Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe
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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 I enjoyed watching as a little girl. And it resulted in the best pimento cheese I’ve ever tasted.
Southern Pimento Cheese is a recognized staple in southern kitchens, just like good sweet tea and flaky buttermilk biscuits! And one thing I love most about pimento cheese is its versatility! It’s just as perfect for serving at a bridal shower as it is at a football tailgate or on a tasty sandwich for lunch! So whether you serve it as a dip or as a pimento cheese sandwich with a side of chips and a pickle, it’s always a crowd favorite! And you should try my hot pimento cheese dip recipe, too!
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 sometimes 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. I usually stop there since it is practically perfect in every single way, but sometimes 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!
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.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
Add sweet pickles when grinding your cheese and pimento then dig in. My grandmother jack cheese, ched cheddar cheese , pimento, and sweet pickles that’s all she did.
I’ve never tried it with cream cheese…sounds Yum! I’m a purist…No onion, NO miracle whip ( yuck!), &…definitely NO sugar! Cheese & sugar…Groos! And, I’ve always roasted the pimento…too Yummy! And, grating your cheese is Always more flavorful! And, when I make it…I Have to double it & take 1/2 to my daughter…lol…she loves it as much as I do!
Bought pimento cheese can Never compare to the the Real Deal! … Homemade!…there is No comparison!
And, easy to make!
Don’t use mild cheddar EVER! LOL!
I had deep fried pimento cheese fritters at a restaurant in Georgia. They were wonderful!
Jim Shaw’s Restaurant in Macon, GA has the fried pimento cheese fritters (balls) served with hot pepper jelly. The best things I have ever eaten in my life!!!
Oooh, I’ll have to try those next time we go to Jim Shaw’s!!
I use a similar recipe but mix in a can of Rotel, drained, and a tbsp. of worchestershire sauce…..It is important to use Block cheese and grate it yourself whichever way you choose.. That gives it the moisture that you don’t get with pre-shredded cheese. I use one block of sharp cheddar and one block of medium. My recipe call for a cup of mayo and we like mayo but use less than a cup Haven’t used cream cheese so will try it. I use the jar of pimento too and I do drain it.
I have made this with cream cheese for years but I put the green part of the onion and celery in mine. My family loves it and I don’t add mayonnaise until we are ready yo eat it. This way the cheese keeps longer.
Read with interest and this is a great recipe. I have been for years collecting historic traditional Southern recipes. For pimento cheese, I have settled on a recipe from the 30’s blended with my families home recipe. The major difference is 4 or so green onions (white part only) The difference in taste is remarkable and a must for pimento cheese. Try it!
I like to use the cream cheese, extra sharp cheddar and pepper jack cheese….it adds just a little kick to it. Yummy!
I usually make a big batch and refrigerate, before using I place it in the microwave for 45 sec to 1 minute and it makes is easy to spread.
I was at a restaurant last weekend that offered a smoked pimento cheese appetizer. Well, today I made your recipe for pimento cheese using smoked gouda and sharp cheddar. Wow! This is going in my keeper book! Thanks for the recipe. I have been making pimento cheese recipes for years and this is the best! My search has ended!
Oh my goodness! Thank you so much, Linda! xo
I use pimento cheese made with the cream cheese to stuff cucumbers for appetizers and parties. Makes great finger foods!!