Pecorino Cheese vs Pimento Cheese

Q: Is Pecorino Cheese the same as Pimento Cheese?

No. Pecorino Cheese and Pimento Cheese are distinct cheeses from Italy and United States respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for Pimento Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Pecorino Cheese for Pimento Cheese, though the result will shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Q: Does Pecorino Cheese taste like Pimento Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. See the side-by-side table above for details.

Q: Which should I choose, Pecorino Cheese or Pimento Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Pecorino Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Pimento Cheese is spreadable, originating in United States.

What Is Pecorino Cheese?

Pecorino is an Italian hard cheese made from sheep's milk, and its name comes from pecora, the Italian word for sheep. Six main varieties carry PDO status, with Pecorino Romano the best known outside Italy.

What Is Pimento Cheese?

Pimento cheese is a spread of grated cheddar, mayonnaise and chopped pimentos worked into a chunky paste. It started in the Northern United States in the early 1900s and is now tied to Southern cooking, served on crackers, in sandwiches and at the Masters Tournament.

What's the Difference Between Pecorino Cheese and Pimento Cheese?

Origin: Pecorino Cheese (Italy), Pimento Cheese (United States)
Milk type: Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk), Pimento Cheese (Cheddar, farmers’ style)
Texture: Pecorino Cheese (hard), Pimento Cheese (Spreadable)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Pecorino Cheese	Pimento Cheese
Country of Origin	Italy	United States
Specific Origin	Italy	Northern United States, Now Associated With The Southern United States
Milk Type	Sheep's milk	Cheddar, farmers’ style
Texture	Hard	Spreadable
Aging	Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato	—
Taste	—	Sweet, rounded chili

Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Cheese Taste Like Pimento Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Pecorino Cheese shows buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk, while Pimento Cheese leans toward pimento peppers, mayonnaise, sometimes spicy additions.

Can You Substitute Pecorino Cheese for Pimento Cheese?

Pecorino Cheese can stand in for Pimento Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for spreadable.

Which Is Better, Pecorino Cheese or Pimento Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with Pecorino Cheese. For a spreadable profile, Pimento Cheese is the better fit.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pecorino Cheese the same as Pimento Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino Cheese originates in Italy, while Pimento Cheese comes from United States.

Is Pecorino Cheese similar to Pimento Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for Pimento Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Pecorino Cheese taste like Pimento Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

What is Pecorino Cheese made of?

Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato. It originates in Italy.

What is Pimento Cheese made of?

Pimento Cheese is made from milk. It originates in United States.

Which should I choose, Pecorino Cheese or Pimento Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino Cheese is hard, while Pimento Cheese is spreadable.