Pimento Cheese Recipe

Everyone in my family has their traditional Thanksgiving dish. The dish they bring to Thanksgiving every year. So when I was asked to share my favorite Thanksgiving side dish incorporating dairy in partnership with Real Seal, I had to hit up my Aunt Jerry for the perfect recipe — her Pimento Cheese recipe. 

What?! Not everyone serves pimento cheese at Thanksgiving?! Well, then you are missing out! 

Actually that’s my favorite part of Thanksgiving (no, not the pimento cheese, although I am a big fan). I love that Thanksgiving is a holiday filled with tradition, but every family creates their own traditions. While some families have formal meals on fancy china, my family prefers paper plates and paper napkins set on tables outside. Instead of one person slaving away in the kitchen, everyone is invited to bring their favorite dish to share. Our potluck Thanksgiving is the ultimate casual meal, but it is our traditional Thanksgiving and it is easily the most special meal of the year. 

Don’t get me wrong. We eat a traditional Thanksgiving turkey and a ham. We also enjoy sides like mashed potatoes and stuffing. But we also eat chili and pimento cheese. Oh and my annual contribution “Granny’s Dip,” a cream cheese and olives dip the way my Granny used to make it.

Over the years Pimento Cheese has become as much a part of Thanksgiving as the turkey. It is one of many appetizers set out before the big meal that disappear before the turkey is carved. And I can’t wait to enjoy it while giving thanks for my loved ones this Thanksgiving!

Pimento Cheese Recipe 

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 block of sharp cheddar cheese 
• 2 heaping tablespoons of Miracle Whip
• 1 small jar of pimentos
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Pinch of sugar 

Directions

Grate the cheese. (Sure you could use shredded cheese, but fresh grated always tastes better!)

Mix dry ingredients with the Miracle Whip.

Combine Miracle Whip, pimentos and cheese with a fork until well mixed. If mixture is not wet enough, add more Miracle Whip. 

Serve with your choice of crackers. 

When shopping for dairy products, be sure to look for the Real Seal logo on your cheese. The Real Seal logo helps you make sure that you are giving your family the very best ingredients. Products that carry the Real Seal logo are made with milk from U.S. cows and have to meet additional standards. 

Find more great dairy recipes when you follow REAL Seal on Pinterest. You can also find fun facts about incorporating more dairy into your life on the REAL Seal Facebook page.

Also be sure to check out my other Real Seal dairy recipe for Buffalo Chicken Dip — I am considering adding this to our Thanksgiving potluck this year! If you plan a Thanksgiving brunch, you might also like my Baked Cheese Grits!