I’m from Massachusetts but I went to college in the middle of Ohio, and it wasn’t until visiting the dining hall there my freshman year that I first encountered a strange and mysterious orange-y cheese spread near the sandwich station. Never one to shy away from eating a new kind of cheese, I soon made myself a tuna salad sandwich and slathered the bread with this stuff. After putting it in the panini press, I sampled it—it was delicious. Only later would I learn that this orange stuff was pimento cheese.
But what’s pimento cheese, exactly, and how do you use it? Today, let’s celebrate and learn about this delicious spreadable cheese product. We’ll have a memento to pimento, if you will, that will end with a pimento crescendo, comprendo?
What is pimento cheese?
Pimento cheese is a popular Southern cheese spread, usually with a distinctly orange hue, that contains pimentos as a crucial ingredient. But what are pimentos, exactly? As devotees may recall, I have written about these little guys before, describing them as “a variety of chili pepper that is more fragrant than a typical bell.” Wow, incredible writing. You can also find pimentos in green olives or pimento loaf luncheon meat, but they are the star ingredient of pimento cheese spread.
What is in pimento cheese?
Pimento cheese is available in a lot of grocery stores in the spread or cheese section, but if you want to make it at home, it’s not hard but there are many variations out there. Generally, you can count on pimento cheese to contain cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and, of course, pimentos. But the seasonings change from chef to chef. This recipe from Cookie And Kate offers a recipe containing cheddar cheese (sharp is best), cream cheese, mayonnaise, jalapeño pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and, of course, pimentos. Some recipes eschew the jalapeño for red pepper flakes, others leave both spicy pepper additions out altogether.
What does pimento cheese taste like?
It has cheddar and cream cheese overtones, but with a distinctly tangy, pepper-y flavor provided by the pimentos. If you’ve ever had pub cheese or beer cheese or even queso, you might find that you enjoy the combination of dairy and spices.
Is pimento cheese spicy?
Pimento cheese need not be particularly spicy. The version I first encountered in college was pleasantly mid-Ohio mild. Pimentos are peppers, so they give the spread a slight tang, but it should be palatable for all but the most spice-sensitive individuals. If you can handle a bell pepper, you can usually handle pimento cheese.
Do note, however, that many pimento recipes call for jalapeños or red pepper flakes, which will of course give the spread a bigger kick. As with salsa or guacamole, there’s a wide variety of spice levels available, so proceed with caution.
How long does pimento cheese last?
Homemade pimento cheese should last about ten days in the fridge. The store bought varieties, which often include preservatives, will keep for around four weeks after opening.
What to do with pimento cheese:
Pimento cheese is not only a good spread for sandwiches or simply enjoyed on a cracker, it’s also great with veggies. Celery is a particularly popular pairing. But if you’re totally inundated with pimento cheese and aren’t sure quite what to do with it, Food & Wine has got you covered—they have a list of ten of their favorite recipes that use pimento cheese. One that looks especially decadent is the pimento cheese fries recipe, which drizzles a hearty helping of gooey cheese spread over some store bought fries. Of course, my pimento cheese use of choice will always be on a homemade tuna melt.
FAQs
It has cheddar and cream cheese overtones, but with a distinctly tangy, pepper-y flavor provided by the pimentos. If you've ever had pub cheese or beer cheese or even queso, you might find that you enjoy the combination of dairy and spices.
What 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 the heck is pimento? ›
Pimentos, also spelled pimientos, are small, round peppers with a sweet flavor and very mild heat. In stores, you might also see them labeled as "cherry" peppers for their resemblance to the fruit.
Why does the South 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.
Why do they put pimentos in olives? ›
It's believed that the pimento, arguably the most popular olive stuffing, was used to cut the fruit's bitterness. Then as today, the higher-end olives are often meticulously hand-stuffed while the lower-end-but-still-delicious green olives are usually stuffed by a machine.
Why did Costco quit selling pimento cheese? ›
MYRTLE BEACH — With calls for a boycott in recent weeks due to the owner's public Facebook post that likened Black Lives Matter to a “terror organization,” the popular pimento cheese brand, Palmetto Cheese, will no longer be carried at 120 Costco Wholesale locations nationwide.
Is pimento cheese bad for your stomach? ›
Potential Histamine Reactions from Pimento Cheese
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include headaches, flushing, nasal congestion, digestive distress, dizziness, and skin rashes. It is essential to monitor your body's response and consider alternatives if necessary.
What's the difference between pimento 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.
What is the nickname for pimento cheese? ›
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.
Does pimento cheese go bad? ›
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.
The antioxidants present in pimento also have anti-inflammatory qualities that may ease cramps and aid digestion. Pimento also has anesthetic and analgesic properties that helps to relieve pain and relax muscles. It can be used also as a poultice made from the spice or as an essential oil.
What is the red thing inside an olive? ›
The pimento isn't just "the red part at the center of an olive," but a pepper in its own right. It's among the mildest members of the pepper kingdom, with a rating on the Scoville scale between 100 and 500 heat units.
What is pimento cheese called in the south? ›
Most Southerners have fond memories of a loving aunt mixing up a batch for a church gathering, while Northerners haven't the foggiest idea what pimento cheese even is. Affectionately referred to as “Carolina caviar” or “Southern pate,” it has been a Southern staple for well over 50 years.
What state is obsessed with cheese? ›
Wisconsin's nickname as “America's Dairyland” punctuates the state's leading position within the U.S. dairy industry. More than three and a half billion pounds of cheese are produced in Wisconsin. California is the second largest producer.
What is known as the caviar of the south? ›
Authentic Taste Of The South
Hampton Acres Pimento cheese is affectionately known as "the caviar of the South".
Is pimento cheese considered dairy? ›
Pimento Cheese is not dairy free. Pimento Cheese is made from cow's milk. Pimento Cheese is not safe for those with a milk allergy.
Is pimento cheese good or bad for you? ›
One of the major disadvantages of pimento cheese is its high fat and calorie content. Just two ounces of pimento cheese can contain as much as 180 calories and 16 grams of fat. For individuals with diabetes these numbers can add up quickly and contribute to unhealthy weight gain if not carefully managed.
What is another name for pimento cheese? ›
Most Southerners have fond memories of a loving aunt mixing up a batch for a church gathering, while Northerners haven't the foggiest idea what pimento cheese even is. Affectionately referred to as “Carolina caviar” or “Southern pate,” it has been a Southern staple for well over 50 years.
