Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe ~ THE Spread for Everything!

Name: Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe ~ THE Spread for Everything!
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces aged white cheddar ((about 2 cups, coarsely grated)); 6 ounces yellow aged cheddar (coarsely grated); 2/3 cups mayonnaise* (without "natural flavorings" ); 1/2 cup pimentos (drained, diced medium-fine ); 3 tablespoons greek yogurt; 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce ((I use an organic one)); 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika; 2 big pinches cayenne pepper; 1 teaspoon neutral oil (such as expeller pressed safflower oil ); 3 tablespoons shallots (peeled, medium- fine dice ); sea salt to taste

By Karen Sheer

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Jul 12, 2019, Updated Nov 01, 2023

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This spread has so many culinary uses. Great served with good crackers and crudités ~ use also as a sandwich spread, a burger topper or a stuffing for vegetables. The possibilities are really endless.

**Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe ~ THE Spread for Everything!**

Pimento cheese has been a Southern staple for well over 50 years.

It’s served cold, well – room temperature. Pimento Cheese is typically served as a dip or a condiment for sandwiches. Although the recipe was not born in the Southern states if the U.S. ~ I believe it was mastered there, and beloved recipes have been handed down for generations.

What makes my recipe Southern style? I would say the level of spiciness, and the lack of cream cheese.

My recipe is lightened-up. Surprised?

You shouldn’t be ~ I love to tweak recipes and reinvent them! I’ve used top quality ingredients, good mayo – but not too much and added greek yogurt for some tang and a creamy texture.

How mine is different?

It has a zesty & spicy flavor – and I add sautéed shallots which are mandatory!!… So good.
I also do not use cream cheese, it’s not necessary as I think the texture is too heavy.

**Ingredients for: Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe ~ THE Spread for Everything!**

Easy to prepare!

A batch of Pimento Cheese comes together in minutes, and keeps well in the refrigerator, I store in a tightly sealed glass container.

What makes it Southern style? I would say the level of spiciness, and the lack of cream cheese.
Use the best quality ingredients – starting with the cheeses. Many Wisconsin cheddars are yellow (colored with anatto); Vermont cheddars are typically white. I choose a “sharp” style cheddar that is well aged – you can taste the texture of crystallization – ooh so good!

A Little History:

While pimento cheese was being served at dinner parties in the North, the South’s version morphed in grandma’s kitchen over the years. The flavor of the original was very mild, so they traded it for the bolder cheddar cheese. To balance out the texture they added mayonnaise. The diced up pimentos though, never left the equation. The mayo-to-cheese ratio makes the whole dish just a little chunkier and a whole lot tastier.

Serving ideas for Pimento Cheese:

Pimento Grilled Cheese Sandwiches (or as a filling for many sandwiches)
Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs
Pimento Cheese Stuffed Squash and Stuffed Peppers (miniature ones make great appetizers.)
Pimento Cheese Mac n Cheese
Scalloped Corn with Pimento Cheese
Pimento Cheese Corn Bread
Pimento Cheese topped Burgers
Topping for a home made biscuit
Crispy Bacon is a great accompaniment
Pimento Cheese Potato Gratin
Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Pimento Cheese

Enjoy this Southern Pimento Cheese Spread… for the Holidays & Beyond!
Karen