Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe (2024)

Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe is a staple spread in Southern homes and parties. Pimento cheese is a classic! Made with cheddar cheese, pimentos, and a secret ingredient, it is delicious as a spread, pimento cheese dip, or sandwich!

Looking for more cheese recipes? I think you’ll love my Queso recipe, Skillet Mac and Cheese, and my Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball.

Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe (1)

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.

Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe (2)

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).

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Shred Your Cheese

You can easily shred your cheese in a food processor or even with a box grater, but I definitely recommend shredding your own cheese instead of using store-bought shredded cheese.

Can I use packaged pre-shredded cheese?

Store-bought shredded cheese includes a coating to prevent the cheese from clumping together which makes the cheese not cream together, as well as 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 do shred your own cheese sometime when making it, and I think you’ll see the difference.

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Combine

Once I shred my cheese, I then mix in my softened cream cheese until well combined. Since I was already using my food processor, I just switched out my blades and continued to use it. Of course, you can easily mix it together by hand or even using an electric mixer if you like.

Once I have my cheeses well combined, I then stir in the remaining ingredients: pimentos, salt and pepper, and any mayonnaise or Greek yogurt that I may be using.

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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!

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And one thing is for certain, it always disappears!

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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

Deviled Eggs

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Vidalia Onion Dip

Shrimp Dip

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

Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe (8)

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Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe

Robyn Stone

5 from 39 votes

Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe – A staple spread in Southern home and parties, pimento cheese is a classic! Made with cheddar cheese, pimentos and a secret ingredient, this pimento cheese recipe is always a hit!

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 servings

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

Use pimento cheese as a dip with vegetables, crackers or pretzels or as a spread for sandwiches, burgers, chicken and more!

Make-Ahead Instructions:
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

Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 361mg | Potassium: 77mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 305IU | Vitamin C: 3.4mg | Calcium: 202mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Enjoy!
Robyn xo

Categorized as:30 Minutes or Less Recipes, All Recipes, Appetizers, By Cooking Style, Camping, Dip Recipes, Easter Recipes, Egg-Free Recipes, Essentials, Father’s Day Recipes, Game Day Recipes, Gluten-Free Recipes, Grain-Free Recipes, Halloween Recipes, July 4th Recipes, Make-ahead Recipes, Mother’s Day Recipes, No Cook Recipes, Recipes, Shower Recipes, Simple Recipes, Southern Favorites, Vegetarian Recipes, Videos

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Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

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Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is pimento cheese called in the south? ›

Most Southerners have fond memories of a loving aunt mixing up a batch for a church gathering, while Northerners haven't the foggiest idea what pimento cheese even is. Affectionately referred to as “Carolina caviar” or “Southern pate,” it has been a Southern staple for well over 50 years.

Why is pimento cheese big in the South? ›

It may have become popular in the South because it didn't spoil easily at room temperature, making it easy to pack in lunchboxes, particularly for textile workers. But it was also fashionable as a sandwich in tea rooms.

What are the ingredients in palmetto cheese pimento cheese? ›

Palmetto Cheese is gluten free, made with Wisconsin sharp cheddar, cream cheese, mayonnaise and chopped pimentos along with other quality ingredients. Our pimento cheese has the taste and texture of homemade and is currently available in over 10,000 locations in 45 states and Washington D.C.

What is the difference between Palmetto Cheese and pimento cheese? ›

Palmetto Cheese is a trademark for a brand of pimento cheese from Pawleys Island Specialty Foods, a division of Get Carried Away, based in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. It is manufactured and packaged at Duke Sandwich Productions located in Easley, South Carolina.

What is the SC brand of pimento cheese? ›

Pawleys Island Specialty Foods is a wholesale food company based in Pawleys Island, SC. We are the creators and marketers of the #1 brand of pimento cheese in America called Palmetto Cheese. Founded in 2006, Pawleys Island Specialty Foods continues to develop and market new products for retail customers.

Does pimento cheese contain mayo? ›

Let's cut to the chase - pimento cheese is shredded cheese, bits of pimento and a generous dollop of mayonnaise all mixed up and used as a sandwich spread or dip.

What are the 3 ingredients used to make the majority of cheese? ›

Most types of cheese only need two or three ingredients, milk, cultures and rennet. These simple ingredients will ripen the milk, form curds and whey and add flavor to the finished cheese. Finding good milk will help you create fantastic cheese. When getting milk, you always want it to be as fresh as possible.

Why did Costco remove pimento cheese? ›

Costco has reportedly removed Palmetto Cheese from store shelves after the owner of the pimento cheese brand called Black Lives Matter a "terror organization." Brian Henry, the founder of Palmetto Cheese and mayor of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, made a public Facebook post on Aug.

What happened to Ruth's pimento cheese? ›

Ruth's Salad Charlotte NC is Recalling Ruth's Original Pimento Spread 7 oz Because of Possible Health Risk May Contain Listeria Monocytogenes | FDA.

What ethnicity is pimento cheese? ›

Although the recipe has its origins in the northern United States, it is generally most closely associated with the cuisine of the Southern United States and has been referred to as the "pâté of the South" and "the caviar of the South." Pimento cheese sandwiches have a long history as a concession at the Masters golf ...

Where is the pimento cheese capital of the world? ›

While pimento cheese is a staple in many Southern homes, Charlotte has been considered the Pimento Cheese Capital of the World, according to Mental Floss.

What are the ingredients in Happy Farms pimento cheese? ›

Cheddar cheese (cultured milk, salt, enzymes), pimentos, water, soybean oil, high fructose corn syrup, cream, milk protein concentrate, whey, skim milk, distilled vinegar, modified corn starch, potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate (preservatives), sodium phosphate, egg yolk, salt, guar, xanthan, and locust bean gum, ...

Is pimento cheese good for high blood pressure? ›

Unfortunately, a serving of pimento cheese could potentially have up to 200 to 400 milligrams of sodium. This means that consuming pimento cheese regularly and in large quantities could contribute to the exacerbation of high blood pressure.

How long does homemade pimento cheese last? ›

Place the cheese in a clean container and seal it so that it is airtight. Whereas pre-packaged pimento cheese can last up to four weeks in the fridge, the homemade version will not last quite as long due to the lack of stabilizers and preservatives — it will only last for about one week.

What is the nickname for pimento cheese? ›

Pimento cheese is most closely associated with Southern cuisine and has been referred to as the "pâté of the South", "Carolina caviar" and "the caviar of the South." Pimento cheese sandwiches have a long history at the Masters Tournament.

What is hoop cheese in the South? ›

Hoop cheese is the name of a mild, semisoft cow's milk cheese originating in the American South. Other names include red ring cheese or baker's cheese.

Is pimento cheese from Georgia? ›

Pimentos have Georgia roots too. Georgia was the pimento capital of the world in the 1930s. It started near Griffin at Experiment Station. Pimentos were plentiful and profitable, launching pimento cheese as the go-to working class lunch and a proper society snacking staple.

Is North Carolina known for pimento cheese? ›

In the 1950s, Charlotte-based Ruth's Salads began producing and selling pimento cheese. Today, the company is the largest producer of pimento cheese in North Carolina.

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