Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich

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Get ready to enjoy the best grilled cheese sandwich you’ve ever had. A classic Southern lunch with a twist, this grilled pimento cheese sandwich is ooey-gooey perfection.

Pimento Cheese sandwich grilled

This Southern grilled pimento cheese sandwich recipe is something that you need in your life! In the South, this is a much-loved recipe and always at the top of your mind when you are trying to think of a quick bite to eat.

Pimento cheese is beloved for its enticing combination of tangy flavor and light, creamy texture. White bread or wheat, grilled or fresh, I will never refuse this sandwich. But today we are focusing on the grilled version!

If you’re not from the South, you’re probably wondering what the heck pimentos are. Well, they begin their life as a type of chili pepper called cherry peppers. Sweeter than bell peppers, they’re small in size and red in color. Pimento peppers are also spelled ‘pimiento’ and while they are very mild when it comes to spice, their sweet taste adds such a nice flavor to our cheese dish. Way back when pimentos were too expensive to import, a very smart Georgian farmer decided to grow them in the US… and the rest is history!

Called the “caviar of the South,” pimento cheese is making its way around the country and becoming a more popular dish all around. But us Southerners sure do have a liking for this recipe.

Many are used to using Velveeta and Christy did a post on how to make pimento cheese with Velveeta right here. And even though we’re all about the pimento grilled cheese today, you can actually take this spread and enjoy it with crackers, celery, corn chips, or even slathered on hamburgers! Mmmm.

Now let’s get to mixing this pimento cheese spread for our grilled pimento cheese sandwich…

Recipe Ingredients

  • Cream cheese (softened). Check out our easy recipe for homemade cream cheese here.
  • Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Pimentos, drained and chopped (if not already).
  • Mayonnaise (I use Dukes)
  • Garlic (if you like)
  • Salt and pepper

For the grilled cheese sandwich part, you’re gonna need some butter too.

How to Make a Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich Step By Step

Cream cheese in mixing bowl.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add your softened cream cheese.

Pimento cheese spread ingredients in bowl.

Add your sharp cheddar, mayo, pimentos, garlic, and salt and pepper to the cream cheese.

 

Mixing pimento cheese spread

Mix those ingredients up until you have a thick, wonderful pimento cheese spread.

Now, you could just stop right here, get out your favorite crackers and start dippin’ and enjoying this dip. But, if you want some real comfort food, let’s keep goin’ and make us the most delicious grilled cheese sandwich you ever had!

Pimento cheese spread on slice of bread in skillet.

Butter one side of your bread (some people butter both sides of the bread  — which is divine too —  but I am watching my fats so I only did one side) and place butter-side down in a pan. Spread the pimento cheese onto the slice.

Buttered grilled cheese in skillet.

Butter the other slice (one or both sides, whichever you prefer).

Pimento cheese sandwich grilled brown both sides

Brown both sides to perfection. Here is heaven on a plate. A grilled pimento cheese sandwich.

BIte out of Pimento cheese sandwich

Oh my goodness! I just had to take a bite! Hope you enjoy as much as I do!

Storage

  • Store your pimento cheese spread in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
  • I don’t recommend freezing pimento cheese as it doesn’t have the same texture once thawed.

Recipe Notes

If you want to take your sandwich to the next level, add some crispy bacon, grilled ham, sliced tomato, and/or 1 to 2 teaspoons of seeded and diced jalapeños for a nice, spicy kick!

Recipe FAQs

Can I cook my pimento grilled cheese sandwich in the air fryer?

Yes, you can! Place the assembled grilled cheese in the air fryer basket and cook it at 360 degrees for about five minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Flip the sandwich and follow the same instructions.

Can you make light pimento cheese?

While it’s somewhat difficult to make a light version of pimento cheese spread, you can make some substitutions. This includes using light cream cheese, reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese, or light mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt.

What is the best bread for pimento cheese sandwiches?

There’s no ‘best bread’ to use in these grilled cheese sandwiches. You can use white, wheat, gluten-free, or even a bread roll. Whatever bread you have on hand will work perfectly.

Can you make pimento cheese sandwiches ahead of time?

While you can prepare the pimento cheese spread ahead of time or the night before (it lasts in the fridge for up to one week), you need to spread it onto the bread and grill the sandwich right before serving. Otherwise, your bread will be very soggy.

What goes with pimento cheese sandwiches?

While this sandwich is a meal on its own, you can also serve it alongside a fresh salad for a delicious main meal. Some of my favorite salad recipes are Greek cucumber saladsummer corn salad, broccoli cauliflower salad, and cornbread salad.

Pimento Cheese sandwich grilled

Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich

Get ready to enjoy the best grilled cheese sandwich you've ever had. A classic Southern lunch with a twist, this grilled pimento cheese sandwich is ooey-gooey perfection.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheese
Servings: 2
Calories: 245kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar shredded
  • 4 oz Pimentos drained and chopped
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise I use Duke's
  • 1 tsp garlic (optional)
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a medium-sized bowl. Mix well and serve in a bowl with your favorite dipping snack (crackers, chips, etc) OR continue following instructions for the best grilled cheese you have ever had...
    8 oz cream cheese, 2 cups sharp cheddar, 4 oz Pimentos, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tsp garlic, salt and pepper to taste
  • Butter one or both sides of a slice of your favorite bread. Place in a frying pan on medium-high heat. Spread Pimento Cheese on the bread slice.
  • Place the other slice of bread (butter one or both sides) on top and allow the bottom slice to brown. I sometimes cover this with a lid to encourage the cheese to melt a bit. If you want perfect grilled bread, keep an eye on it.
  • Brown both sides and slice if you like. And enjoy!!

Nutrition

Calories: 245kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

You may also like these other pimento cheese recipes:

Chicken Broccoli Skillet with Pimento Cheese Sauce

Pimento Cheese Biscuits

Sharp & Spicy Pimento Cheese (& Grandmama!)

Granny Jordan’s English Pea Pimento Casserole

 

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128 Comments

  1. Great sounding recipe! However, I will substitute another type of pepper for the pimentos. We aren’t fans of pimentos…

  2. 5 stars
    This has always been my fav recipe for Pimento cheese . The cream cheese makes it so creamy. I always add a pinch of cayenne pepper to mine. Great recipe!

  3. 5 stars
    I have never made pimento cheese using cream cheese but thus was delicious my nephew ate 3 sandwiches !

  4. I’m a Northerner born and bred, but still learning to cook Southern. I’ll definitely try this recipe! Just a hint – spread Duke’s mayo instead of butter on your bread before you grill a sandwich. Makes it crispy!

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