This classic Southern Pimento Cheese is a delicious make-ahead cheese spread that always vanishes fast! Try it with crackers and veggies for a speedy snack or as a tasty sandwich spread to jazz up your lunch.
I’ve spent enough of my life living in the South to know that when it comes to cheese spreads, Pimento Cheese reigns supreme.
I don’t often buy it, because it’s totally overpriced for something you can make SO EASILY at home with ingredients you probably already have on hand!
If anything you may find yourself picking up a little jar of diced pimentos but once you have them on hand as a super inexpensive pantry staple, you’ll be in the pimento cheese making business whenever the craving strikes!
I try to always keep a jar or two of pimento peppers on hand as well as a few jars of pickled diced jalapeños. Sometimes I’ll make a traditional pimento cheese (like the delish recipe I’m sharing today!) and other times I get fancy with my spicy Jalapeño Pimento Cheese.
Uses for Pimento Cheese
There are so many tasty ways to enjoy your homemade pimento cheese! Here are a few of my favorite serving suggestions:
- Spread on crackers like Ritz or Gluten-Free Nut Thins
- Featured on a tasty Veggie Tray or Cheese Board
- As a sandwich spread for my Ultimate Veggie Sandwich
- On an EPIC toasty Pimento Cheese BLT or Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Swirled into Mac and Cheese
- Spooned into Sweet Mini Peppers as a tasty appetizer
It’s also super popular in the South to bake it into a hot and melty pimento cheese dip. Feel free to give it a try! I once had it on a burger at a cute little restaurant in South Carolina and it was nothing short of amazing.
What’s your favorite way to scarf this easy cheesy spread?
I like to make a big batch and portion it into little jars. This way when snack time hits I can grab a jar and a bag of sliced celery sticks (prep in advance for easy snacking) along with some sea salt Nut Thins crackers snack at my desk while working.
If you haven’t tried these crackers with pimento cheese before it’s a must! They’re so crispy and make the perfect little base for the cheese spread. Love the combo like woah!
Homemade Pimento Cheese Recipe
Ready to get cheesy? Let’s do this! Snag the easy peasy recipe below:
Pimento Cheese
Ingredients
- 6 oz plain cream cheese softened
- 8 oz extra sharp cheddar cheese coarsely grated (white, yellow, or a mix)
- ¼-⅓ cup quality mayo
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼-½ tsp sweet paprika
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ⅛ tsp fine sea salt or season to taste
- ½ cup jarred diced pimentos plus extra to taste
Instructions
- Soften cream cheese and combine with mayo, garlic powder, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt. Whip using an electric hand mixer (my method of choice) or mash well with a fork until well blended.
- Add diced pimentos, straining off any of the liquid from the jar.
- Freshly grate sharp cheddar cheese (it's a bit more flavorful than bagged if you have time for the extra step) and add to the bowl. Add drained pimentos.
- Blend with a hand mixer on lowest setting or mix well with a fork.
- Allow to chill in the fridge until ready to dive in. It's great the first day and fantastic the next!
- After it's had some time to chill, feel free to add extra spices and even extra pimentos if you'd like. Simply dive in with a cracker or celery stick and and give it a taste first, then adjust as desired for your dream pimento cheese!
- Serve with an assortment of crackers and fresh veggies. It's also amazing as a sandwich spread, stuffed into sweet mini peppers, in grilled cheese, and melted on burgers/veggie burgers too!
Notes
Nutrition
As written, this tasty appetizer is grain-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, low-carb and keto friendly.
Looking for a vegan version? Lori at My Quiet Kitchen makes a pretty stellar looking Vegan Pimento Cheese recipe.
Make Ahead Instructions
Need to feed a crowd at a party or potluck? This recipe is easily made in advance!
First, decide if you need to double or triple the recipe based on number of guests. It’s easy to make a boatload or just a small serving for snacking.
Once you’ve made your cheese spread via the handy dandy recipe card above, simply store it in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to dive in. Making it the day before is oh so easy and actually allows the flavors to amplify even more. I almost always make mine in advance!
Hungry for More?
- READER FAVORITE: Vegetable Cream Cheese Tortilla Roll Ups
- Jalapeño Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
- Rotisserie Buffalo Chicken Dip – cheesy spicy deliciousness
- NEW! Cheesy Jalapeño Popper Bites
- Spicy Southern Hot Corn (another Southern staple around here!)
- Homestyle Macaroni Salad
If you get a chance to try this easy homemade pimento cheese recipe, let me know!
Leave some love in the comment form below or tag your photos with @peasandcrayons on Instagram so I can happy dance over your creation. I can’t wait to see what you whip up!
