Skip The Cheez Whiz: Cheesesteak Sandwiches Are 10X Better With This Southern Topping

Philly cheesesteak is the most popular sandwich in the state of Pennsylvania and one of America's most iconic sandwiches alongside the likes of the Louisiana-famous po' boy and Florida's own Cuban sandwich. While bright, orange, gooey Cheez Whiz is the classic cheese of choice to slather over ribeye steak — the cut of beef traditionally used for cheesesteak — and grilled onions, pimento cheese is the Southern topping that'll make for a much more flavorful cheese swap. A rich and complex cheese dip, classic pimento cheese contains cream cheese and/or mayonnaise as a base to which shredded cheddar and chopped roasted pimento peppers are added.

Pimento cheese is savory, rich, and zesty with a spicy kick from the pimentos. The sharp cheddar and pronounced pepper flavor will pair beautifully with umami-rich steak while also getting a sweet, aromatic complement from the caramelized grilled onions. The gooey, soft yet textured consistency of the cheese will also bring a unique textural contrast to the hearty chew of the meat and bread. Plus, the residual heat from the hot steak and onions will melt the cheddar and cream cheese into an even more luxurious consistency that will coat the meat just as well as Cheez Whiz. There's no real trick to incorporating pimento cheese into a cheesesteak; simply slather a hearty amount of pimento cheese over your hoagie or sub roll before adding the steak and onions.

Many Philly cheesesteak recipes incorporate grilled bell peppers along with grilled onions into the filling, and these will certainly enhance the peppery taste of the pimento cheese. However, the pimento cheese also makes a good substitute for grilled peppers if you don't want to use them, as the pimentos themselves are roasted. If you want a spicier pimento dip, you can roast serranos or jalapeños and toss them in. You could even add chipotles in adobo to your pimento cheese dip, or swap regular mayo with chipotle mayo for even more of a sweet and spicy spread. You can swap the traditional steak for chicken, pork, or even portobello mushrooms, and the pimento cheese upgrade will still work wonders.

Pimento cheese's savory, creamy, and spicy profile will work well on more than just cheesesteak sandwiches, as it will complement all sorts of proteins, veggies, and types of bread. Pimento cheese is even the protagonist of its own sandwich, which is apparently the most iconic sandwich in the state of Georgia. You can combine it with extra cheddar cheese to make the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich. 

Pimento cheese is also the flavorful tomato sandwich upgrade you need to try. In fact, you can combine three Southern favorites by making a pimento cheese and tomato sandwich using fried green tomatoes. Pair the cheesy, creamy spread with umami-rich crispy bacon for the best BLT of your life!