Pimento Cheese

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A staple of the American South, Pimento Cheese is a versatile and bright cheese dip or spread that adds zest and flavor to crackers, vegetables, and more! This classic dip features diced pimentos and is a favorite for tailgating and holiday parties. Freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, and spices complement the peppers to make a spreadable dip you’ll return to over and over.

This homemade pimento cheese recipe is easy to make, stores well for several days, and tastes so much better than the store-bought version. Make a big batch of this delicious dip before the holiday season to enjoy with sliced red bell peppers, cucumbers, carrot or celery sticks, pita triangles, and buttery crackers. You can also use the cheese spread on grilled cheese sandwiches and burgers for a bit of zest! For more dip recipes, try my buffalo chicken dip recipe, spinach artichoke dip, or queso dip recipe.

What You Need to Make This Recipe

Ingredients needed to make pimento cheese.

Sharp Cheddar Cheese – freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese has the best flavor. Use the grater attachment on your food processor to quickly shred a larger block of cheese. Pre-shredded cheese will work as well.

Pimentos – diced pimento peppers are the key ingredient in this recipe. Find these small cherry peppers in a jar in the produce section of your grocery store or stocked with other jarred peppers like jalapenos. Drain the peppers well and pat dry before dicing. You can substitute diced roasted red bell peppers if you don’t have pimentos.

Cream Cheese – cube and soften the cream cheese before using so it easily mixes with the other ingredients. Regular or low-fat cream cheese works for this recipe.

Spices – a combination of garlic powder, onion, powder, Cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper adds just the right spice profile. You can adjust the heat by increasing or decreasing the Cayenne pepper.

How to Make Pimento Cheese

Set of two photos showing peppers added to a bowl of cheese and mayonnaise added.

1. Combine the cheddar, softened cream cheese, and pimentos in a large mixing bowl.

2. Add the mayonnaise.

Set of two photos showing seasoning added to ingredients in a bowl and mixed.

3. Sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, and Cayenne pepper

4. Stir together until very well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Amounts will vary based on the brands of cheese and mayo you use, so just taste as you go! For the best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

A plate pimento cheese with crackers with some cheese on one and sliced cucumbers beside them.

Pro Tips For Making This Recipe

Shred your own cheese. Freshly shredded cheese has the best flavor. Use the grater attachment on your food processor to quickly grate cheese. Sharp or extra-sharp cheddar cheese is the traditional cheese to use in this Southern cheese spread recipe, but you can also make it with regular cheddar, white cheddar, or a combination.
Drain the peppers. The pimento peppers will come in a jar packed in water. Drain the peppers in a strainer and then pat them dry with paper towels before dicing. This will remove any excess liquid.
Use your favorite mayonnaise. This recipe gets some of its flavor from the mayonnaise, so use your favorite brand of mayo for a taste you’ll love.
Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix all ingredients except the salt and pepper, then season to taste. The cheese and mayonnaise brands you select may need more or less salt or pepper. For an extra savory kick, skip the salt and season to taste with Worcestershire sauce.
Refrigerate before serving. The flavors will develop as the dip sits, so refrigerate the pimiento cheese for at least one hour. After chilling, set it out at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. If the dip is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of additional mayonnaise.
Mix by hand or use a mixer. Keep it simple and mix this recipe by hand or use a stand mixer or electric hand mixer. When using an electric mixer, use a lower speed so you don’t break down the shredded cheese and peppers too much.

A bowl of pimento cheese along with some crackers, peppers, and cucumbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I store leftovers?

Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Let the dip sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to soften slightly before serving. If the dip is too thick after storing, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of mayonnaise.

What do I serve with this?

For a taste of the South, serve pimento cheese and crackers as an appetizer before a meal of instant pot pulled pork, mashed sweet potatoes, and baked mac and cheese. Or serve with toasted sourdough bread, pretzel bites, or tortilla chips. This southern pimento cheese recipe makes a delicious substitution for cheddar cheese in many recipes when you want to spice things up. Try it with my turkey burger recipe or use it to make a grilled cheese sandwich.

For a classic southern offering, spread the cheese on crustless slices of bread and cut to make thin pimento cheese sandwiches. To offer a few cheese options on a larger appetizer spread with assorted crackers, serve with baked brie or a cheese ball. To give this cheese dip as a gift, place it in a glass mason jar and tie it with a ribbon.

How do I make it extra spicy?

For an extra kick, increase the cayenne pepper or stir in a splash of your favorite hot sauce. Alternatively, add a seeded and diced fresh jalapeño or ¼ cup diced candied jalapeños to the pimento cheese for an extra spicy kick. Or, top it with jalapeño jelly when serving!