The Perfect Meat Pairings For Pimento Cheese

Pimento cheese is a Southern staple, often served at gatherings and get-togethers. It is a combination of cheese, pimentos, mayonnaise, and spices, and typically goes with crackers, celery, or pretzel thins. However, pimento cheese is incredibly versatile and can be paired with a variety of meats and dishes. For example, it can be used as a topping for burgers or sandwiches, stuffed into chicken or peppers, or served as a dip with charcuterie boards.

Pimento cheese with ham

Pimento cheese is a popular dish in the South, and it pairs well with many types of meat, including ham. Here are some ideas and recipes for combining pimento cheese with ham:

Hot Ham and Pimento Cheese Sandwiches

This recipe is perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. It's easy to assemble and only takes a few minutes. You'll need Hawaiian rolls, thinly sliced deli ham, prepared pimento cheese, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, butter, brown sugar, and poppy seeds. Simply stuff the rolls with ham and pimento cheese, top with a sweet and savoury butter sauce, and bake until golden and crispy.

Grilled Pimento Cheese, Ham, and Homemade Pickles Sandwich

For a memorable grilled cheese experience, try this combination of savoury piquillo-studded sharp cheddar spread, slices of ham, and scratch-made dill pickle chips. To make the pimento cheese, you can briefly warm grated onion, ground mustard, and cayenne in mayonnaise to temper the onion's harshness and bloom the spices. For extra pepper flavour, substitute bold and tart piquillo peppers for the usual pimento. Serve this sandwich on crisp and buttery bread.

Ham and Pimento Cheese Sandwich with Green Heirloom Tomatoes

This recipe offers a healthier twist on the classic ham and pimento cheese sandwich. It uses lite pimento cheese spread, lean ham, green heirloom tomatoes, and whole grain bread. Spread the lite pimento cheese on the bread, add the tomatoes and ham, and serve. This sandwich is not only delicious but also provides a satisfying portion.

Peach Glazed Ham and Pimento Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches

For a unique breakfast option, try these peach glazed ham and pimento cheese sandwiches. The combination of sweet and savoury flavours is sure to tantalise your taste buds. Serve the pimento cheese and ham on whole wheat English muffins with peach jam for a delightful morning treat.

Pimento Cheese and Ham as Burger Toppings

Pimento cheese and ham also make excellent toppings for burgers. You can add them to a traditional burger patty or get creative with other protein options, such as fried chicken. The combination of melted pimento cheese and ham creates a delicious and indulgent burger experience.

Pimento cheese with bacon

Pimento cheese is a Southern classic, and bacon makes everything better, so it's no surprise that the two are a perfect match. This savoury, salty, and slightly spicy combination is a great addition to any cookout or party, and it's also perfect as a snack at home.

Ingredients

• Thick-cut bacon slices, chopped
• Mayonnaise
• Diced pimentos, drained
• Worcestershire sauce
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika
• Cayenne pepper
• Extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
• Sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Ingredients

• Cream cheese
• Onion powder
• Pepper jack cheese
• White Cheddar cheese
• Applewood smoked bacon

Instructions

First, cook your bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and let it cool completely. Drain the bacon drippings or reserve them for another use.

Next, stir together your mayonnaise, pimentos, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper in a medium bowl until combined. You can also add onion powder if you like a little extra kick.

Now it's time to add the cheese. Shred your Cheddar cheese and add it to the bowl, folding it into the mayonnaise mixture. If you want to get fancy, you can use a combination of extra-sharp Cheddar, sharp Cheddar, and even some pepper jack or white Cheddar cheese.

Finally, crumble your cooled bacon and add it to the mixture. Sprinkle a little extra bacon on top for good measure. Add salt and pepper to taste, and your pimento cheese with bacon is ready to serve!

Serving Suggestions

This delicious spread can be served in many ways. Here are some ideas:

• With sliced vegetables, such as celery sticks
• As a sandwich spread, especially with grilled cheese or a BLT
• On burgers
• With crackers or chips
• Stirred into macaroni and cheese

Pimento cheese with pulled pork

Pimento cheese is a Southern delicacy, with its vibrant colour and bold flavour. It is a versatile dish, and can be served with crackers, celery sticks, grilled cheese, or even as a side with fried chicken. One mouth-watering combination is pimento cheese with pulled pork. This can be served as sliders or grilled cheese sandwiches, perfect for game day or a party.

Pimento Cheese Pulled Pork Sliders

These sliders are a fun and easy dish to make for a crowd. You can use any kind of slider roll or small dinner roll, from super soft ones to Hawaiian rolls. The pimento cheese spread adds a unique flavour to the tender pulled pork. You can make the pimento cheese and BBQ sauce from scratch or buy them pre-made. For the pork, you can cook it in the oven, instant pot, slow cooker, or on the stove, aiming for tender, shreddable meat. Once you have your ingredients ready, it's simply a matter of assembling the sliders and baking them for a few minutes.

Pulled Pork and Pimento Grilled Cheese

For a more indulgent option, try a grilled cheese sandwich with pulled pork and pimento cheese. This recipe calls for ciabatta or other soft rolls, mayonnaise, pulled pork, pimento cheese dip, and butter. Spread mayonnaise on the rolls, top with pulled pork and pimento cheese, and cook in a skillet or cast-iron pan until melted and toasted.

Customisations

There are many ways to customise your pimento cheese and pulled pork creation. Some people like to add toppings such as red onions, coleslaw, or even Dirty Dill Chips for an extra crunch. You can also experiment with different types of bread, from white sandwich bread to ciabatta rolls to sourdough.

Pimento cheese with beef

Pimento cheese is a popular Southern spread that's traditionally made with shredded Cheddar, mayonnaise, and pimentos. It's commonly served with crackers and vegetables or as a sandwich filling. Pimento cheese is often called the "pâté of the south" and can be served with a variety of meats, including beef. Here are some ideas for combining pimento cheese with beef:

Beef Patty Melt with Pimento Cheese

For a delicious and hearty sandwich, try a beef patty melt with pimento cheese. You can make this by forming ground beef into patties, seasoning them with salt and pepper, and cooking them in a cast-iron skillet or on a griddle. Spread pimento cheese on slices of rye bread, top with caramelized onions and the beef patties, and toast the sandwiches until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

Grilled Cheese with Pimento Cheese and Beef

Another option is to make a grilled cheese sandwich with pimento cheese and beef. You can use sliced bread, buttered on one side, and spread pimento cheese on the non-buttered side. Add sliced beef, such as roast beef or sliced steak, and any desired toppings or condiments. Cook the sandwich in a skillet or on a griddle until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.

Pimento Cheese Burger

For a tasty twist on a classic burger, try adding pimento cheese as a condiment. Form ground beef into patties, season as desired, and cook to your preferred doneness. Place the cooked burger patties on buns, add toppings such as lettuce, tomato, and onion, and spread pimento cheese on the top bun. You can also add a fried egg to take this burger to the next level.

Pimento Cheese and Beef Appetizers

If you're looking for a more bite-sized option, you can make appetizers or finger foods with pimento cheese and beef. One idea is to make pimento cheese-stuffed meatballs. Mix ground beef with breadcrumbs, eggs, and seasonings, and form the mixture into balls. Create a pocket in each meatball, stuff with pimento cheese, and bake or fry until cooked through. You can also make pimento cheese-stuffed sliders by forming small beef patties, topping them with pimento cheese, and serving them on slider buns.

Pimento Cheese and Beef Dips

If you're looking for a more casual option, you can make a dip with pimento cheese and beef. Simply brown ground beef in a skillet, drain the excess grease, and mix in pimento cheese until melted and combined. Serve the dip warm with chips, crackers, or raw vegetables for a delicious and hearty snack.

Pimento cheese with shrimp

Pimento cheese is a Southern delicacy, with as many recipes as there are cooks. It is a vibrant cheese spread, flecked with finely chopped pieces of red pimento peppers. The basic components are orange cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and jarred or canned pimento peppers, but the ratios, seasonings, and methods of preparation vary from household to household.

One popular way to enjoy pimento cheese is to pair it with shrimp. Here are some ideas for incorporating shrimp into your pimento cheese dish:

Pimento Cheese Spread with Shrimp

This recipe involves creating a creamy base of cream cheese, shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and garlic powder. You then stir in the diced pimentos and chopped, steamed shrimp. This combination of flavours and textures makes for a delicious and attractive appetiser or side dish.

Shrimp and Pimiento Cheese Grits

For something more substantial, you can combine shrimp and pimiento cheese with grits. This recipe calls for cooking the grits with salt, pepper, and water, and then stirring in the pimiento cheese and sambal oelek until melted and smooth. Meanwhile, you cook the shrimp in bacon grease or olive oil, and then combine it with parsley, lime juice, bacon, and additional sambal oelek. The final step is to divide the grits mixture into bowls and top it with the shrimp mixture, creating a hearty and flavourful meal.

Pimiento Cheese Shrimp and Grits

This is a variation on the previous recipe, with a few minor differences. In this version, you cook the bacon first and then use the bacon grease to cook the shrimp. The shrimp are then mixed with parsley, lime juice, bacon, and sambal oelek before being served on top of the cheesy grits.

Pimento Cheese Sandwiches with Shrimp Salad

For a sandwich option, you can create a shrimp salad by mixing cooked shrimp with mayonnaise, celery, onion, and lemon juice. Spread this salad on toasted bread, and then top it with pimento cheese and sliced tomatoes. This combination of flavours and textures makes for a delicious and satisfying sandwich.

These are just a few ideas for combining pimento cheese with shrimp. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and cooking methods to create your own unique dish.

Frequently asked questions