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Grandma Knowlton's Pimiento Cheese

4.6

(31)

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Photo by Laura Murray

Known as the "caviar of the South," this pimiento cheese recipe can be used as a dip for a party, or spread it on a sandwich for the ultimate grilled cheese.

Ingredients

Makes about 3 cups

1½

cups (packed) finely grated extra-sharp yellow cheddar (about 6 ounces)

1½

cups finely grated extra-sharp white cheddar (about 6 ounces)

1

cup mayonnaise

¼

cup diced drained pimiento peppers from a jar, roasted red peppers, or piquillo peppers (about 2½ ounces)

¼

teaspoon cayenne pepper

Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

Celery sticks, crackers, or sliced white bread (for serving)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Using a fork, mash cheeses, mayonnaise, peppers, and cayenne in a medium bowl until well blended. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and chill until cold, at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.

    Step 2

    Serve pimiento cheese with celery sticks and crackers, or, if desired, spread between 2 slices of white bread and cut diagonally to make 4 sandwich triangles.

Nutrition Per Serving

One serving (about 2 tablespoons) contains the following: Calories (kcal) 124.2 %Calories from Fat 86.8 Fat (g) 12.0 Saturated Fat (g) 3.7 Cholesterol (mg) 17.9 Carbohydrates (g) 0.1 Dietary Fiber (g) 0.0 Total Sugars (g) 0.1 Net Carbs (g) 0.1 Protein (g) 3.3
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Reviews (31)

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  • Authentic and delocious, I use liberal amounts of tabasco instead of cayenne. It's also wonderful in an omelet, scrambled eggs and makrs a mean mac and cheese!

    • Cat Cam

    • Detroit, Mi

    • 9/8/2022

  • This is a great recipe for pimento cheese; however, it has also been a good base for expanding my cheesy horizons towards more adventurous dip-decisions. I've tried adding smoked blue cheese, roasted garlic, bacon, scallions, all with great results (maybe not all at once though.)

    • Anonymous

    • Detroit, Michigan

    • 10/14/2019

  • I needed to make a large amount of pimento cheese for a reception. I’ve lived in the South my whole life and am used to my Mother’s pimento cheese. This is so good and easy! I would never tell her, but this recipe is much better than hers!

    • Anonymous

    • Alabama

    • 5/18/2019

  • Simple. Quick. Delicious. What more could you ask? Don't use pre-grated cheese--do it by hand.

    • Anonymous

    • Urbana, Illinois

    • 5/1/2018

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