicity of a patty melt. Imagine a juicy beef patty sandwiched between two slices of buttery toasted bread, with a generous slathering of homemade pimento cheese melting over the top.
The journey begins with crafting the perfect pimento cheese—a creamy blend of sharp cheddar cheese, tangy cream cheese, diced pimentos, mayonnaise, and a hint of spice from cayenne pepper or hot sauce. This flavorful spread is the star of the show, adding a burst of savory goodness and a touch of Southern charm to every bite.
Next comes the beef patty, seasoned to perfection with salt, pepper, and any additional spices or herbs you desire. The patty is cooked to juicy perfection on a hot griddle or skillet, developing a golden-brown crust on the outside while remaining tender and succulent on the inside.
As the patty cooks, slices of hearty bread are toasted to golden perfection, soaking up the rich flavors of butter and adding a satisfying crunch to each bite. Once the bread is toasted to perfection, it’s time to assemble the patty melt.
On one slice of toasted bread, a generous portion of pimento cheese is spread, allowing it to melt and ooze over the edges as it heats up. Then, the cooked beef patty is placed on top, followed by another dollop of pimento cheese and the second slice of toasted bread.
Whether served as a hearty lunch or a satisfying dinner, Pimento Cheese Patty Melts are sure to become a new favorite in your recipe repertoire, delighting your taste buds with their irresistible combination of flavors and textures. So gather your loved ones, fire up the grill, and get ready to enjoy a taste of Southern comfort at its finest.
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet onions, cut in half and thinly sliced
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, divided
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried
- 2 tablespoons red pepper jelly
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon Worscestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 slices sturdy white sandwich bread or sourdough bread.
- 1 1/3 cups pimento cheese
Instructions
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat in a large cast iron or nonstick skillet.
Add onion and cook, stirring often for 20 minutes. Turn heat down if they are getting too browned.
Transfer onion to a bowl and stir in thyme and red pepper jelly. Set aside.
While the onion is cooking, combine the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a large bowl. Gently mix together.
Shape into 4 oval patties.
Wipe skillet clean, but leave a little grease.
Heat over medium-high heat. Add patties and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes per side or until desired degree of doneness.
Remove patties to a plate.
Wipe skillet clean.
Spread 1/3 cup of pimento cheese on half of the bread slices. Top each with a burger patty.
Spread the onion mixture on the remaining bread slices and place them onion side down on top of the burger patties.
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the skillet over medium heat. Add 2 patty melts. Press down some on the patty melts as they cook and turn them over when golden on the bottom. Cook until second side is golden.
Repeat with remaining butter and patty melts.