Pimento Cheese & Bacon Jam Burger

Pair with Lytton Estate Petite Sirah

Yield: 4
Active Time: 25 Minutes
Total Time: 30 Minutes


Ingredients:

Bacon Jam:

  • 1/4 pound slab bacon, finely diced
  • 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons brewed coffee
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • Kosher salt
  • Ground black pepper

Pimento Cheese:

  • 6 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded
    (1 1/2 cups)
  • 1 ounce cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup drained and chopped jarred pimentos
  • 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
  • 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Burgers:

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, preferably 30% fat (ask your butcher for a blend of 30% Brisket & Chuck/Round)
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 4 buns, split and toasted
  • Sliced dill pickles and thinly sliced scallions, for serving

Directions:

Bacon Jam:

  • In a medium pan, cook the bacon over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towel.
  • Drain all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat from the pan.
  • Add the onion to pan and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes.
  • Return the bacon to the skillet along with the coffee, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar and granulated sugar.
  • Cook over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until the liquid is reduced and the jam is thick and glossy, about 5 minutes.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Scrape the bacon jam into a bowl and let cool to room temperature.

 

Pimento Cheese:

  • In a medium bowl, combine all of the ingredients and stir to combine.

Burgers:

  • Form the beef into 4 ¾-inch-thick patties and season with salt and pepper.
  • In a large cast-iron skillet set on the grate of a preheated grill or on the stovetop, heat the oil. Cook the burgers over moderate heat until browned on the bottom, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook, covered, until browned and medium-rare, about 3 minutes.
  • Remove the burgers from skillet and let rest.

To Serve:

  • Place a burger on each bun bottom. Top with some of the pimento cheese, bacon jam, sliced pickles and scallions. Close the burgers and serve.

* Recipe provided by Chef Jesse McQuarrie of Feast Catering

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