This quick and easy flavor-packed Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe takes less than ten minutes to make and is a favorite appetizer for friends and family. Sharp cheddar, white cheddar, pimentos, and a handful of other common kitchen ingredients are added to a cream cheese mayonnaise base to make one of the best dips ever!
Is your life a crazy whirlwind of activity that is hard to keep up with sometimes? Do you love to make great food, sip on great wine, and entertain from time to time? I LOVE IT, but the days are often packed to the brim, and there does not seem to be enough of me to go around. You can whip this delicious Quick Southern Pimento Cheese up in about ten minutes.
This crazy good cheese dip can be prepared in advance, stored in an airtight container, and stirred before placing it in a serving bowl. It is delicious served with celery, carrots, crackers, and crostini. Serve leftovers on baked potatoes or spread between two slices of white bread and make delectable pimento cheese sandwiches. If you like this dip, try my spinach artichoke dip, pizza dip, and jalapeno popper dip.
What is Pimento Cheese?
Pimento cheese is a creamy, tangy cheese spread made with cream cheese, mayonnaise, cheddar, and pimentos. It is a trendy dish in Southern cuisine and is sometimes referred to as “Southern Pate.”
Pimentos are a type of chili pepper. They are as red as bell peppers but slightly sweeter and mildly hot. Pimentos are generally canned or jarred.
What You’ll Need
- Cream Cheese: preferably full fat and softened to room temperature
- Mayonnaise: I like Duke’s, but there are other good brands out there
- Cheddar Cheese: good quality, sharp or white cheddar cheese with tons of flavor
- Spices: a few common pantry spices like onion powder, garlic powder, dry mustard, cayenne pepper, salt, and freshly ground black pepper
- Worcestershire Sauce: Lee % Perrins is the best
- Pimento Peppers: diced and jarred. They are usually in the same aisle as the pickles at the grocery store.
- Mirin: although most Southerners would turn their noses up at this, it adds a sweetness that melds with the other flavors.
How to Make Pimento Cheese
Using a stand or hand mixer and a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth, creamy, and lump-free. Then add your cheeses, spices, Worcestershire Sauce, and mirin (optional). Finally, stir in the pimentos and refrigerate the mixture until 30 minutes before serving.
Preparation Tips
- Use an electric mixer or spoon to combine for optimal texture and flavor. A food processor is not recommended, as you want the spread to retain most of its texture.
- You can substitute roasted red pepper for the pimentos.
- Use real mayo for this recipe. Duke’s is by far my favorite.
- Mirin is sweetened sake and can be found in the Asian food section of some grocery stores. Substitutions for the mirin include 2 tablespoons of sherry mixed with 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar. You could also substitute maple syrup.
Serving Suggestions
- With saltines, Ritz crackers, crisp crackers, chips, or crostini
- Spread over little rye or white toasts for tea sandwiches
- With veggies like celery sticks, carrot sticks, and red bell peppers.
- Stuffed in little steamed red potatoes (hallow out the inside with a melon baller)
- With slices of bell pepper or cucumber
- In a warm omelet
- With sliced apples
- Spread between slices of white bread and grilled (the best-grilled cheese sandwich ever)
Storage
Store this spread in the fridge until about 30 minutes before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
This delicious dip is delectable, easy, loved, and foolproof. Put the ingredients on your grocery list, and let me know what you think.
More Party Appetizers
Pimento Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 box 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup mayo preferably Duke’s
- 1 cup extra-sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup white cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon mirin optional
- 1 (4 ounce) jar diced pimentos drained
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a stand mixer, using a paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and mayo until smooth and creamy. Add the cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard, cayenne pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and mirin (optional); beat just until blended. Stir in pimentos. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Refrigerate until 30 minutes prior to serving.
Video
Notes
- For optimal texture and flavor, use an electric mixer or spoon to combine. A food processor is not recommended, as you want the spread to retain most of its texture.
- You can substitute roasted red pepper for the pimentos.
- Use real mayo for this recipe. Dukes is by far my favorite.
- Store this spread in the refrigerator. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
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Stephanie
Yum! This pimento cheese spread is perfect for my football party appetizer trays. Thanks for the recipe.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Stephanie! Enjoy!
Carrie Robinson
I just love putting this pimento cheese on my sandwiches! It is quick and easy to make and everyone loves it.
Dina and Bruce
Dukes for sure! Love the dry mustard in this! So good!
Kim
OOH this was delicious. I’ll definitely be making this again. I am thinking New Years Eve.
Chenee
This would make an incredible appetizer for Christmas Eve. Can’t wait to make it!
Casey
We live near a cheese factory and they make this but it’s so expensive. I’m really excited to be able to make it myself. Thanks for sharing!
Sisley
This is a delicious dip. Perfect for events and watching the game.
Kate
This pimento cheese had so much flavor! Next time I’ll serve it in potatoes like you suggest!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Kate! You will love it!
Naomi
This is one quick and easy Southern classic pimento cheese dip. My friends and family gobbled it up on Sunday while we were watching football. Great gameday food.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Naomi! It is great gameday food.
Quynh
I made this for our Halloween party, and everyone loved it! So easy to put together. I made it ahead of time and just kept it in the fridge until ready to serve.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Quynh! I am so glad that everyone like it. We love it too.
Sarah
This was such an easy and creamy recipe that did not disappoint! Turned out light, fluffy and delicious; easily, a new favorite recipe!
Kristen
I took this to a party yesterday and everyone loved it! I’ll definitely make it again!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Kristen! So glad that they enjoyed the pimento cheese.
Kushigalu
Love this quick and easy recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Luci Petlack
I’m a big fan of pimiento cheese. This recipe is great!
Amanda
I really love this dip! It was a huge hit at my last pool party. Definitely one of my favourite dips.
Linda
I am 74 years old and have made a lot of pimiento cheese recipes, but this is by far the best I’ve ever had!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Linda! I am so glad that you liked it!