Description
The Southern Pimento Cheese Sandwich is a classic Southern comfort food combining creamy sharp cheddar and cream cheese with tangy pimentos and a hint of savory Worcestershire sauce. Perfect for snacks, appetizers, or a light meal, this easy-to-make sandwich offers a rich, smooth texture balanced by a subtle sweet and spicy flavor, served on soft bread for an authentic Southern taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons diced pimentos, drained
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Additional
- Soft sandwich bread (white, brioche, or gluten-free preferred)
- Optional: butter for spreading on bread before toasting
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: Finely shred the sharp cheddar cheese and soften the cream cheese. In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded cheddar, softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, diced pimentos, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly until smooth and creamy, ensuring the pimentos are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Sample the cheese mixture and adjust seasoning as needed. Add salt, pepper, or an extra dash of Worcestershire sauce to balance and enhance the flavors to your preference.
- Prepare the Bread: Select your choice of soft sandwich bread. You may lightly toast the bread for added texture, optionally spreading a thin layer of butter before toasting to create a golden crust and richer flavor.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Generously spread the pimento cheese mixture onto one slice of bread. Top with another slice and press lightly to hold the sandwich together. For serving, cut the sandwich into triangles or smaller bite-sized pieces for a classic presentation.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the sandwich immediately to enjoy the creamy texture at its best. Alternatively, refrigerate briefly if you prefer a firmer texture before serving.
Notes
- Freshly shred the cheese for a smoother blend and better meltability.
- Use room temperature cream cheese and mayonnaise for a creamier, easier-to-spread mixture.
- Adjust mayonnaise quantity to achieve your preferred spread consistency.
- Choose denser breads like white sandwich bread or brioche to support the moist filling.
- Chill the cheese mixture for 30 minutes before assembling to meld the flavors.
- Store leftover cheese mixture in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 4 days.
- Freezing the cheese mixture is not recommended as texture may deteriorate.
- To reheat, gently toast the sandwich in a skillet or sandwich press; avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (optional toasting)
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-cook / Toasting
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: pimento cheese, Southern sandwich, comfort food, appetizer, snack, creamy cheese sandwich
