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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Divia K
Great soft cheese recipe. The more I cook, the more I like southern recipes. This one is a keeper. It is going in my recipe folder.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Divia! So glad that you liked it.
Kassie
Beth, your Southern Pimento Cheese recipe is a game-changer! I love how quick and easy it is to whip up this flavorful dip, perfect for any gathering. Delicious with crispy crackers and celery and carrot sticks.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Kassie! So glad that you liked it!
Kimberlee
Your southern pimento cheese was the perfect blend of comfort and flavor. With your clear instructions and tasty recipe, you’ve made it irresistible for anyone craving a taste of the South. Keep sharing these delightful recipes that bring joy to kitchens everywhere!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Kimberlee! I appreciate your support!
Rafael
So creamy and flavorful. It is really hard to stop eating this spread. It is delicious with carrot sticks.
Lee of TheManilaPh.com
Been wanting to make this for so long! Thanks for the recipe. Easy to follow
Mary Ann
This is my favorite pimento cheese recipe. It reminds me of my grandmother’s recipe. I turned a few friends onto it and they love it.
Dana L
Such a great recipe. Tastes just like the stuff we’d get in the South when we lived there!
Anjali
Yum!! We made this and served it as a dip with crackers when we had some friends over and it was a hit!
Holly
I have to say that I have never been a huge fan of pimento cheese, but I have only ever had the store-bought stuff. It’s one of those things that I *want* to like (like shrimp and grits), but I just never had. I ran across your recipe and decided to give it a try. What a world of difference. It was super easy and tasted nothing like anything I have had before. Thank you for sharing.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Holly!
Cathleen Rhode
I love this recipe so much!! It is definitely a favorite in my house, I will definitely make it again. Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
Gianne
It’s creamy, tangy, and has the perfect kick of heat from the pimentos. It’s the ultimate comfort food and pairs perfectly with crackers, veggies, or as a sandwich spread. Delicious!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Gianne! So glad that you like the Pimento Cheese!
Zadie
I just love this pimento cheese. Such a great appetizer for halftime. The guys loved it and they gave it two thumbs up which is awesome because sometimes it is hard to please them.
Beth Pierce
I would agree. Sometimes men are hard to please.
Amy Liu Dong
This pimento cheese was delicious and easy to make!
Chloe Arnold
Oh this looks delicious! My husband is southern and he would love this fun reminder of his home! Might have to surprise him and make these!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Chloe! I sure hope he enjoys it as much as we do!
Mary
I had something like this at a restaurant once. It would be nice to try out your recipe and make this at home. I love pimentos (and cheese of course)!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Mary! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Monique
Your Southern Pimento Cheese recipe is a winner! The flavors are spot-on, and the creamy texture is just perfect. Loved making it and everyone at the gathering couldn’t get enough. Your recipe is now a go-to for any occasion. Great job!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Monique! I am so glad that you like the Pimento Cheese!