Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe is a staple spread in Southern homes and parties. It is a classic! It is delicious as a spread, dip, or sandwich and is made with cheddar cheese, pimentos, and a secret ingredient!
Looking for more cheese recipes? I think you’ll love my Queso recipe, Skillet Mac and Cheese, and my Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball.
My grandmother made her pimento cheese the old-fashioned way. She had a dedicated meat grinder she used to grind her cheese. It was a process definitely worth watching as a little girl. And it resulted in the best pimento cheese I’ve ever tasted.
How to Make Pimento Cheese
Not having my grandmother’s meat grinder, I quickly shred the cheese and add it to a few other ingredients to make the quickest, easiest, and most delicious pimento cheese I’ve ever tasted! And it includes my grandmother’s other secret ingredient (cream cheese).
Shred Your Cheese
You can easily shred your cheese in a food processor or even with a box grater, but I recommend shredding your cheese instead of storing pre-shredded cheese.
Can I use packaged pre-shredded cheese?
Store-bought pre-shredded cheese includes a coating to prevent clumping, which causes the cheese to not cream together, as does cheese that is freshly shredded from a block of cheese.
Now, if you are in a pinch, you certainly can use pre-shredded cheese. But shred your own cheese sometime when making it, and I think you’ll see the difference.
Combine
Once I shred my cheese, I mix in my softened cream cheese until well combined. Since I was already using my food processor, I switched out my blades and continued using it. Of course, you can easily mix it by hand or even use an electric mixer if you like.
Once my cheeses are well combined, I stir in the remaining ingredients: pimentos, salt and pepper, and any mayonnaise or Greek yogurt that I may be using.
Optional Add-ins
You can also include other spices and seasonings if you prefer. Garlic powder, onion powder, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or even a couple of dashes of hot sauce. I think I’ve tasted and love them all! But I always begin with my Grandmother Verdie’s base recipe. Most times, I stop there since it is practically perfect in every single way, but there are times that I spice it up a bit, depending on my mood.
What to Serve with Pimento Cheese
Pimento cheese is delicious served with bagel chips, pretzels, or crackers, and I especially love it spread on a sandwich or wrap or served with veggies. Basically, it just goes well with anything and just about everything!
And one thing is for certain, it always disappears!
Whether you serve as a dip or as a pimento cheese sandwich with a side of chips and a pickle, you can’t go wrong! If you prefer it as a hot dip, you definitely should try my hot pimento cheese dip recipe, too!
More Favorite Appetizers or Snacks
Here’s how I make Grandmother’s recipe. I hope you love it as much as we do!
Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (8-ounce) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 (8-ounce) mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup diced pimentos
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2-3 tablespoons mayonnaise, optional
Instructions
- Cream together cheddar cheese with the softened cream cheese until well combined.
- Stir in pimentos and salt and pepper.
- If you prefer your pimento cheese to be a bit thinner for spreading, add in optional mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, or liquid from the diced pimentos to preference.
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Optional Ingredients:
Add garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper or hot sauce to your preference. Â
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
Do you drain your pimentos?
NO, NO, the oil in the pimento is A high grade of OLIVE OIL. I use the chopped pimento and just “dump the whole jar”
Try making “grilling” it like a grilled cheese sandwich on some multi grain bread with a couple slices of bacon! To DIE for!
And before “grilling” instead of butter on the bread brush on olive oil w/lots of Italian Seasoning in it!
Grilled pimento cheese and bacon sandwiches? I think I may have died and gone to heaven…..this sounds DELICIOUS!!
Add a fried green tomato to that sandwich for true nirvana!
My family recipe is similar – I use my grinder attachment for my stand mixer to shred cheddar 🙂 But I have to thank you for the cream cheese ingredient. We have one in our house that is allergic to eggs and has never been able to have my pimento cheese – because of the mayo. I’ll try it this way now. Thanks again!
Instead of mayo, add a little Olive oil. I’ve always added a few pinches of sugar. I MUST try the cream cheese !!
Does Miracle Whip have eggs in it. If no substitute it for Mayo.
Oh Robyn, You just made my day with this post. As a child we also made homemade everything. I had all my old time things stolen and never quite found anything close to replacing them. Thanks for making it possible for me to make homemade pimento as soon as I can get the rest of the ingredients. It may not be the exact thing but it’s very close. Again THANKS!
Oh, how I love pimento cheese! I could sit and just eat it. LOL! 🙂 YUM!
Yum! I’ve got a meat grinder I’ve never used and have never thought about using it to grind cheese. Good idea.
Oh man, Amy, you should give it a whirl.
I am craving pimento cheese. Thanks for sharing a family recipe and an updated shortcut. The million dollar question…does it include the secret ingredient?
Absolutely – it’s the cream cheese!
That looks so good! I’m going to have to give this a try, I think it would be a huge success at our family gatherings 🙂
Believe it or not, I never liked pimentos until recently – too bitter! But now? Well now I’m looking to put pimentos in EVERYTHING! And during our trip to Charleston the past spring, found a new favorite – this pimento cheese – who knew something so simple could taste soooo divine!
Yes, it is truly divine. Be sure to include the cream cheese. It’s the secret weapon.
Family recipes are the best! Great snack or appetizer!
How do you cut or shred your pimento?
I use my blender Put everything in and turn it on
I use sharp and extra sharp cheddar. The sharp cheddar is grated on the large sized holes of a box grater and the extra sharp on the smaller sized holes. This makes a great difference in the texture of the pimento cheese. I love the cream cheese idea in this recipe. I would use just 4 oz of cream cheese and 4 oz Dukes Mayonnaise. I also add 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce, 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp sugar. Mix together well softened cream cheese with mayo and other small ingredients. Then stir in cheeses.
Oops, forgot to add pimentos. A small jar of sliced pimentos. If pimentos are not sliced I cut them into slices 1/4 inch wide by 1/2 inch long or so. I have also roasted a red pepper and cut in small strips for my pimentos.
Thanks for this great recipe. I am making it tomorrow for 4th of July.
The recipe is more for a “purist” of pimento cheese. I make mine similar to yours.
good recipe..BUT…it doesn’t go all the way…ADD a very small pinch salt, a very small sprinkle of Splenda (any sucralose) and most of all a small sprinkle of RED PEPPER…
Use velvetta easier n tastier creamer and if you want a change add small amount of jalapeño no salt needed. Always use HUG MAYO The simpler the better
JFG mayo