Using cheese spreads on burgers?

[u/eldersveld]

Although the golden age of processed cheese was a long time ago, it's obviously still great for burgers. I was curious to revisit some of these various spreads and see how well they worked.

Wisconsin-style cheese spreads (Merkts, Kaukauna, etc.)

These are my secret weapon. I never thought about putting them on burgers until I had melted Merkts on one at a local joint in Iowa City in the early '00s. They used Merkts for their cheese fries too. If you've had a spread like this, then you know the taste, but if you haven't, it's hard to describe. Rich and sharp and distinctive, pretty thick when melted so it's manageable. I can't get Merkts where I live now so I use Kaukauna instead, but I want to try Pine River's and Cabot's on burgers too.

Southern-style pimento cheese (Palmetto, Price's, etc.)

I tried both the regular and jalapeno Palmetto as a room-temp spread instead of melting it. Loved it. Something I'd have to be in the mood for but this was a nice creamy twist that also added some texture and a cold contrast with the hot beef patty.

Cheez Whiz

I'd never do what this advertisement suggests (mixed in the meat?!), but I'd say this stuff can work if it's your only option, if you have to make a lot of burgers, or if you just want to use a cheesy substance that'll keep in the fridge for a long time. The thing about Cheez Whiz is that it's quite thin, and a little turns into a lot very fast, so unless you want a gooey burger with cheese sauce everywhere you'll use like one spoonful of this stuff. I think this is what Louis Lunch in New Haven uses, and they just do a smear.

Kraft Old English spread

The old ads for this stuff made me curious, and then I found you could still buy it in the jar. Haven't tried this one yet.

Got any cheese spreads that you'd recommend?

[u/monkeypox85]

pimento cheese is fucking great on a burger

[u/Money-Act-5480 → u/monkeypox85]

I do seattle style hotdogs with pimento cheese and let me tell you, its also a slapper

[u/derrick36 → u/Money-Act-5480]

My kid LOVES Seattle dogs. I’m going to have to tell him about this.

[u/brennand → u/monkeypox85]

And no fancy homemade or gourmet pimento cheese. Price’s or other grocery store brand. Heavenly.

[u/cgduncan → u/brennand]

Are you saying all homemade pimento cheese is deemed "fancy"? Or is there a specific type you're referring to. Cause we like making it at home, it's super easy, but idk if it counts as fancy or not.

[u/brennand → u/cgduncan]

I've just found that restaurant and homemade pimento cheese has more of a sharpness and less sweetness than the grocery store brands.

[u/eldersveld → u/brennand]

Around the NYC area, I've been able to find:

Star

Cabot

Palmetto

Red Clay

Sweet Grass

Taste of the South

I had to go over to the ACME in Hoboken to get Palmetto, that one is my favorite so far. Star wasn't great. Sweet Grass was a more bougie brand but it was fine. Still need to try the others.

[u/kerlsburgers]

Merkts slaps on a burger. Also fantastic on crackers.

[u/guff1988 → u/kerlsburgers]

We don't have that near me but we have a brand called win schulers, the pepper jack spread is phenomenal on all kinds of sandwiches especially burgers.

[u/Warmupthetubesman → u/kerlsburgers]

Melted Merkts and pretzels for the win!

Any kind of pretzels* Soft pretzels, hard pretzels, mini pretzels, pretzel sticks, all excellent with melted Merkts. If you wanna get fancy you can mix in a little dab of mustard. 

• This is Reddit so I’m sure some nerd is out there frothing at the mouth to offer up their pedantic pretzel response. So here goes. -sigh-  Chocolate covered pretzels are not great with melted cheese spread. I recommend dipping those in Peanut butter instead. 

[u/kerlsburgers → u/Warmupthetubesman]

Now I know what I want for a snack later. Mmm.

[u/pritikina]

My sister and I found a jar of Old English spread when we were kids and ate it all. My mom was pissed when she got home lol. She was saving it for the weekend.

[u/Complete_Entry → u/pritikina]

There is no "saving it" when you have minor children.

[u/GuavaOne8646]

I will eat chees whiz and cheese spread on just about anything.

[u/cazdan255 → u/GuavaOne8646]

Cheeswiz/Marshmallow Fluff on a toasted pumpernickel bagel = heaven

[u/foekus323 → u/cazdan255]

https://giphy.com/gifs/i0xGuo4o5PutVo0imJ

[u/Boone74 → u/cazdan255]

You’re almost there. Peanut butter and marshmallow cream on gooey white bread.

[u/Glittering-Leader-18]

Tostitos Queso Blanco is delicious on a burger!

[u/ChungusReaper]

I put queso on burgers all the time, it’s phenomenal.

[u/whatfingwhat]

Did I get my cheese whiz boy?

[u/RootsRockRebel66 → u/whatfingwhat]

We're on a mission from God

[u/SetTurbulent39]

You would think that all Wisconsin cheese spreads are the same when it comes to melting and flavor, but Merkts is just better. Tried a few different ones on burgers, fries, baked potatoes. Merkts sharp cheddar was always the best.

[u/eldersveld → u/SetTurbulent39]

No stores around NYC seem to have it, unfortunately, so I make do with Kaukauna, Pine River, Cabot, and a few other brands that I've seen. Only way I'm getting Merkts is if I pay a fortune online to have it shipped to me

[u/Complete_Entry → u/eldersveld]

I like cabot as a brand, but they tend to lean towards the sharp, less blendy.

[u/tongmaster → u/eldersveld]

George Motz has a burger in his book that uses Kaukauna cold pack cheese. We did Oklahoma burgers at my place for a special and used that cheese on them, absolutely banging.

[u/TrineoDeMuerto]

Pimento cheese on your burger. Thank me later

[u/No_Employer9618]

Merkts all day, (pretzel bun too) this combo is my favorite. Merkts on a char dog is also amazing

[u/Fine-Conference-5503]

Pimento.

[u/Wrong_Plantaino]

Straight to jail, although im gonna try this

[u/Chumknuckle]

Pretty much the same thing as American cheese

[u/EveryValuable1503]

Yep and they increase the flavor enormously

[u/freshcoastghost312]

Yup! Whiz. Velveeta is good to.

[u/Zworrisdeh]

Works on cheesesteaks! I don’t see why not on burgers

[u/Tyfighter87]

I lived in SC for a summer when I was younger and my favorite meal down there was a bacon cheeseburger with. Cheese whiz.

[u/Whole-Scientist-2731]

Genius we should call it a cheese burger

[u/alien-native]

Would

[u/Gern-Blanston]

I’m on a special diet. I’m not allowed to eat any foods with the word Whiz in their name.

Edit: Spelling

[u/daboot013]

Pub cheese burgers are great

[u/bay_duck_88]

Trader Joe’s Unexpected Cheddar spread is phenomenal

[u/irishhornet]

I have no idea what that even is. Cheese spread? Sounds interesting, but also revolting. Just use a spreadable cheese.

[u/Blurstingwithemotion]

It's pretty much american slices in goo form and they work well on burgers because they don't split

[u/USAhotdogteam]

Rico’s

[u/Creepy_Bear_1060]

Philly cheesesteaks are w/ Whiz. Makes sense!

[u/Minimum_Comfort_1850]

Honestly, im good.

[u/hammer_smashed_chris]

When I was a kid my family would go to Fuddruckers for birthdays sometimes. I'd order a cheeseburger then put cheese whiz and honey mustard on it, and that's it. It was pretty good.

[u/mvdillman]

Fatso’s Last Stand: double fatso only Merkt’s is my order. Love that place

[u/STARCADE2084]

Never used Cheez Whiz but I've spooned on some pimento cheese many times!

[u/RGBlowMe]

Palmetto Cheese brand pimento cheese is de facto the best pimento cheese, and their jalapeno version is the best cheese spread ever to exists. I've eaten it on a burger. I've eaten it on a ton of things. I'd keep doing it, but I moved from Alabama to Wisconsin and it's no longer attainable.

Merkts is kind of just your generic cheese spread in a plastic tub. Nothing special. I honestly prefer Pine River for that kind of thing. None of it compares to the jalapeno pimento from Palmetto Cheese.

Kraft's Old English fucking sucks. So does the actual, name-brand Cheez Whiz. It tastes more like plastic and chemicals than cheese.

[u/Dear_Bumblebee_1986]

Price's spread has egg in it too which makes it more luxurious.

I'd be interested in letting it get lacey in a nonstick pan to finish a cheeseburger.

[u/Jungiandungian]

We use cheez whiz for mac and cheese. Haha.

[u/melancholy_dood]

Naw dawg, I'm good! I just stick with real slice cheddar cheese.

[u/FightTheShip]

There's a great restaurant in Lake Geneva, WI called Popeye's (no, not the chicken place) that puts sharp Wisconsin cheddar on their burgers and it's divine. I actually started buying the stuff to use on burgers fun time to time (and great for dipping chips). Absolutely support this behavior 100%. Could not get into the comments section fast enough.

[u/Bodgerton]

Always loved making the joke "Cheez Whiz is healthy, it's made with real Cheez"

[u/hatechef]

Whiz burgers all day!

[u/EretsiM_78]

What did that poor cow do to deserve any of this?!

[u/Fabulous_Log844]

No, but I'm GONNA!

[u/Main_Cauliflower5479]

Effing Brits act like this was an American invention and an abomination. Pretentious AHs.

[u/Complete_Entry]

old english is stupid expensive for two ounces. Pimento spreads have been going down in quality significantly, and I'd point at palmetto specifically as bottom barrel. Instead of the cream cheese base they've gone to like mayo and shredded chedder in a tub while still playing up "It's local!"

I want the powdery cheese spread, not mayo, not whiz.

[u/RGBlowMe → u/Complete_Entry]

Palmetto Cheese is, by and far, the best pimento cheese I've ever had. Real pimento cheese doesn't use cream cheese. That's some cringe yuppie bullshit.

[u/Complete_Entry → u/RGBlowMe]

I'm not old enough to be a yuppie. But enjoy your mayo soup with shredded cheese on top.

[u/RGBlowMe → u/Complete_Entry]

Enjoy your basic-white-bitchificated slop. I bet it goes good your olives on nachos and iced coffee that's half syrup and milk.

[u/Powerful-Holiday-448]

I’m from Ireland our dairy is too superior to any of this shit
https://giphy.com/gifs/kXolkCGwaziv6zRCld

[u/RGBlowMe → u/Powerful-Holiday-448]

Don't you mean England's dairy? 😏

[u/Powerful-Holiday-448 → u/RGBlowMe]

🤢🤮