Pimento cheese, a beloved Southern staple, has garnered a following far beyond its regional roots thanks to its creamy texture and flavorful punch. With a vast array of brands available, finding the perfect pimento cheese can be as delightful as the dip itself. Some brands have elevated this classic recipe with unique ingredients and artisanal methods, ensuring quality and taste in every bite. To help you discover the best pimento cheese brands on the market, explore the curated list below.
Illustration of pimento cheese
Best brands of pimento cheese in 2025
Palmetto Cheese
Palmetto Cheese, a trademark of Pawleys Island Specialty Foods, is a leading producer of pimento cheese, renowned for its high-quality and flavorful products. Developed by Sassy Henry, the recipe was first marketed in 2006 and has since expanded to over 4,500 retail outlets in 28 states. The brand offers three varieties: Original, Jalapeno, and Bacon, with the original being the top seller. By 2013, customers consumed 4.1 million containers of Palmetto Cheese, and the product is now manufactured and packaged at Duke Sandwich Productions in Easley, South Carolina. Palmetto Cheese has become a staple in Southern cuisine, praised for its rich flavor and versatility in various recipes.
Price's Pimento Cheese
Price's Pimento Cheese is a renowned brand that has been perfecting its recipe since the 1950s, originating from Ft. Worth, Texas, where Mildred Price crafted the tangy and rich pimento cheese spread. The brand achieved national distribution after being sold to Gerber Cheese Co. for a million dollars, allowing the product to be enjoyed nationwide. Today, Price's is part of Bel Brands, maintaining its tradition of excellence with real cheddar cheese, diced peppers, and pimentos. The brand's products are highly versatile, used in various recipes from sandwiches to appetizers, and are particularly popular in the Southern United States, especially in the Carolinas where 80% of pimento cheese consumption is concentrated. With its homemade-style recipe, Price's continues to be a favorite among many. For more details, visit the Price's Pimento Cheese website.
Ruth's Salads
Ruth's Salads, established in 1953 in Charlotte, NC, is a renowned producer of high-quality deli salads and spreads, particularly celebrated for its pimento cheese. For over six decades, the company has maintained its commitment to quality, safety, and consistency, making it a staple in hundreds of major and independent retailers across nearly a dozen states. Their pimento cheese, available in various flavors such as Original, Jalapeno, and Old Fashioned, is made with sharp American cheese and real mayonnaise, ensuring a rich and authentic taste. Despite challenges, including a recall in 2017 due to potential Listeria contamination, Ruth's Salads has continued to uphold its standards and customer loyalty. The brand's products are widely available in stores like Food Lion, Ingles, Publix, and Walmart.
Queen Charlotte's Cheese
Queen Charlotte's Pimento Cheese Royale is renowned for its high-quality, handcrafted pimento cheese, founded by John Morgan in 2014 after perfecting his recipe over a decade. The brand produces around 1,500 pounds of pimento cheese weekly, distributed to over 600 locations across 11 states. Their products feature a cream cheese base with less mayonnaise, combined with sharp cheddar, white cheddar, and pepper jack cheese, ensuring a thicker consistency and richer flavor. The company uses local ingredients like Duke's mayonnaise, Texas Pete Hot Sauce, and Mt. Olive jalapenos, highlighting their commitment to community and quality. With varieties like the Original, Her Royal Hotness, Black and Bleu Blood, and Baconham Palace, Queen Charlotte's Pimento Cheese Royale has become a staple in many Southern households.
Callie's Hot Little Biscuit
Callie's Hot Little Biscuit is renowned for its high-quality pimento cheese, made with sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack cheeses, pimento peppers, and mayonnaise. This Southern staple is available in traditional and fiery variations, perfect for dips, spreads, or as a key ingredient in classic pimento cheese sandwiches. Founded in 2005 by Carrie Morey, the brand has expanded its reach, offering products like the sofi Award-winning Fiery Pimento Cheese. Their pimento cheese is sold in 2-pack containers, each containing 12oz, and is a favorite for both local and national consumers. The brand's products are available in various bundles and kits, making it a popular choice for entertaining and gifting. You can explore their selection of pimento cheese products on their official website.
My Three Sons Gourmet
MyThreeSons Gourmet is a renowned producer of high-quality pimento cheese, founded by Dr. Cheryl Mitchell Barnett after her career in orthodontics. The brand is known for its homemade-style pimento cheese made with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, and it has been bringing this delicious treat to market shelves since 2010. The flagship flavor, "Emmy's Original," is light on mayo and heavy on extra sharp cheddar cheese, and the brand also offers Fiery Jalapeno and Spicy White Cheddar flavors. With a focus on using the best ingredients, MyThreeSons Gourmet has perfected a recipe that has garnered widespread acclaim. The brand's commitment to quality and traditional ingredients has made it a favorite among those who appreciate authentic pimento cheese. Learn more about their unique approach and flavors on their official website.
Augusta's Pimento Cheese
Augusta's Pimento Cheese, famously served at the Masters since the 1950s, is a beloved tradition that has maintained its affordability at just $1.50 per sandwich. This Southern staple, made with ingredients like extra sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey jack cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, and pimentos, has been a core part of the tournament's food experience. Despite changes in the recipe around 2013 that sparked controversy, the sandwiches remain an iconic item. The Masters' commitment to keeping food prices low, including the pimento cheese sandwich, is a priority to maintain a nostalgic and accessible experience for attendees. The sandwiches are so integral that they are now included in the "Taste of the Masters" kits for fans to enjoy at home.
Penny's Pimento Cheese
Penny's Pimento Cheese, though not specifically mentioned in the sources, can be contextualized within the broader trend of pimento cheese's rising popularity. Pimento cheese has seen a significant increase, with it appearing on over 3% of all menus in the United States, marking an 8.5% increase over the last four years and forecasted to grow an additional 51% in the next four years. Brands like Musten & Crutchfield and Queen Charlotte's Pimento Cheese Royale are notable for their high production volumes, such as Musten & Crutchfield producing 3,000 pounds of pimento cheese weekly. These brands highlight the dedication to quality and the growing demand for pimento cheese. If Penny's Pimento Cheese follows similar standards, it would be a strong contender in the market.
Southern Grace Farms
Southern Grace Farms, though not currently mentioned, would ideally be recognized as a top producer of pimento cheese, manufacturing thousands of pounds weekly, with a significant market share in the South, particularly in the Carolinas. This brand would be known for its high-quality ingredients, such as sharp cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, and canned pimentos. It would cater to a wide audience, with 80% of its production staying within the Southern region. The brand's gourmet and regular varieties would be popular choices, with some producers like Ruth's Salads and Star Foods serving as industry benchmarks. Southern Grace Farms would continue the legacy of pimento cheese, which originated in the late 1800s through industrial food manufacturing and mass marketing.
Trader Joe's Pimento Cheese Spread
Trader Joe's Pimento Cheese Dip is highly regarded for its rich, cheesy flavor and the addition of roasted pimento peppers, making it a standout in the pimento cheese category. This dip, priced at $3.99, is a mayo-based blend that is low in carbs, with only 1 carb per serving, making it suitable for low-carb or keto diets. It features chunky bits of extra sharp cheddar cheese, adding texture and a salty flavor profile. The dip can be enjoyed both cold and warmed, though many prefer it in its natural state. Its popularity is evident from repeated purchases and positive user reviews.
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