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Pimento Cheese Recipe

Homemade Pimento Cheese is a Southern spread used as a dip for crackers and veggies or spread on finger sandwiches at parties. Whip it up in Less Than 5 minutes! Easily made with cheese, mayo, and a secret ingredient, it is creamy and tasty. Perfect for any occasion or just eating by the spoonful in front of the fridge.

homemade pimento cheese recipe

Homemade Pimento Cheese Dip

If you are not familiar with this recipe, or have never even heard of pimiento peppers, hang on to your cheese spread loving pants! Mine are yoga pants, LOL!

Of all the variations of this Southern staple, often called the caviar of the south, the best pimento cheese recipe I have ever tasted is my mother in law’s.

Passed down from the sweetest ladies in the South, it will soon be your favorite way to dress a cracker.

The best part is it truly a Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe because it doesn’t use any fillers like cream cheese. In my opinion it only dulls the flavor so why use it?

What is Pimento Cheese?

Not to be confused with Palmetto cheese from South Carolina, which is just a specific brand, but is the same thing as pimiento cheese.

The spelling is the only difference. Don’t you love it when people throw in a few extra letters?!?!

I like it so much I added it to my pimento cheese sausage balls, derby party menu, and this fun and spicy pimento cheese bread!

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simple ingredients for one of my classic southern dishes

Ingredients Needed

Cheese: Mix of sharp cheddar cheese and pepper jack cheese.

Mayo: Duke’s brand mayo is my favorite. Substitute Greek yogurt or sour cream if you prefer.

Onion: Minced onion balances the flavors so don’t leave it out. Substitute onion powder if needed.

Pimentos: These are the star of the show. Substitute roasted red peppers as a pimento substitute.

Spices: Instead of garlic powder, I prefer fresh garlic ground up or minced.

Kitchen staples: Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce.

Secret ingredient: I like to add some olive juice. Substitute pickle juice if necessary.

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How to make Old Fashioned Pimento Cheese Recipe

First: Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Garnish with sliced green onions.

Second: Serve with crackers or place in the fridge for future uses! Pretty easy, right?!

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

close up of pimento cheese

What do you eat with Pimento Cheese?

I like to use it as a creamy spread for crackers but it’s also great with these:

How long does it last?

If you keep it sealed in an airtight container in the fridge it will last for up to 2 weeks. Although my family usually eats it within the first few days.

bowl of pimento cheese and crackers

Can you freeze it?

You can freeze it, but you don’t want to serve it as a dip or spread as the ingredients will separate. But if you are using it as part of another recipe, feel free to thaw and use.

What exactly is a Pimento?

A pimento, or sometimes spelled pimiento, is a small chili pepper with the lowest heat (Scoville scale) of any chili peppers.

So don’t worry about them being too spicy.

You can find them on olive bars or in jars already pickled. The ones I use for this recipe come already chopped in a brine in a little jar or can. Look in the pickle aisle at the grocery store.

delicious dip on a crostini

Tapas Tips & Tricks

  • Bring the cheese to close to room temperature for easier mixing.
  • Mix by hand for better texture but you can use a stand mixer, hand mixer, or food processor.
  • Don’t use pre-shredded cheese if possible. It’s creamier if you grate it from a block.
  • Use extra sharp cheddar cheese for intense flavor.
  • Like more texture? Chop up some green olives or dill pickles and mix in.
  • Want more kick? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or black pepper.
  • Play around with different types of cheese like white cheddar, extra-sharp cheddar cheese, 
  • I know you have a jar of olives tucked in the back of the fridge along with all the other half used condiments that are waiting to be thrown out next year. Jalapeno juice works well too!

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

bowl of pimento cheese with a red banner and text

This pimento cheese recipe is a classic southern staple that is perfect on it’s own or between two slices of white bread to make perfect pimento cheese sandwiches that even picky eater will love!

bowl of pimento cheese

Homemade Pimento Cheese Recipe

Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Creamy, cheesy Pimento Cheese Spread is a great party spread! Serve with crackers or on a burger for a new twist!

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (finely grated)
  • 8 ounces pepper jack cheese (finely grated)
  • 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (you can substitute plain Greek yogurt)
  • 1 jar pimentos (7oz, drained)
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoon onion (minced)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive juice (you can substitute the juice drained from the pimentos)
  • 1 dash Tabasco
  • 1 green onion stalk (thinly sliced for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Mix all the ingredients in a mixer or by hand.
  2. Stir until completely combined.
  3. Store in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
  4. Lasts about a week in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • Bring the cheese to close to room temperature for easier mixing.
  • Mix by hand for better texture but you can use a stand mixer, hand mixer, or food processor.
  • Don't use pre-shredded cheese if possible. It's creamier if you grate it from a block.
  • Use extra sharp cheddar cheese for intense flavor.
  • Like more texture? Chop up some green olives or dill pickles and mix in.
  • Want more kick? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or black pepper.
  • Play around with different types of cheese like white cheddar, extra-sharp cheddar cheese, 
  • I know you have a jar of olives tucked in the back of the fridge along with all the other half used condiments that are waiting to be thrown out next year. Jalapeno juice works well too!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 416Total Fat: 39gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 663mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 14g

This nutrition information was generated via a third party, Nutritionix, and can not be held liable for any discrepancies in the information provided.

{Originally posted 02/09/14 – photos and recipe notes updated 09/24/20, reshared on 10/03/23}

TakeTwoTapas.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Jodi

Sunday 16th of May 2021

wow - i’ve been looking for the best pimento cheese recipe and you won!! thanks so much for sharing!

Jennifer

Monday 17th of May 2021

Thank you!

Andrea

Saturday 18th of August 2018

With this recipe, I think I'll become a fan of pimento cheese. Really like the idea of making it as a grilled cheese sandwich.

heather @french press

Wednesday 18th of May 2016

I've never actually had pimento cheese, but it sounds like something I would absolutely LOVE!!

chubcheeks@bellsouth.net

Thursday 19th of May 2016

You must try ASAP! It makes a great grilled cheese sandwich!

Laura @MotherWouldKnow

Saturday 5th of December 2015

What a great "throwback" recipe. It reminds me of the parties my parents used to have, when they served cocktails and appetizers like these. But your updated, homemade version is infinitely better:)

chubcheeks@bellsouth.net

Tuesday 8th of December 2015

I love it! I remember when everyone put pickles on toothpicks and had cocktail too! So fun! Thanks for reading and I hope you like the recipe:)

Angie | Big Bear's Wife

Friday 4th of December 2015

Pimento Cheese is so good! My husband tried it for the first time a few weeks ago and loved it too! gotta make this asap!

chubcheeks@bellsouth.net

Friday 4th of December 2015

I never thought I would like it like the people here do but it is really growing on me...

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