Quick & Easy Pimento Cheese

A true Southern classic, this super easy Pimento Cheese comes together in minutes with just a handful of ingredients. Find out what all the fuss is about with this can’t-miss recipe!

I am not a true Southerner. In fact, I was born about as far north as you can get within the continental United States, in the northwest corner of Washington State, only a few miles from the Canadian border. But a girl can dream!

You see, when I was a little girl, I watched Gone With the Wind and was instantly captivated. I couldn’t get enough. I watched it over and over again, swept away by the idea of a more gracious time, historically inaccurate as it may have been. As I got older, I watched movies like Steel Magnolias and Fried Green Tomatoes and fell in love with the South all over again. The accents, the traditions, the Southern hospitality. It just seemed so…. gentile.

In all honesty, Florida is not really the “South.” In fact, sometimes (especially in the winter) it feels like the whole state is made up of imports and snowbirds from the North. But it is closer than I ever thought I’d come. And when we moved, I made it my personal mission to become a “true” Southerner.

I subscribed to Southern Living magazine. I began wearing makeup to the grocery store. I started drinking sweet tea. I painted our lanai ceiling pale blue. I started monogramming everything. I ate grits. And collard greens. And black-eyed peas. I learned that oranges “mature” not “ripen.” I started to think alligators were pretty cute. I baked sweet potato pie.

Quick & Easy Pimento Cheese

And I discovered Pimento Cheese.

Also referred to as Southern Caviar, Pimento Cheese, is, quite frankly, heaven in a bowl. It’s perfect on cracker (or served on crustless Wonder bread the traditional way), but it also makes the BEST grilled cheese and is also really, really, really good served on hamburgers or hotdogs. In any case, it is a snap to make!

The secret for the best pimento cheese is in the cheese itself–it has to be freshly shredded. I am as big a fan of pre-shredded cheese as anyone you will ever meet, but this is the one time I take the time to actually shred a block of cheese from hand. But even with the hand shredding, this little bowl of deliciousness only takes about 15 minutes to make.

It might just be the most productive 15 minutes of your life!

Here is what you need:

Step 1: Mix the mayo, drained pimiento, Worcestershire sauce, onion and red pepper together in a large bowl until well blended.

Step 2:  Chop pecans then toast them for 8-10 minutes in a 350 degree oven; stir halfway through. Let cool for 5-10 minutes.

Step 3: Shred cheese in food processor or by hand. Don’t cheat and use pre-shredded cheese!

Step 4: Add pecans and cheese to mayo mixture, stirring until blended. Cover and chill in fridge for at least 20-40 minutes; serve with your favorite crackers.

Other delicious dip recipes:

• Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe
• Easy Pumpkin Spice Cookie Dip
• Creamy Hot Crab Dip Recipe

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