Storing, Freezing & Serving Pimento Cheese (2024)

FAQs

Does pimento cheese freeze well? ›

While you can put pimento cheese in the freezer for up to three months, it can affect the texture. We suggest putting it to good use in a recipe after freezing! Is pimento cheese served hot or cold? Pimento cheese is perfect for parties, no matter how you like to share it!

Pimento cheese, like other dairy products, must be stored in the fridge within two hours in order to comply with food safety practices. Place the cheese in a clean container and seal it so that it is airtight.

Whereas pre-packaged pimento cheese can last up to four weeks in the fridge, the homemade version will not last quite as long due to the lack of stabilizers and preservatives — it will only last for about one week.

After the expiration date, the product should be discarded. If you are unable to consume the pimento cheese prior to that date you can freeze it, but only for use in a future recipe after thawed.

Before freezing, the moisture in a cheese is distributed evenly throughout its interior, along with fat, protein, and minerals. Freezing turns that moisture into ice crystals, which damages the cheese's structure and can affect whether its texture is crumbly or pliable, firm or pasty after thawing.

In general, hand-crafted cheeses with delicate flavors and aromas don't freeze well and are best bought in smaller portions and eaten fresh. Freezing is also not recommended for fresh curd cheeses like cottage cheese, ricotta, and quark due to their high moisture content.

Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan and Gouda have a lower moisture content, which helps extend their shelf life. Hard cheeses that haven't been opened can last for several months and even up to a year when stored in the fridge.

For long-term keeping, pimentos can be frozen like any other pepper. Just wash and dry them off.

Costco reportedly pulls Palmetto Cheese after founder calls Black Lives Matter a 'terror organization' Costco has reportedly removed Palmetto Cheese from store shelves after the owner of the pimento cheese brand called Black Lives Matter a "terror organization."

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.

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.

Flatten to remove air and dry pack with waxed paper between single layers, leaving ½ inch headspace. Or tray-pack peppers: Place chilled, well-drained peppers in a single-layer on a shallow tray or pan. Place in freezer until firm, then remove and quickly fill labeled bags or containers.

You can freeze all types of cream cheese. When thawed, they will all possess a crumbly and chunky texture, but to varying degrees. The higher the fat content, the more fat separation you may notice when frozen cream cheese is thawed.

Be sure to assemble the sandwiches fresh to avoid soggy bread. Any leftover pimento cheese can be covered and refrigerated for up to 1 week to enjoy later.