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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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!

And one thing is for certain, it always disappears!

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!

Enjoy!
Robyn xo