How to Make Pimento Cheese – And Serve as a Spread or Sandwich

Mom loved pimento cheese and made her Pimento Cheese Spread often, sometimes just for our family to enjoy. She never measured the ingredients, just mixed them to taste. This is my version of her original recipe; I added cayenne pepper to give it a little kick. Note that it’s important to use freshly grated, good quality Cheddar cheese with lots of flavor.

In addition to serving it as a spread or dip, pimento cheese also makes a great sandwich – which is how its traditionally served at Augusta National Golf Club during the Masters tournament in early April. While the Augusta famous pimento cheese sandwich is on slices of white bread and served in a green wrapper, I prefer it on whole wheat bread.

Here’s all you’ll need to easily whip up a batch of this crowd-pleasing spread (details, including quantities, are in the recipe card below):

• Shredded sharp yellow and white Cheddar cheese – to ensure the best flavor and texture, don’t use pre-shredded cheeses. They often contain anti-caking and other additives that can compromise both taste and texture. We recommend Cracker Barrel or Tillamook brand.
• Mayonnaise – I recommend using regular, not light mayo in this recipe, for its richer flavor.
• Chopped pimientos (in a jar) – drain them well so your cheese isn’t runny.
• Cayenne pepper – for a bit of a kick!
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• Crackers and/or celery stalks, for serving – see recommendations below on what kind of crackers are good with pimento cheese.

1. Combine main ingredients.
   In a medium mixing bowl, combine cheeses, mayonnaise, and pimientos. Mash together with a fork until well-mixed.
2. Season.
   Season to taste with cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.

How easy is that? And, in only 10 minutes you have an amazing appetizer ready to serve!

I serve this dip with a variety of crackers and also celery sticks. Most any cracker will go well with pimento cheese. Southerners traditionally serve it with saltines; my mom liked it with Carr’s Table Water or Ritz crackers. I like to serve it with Table Water and Milton Multi-Grain crackers, plus celery sticks. Pimento cheese also delicious stuffed into hulled out cherry tomatoes, for a more elegant appetizer.

Pimento Cheese Sandwich Recipe

To serve pimento cheese a la Masters Week in Augusta, simply spread 1/3 to 1/2 cup between 2 slices of white bread and wrap it in green waxed paper (our pimento cheese recipe will make 4 to 6 sandwiches). How easy is that? Consider adding classic egg salad sandwiches alongside – both sandwiches are popular choices for a Masters party, so you can’t go wrong with this crowd-pleasing combo. Why not vary it up a bit and serve my Toasted Bagels with Egg Salad and Smoked Salmon!

Pimento cheese should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last for up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature before serving.