Finding Real Southern Pimento Cheese Spread

Written by Meredith on April 15, 2008 | Comments (0)

I was making little tea sandwiches for a special luncheon.

Isn't pimento cheese about as Southern as food gets?

Here's where you can buy delicious pimento cheese in Brentwood, from the Fresh Market deli to little tubs of Mrs. Grissom's.

I'll also show you how easy it is to make your own pimento cheese!

Northerners might point out that the little jarred peppers are actually spelled

PIMIENTOS.

But that's okay. They probably don't know that in Brentwood--and in most of the South--

it's PIMENTO instead.

So what is this delicious stuff?

Pimento Cheese is a combination of finely grated sharp cheddar, diced pimientos, cayenne pepper, and enough mayonnaise to hold it all together.

I needed pimento cheese for finger sandwiches. Maybe it would be easier just to buy it?

Here are the prices I found around Brentwood:

Fresh Market sells a well-received jalepeno pimento cheese in the fresh deli section. ($5.49/lb)
Harris-Teeter and Kroger both sell Nashville-made Mrs. Grissom's pimento cheese. (about $2.79 for a 8 oz tub)
Walmart and Publix also sell Price's pimento cheese spread ($3.50 for 14 oz)

When you are buying premade pimento cheese, check the label. Make sure real cheddar cheese is listed as the first ingredient--not processed cheese food or salad dressing.

I like that Mrs. Grissom's is a local company, with a 50-year history of Southern style salads. But I think the pimento taste can be a little strong.

--->Click here for a free printable coupon for Mrs. Grissom's cheese spreads!

Why not just make your own Southern style pimento cheese spread? It's easy as pie!

Chop 8 oz of finely shredded sharp cheddar with a knife.
Add a 2 oz. jar pimentos, drained.
Sprinkle with up to 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper to taste.
Stir in 1/4 to 1/2 cup real mayonnaise.

Store your homemade pimiento cheese covered in the refrigerator for up to a week. I like to serve it as little finger sandwiches on fresh dill bread. You can also add fresh chopped parsley just to show folks that it isn't storebought!

Did you know that pimiento cheese is an excellent low-carb and gluten-free food?

Yep! Just stuff it in celery sticks or on cucumber rounds instead of bread.

Here are a few places to find authentic Southern foods in Brentwood, TN: