At the outset of last week, I realized if we were going to eat dinner, I was going to have to do some planning (and cooking) ahead. I wanted several options for meals we could just grab and go, making life a little bit easier. One of those options was pimento cheese.
The first time I had pimento cheese was in college. Mrs. Cape had sent down a tub to the Auburn gang through her daughter Lucia. It was a revelation. I made the mistake of buying some at the grocery store after that whereupon I learned the grocery store version is a sad, sad representative of this Southern culinary staple. The next chance I got to ask for the recipe, I did. There are a few tricks to it – mostly visual, that took me some time to master, so I took the time when I made it last week to capture what you need to know in order to make some truly awesome pimento cheese.
First, you shred a hunk of cheese. I prefer extra sharp cheddar, although my friend Mark highly recommends a nice smoked gouda. I have found pepper jack to be an excellent variation as well. Place it in a bowl and cover, letting it sit out overnight to soften (“Don’t try to speed things up in the microwave” – Mrs. Cape). It will look like this when it’s ready:
Whip it until light and creamy. It won’t resemble shredded cheese when you are done, instead it will look like this.
Add mayonnaise – about 3/4 cup to 1 pound of cheese – and a 4 oz. jar of drained pimentos. Whip the daylights out of it until the whole thing is well mixed and fluffy.
You might add a bit of salt, onion powder, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce or Tabasco, depending on your taste buds. I like to pack it in small containers so that it’s ready to toss in a pool bag on a moment’s notice, to be served with ritz crackers.
Once you’ve had homemade pimento cheese, you’re not likely to go back to the store bought stuff. It’s quite easy to make, the hardest part is just letting the cheese sit out long enough to soften and then beating it long enough, although the beating takes maybe 5 minutes in a stand mixer. The mixture will harden somewhat in the fridge, so I recommend pulling it out to soften before serving. In addition to poolside snacking, it’s also lovely stuffed into celery sticks or served in a grilled cheese sandwich.
Mrs. Cape’s Pimento Cheese
1 lb cheese, shredded
3/4 cup mayo
4 oz jar pimentos
Finely grate cheese and let sit out over night to soften. Put softened, shredded cheese in a stand mixer and whip until light and creamy. Add mayo and pimentos. Whip the daylights out of it.
Tabasco is optional.
Chicken Wire & Paper Flowers 
Yours is the same recipe my grandmother used for her pimento cheese and, you’re right, it’s nothing like the grocery store version. So delicious! She used an old style grinder to process her pimento cheese but her table had a metal edge (from the 1950’s) so she couldn’t attach her grinder. She used the living room mantel instead.
Cookie! You figured out how to comment! I love that she used the mantel instead.
Thanks for sharing. PC is one of my favorites, and I was not aware of the overnight factor. Some time back, I ran across a recipe which includes green onions and black pepper. If you want to give it some zip, add a wee bit of white pepper with your tabasco. It has become a requested item at potlucks and parties around here. Also, use Duke’s brand mayo if you don’t make your own.
I think the overnight factor is one of those little known tricks to making good PC. I’ve seen recipes calling for all sorts of add-ins, like cream cheese. Duke’s is the best mayo for the summer, hands down. It’s a bit sweeter than Hellman’s and perfect for tomato sandwiches. I tend to buy it by the bucket.
Yum! I’d never even heard of pimento cheese until I moved to the south.
Me either! It’s definitely a good thing.
I have to make this.
Yes. It’s great for baseball games and other sporting events as well.
And without all the preservatives! Will have to try making my own.
It’s so, so much better than store bought.
I didn’t see this recipe until now!! My BFF’s dad gave me his Virginia recipe (it’s on my blog) and it doesn’t involve whipping. But it does involve making my own pimentos. I am definitely trying THIS recipe.
I’ve made (and grown!) my own pimentos. Once you’ve had whipped pimento cheese, you can’t go back.