Frederic Melton
Pimento cheese is a Southern classic that is typically made with a combination of cheese, pimentos, and mayonnaise, which are all gluten-free ingredients. However, some store-bought versions or restaurant offerings may include additives, flavourings, or other ingredients that contain gluten. Therefore, it is always recommended to carefully review the ingredient list or product labels to ensure that a particular pimento cheese product is completely gluten-free.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is pimento cheese gluten-free? | Yes, traditionally, pimento cheese is gluten-free as its main ingredients (cheese, pimentos, and mayonnaise) are gluten-free. However, some recipes or store-bought versions may include additives or flavorings that contain gluten. |
| Gluten-free alternatives to pimento cheese | Guacamole, Tzatziki, Baba Ganoush, Cashew Cheese Spread |
| Gluten-free pimento cheese brands | Palmetto Cheese, Price's Original Pimento Cheese Spread |
| Serving suggestions | Gluten-free crackers, celery sticks, gluten-free toast points, gluten-free bagels, cucumber slices, sandwiches, wraps, chips, and other veggies |
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What You'll Learn
Pimento cheese is traditionally gluten-free
It is always important to check the specific ingredients in store-bought versions or when ordering at restaurants, as some may add ingredients that contain gluten or be produced in facilities that process gluten-containing foods. This is especially important if you have celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity.
There are some great gluten-free options for those who want to enjoy pimento cheese. You can serve it on gluten-free crackers, celery sticks, gluten-free toast points, or gluten-free bagels. There are also dairy-free and vegan pimento cheese recipes available, which can be enjoyed by those with dairy allergies or vegan diets.
If you are looking for a gluten-free alternative to pimento cheese, there are a few options to consider. Guacamole, tzatziki, baba ganoush, and cashew cheese spread are all gluten-free options that offer a range of flavours and textures.
Overall, pimento cheese is traditionally gluten-free, but it is always important to check the specific ingredients or make your own to ensure it is completely gluten-free.
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Check ingredients for additives or flavourings
Pimento cheese is typically gluten-free, as its main ingredients—cheese, pimentos, and mayonnaise—are gluten-free. However, some recipes or store-bought versions may include additives or flavorings that contain gluten.
When checking the ingredients for additives or flavorings, it is important to look for ingredients that contain wheat, barley, or rye, as these grains contain gluten. This includes products with spelt and farina, which are forms of wheat. Gluten can also be found in less obvious products, such as lunch meats and soy sauce.
Some additives and flavorings that may contain gluten include:
- Natural and artificial flavorings
- Hydrolyzed proteins
- Additives made of wheat
- Vegetable protein/hydrolyzed vegetable protein
- Modified starch/modified food starch
- Caramel color
It is important to read the ingredient list carefully and look for keywords that signal a gluten ingredient. If you are unsure, you can always contact the manufacturer to ask about their products or the steps they take to ensure their products are gluten-free.
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Gluten-free alternatives to pimento cheese
Pimento cheese is a beloved Southern staple that has gained popularity across the United States in recent years. It is typically made from cheese, pimentos, mayonnaise, and spices, which are all naturally gluten-free. However, some recipes or store-bought versions may include additives or flavourings that contain gluten.
If you are looking for gluten-free alternatives to pimento cheese, here are some suggestions:
- Gluten-free pimento cheese: If you want to stick with pimento cheese, you can make your own using gluten-free ingredients. Use gluten-free cheese, gluten-free mayonnaise, and gluten-free seasonings. You can also find dedicated gluten-free brands of pimento cheese that are specifically formulated and tested to be gluten-free.
- Gluten-free crackers and bread: If you are pairing your pimento cheese with crackers or bread, choose gluten-free options to ensure the whole dish remains gluten-free. There are many gluten-free crackers and bread options available in stores that can be easily substituted for their gluten-containing counterparts.
- Dairy-free pimento cheese: If you are unable to consume dairy, there are some pretty amazing dairy-free cheese substitutes that you can use to make a dairy-free and gluten-free pimento cheese.
- Other gluten-free dips: There are several gluten-free dips that can be similar to pimento cheese in terms of flavour and texture. Some options include guacamole, tzatziki, baba ganoush, and cashew cheese spread. These dips offer a range of flavours and textures while remaining gluten-free.
Remember, when purchasing store-bought pimento cheese or ingredients, always check the ingredient list and product labels to ensure they are gluten-free. If you have celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity, you may also want to contact the manufacturer directly to confirm their production processes and potential for cross-contamination.
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Pimento cheese spread recipe
Pimento cheese is a classic Southern recipe that is naturally gluten-free and easy to make. It is a creamy, cheesy, tangy, peppery, and spreadable dip that can be served with crackers, vegetables, or as a sandwich filling. Here is a simple recipe for pimento cheese spread that will yield 2 cups of the spread:
Ingredients:
- 10 ounces of extra-sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely grated (you can also use a mix of mild and sharp cheddar)
- 4 oz. jar of diced pimentos, well-drained and chopped (you can also use roasted red peppers or pimento pepper if unavailable)
- 1/2 medium jalapeño pepper, ribs and seeds removed, and minced (optional, omit if sensitive to spice)
- 1/3 cup of mayonnaise (you can also use plain Greek yogurt)
- 1/4 cup of cream cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder
- Cayenne pepper, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Salt, to taste
Instructions:
- Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Beat the mixture together with a hand mixer, stand mixer, or by hand with a sturdy wooden spoon or spatula until thoroughly combined.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, black pepper, or cayenne pepper as desired.
- Transfer the mixture to a smaller serving bowl.
- Serve with crackers, celery sticks, sliced red peppers, or bread.
You can also use this spread as a filling for grilled cheese sandwiches, tacos, or as a topping for chicken sandwiches, pulled pork BBQ, or grilled hamburgers. If you have any leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
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Gluten-free crackers
Pimento cheese is generally gluten-free, as its main ingredients—cheese, pimentos, and mayonnaise—are gluten-free. However, some recipes or store-bought versions may include additives or flavorings that contain gluten. For instance, some prepared pimento products or spreads may contain gluten-containing additives, and blue cheese can sometimes contain gluten if the mold cultures are grown on bread. Therefore, it is always best to check the ingredient list or make your own pimento cheese to ensure it is completely gluten-free.
If you are serving pimento cheese, there are a variety of gluten-free crackers available in the market. Here are some options:
- Mary's Gone Crackers Super Seed Everything: These crackers are dense, crunchy, buttery, and comparable to Ritz crackers. They have a strong potato aroma and a soft, weak crunch with a slightly burnt aftertaste.
- Lance Gluten-Free Original Crackers: These crackers taste convincingly normal. They are slightly dense and fairly crunchy, although they could use more salt.
- Schär Table Crackers: These crackers taste like regular crackers, although they are dry, powdery, and slightly overwhelming. They vaguely taste sweet, like a macaron.
- Simple Mills Chocolate Brownie Sweet Thins: These crackers are made with watermelon seed flour and have a rich, chocolatey flavor. They dissolve quickly in your mouth and would probably be better with cheese.
- Good Thins Sea Salt Corn Snacks: These crackers are crunchy but not crumbly, with a subtle salty flavor and hints of corn.
You can also make your own gluten-free crackers at home. Here is a basic recipe with eight ingredients that you can customize with your preferred flavorings:
Ingredients:
- Gluten-free flour blend
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Xanthan gum
- Butter
- Water
- Seeds and spices (e.g., toasted sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and pepper)
Instructions:
- Whisk the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Cut the butter into cubes and work it into the dry ingredients with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
- Add the water and mix everything together with a fork, wooden spoon, or spatula until you have a shaggy dough.
- Gently knead the dough until smooth. The dough will be slightly soft, wet, and sticky.
- Let the dough rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to allow the gluten-free flour to absorb the moisture.
- Roll out the dough.
- Cut the dough into cracker shapes.
- Bake the crackers at 400ºF (200ºC) for about 12-14 minutes, or until they are evenly golden brown with slightly darker edges.
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Frequently asked questions
Pimento cheese is typically gluten-free, as its main ingredients—cheese, pimentos, and mayonnaise—do not contain gluten. However, some recipes or store-bought versions may include additives or flavorings that contain gluten, so always check the ingredient list or make your own to ensure it's completely gluten-free.
There are several gluten-free options that are similar to pimento cheese in terms of texture and taste. These include:
- Guacamole
- Tzatziki
- Baba Ganoush
- Cashew Cheese Spread
Pimento cheese can be enjoyed with gluten-free crackers, celery sticks, cucumber slices, or other vegetables. It can also be used as a filling in sandwiches, wraps, or tacos.
