My dad had tickets for The Masters for decades and loved making the trek to Augusta National every year. When my mom was still alive, he would sometimes take her although her interest was mainly in how pretty the azaleas were. So I grew up hearing about the delicious pimento cheese at the Masters Golf Tournament.
I finally had my own experience at The Masters a few years back and while I’m not generally a big golf fan, loved attending this iconic event. I stood about six feet from the (pre-everything-hitting-the-fan) Tiger Woods and enjoyed hiking the impossibly green, perfectly manicured course from hole to hole, checking out the vast variety of clothing, which for men ranged from khaki shorts and polo shirts to … khaki pants and polo shirts.
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium is known for its cheap concession prices – its prices just dropped again and now a hot dog is just $1.50 and chips and salsa are $2.50. But The Masters had long reigned supreme as havingdirt cheap food and beer. I don’t think the menu has ever changed much and includes barbecue and egg salad, ham and turkey sandwiches. Prices range from $1.50 to $3.00. Beer ranges from $4 for domestic to $5 for imported. That’s right — you can get a sandwich and beer for less than $6.
One year my husband was lucky enough to be invited to the Masters. He took a small cooler in the car and carted home three pimento cheese sandwiches for me – a 2-hour drive from Augusta to Atlanta. Yes, the bread may have been a bit soggy on arrival, but that pimento cheese held up pretty well.
I’m not the only one with fond pimento cheese memories. My friend Krista Massell said she remembers going with her father to the Masters where they had a routine. “We’d pick up an egg salad sandwich, pimento cheese sandwich and a beer, then rush to the ropes of one of the greens to stake a claim with our chairs. We would then back to a sunny spot on the 1st hole to picnic on our sandwiches and watch the start.”
Her husband Steve had good intentions of sharing some goodies from the Masters with friends, but perhaps fell down a bit in the execution. “In 1969 I carried two egg salad and two pimento sandwiches back to Atlanta for friends. Eight days later, I discovered what the smell was coming from my trunk. I forgot to get them out once home.”
While some people consider golf to be a high-brow sport, pimento cheese is definitely not. Let’s start with the bread. No fancy-pants multi-grain, artisan loafs here. It’s white. (I’m resisting the urge to make a comment about the attendees at the tournament.)
As for the recipe, well, there seems to be some mystery around it and no one has the real, true, official Masters recipe. Apparently it has been the source of controversy, leading to Pimento Gate in 2013.
So a man in Aiken, SC made the sandwiches for years. Then the golf club switched vendors. Peeved about losing the business, Mr. Cheese Man wasn’t about to share the recipe. The new vendor tried to recreate it, but had trouble finding the exact right cheese.
They finally found the correct cheese by going to the man’s suppliers for mayo, pimentos and cheese. But there was still a secret ingredient missing. The recipe they have today is as close as they can come.
It’s like the recipe for co*ke, reportedly locked in a vault. And Google turned up more several varieties, all claiming to be close to the real thing.
I even saw some versions with blue cheese, which I can’t believe is in there. That’s too fancy and too expensive to be sold for $1.50 alongside egg salad. So I’m going with this version I found adapted from an old website that no longer exists. Because these folks put a lot of time and thought into it. And because it has processed American cheese in it. That just seems right.
The Masters Pimento Cheese Recipe
- 6 ounces processed shreddedyellow american cheese. If you can only get sliced, just chop it up
- 6 ounces shredded Swiss cheese
- 2 ounces pimentoschopped up and some of the pimento liquid
- 2 generous tablespoons ofmayonnaise
- dash ofhot sauceto taste
- 1 tablespoon (or more) ofheavy cream(optional)
- salt and pepper (optional)
- white bread
- Put shredded cheeses and chopped pimentos (with juices) in a bowl. Add the mayonnaise and cream. Mix with a spoon or spatula. If it’s not easy to spread, add a bit more calories. I mean mayonnaise and/or cream.
- Add hot sauce, salt and pepper to taste.
- Spread on two pieces of very white bread.
Serving size: 2-3 sandwiches
Calorie Count: You do not want to know. Just look at the ingredients and you’ll realize this is not a low-calorie, low-fat dish. So maybe don’t make Masters pimento cheese a daily part of your diet. Just make it and enjoy.
FAQs
The Chef Behind the Pimento Cheese
You may not be familiar with his name, but Golf Digest says that chef Nick Rangos "was to a sandwich as Gene Sarazen was to a sand wedge."
What is in Katie Lee's pimento cheese recipe food Network? ›
Combine Cheddar, cream cheese, mayonnaise and heavy cream in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until melted, about 4 minutes. Stir in pimientos, pickle relish, onion powder, garlic salt, hot sauce, if using, and some black pepper. Transfer to a serving dish and serve with crackers or favorite dippers.
How much is a pimento cheese sandwich at the Masters golf tournament? ›
The prices are still remarkably low compared with concession stands at other major sporting events. The pimento cheese sandwich and the egg salad sandwich are each just $1.50, and no food item costs more than $3. A fan at the tournament could buy one of every item on the Masters menu for less than $70 total.
What is pimento cheese called in the South? ›
Most Southerners have fond memories of a loving aunt mixing up a batch for a church gathering, while Northerners haven't the foggiest idea what pimento cheese even is. Affectionately referred to as “Carolina caviar” or “Southern pate,” it has been a Southern staple for well over 50 years.
How is pimento cheese made from scratch? ›
Stir together pimiento, mayonnaise, Worcestershire, onion, and cayenne in a large bowl. Stir cheeses into pimiento mixture until well combined. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 1 week.
Where is Ruth's pimento cheese made? ›
Today, Rudisill oversees production at the plant in Charlotte. He remains close to June, the sole owner of Ruth's Salads since Bob's death.
What is the most popular food item served at the Masters? ›
The most famous item at The Masters Concessions stands, but what is pimento cheese? It's cheese blended with mayonnaise and pimentos, which are a variety of chili pepper that is small, sweet, and mild. It's spread pretty generously on a slice of bread and sandwiched with another. I love them and could eat them all day.
What is the difference between palmetto cheese and pimento cheese? ›
Palmetto Cheese is a trademark for a brand of pimento cheese from Pawleys Island Specialty Foods, a division of Get Carried Away, based in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. It is manufactured and packaged at Duke Sandwich Productions located in Easley, South Carolina.
Why did Costco quit selling pimento cheese? ›
Costco has reportedly stopped selling Palmetto Cheese after the owner of the pimento cheese brand called Black Lives Matter a "terror organization."
What is the flavor profile of pimento cheese? ›
What Does Pimento Cheese Taste Like? Pimento cheese is a creamy and tangy spreadable cheese mixture. It can be spicy depending on what add-ins you include, or even more tangy with the addition of ingredients like pickles or Worcestershire sauce.
It may have become popular in the South because it didn't spoil easily at room temperature, making it easy to pack in lunchboxes, particularly for textile workers. But it was also fashionable as a sandwich in tea rooms.
Can you wear jeans to the Masters golf tournament? ›
The correct men's attire for the Masters Golf Tournament typically means sporting a golf casual look. While you can choose an even more relaxed casual look, always remember that denim in any form is a big no-no.
How much is a co*ke at the Masters? ›
For those looking for some hydration, patrons can snap up a bottle of water or a soft drink for $2 while a domestic or imported beer will set them back $5. If you're wondering what the most expensive item on the menu is, that would be a cup of white wine, priced at $6.
Why is food so cheap at Augusta National? ›
An Augusta National representative said the concessions prices are part of a longstanding policy to provide an affordable experiences to attendees, such as free parking. While Augusta National has raised prices on some menu items in recent years, the increases have gone largely unnoticed among fans.
Does pimento cheese have milk in it? ›
Pimento Cheese is not dairy free. Pimento Cheese is made from cow's milk. Pimento Cheese is not safe for those with a milk allergy.
Does pimento cheese contain eggs? ›
INGREDIENTS: Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt Enzymes, Annatto For Color), Mayonnaise (Soybean Oil, Vinegar, Eggs, Egg Yolks, Salt, Sugar, Water, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Dried Garlic, Spices), Pimento (Pimento, Water, Citric Acid), Jalapeño (Jalapeño Peppers, Water, Vinegar, Salt, ...
What is the difference between Palmetto Cheese and pimento cheese? ›
Palmetto Cheese is a trademark for a brand of pimento cheese from Pawleys Island Specialty Foods, a division of Get Carried Away, based in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. It is manufactured and packaged at Duke Sandwich Productions located in Easley, South Carolina.
Does pimento cheese contain cream cheese? ›
One of my favorite Southern specialities is pimento cheese, which is often referred to as “the pâté of the South.” Made from sharp Cheddar, mayonnaise, cream cheese, and jarred pimentos, this spread is wonderful on crackers, crudités, sandwiches, or even burgers.
