Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwiches

Are you craving a hot sandwich that's pure comfort food?  Try our pimento cheese sandwich recipe. 

This sandwich is made with our homemade pimento spread and is topped with crispy bacon and grilled until golden brown, so the outside is crunchy and the inside full of melted cheese.

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Ingredients

• Cooked Vegetables: caramelized onions, collard greens, or fried green tomatoes
• Fresh Vegetables: tomato slices, lettuce
• Pickled Vegetables: dill pickle coins, jalapeños, giardiniera
• Meat: crispy bacon, fried chicken tenders
• Spicy/Smoky: chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• Jelly: pepper jelly

Questions

What kind of bread is used?

• Use bread cut in ½ inch slices
• Sourdough bread
• Brioche bread
• Texas toast

How do you cut this sandwich?

• Let the grilled sandwich rest 5 minutes before cutting.
• Cut in half for a casual look.
• Cut in triangles, squares, or fingers for a fancier look.

What is the calories for one serving?

If you use our homemade pimento spread, there is 668 calories for ½ of a large sandwich.  This sandwich is high in vitamins A and C and has 22.6g of protein.  For more nutritional information, scroll to the end of the recipe card.

How can I make this recipe vegan?

Make the following substitutions.

• Use vegan friendly mayo.
• Use vegan cheddar shreds.
• Use 2 cups canned chickpeas, drained and smashed, along with 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast.

Can you make this ahead of time?

It's best to grill the sandwiches just before eating, but you can have the spread made ahead of time. 

Want to make this extra melty and hot?

• Place grilled  sandwiches on a baking tray.
• Place them in a 350 F oven until the cheese melts more and the sandwiches are heated through.

How can I make this in bulk?

• Use mayo instead of butter; it spreads faster.  Use 1 tablespoon per sandwich.
• Use two large rimmed baking sheets that are the same size.
• Preheat one of the baking sheets on the middle rack in a 450F oven.
• Place 6 sandwiches on the bottom (unheated) baking tray.
• Place the preheated baking sheet on top of the sandwiches.
• Bake on the middle rack in a 450 F oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Can you reheat this recipe?

Yes, you can.  It's best to reheat the sandwich in a skillet over medium high heat for 30 seconds to one minute.

Can you freeze leftovers?

It's not advisable since the oil in the mayo will separate when frozen.

Serve

• Soup: tomato
• Fried vegetables: okra, green tomatoes
• Pickled vegetables: pickle spears, jalapenos coins
• Cooked vegetables: collard greens
• Fresh vegetables: tomatoes
• Crunchy/Salty: potato chips
• Beverage: fresh brewed sweet tea

How to Make

Gather the four ingredients: homemade pimento cheese spread, bacon, butter, and sliced sourdough bread.

Cook the bacon in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat until crispy, flipping with a fork when the first side is done.  Pour the bacon grease into a bowl and place in your fridge for another use.

Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and blot with another paper towel to remove extra grease.

Measure out two tablespoons of spread for each slice of sourdough bread. 

Make sure not to spread it right to the edge.  There needs to be some room for the pimento cheese to spread out when it is melted.

Add 2 or 3 slices of crispy bacon on top of the spread.

Place the top slice of sourdough bread on the bottom slice.

Butter the top and bottom slices of the bread.

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium high heat, than swirl it around the skillet until the bottom is well covered.

Grill the bread over medium heat until golden brown, roughly 2 to 3 minutes.  When ready, flip the sandwich over with a metal spatula.

Transfer the sandwich to a cutting board with the metal spatula.  Allow the sandwich to cool for 5 minutes. 

Cut the two large sandwiches in half with a sharp knife and enjoy them while they're warm.

Variations

• Crostini: Spread this on a ciabatta loaf top with bacon crumbles.  Bake on a baking sheet at 400 F for 2 minutes or until melted.
• English Muffin: Cut English muffins in half and spread pimento cheese on both halves.  Bake under the broiler for 5 minutes.
• Don't want to use butter?  Try spreading mayo on the outside of the bread before grilling.
• Want a different fat for grilling?  Use bacon grease instead of butter.
• Want to use nuts as a topping?  Try toasted chopped pecans.
• Need topping ideas?  Try pickled jalapeños, pickled banana peppers, sliced tomatoes, or lettuce.
• Want to add cooked veggies?  Try putting homemade collard greens, that are well drained, or fried green tomatoes on top of the bacon.

Pro Tips

• Want to save some calories?  Don't spread butter on the outside of the bread; just toast it in a skillet with a little butter or bacon grease.
• Need a bread tip?  Use bread that is thick enough, so it won't fall apart when flipped or picked up.
• When is it best to cut the sandwich?  It cuts the best after it has rested for 5 minutes.
• Need to make lots of sandwiches?  Keep them warm in a 350 F oven; it will also melt the pimento cheese more.
• Use homemade pimento cheese spread; it tastes better and is easy to make.

Recommended Tools

• Emeril 3-Quart Skillet: this heavy-bottomed skillet is perfect for grilling sandwiches.
• Lodge 10-Inch Skillet: we love frying bacon in this sturdy cast iron skillet.
• 11x17-Inch Cookie Sheets: use these trays to keep the sandwiches warm in the oven.
• Bamboo Cutting Board: assemble and serve the sandwiches on this pretty board.
• Metal Spatula: this thin metal spatula makes it easy to flip the sandwiches.

Make other delicious Southern sandwiches with these recipes.

• Pimento Cheese Spread
• Pulled Pork Sandwiches
• Muffaletta Sandwich

The pleasure of a 5-star review would be greatly appreciated.

Recipe

Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwiches

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★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

• Author: Brooke
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 2 sandwiches 1x

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Description

Grilled pimento cheese sandwich is a Southern style recipe that is an easy idea for your next party.  Both kids and grown ups will also love this comfort food for their lunches.  Learn how to make this gourmet style grilled sandwich that has crispy bacon and homemade pimento cheese.  Serve a tray of these piping hot and they'll be a big hit while watching the Masters or the Kentucky Derby.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 tablespoons salted butter (56g)
• 6 slices bacon
• ½ cup pimento cheese spread (120 ml)
• 4 large slices sourdough bread

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Instructions

1. Cook the bacon in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat until crispy, flipping when needed to cook the other side.  Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and blot off the excess grease.
2. Spread 2 tablespoons of homemade pimento cheese spread on each slice of bread.  Leave a small gap near the edges, because the pimento cheese will spread when it melts.
3. Place two or three slices of bacon on top of the pimento cheese, then put the top slice of bread on each sandwich.  Butter the outside of the bread, both top and bottom slices.
4. Grill one sandwich at a time over medium low heat in a large skillet.  Cook until golden brown, then carefully flip it over and grill the other side.  Repeat with the other sandwich.
5. To melt the cheese even more, transfer the sandwiches to a baking sheet and place in a 350 F oven until warmed through.
6. Transfer to a cutting board and let the sandwiches rest for 5 minutes before cutting in half.
7. Serve the hot sandwiches with pickle spears, pickled jalapenos, thick tomato slices, and sweet tea.

Notes

• Cut reduce the calories, don't spread butter on the outside of the bread; just toast it in a skillet with a little butter or bacon grease.
• To keep the sandwich together while flipping, use bread that is thick enough.
• Let it rest for 5 minutes before cutting.
• To help melt the pimento cheese more, keep them warm in a 350 F oven until all the sandwiches are done.
• For the best flavor, use homemade pimento cheese spread.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: pimento grilled cheese, pimento cheese sandwiches