This homemade Southern Pimento Cheese from my family recipe is delicious as a spread, dip, or sandwich. It has a secret ingredient and makes the best pimento cheese! Always a classic favorite in Southern homes and parties!

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

Ingredients

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

• Cheddar Cheese – You’ll use both Sharp and Mild Cheddar Cheese and shred it from the blocks of cheese.
• Cream Cheese – Softened
• Pimentos – Diced
• Salt and Pepper – Use kosher salt (see note in recipe regarding salt)
• Mayonnaise – Optional but delicious

Step-by-Step Instructions

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 not to 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 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

Deviled Eggs

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

Shrimp Dip

Here’s how I make Grandmother’s recipe. I hope you love it as much as we do!

Enjoy!
Robyn xo