Southern Pimento Cheese
If you’re from the South, chances are you’ve grown up with a tub of pimento cheese tucked in the fridge—right next to the sweet tea and the bread and butter pickles. Pimento cheese is more than just a spread; it’s a tradition passed down through church cookbooks, family reunions, and afternoon porch sittings. While I keep a container of Palmetto Cheese (made right here in SC) in my fridge for convenience, I want to share my Mama's pimento cheese recipe with you for days that you want to take just a few extra minutes to make your sandwich special.
Originally made popular in the early 1900s, pimento cheese actually started up North as a blend of imported Spanish pimientos and cream cheese. But when it made its way down South, we did what we always do—we put our own Southern spin on it. We swapped in sharp cheddar, added some good Southern seasoning, and most importantly, we used Duke’s Mayonnaise to give it that signature tang and creaminess. Duke’s, born in Greenville, South Carolina, is a staple in just about every Southern kitchen. It’s the only mayonnaise I’ll use in my pimento cheese, and once you taste it, you’ll understand why.
This homemade version is bold, creamy, and perfectly spreadable—no matter if you're slathering it on crackers, stuffing it into celery sticks, or layering it inside a grilled cheese sandwich (see that recipe here!). And once you try it, I promise, you may never buy store bought again.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time (optional): 30 minutes
Yield: About 2 cups
Ingredients:
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
½ cup Duke’s Mayonnaise
4 oz jar of diced pimentos, drained
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little kick)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional: 2 oz cream cheese, softened (for an extra creamy texture)
Instructions:
In a medium bowl, combine the shredded cheddar, drained pimentos, and mayonnaise.
Add garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (if using), and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Stir until everything is evenly mixed. If using cream cheese, mix it in now for a smoother texture.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed—some folks like more spice, others prefer it milder.
For best flavor, cover and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. But if you're in a hurry, go ahead and dig in!
Pro Tips:
>> 1. Spread it on white bread for a classic sandwich!
>> 2. Serve it with crackers or tortilla chips as an appetizer.
>> 3. Scoop it onto celery sticks for a low-carb snack.
>> 4. Melt it into a grilled cheese for something extra special (like my grilled pimento cheese sandwich recipe!)
