This Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich takes the traditional grilled cheese to the next level by incorporating the creamy, tangy goodness of homemade pimento cheese spread, nestled between two slices of golden-brown sourdough bread. Whether you're serving it with a bowl of tomato soup or enjoying it on its own, this sandwich is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, and oh so melty!
Few things in life are as comforting as a perfectly grilled cheese sandwich, and when you add a Southern twist, you've got yourself a true classic. Pimento cheese had completely fallen off my radar over the past many years until I recently made this delicious concoction to use as a dip. Of course, after a few bites, I knew I had to use the spread on a grilled cheese sandwich next. Completely delicious!
(Looking for more classic sandwiches? Try my delicious ham salad recipe, this perfect egg salad sandwich, and my light curry chicken salad!)
In This Post
Why I Love This Recipe
This grilled pimento cheese sandwich is a step up from your standard white bread and cheddar combo. Here's why I love it:
- So easy. Making the pimento spread is as simple as combining everything in a bowl and mixing it together. From there, the grilled cheese comes together in typical fashion and all in takes just a few minutes to make.
- Combines everything I love about Southern comfort food. The creamy texture of the pimento cheese spread, with its sharp cheddar and piquant pimento peppers, melts beautifully between two slices of buttery, golden-crisp bread.
- Versatile! This is a simple and satisfying meal that's perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a hearty snack. Plus, it's incredibly versatile-you can add crispy bacon, a slice of tomato, pickled red onions, or even a dollop of hot sauce to make it your own.
Key Ingredients
Just a few simple ingredients are needed to make this delicious sandwich.
- Sourdough bread. You can really use whatever type of bread you like, but I'm partial to sourdough bread for grilled cheese sandwiches. The tangy flavor and sturdy texture of sourdough bread make it the perfect vessel for this cheesy filling. You can also use white bread for a more traditional option.
- Pimento cheese. The star of the show, made with sharp cheddar cheese, pimento peppers, mayonnaise, and a touch of Worcestershire sauce and cayenne pepper for an added kick. (See my pimento cheese recipe here, or see below!)
- Butter. Unsalted butter is spread on the inside and outside of each slice of bread to ensure a crispy, golden crust. (Or use one of these butter substitutes for a grilled cheese!)
How To Make Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwiches
This great recipe is easy to prepare. Here's what you'll do:
- Prepare the pimento cheese spread. In a large bowl, combine shredded sharp cheddar cheese, chopped pimento peppers, mayonnaise, a tablespoon of pickled jalapeno peppers, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, and a little salt and black pepper to taste. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly combined. (You can do this by hand, or add everything to the bowl of a food processor for a creamier texture.)
- Assemble the sandwiches. Butter both sides of each slice of sourdough bread. Spread about ½ cup of the homemade pimento cheese mixture onto two of the pieces of bread. Place the remaining slices of bread on top.
- Grill the sandwiches. Heat a large skillet or cast iron pan over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the pimento cheese is melted and gooey. Be sure to adjust the heat as needed to prevent burning.
- Serve! Remove the sandwiches from the skillet and let them cool for a couple of minutes on a cutting board. Slice each sandwich in half and serve immediately.
Variations and Substitutions
There are lots of fun ways to change this recipe up a bit. Here are a few ideas.
- Add some bacon. Doesn't it make everything better? Add a few slices of crispy bacon to the sandwich for a smoky, savory twist. The salty bacon pairs perfectly with the creamy pimento cheese.
- Tomato. I love adding a slice of juicy, ripe tomato for some freshness.
- Hot sauce. If you like a bit of heat, drizzle some hot sauce inside the sandwich before grilling. It's a simple way to spice up this Southern staple.
- Try different cheeses. While sharp cheddar is classic, you can mix in other cheeses like Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or even a bit of cream cheese for some extra cheesy goodness.
- Bread substitutions. Like I said, I love a sourdough grilled cheese, but you can absolutely try different types of bread for this sandwich. Try using white bread, whole wheat, or even a hearty rye bread for different textures and flavors.
- Substitute mayo for the butter. Honestly, I go back and forth between using mayo or butter to help my grilled cheese toast. Since the pimento cheese already has a fair bit of mayo in it I like using butter here, but you could absolutely use mayo instead with great results. There are lots of other substitutes you can use for the butter too! See my guide on how to make a grilled cheese without butter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the pimento cheese spread can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. This makes it easy to whip up a grilled pimento cheese sandwich anytime. (Or use the pimento cheese as a dip with your favorite crackers or veggies - yum!)
While homemade pimento cheese is always best, you can use store-bought pimento cheese in a pinch. Just be sure to choose a brand that uses quality ingredients for the best flavor.
Cooking the sandwich over medium/medium-low heat allows the cheese to melt slowly and evenly while the bread gets perfectly golden and crispy. Avoid cooking over high heat, as this can cause the bread to burn before the cheese is fully melted. Adjust your heat as needed and just watch it closely.
Grilled pimento cheese sandwiches are delicious on their own, but you can also serve them with a side of potato chips, a bowl of tomato soup, or a simple salad for a complete meal.
Whether you're a long-time fan of pimento cheese or trying it for the first time, this grilled pimento cheese sandwich is a must-try. The combination of creamy cheese, tangy pimento peppers, and buttery, crispy bread is sure to make this a new favorite in your household. Enjoy it as a quick lunch, a comforting dinner, or a late-night snack-it's the ultimate in Southern comfort food.
If you try this delicious Southern Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich, let me know what you think by leaving a comment and a rating below. And don't forget to tag me with a pic @frontrangefed on Instagram so I can see your masterpiece!
More Easy Sandwiches
- The BEST Crispy Sourdough Grilled Cheese
- Tunacado Sandwich
- Easy Italian Grinder Sandwiches
- Easy Salmon BLT
- Chopped Italian Sandwiches
- Easy Rotisserie Chicken Banh Mi Sandwiches
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps
- Chicken Parmesan Sandwich
Recipe
Classic Southern Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
- 4 large slices sourdough bread
- 4 tbsp butter
Pimento cheese ingredients (makes about 1 cup)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 oz pimento peppers drained and chopped
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise (preferably Duke's Mayo if you can find it)
- ½ tablespoon pickled jalapeno peppers
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon paprika
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the pimento cheese. Add all ingredients for the pimento cheese to a large bowl and mix well to combine.
- Butter both sides of each bread slice.
- Add ½ cup of pimento cheese to two pieces of bread and spread evenly across the bread. Top with the other piece of bread.
- Heat a skillet over low-medium heat. Once hot, add the two sandwiches to the skillet and cook until the underside of the bread is golden and the pimento cheese has started to melt. Flip the sandwich and toast the other side until the bread is golden brown and the pimento cheese is melty.
- Remove the sandwich from heat and allow it to cool for a couple of minutes before slicing the sandwich down the middle. Serve immediately.
Notes
- If you want to make extra pimento cheese while you're at it (to use for a dip or more sandwiches later) use the quantities found in this recipe for old-fashioned pimento cheese (makes about 3 cups).
- It's not necessary to use Duke's mayo, but it's a classic for this dip and tastes so good. If you can swing it, I'd suggest picking some up.
Explore More with AI
Comments
No Comments