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This iconic sandwich boasts cheese, pimento and all the wonderful spices and seasonings that bring out the rich creamy filling beautifully. A pimento cheese sandwich is versatile and just as delicious served for lunch as they are at a picnic, potluck supper or any other occasion. If you love cheese, you will love this wonderful take on the classic cheese sandwich.

A sandwich with a green olive and pimento cheese on top.

Pimento cheese is one of the best sandwich fillings ever. Try this pimento cheese recipe if you’re looking for new sandwich ideas!

Also try roasted red pepper cream cheese dip or this easy muffaletta sandwich. And be sure to check out this dirty martini dip for another savory treat.

A close up of pimento dip on sandwiches.

Why You’ll Love It

Easy: This recipe is just as easy as making a grilled cheese sandwich. You just need to mix the ingredients together and spread them on bread to make sandwiches.
Delicious: This combination of cheddar cheese, cream cheese, pimento, mayo, and spices is so tasty!
Customizable: You can tweak the recipe however you wish, using a different kind of cheese, different ratios of the seasonings, and even a different type of bread.

A wooden bowl of pimento spread on a wooden board.

Pimento Cheese Sandwiches Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Cheese: I used sharp cheddar for its rich flavor.
Cream cheese: Full-fat is the tastiest.
Pimento: Cooked sweet red heart-shaped peppers, also known as cherry peppers.
Seasonings: Add delicious flavor with red pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic and onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds a rich, savory taste.
Jalapeno: For some spice.

Ingredients to make pimento cheese spread on a table.

How to Make Pimento Cheese

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Mix the ingredients together: Put everything in a mixing bowl and stir with a wooden spoon until everything is well combined.
Assemble the sandwiches: Divide the pimento cheese between 4 slices of bread, spreading it evenly over, and top with 4 more slices of bread, then serve!

A pimento sandwich on a wooden board.

Substitutions and Variations

Cheddar cheese: Swap the extra sharp cheddar cheese for another kind of cheese if you want, perhaps mild cheddar or another kind altogether like gouda or Swiss cheese.
Pimento peppers: If you don’t want to use pimento peppers or can’t find them, roasted red peppers would work in their place.
Extra-spicy: Add a few drops of hot sauce.

A pimento sandwich cut in half on a cutting board.

Serving Suggestions

With a picnic or box lunch: This sandwich pairs well with anything from a tuna white bean salad to steak salad with squash or roasted Brussels sprouts.
As a sandwich filling or dip: Try serving the pimento cheese spread on crackers rather than bread. It also makes a nice dip for pretzels.
Grilled cheese sandwich: Make a pimento sandwich and grill it on both sides for an ooey-gooey delicious snack!

A pimento cheese sandwich with a green olive on top.

How to Store Pimento Cheese

Store: Leftover pimento cheese will keep for up to 5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Freeze: Freezing can change the texture of the cheese and allow the mayo mixture to separate so, for the best results, make and enjoy pimento cheese fresh.

A bowl of pimento spread on a plate.

Top Tips

Use good quality cheese: It’s worth using a good brand, as the cheddar is the dominant flavor in this recipe.
Season to taste: Some people like to be heavy-handed with the red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper for an extra-spicy result, while others prefer to make it milder. So, just make it your way.
Shred your own cheese: This is recommended because pre-shredded cheese has added starch to stop the shreds sticking and isn’t quite as tasty.

A classic Pimento Cheese Sandwich on white bread, topped with a green olive, sits invitingly on a wooden board.

Pimento Cheese Sandwich Recipe FAQs

What are pimentos?

Sometimes spelled ‘pimientos,’ pimentos are a sweet, mild, small cherry pepper. They’re used to make stuffing and dips, ground into paprika spice, and used to garnish other dishes. They’re also amazing with cheese, of course!

What kind of cheese is best for a pimento cheese sandwich?

Yellow sharp cheddar cheese is always a tasty choice. It’s best to shred your own rather than use the pre-shredded cheese, which is coated in starch, to stop the pieces from sticking together.

A bowl of sandwich spread made with pimentos, peppers and cheese. It is a Master's classic sandwich and a Southern favorite from the Augusta National golf restaurant.

Pimento Cheese Sandwiches Recipe

5 from 54 votes

Pimento Cheese Sandwich

A Southern classic, this pimento cheese sandwich is loaded with shredded cheddar and peppers. Pimento cheese dip is a great appetizer, too.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

  • 2 Cups cheddar cheese, sharp, grated
  • 8 Ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 8 Ounces pimento, drained and diced
  • ¼ Cup mayonnaise
  • 1 jalapeno, de-seeded and minced
  • 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ Teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ¼ Teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¼ Teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ Teaspoon onion powder
  • Teaspoon kosher salt, coarse
  • Teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions 

  • In a medium-sized bowl add all the ingredients. Mix until fully combined.
  • Smear the pimento cheese on 4 slices of bread. Top each slice with bread.

Notes

Use good quality cheese: It’s worth using a good brand, as the cheddar is the dominant flavor in this recipe.
Season to taste: Some people like to be heavy-handed with the red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper for an extra-spicy result, while others prefer to make it milder. So, just make it your way.
Shred your own cheese: This is recommended because pre-shredded cheese has added starch to stop the shreds sticking and isn’t quite as tasty.

Nutrition

Calories: 545kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 743mg | Potassium: 263mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 3007IU | Vitamin C: 63mg | Calcium: 464mg | Iron: 2mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Well-known Masters pimento cheese sandwiches are a classic Southern sandwich on white bread which has been a favorite at the Augusta National golf concession stand for more than five decades. Our version is inspired by that famed pimento cheese dish, and it’s so quick and easy to prepare. Serve the pimento cheese spread between bread slices or enjoy it with crackers or vegetable crudites. You can’t go wrong with these copycat Masters pimento cheese sandwiches which are a classic Southern lunch.

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Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.

 

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Recipe Rating




5 from 54 votes (50 ratings without comment)

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