Growing up in California, I had never heard of the southern treat, Pimiento cheese. Heck, the only time I even saw pimientos were when my mom use to make potato salad. She always added pimentos, but I always picked them out.
I first saw this cheese on the blog A Duck In Her Pond. I knew I would give it a try. But, so is life, time came and went, and I never did get it made. It just went out of sight, out of mind. 
Then, I saw it again!
Lana from Never Enough Time posted it and said pimiento cheese sandwiches were a common part of her Southern childhood. I kind of felt like I had been missing out on something good since childhood.I couldn’t let that happen to my kid!
It is so easy to make that I could remember exactly what I needed. So on my way home one afternoon, in need of something to make for the kid’s lunch the next day, I stopped at the store.
Pimientos? √
Sharp cheddar? √
Bread? √
I had mayo, salt & pepper. I was all set!
A quick whiz in the food processor, I had my filling for a delicious and quick sandwich.
I can see why this is a staple in Southern kitchens. This stuff is great.
You can spread it on crackers, stuff it in celery, make a simple sandwich or even put in on a cheese platter! It would also be a great portable snack to take on our camping trips. Mix it up and tote it along in some Tupperware.
Simplicity at it’s best!
I can see this pimiento cheese becoming a staple in my kitchen.
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Pimiento Cheese
8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, grated
4 oz. jar chopped pimiento, well drained
6 tblsp. mayonnaise
salt and pepper to taste
- Add all ingredients in a food processor and give it a whirl.
- Chill overnight to really bring out the flavors.
- Enjoy!
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
This is so cool, Megan! And so funny that something so simple and taken for granted here is becoming the latest “it” food all around the country. Maybe I could get a job as a Pimiento Cheese “evangelist”
Seriously – I’m just thrilled to pieces that y’all enjoyed one of our Southern classics!
I had forgotten about piementos being in potato salad, but thanks for reminding me about this wonderful garnish. If I remember correctly my mother used to put them in deviled eggs and deviled ham for sandwiches as well. I am going to see if I can find some at the store and whip up some of this cheese spread!
So simple and great for a party…
Try pimiento cheese sandwiches with a bowl of chili. When I was growing up in Kentucky, every time they served chili at school, they always served p.c. sandwiches. I loved it! But I have to tell you, p.c. is one of those things that when it’s good, it’s very good. When it’s bad (store-bought, for example), it’s BAAAAADDD. So keep serving the homemade stuff and we’ll have to make you an honorary Southerner! : )
Love pimento cheese, I just recently made it, in Virginia ham rollups.
My parents used to eat this all the time! In fact, it always showed up at family parties in some form of appetizer. We all grew up in New England though-I wonder if we have a southerner in our family tree? At any rate-it looks way better than I remember!
We’re thinking along the same wavelength! At this very moment I have a sandwich inspired my southern pimiento cheese on the grill. I did a southwestern take on it, with diced green chiles.
How funny… I just whipped up a different version of pimento cheese during my lunch break! Yours looks yummy too!
I’ve always wanted to try this stuff! I’ve seen it on a few blogs, but never tasted it! Looks great
I saw this amazing treat few weeks ago in a friend’s blog and got an immediate crave for it! I ended up though using Ajvar paste that has different grilled vegetables and garlic (though always based on peppers).
It was delicious!! Can’t even think about having it over toasted bread mmmm
Sounds like a great food for breakfast!
Wow, Megan, and I’m so glad you’ve decided to join us Southerners. Set a spell! Store bought pimento cheese has been one of my favorite guilty pleasures for decades. Caloric, delicious, and expensive… but who’s counting? I tried making it once with cottage cheese, but, much to my dismay, it just didn’t even remotely cut it. Love you version and kudos to Lana.
Great idea. I would use this as a sandwich spread. I think it would hit the spot.
I didn’t grow up with pimiento cheese either…have never made my own! This looks delicious and giving me cravings. it looks so good in that celery!
My mom and grandma always made pimiento cheese when I was growing up, but of course, I wouldn’t eat it until I was older! I love it now. If you dump the whole jar of pimientos (juice and all, just reduce mayo), it adds a lot of flavor. I do that b/c I’m not a huge mayo fan! Now I want to go make some!
How awesome! I love making cheese spreads and this sounds wonderful!
OK, I love this Megan! Got to google to find a pimento substitute here locally, but I do love how good this sounds!
My [italian] great-grandmother used to have little jars of pimento and we’d eat it on saltine crackers and wheat thins! I used to love it! <3 Good to find