The Cheap Topping That Makes Pimento Cheese Sandwiches Taste Gourmet

No one can deny the enduring popularity of an old-fashioned pimento cheese sandwich. Yet while some may find the distinctive texture of this unctuous cheese, mayo, and pimento spread to be part of its appeal, it's hard not to wonder what additions might elevate it. One topping worth considering can make your next pimento cheese sandwich taste gourmet-style, without making a dent in your wallet — caramelized onions.  

Some contrast in texture and flavor can make pimento cheese sandwiches sing — it's one of the reasons the classic spread is accompanied by pork rinds at Dollywood. Adding caramelized onions is a cheap and easy way to achieve this. After being softened, the textural difference introduced by the onions will be subtle, but noticeable. Their natural sweetness, meanwhile, will contrast nicely with the savory elements of the sandwich.

It's important to remember the difference between sauteing and caramelizing your onions. Sauteed onions are cooked quickly over a high heat, leaving them with a crispy exterior and soft inside. Caramelized onions are cooked long on a low heat, allowing their sugars to emerge and sweeten the onions as they brown. Of the various ways caramelized onions can be prepared, we favor braising. Once your onions are ready, pile them atop the pimento cheese in the sandwich, so that the layers are distinct. You can then enjoy the sandwich as is, or griddle it until crispy and golden-brown.

Caramelized onions are highly versatile, and can act as the perfect delivery system for injecting even greater flavor into your pimento cheese sandwich. For a richer and more complex taste, you could add balsamic vinegar or red wine to your onions as they cook. Hot honey would bring a pleasing mixture of sweet and spicy, and it's hard to go wrong by pairing onions and garlic.

You need not stop at caramelized onions when it comes to upgrading your pimento cheese sandwich, but you should think carefully about what further ingredients would go well with them. Our classic pimento cheese recipe, for example, features crumbled bacon. The extra bite provided by crispy bacon would bring another contrasting texture, allowing you to further adjust the balance between sweet and savory. Alternatively, some folks endorse incorporating canned pineapple chunks into the pimento cheese itself to lean into the sweet side. 

Finally, if you find yourself in the mood for a meal beyond a simple sandwich, remember that there are numerous creative ways to use pimento cheese, many of which would be enhanced with the addition of caramelized onions. One intuitive option would be to use both as toppings for your next burger or patty melt.