BEST Pimento Cheese Sandwich Recipe (2024)

56 Comments / By Lisa Leake / November 4, 2021 / Recipes

11 Reviews / 5 Average

All I have to say about this Pimento Cheese Sandwich is OMG! It is so incredibly good and you can make it at home in 10 minutes ... SO much better than store-bought and it kicks your classic grilled cheese sandwich up a notch.

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BEST Pimento Cheese Sandwich Recipe (1)

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This sandwich is so incredibly good that I cannot believe I ever ate pimento cheese cold before. Just imagine the soft pimento cream cheese mixture melted between two pieces of crispy bread that are grilled to perfection. Need I say more?

Table of Contents

  1. What Is Pimento Cheese?
  2. What Does It Taste Like?
  3. Is Pimento Spread the Same as Pimento Cheese?
  4. What Do You Eat Pimento Cheese With?
  5. How to Spruce up Your Pimento Cheese Sandwich
  6. Some Pairing Ideas for Pimento Cheese
  7. More Sandwich Recipe Ideas
  8. BEST Pimento Cheese Sandwich

What Is Pimento Cheese?

If you’re not from the South then it might sound a little foreign to you, but I promise it’s worth a try! It’s a classic Southern cheese spread that is typically made with cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and of course, pimento peppers.I did use cream cheese instead of mayo in my version.

What Does It Taste Like?

It’s like a creamy cheese with a kick. Think cheddar cheese (creamy, tangy, and rich) with pimentos (roasted sweet red bell peppers) and some flavorful spices including a little hot sauce to kick it up a notch.

Is Pimento Spread the Same as Pimento Cheese?

Pimento Cheese is actually a trademarked brand that makes pimento cheese spread. They are based out of South Carolina, so whether you call it pimento spread or cheese, it’s basically the same thing.

What Do You Eat Pimento Cheese With?

Traditionally, it’s served on crackers or between slices of bread as a sandwich, but since its gain in popularity, we’ve seen all sorts of other ways to enjoy this creamy spread. As I mentioned above, we use it for a grilled cheese sandwich, but you can also add it to your grits, macaroni, quesadillas, or jalapeno poppers (instead of plain cream cheese) … there are endless ideas out there for this tasty spread.

How to Spruce up Your Pimento Cheese Sandwich

I love getting creative with recipes like this one, so you could definitely add in your favorite ingredients. Try adding in fresh jalapeno peppers, olives, diced pickles, or even crumbled bacon for a bit of variation to your sandwich.

Some Pairing Ideas for Pimento Cheese

Since Pimento Cheese Spread is meant to be more of an appetizer or light snack type of food, it pairs well with crackers, carrot sticks, celery, crostinis, or even pretzels if you’re serving it as a dip. But, if you want to try putting it in a grilled sandwich, here are some light suggestions to pair with it:

  • Tomato Bisque
  • Southern Potato Salad (without mayo)
  • Green Apple and Cucumber Slaw
  • Cucumber-Dill Pasta
  • Pasta Salad with Red Pepper Pesto
  • Deviled Eggs
  • Fresh fruit
  • Green salad (see my “33 Salad Ideas for Inspiration” post)

More Sandwich Recipe Ideas

  • Grilled Brie and Apple Sandwich
  • Caprese Panini
  • BLT with (or without) Crabmeat

BEST Pimento Cheese Sandwich Recipe (2)

BEST Pimento Cheese Sandwich

All I have to say about this Pimento Cheese Sandwich is OMG! It is so incredibly good and you can make it at home in 10 minutes … SO much better than store-bought and it kicks your classic grilled cheese sandwich up a notch.

11 Reviews / 5 Average

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 10 minutes mins

Course: Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: American

Method: Freezer Friendly, Too Easy

Diet: Egg Free, Peanut/Tree Nut-Free, Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Servings: 6 sandwiches

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Ingredients

  • 5 ounces cheddar cheese (white sharp (freshly grated, not the pre-grated stuff which contains an anti-caking agent))
  • 4 ounces cream cheese (softened (I stick it in the microwave for a few seconds, after I take the metal foil off of course))
  • 3 tablespoons pimentos, chopped with juice
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 drop hot sauce (we used Tobasco)
  • 12 pieces whole-wheat bread
  • butter (for frying)

Instructions

  • Blend all ingredients (down to the hot sauce) together very well with a spoon or fork.
    Can be served cold or continue with directions below for a hot sandwich.

    BEST Pimento Cheese Sandwich Recipe (3)

  • Melt 1 – 2 tablespoons of butter in a sauté pan set just slightly higher than medium heat, or use a griddle set at 375 degrees F.

    BEST Pimento Cheese Sandwich Recipe (4)

  • Just after the butter has melted (and before it turns brown,) rub one side of each piece of bread in the melted butter for full coverage.

    BEST Pimento Cheese Sandwich Recipe (5)

  • Remove the buttered bread from the pan and spread a layer of pimento cheese onto the side of the bread that doesn’t have the melted butter on it. Top that with another piece of prepared bread (non-melted butter side facing down) to make a sandwich.

    BEST Pimento Cheese Sandwich Recipe (6)

  • Put sandwich back into the pan onto remaining melted butter and cook until golden brown on each side.

    BEST Pimento Cheese Sandwich Recipe (7)

Notes

  • To make the recipe gluten-free, substitute gluten-free bread for whole-wheat bread.
  • We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts

BEST Pimento Cheese Sandwich

Amount Per Serving

Calories 304Calories from Fat 144

% Daily Value*

Fat 16g25%

Saturated Fat 9g56%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 5g

Cholesterol 46mg15%

Sodium 437mg19%

Potassium 224mg6%

Carbohydrates 26g9%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 15g30%

Vitamin A 1015IU20%

Vitamin C 16mg19%

Calcium 252mg25%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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BEST Pimento Cheese Sandwich Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to keep pimento cheese sandwiches from getting soggy? ›

You can definitely make the pimento cheese itself ahead of time, but I don't recommend assembling the sandwiches until the same day you plan on serving them. If the cheese sits on the bread for too long, it may cause it to get a little soggy.

What kind of cheese is pimento cheese made of? ›

What Is Pimento Cheese? Pimento cheese is a popular Southern spread that's traditionally made with shredded Cheddar, mayonnaise, and pimentos. It's commonly served with crackers and vegetables or as a sandwich filling. Pimento cheese is often called the "pâté of the south."

What does pimento cheese pair well with? ›

A: Pimento cheese can be served as a dip with crackers or vegetables, as a spread on sandwiches or toast, or as a filling in stuffed peppers, grilled cheese, or mac and cheese.

How do you prepare sandwiches the night before? ›

To seal in all the flavor and keep the sandwich together, wrap the sandwich tightly in plastic wrap before refrigerating. The bread will soften slightly overnight, but the crusty exterior will keep everything contained when you're ready to unwrap and eat.

Why do Southerners love pimento cheese? ›

It may have become popular in the South because it didn't spoil easily at room temperature, making it easy to pack in lunchboxes, particularly for textile workers. But it was also fashionable as a sandwich in tea rooms.

What state is known for pimento cheese? ›

The First Pimento Cheese Recipe

Soon, Georgia farmers were trying to grow red peppers domestically, roasting them, canning them, and sending out as many as 10 million cans of pimentos a year, spreading the gospel of pimento cheese around the country.

What is the difference between palmetto cheese and pimento cheese? ›

Palmetto Cheese is a trademark for a brand of pimento cheese from Pawleys Island Specialty Foods, a division of Get Carried Away, based in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. It is manufactured and packaged at Duke Sandwich Productions located in Easley, South Carolina.

Why did Costco remove pimento cheese? ›

Costco has reportedly stopped selling Palmetto Cheese after the owner of the pimento cheese brand called Black Lives Matter a "terror organization."

How to make Kylie Jenner's sandwich? ›

Once the cheesy bread is toasted, layer on your choice of meat. We followed Kylie's combo of shredded turkey, thinly sliced salami, and pepperoni. 4. Add sliced onions and pickles for added crunch (optional, depending on your taste preference).

Is pimento cheese sandwiches a southern thing? ›

Pimento cheese is most closely associated with Southern cuisine and has been referred to as the "pâté of the South", "Carolina caviar" and "the caviar of the South." Pimento cheese sandwiches have a long history at the Masters Tournament. They have been served there as a concession since the 1940s.

How do you wrap a breakfast sandwich so it doesn't get soggy? ›

Use. Parchment paper checks all the boxes: It's slightly porous and absorbs some moisture that other materials don't. Be sure to employ the double-wrap technique: Wrap your sandwich in one layer, cut the sandwich in half through the parchment paper, and then wrap it again for extra security.

How do you keep party sandwiches from drying out? ›

Most finger sandwiches can be prepared up to a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator in an air tight container. A great tip is to cover the sandwiches with a sheet of wax paper and then a damp paper towel to keep them from drying out. Uncover the sandwiches and place on serving platters just before serving.

How long can pimento cheese sandwich sit out? ›

To keep yourself safe from bacterial growth or spoilage, you should only keep cheese out for four hours, according to Adam Brock, director of food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance at Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

How does one keep cheese sandwiches from drying out when not yet served? ›

Answer: Dampen a paper towel, wring out any excess water, and cover the tops of the sandwiches before you store them in an airtight container and pop them into the fridge. The damp paper towel will keep the bread hydrated plus it acts as a protective barrier from the air.

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