What is pimento cheese?
Pimento cheese is a treasured Southern dish. It is sometimes referred to as “the pĆ¢tĆ© of the South”.
The base of the recipe is pretty simple – shredded cheese is combined with mayo and diced pimentos.
Everyone has their own little variation though – some people use different types of cheese, add spices, or even bread and butter pickles (yuck!).
My recipe, the one I’m sharing with you today, includes diced jalapeƱos, white pepper, and celery salt.
My personal favorite cheeses for this dish are sharp cheddar and extra sharp white cheddar. It is best to buy block cheese and shred it yourself. Store bought shredded cheese is full of preservatives that alter the taste. Tillamook makes an excellent version of both cheddars.
What goes with pimento cheese?
Pimento cheese can be eaten simply as a dip. When serving this way, I think it’s best on Ritz crackers. (What isn’t best on Ritz crackers???)
It is also often served on celery sticks. (My favorite way to eat it growing up!)
You can add it to virtually any dish you would use cheddar cheese in: pimento cheese burgers, pimento cheese grits, pimento grilled cheese, pimento queso…the possibilities are endless!
What is a pimento cheese sandwich?
One of the simplest and most popular ways to serve pimento cheese is in a sandwich.
Traditionally, white bread is used and the only condiment is mayo.
The pimento cheese sandwich is undoubtedly the most popular item at the Master’s golf tournament in Georgia.
I think pimento cheese is one of those recipes that gets better a day or two after you make it. 24-48 hours gives all those ingredients and flavors a chance to meld together and really become something phenomenal.
But you know I can never wait and always sample some the first day I make it.
How long does it last? Can you freeze it?
Pimento cheese should last at least a week when stored in an airtight container and refrigerated. Unfortunately, pimento cheese does not freeze well.
Other Pimento Cheese Recipes
More Appetizer Recipes
- Deviled Eggs with Fried Chicken Skin
- Chicken Fried Pickles
- Fire Crackers
- Beer Cheese Fondue
- Crock Pot Garlic & Onion Beer Boiled Peanuts
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Best Pimento Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 2.5 Cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar
- 1.5 Cups Shredded Extra Sharp White Cheddar
- 1 Cup Pimentos (diced)
- 1-2 Jalapenos (diced)
- 1/2 Cup Mayo
- 3/4 Tsp Vinegar Based Hot Sauce (optional)
- 1/2 Tsp Celery Salt
- 1/4 Tsp White Pepper
- 1/8 Tsp Salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients in a large bowl, stir until well combined.
- Serve as a sandwich between 2 slices of white bread, or serve as a dip with crackers or vegetables.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to one week.
Savanadana says
Thinking of using this on hot baked potatoes as topper looks delicious, have you ever tried on baked potato?
Jessica Pinney says
I’ve never used it on baked potatoes, but we made pimento cheese potato skins that were delicious. I’m sure the baked potatoes would be good too. If you try it, please let us know how it turns out.
Diane says
Great recipe. I grew up on pimento cheese. I added a small sweet red pepper and it was great. Thankyou
LaDonna says
I would give this recipe a 5 star rating, my husband loves it so much that he wants me to
make it a staple in our refrigerator at all times
Love it
Beverly says
Do you use fresh JalapeƱos or the pickled kind in a jar?
Jessica Pinney says
Hi, Beverly! I use fresh jalapeƱos in my pimento cheese.
Larry Corey says
Do you remove the seeds and spines from the JalapeƱos or leave in?
Jessica Pinney says
I generally remove them but it is a matter of preference. Leaving the seeds in will result in a spicer pimento cheese.
Marcia Gaines says
What is Tsp, teaspoon or tablespoon?
Thanks
Jessica Pinney says
Teaspoon.
Elle says
Fabulous
Sallie says
Are you using fresh pimentos or from a jar?
Jessica Pinney says
Jarred pimento.
Joan says
I love this recipe! I have made it 6 times and is always a hit with my guests and husband!
Amy says
Real Southern pimento cheese always uses just a little sugar – maybe a teaspoon. Also try to use Duke’s brand mayo if you can find it for authenticity.
Raven Qinah Wallyss says
Duke’s or GO HOME!
Elle says
Why Dukes? THANKS ALWAYS USE OLIVE OIL BLUEPLATE
Ginger Aldrich says
Itās not southern if itās not Dukes bit if you like something else fine
Voga Buhl says
ššCut washed/dried (paper towel ) Celery sticks , ahhh like 1 inch or a little longerā¦ā¦ā¦and fill them with the Pimento Cheese ā¦ā¦ā¦finger food with a dinner or snack by themselvesā¦ā¦ā¦ SO YUMMY āļøāļø
MERRYšCHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEARāļøāļø
Della Powers says
This looks so delicious I’ve got to try it I love pimento spread.
Sandra M Freeman says
I had to add extra mayonaise, cheese, and a bit of sugar to cut the salty taste. I know almost everyone loves this, but I would cut out the regular salt and only add the celery salt.
klbr says
Delicious! I used hatch chilies instead of jalepeno and used cincinnati chili hot sauce
Frida Fallas says
Hi, if I want to use fresh peppers, what do I need to do with them?
Rebekah Thomas says
Going to make this for the weekend.
Charlotte says
What could you use instead of mayo?
M says
You can use Miracle Whip, and it will still be delicious!
Barb says
Looking at the picture, it looks like it’s creamery. Do you melt the cheese?
Lisa says
LOVE LOVE LOVE This recipe!!! Quick, easy and delicious! So much better than store bought. I did use diced chili’s instead of jalapeƱos for my family and it was fine! (I prefer the jalapeƱos)
Helen Barnhardt says
I made grilled cheese sandwiches with the pimento cheese. Yum yum.
Helen says
Makes the best grilled cheese sandwich
Shelly says
Hi where can I buy pimento?
Lori says
Hi Shelly, if you are just looking for the pimento you should find the jars in the same section of any USA grocery store with the pickles and such. We are from southwestern Kentucky and my folks always use jarred pimentos.
Helen says
I have made this recipe several times. Try making grilled cheese sandwiches with it.
Donna Teichman says
Just like the recipe I used growing up in Texas.
Later, I learned to make a killer dip by first mixing grated cheese and Miracle Whip, Then adding hot Paces Picante Sauce until it was of dipping consistency. Hot in flavor not heated.
This was when we had only Fritos to dip with.
Tortilla chips on the shelf weren’t available.
To this day I will only eat Fritos with regular pimento cheese, or the dip variety.
.
Diane says
Iām also from Texas and I always eat Fritos with my pimento cheese. Canāt wait to try this recipe. I use Colby-jack and Velveta. I also put pecans in mine. It’s very good.
Sharon Coleman says
Could you can it?
Tammy says
Do you drain the liquid from the jarred pimento or add it in?
Barbara says
How does it become creamy when the cheese is shredded?
Wendy Petties says
Hi. The best way to eat pimento cheese is on a fresh, crispy rice cake! Try it. Itās wonderful! Iām going to try your recipe.ā¤ļø
Diane Irwin says
Wonderful.. I had forgotten how delicious celery tasted with this spread. I will keep this in my fridge and take it to work for all of us to snack on.
Deborah Spencer says
Hi, Iām originally from Kansas. My grandmother always made this with Colby Cheese, Miricle Whip, and Jared Pimentos, and a very finely chopped baby Gerkins and a little of the juice from the Gerkins jar. She put the cheese through a hand cranked meat grinder. Make sure you drain and squeeze the pimentos so the dip is not too wet.
M says
I gave this pimento cheese recipe 5 stars because, because itās just that amazing! So easy to put together quickly and it tastes great. Occasionally, I substitute another pepper for the jalapeƱo pepper, since the jalapeƱo is too spicy hot for some of my familyās tastes. Iāve had good luck using Anneheim peppers, salad peppers, or even bell peppers. Personally, I like the ones that pack a little more heat! Our favorite way to eat the pimento cheese is grilled on nice slices from a crusty loaf of homemade whole grain bread, which I buy from the bakery at the grocery. But, it never fails when I make it on white bread! For dressing, just your favorite mayo.
Christine Cox says
I will definitely make this receipe, I love pimento cheese.
Anne says
This looks like the same way I make it, except I add a some cream cheese, a little feta and goat cheese occasionally, and always Hellmanās, but thatās a personal choice. What type of vinegar-based hot sauce are you referring to? Louisiana Hot Sauce? Wonderful recipe! ā¤ļø
Holly says
This pimento cheese with bacon jam on top and on cut baguette slices is a copycat of my favorite appetizer ..,
debra says
What is a vinegar-based hot sauce?
Karen says
Where do you buy Dried Pinmento?
Diane Barnett says
Yes but I used sharp and colby/jack. It turned out very good.