0 from 18 votes
Ultimate Southern Pimento Cheese
A simple and easy recipe for ultimate southern pimento cheese
Prep Time
10 mins
rest in fridge
4 hrs
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 215 kcal
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 4 oz ½ block white VERY SHARP cheddar cheese (I used Cabots Extra Sharp) (DO NOT USE PRESHREDDED CHEESE)
- 4 oz ½ block orange creamy sharp cheese (I used Hellavagood Sharp) (DO NOT USE PRESHREDDED CHEESE)
- ½ CUP mayonnaise Use Dukes for this recipe, if not available then Hellmans, Blue Plate or Aldi store brand.
- ½ cup pimento slices Drain well
- 3 stalks of green onion – chopped use the white and green parts
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt NOT table salt – kosher salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce Franks or Cholulas work best
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Grate the cheeses with a hand grater on the largest holes available. Place the cheese in a large bowl.
- Add all of the ingredients to the bowl. Use a rubber spatula and gently mix all ingredients together. Do not over mix – you don’t want all of your cheese breaking.
- Put plastic wrap over the top and place in the fridge for at least 4 hours. Overnight is better as this allows the flavors to marry and get to know each other better.
- Serve on sandwiches, as a grilled cheese, in your grits, on crackers, on a baked potato, on celery or other veggies – you name it!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- PRO TIP: Let the pimento cheese sit in the fridge for at least 4 hours and overnight is best (12 hours). This allows time for the flavors to marry and meld. It's worth the wait.
- Use the best cheese you can find, I give best brands to use in the recipe.
- The cheese will taste BEST if you blend two types of cheese (see recipe).
- Hand grate the cheese for best flavor, prepackaged grated cheese has something added to keep it from sticking to itself and that is not the best type for pimento cheese.
- Use the Mayonnaise brand is IMPORTANT! That is where you get creamy tang from. Preferred brands are listed.
- You will be tempted to use the pimentos that are jarred up and chopped small already. Don't do it. Chop your own - it makes the flavor just right.
- When mixing the cheese together, just fold and be SO GENTLE! Only mix until everything is just mixed together.
- IF you do not want any spicy flavor in your pimento cheese then leave the cayenne out, but it does give a lot of flavor.
- This recipe makes a little more than what you would buy at the store. Remember, this is a southern staple and it is MEANT to be shared!
- Do not try to freeze Ultimate Southern Pimento Cheese because it won't work and will make a gloopy mess. Ewwww.
Nutrition Information
Calories
215kcal
(11%)
Carbohydrates
2g
(1%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
20g
(31%)
Saturated Fat
8g
(40%)
Cholesterol
36mg
(12%)
Sodium
421mg
(18%)
Potassium
64mg
(2%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
680IU
(14%)
Vitamin C
11.2mg
(12%)
Calcium
209mg
(21%)
Iron
0.5mg
(3%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 215
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 215kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 36mg | 12% |
| Sodium | 421mg | 18% |
| Potassium | 64mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 680IU | 14% |
| Vitamin C | 11.2mg | 12% |
| Calcium | 209mg | 21% |
| Iron | 0.5mg | 3% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.