Name: Pimento Cheese Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1-1/2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese; 1-1/2 cups shredded yellow cheddar cheese; 1 4- ounce jar diced pimentos (drained); 1/3 cup mayonnaise (Duke's Mayo is a southern classic); 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon minced garlic (optional, my personal addition); 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder (or to taste - use paprika for a milder version); Salt and pepper to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon each); Dash of hot sauce (optional - Crystal or Tabasco are great here)

This pimento cheese recipe is an iconic taste of the south with shredded cheddar cheese swirled with rich mayonnaise and other seasonings, the perfect cheese spread or dip. Learn how to make it.

Looking for a quick and easy cheese spread or appetizer to serve at your next gathering? Look no further than classic Pimento Cheese, my friends.

Pimento cheese is simple and easy to whip together at a moment’s notice, so rich and decadent and huge on flavor. And incredibly popular. Keep this one in your recipe rotation, as it is sure to satisfy.

What is Pimento Cheese?

Pimento cheese is a beloved recipe of the American south, a creamy mixture of cheddar cheese, diced pimento peppers and mayonnaise with a few other flavoring ingredients tossed in. It’s iconic, dubbed the “pate of the south”, found in southern kitchens everywhere, ubiquitous on southern menus.

It is famous as a component of fried green tomatoes, though you’ll find it served on sandwiches and as a component in other dishes as well.

You can use store bought pimento cheeses for your parties, but homemade pimento cheese is so much better. It’s fresher with a superior texture and flavor, of course, from your own personal touches.

Let’s talk about how we make classic pimento cheese, shall we?

Pimento Cheese Ingredients

Cheddar Cheese. I’m using a combination of both white and yellow extra sharp cheddar cheese.
Pimentos. Use jarred pimentos, drained.
Mayo. Duke’s Mayo is preferred, as it is a classic southern staple, but you can use your favorite.
Worcestershire Sauce. For depth.
Garlic. My own personal addition.
Cayenne Pepper. For a touch of heat. Use paprika for a milder pimento cheese.
Salt and Pepper. To taste.
Hot Sauce. Optional, for a touch of spicy goodness.

How to Make Pimento Cheese – the Recipe Method

Stir the Ingredients. Gently stir together the cheddar cheeses, pimentos, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, cayenne, salt and pepper in a medium-sized bowl.

Taste and Adjust. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper. Add in a dash or two of hot sauce to your preference. Add a bit more mayo if you’d like a thinner consistency.

Combine. Fold the mixture gently to combine. You can use a food processor, but it will change the overall texture and consistency.

Refrigerate the Pimento Cheese. This is an important step. Refrigerate the pimento cheese in a sealed container at least 1 hour before serving to let the flavors develop. This will also help to firm up the cheese.

Boom! Done! Ready to serve. Who wants some pimento cheese? Absolutely delicious. It’s perfect served with crackers or for topping all sorts of delicious foods, making them even more delicious. It’s the perfect appetizer.

How are you serving yours?

Recipe Tips & Notes

The Cheeses. Extra sharp cheese works best for making pimento cheese because they contain less moisture. You’ll achieve a better texture with it. You can use other cheeses for this recipe, though cheddar is classic.
The Mayo. Duke’s mayo is definitely preferred for making pimento cheese, as it originates from the south and it has a higher ratio of egg yolks than most other commercial mayos, making it extra rich and creamy.
The Pimentos. Canned or jarred diced pimento peppers are a must here, hence the name of the dish. Pimentos are mild and sweet and add a wonderful flavor. Learn more about pimento peppers. You can use roasted red peppers as a substitute. The flavor will change, but it is still quite tasty.
Additional Ingredients. Every southern family has their own personal touch to pimento cheese. Some I’ve learned are yellow mustard, dash of sherry, garlic powder, onion powder, grated vidalia onion, cream cheese, paprika, jalapeno pepper, dry mustard and green onion. Feel free to add your favorite flavors.
Serving Pimento Cheese. Pimento cheese great as a simple appetizer, snack or party food served with Ritz crackers or club crackers. It’s perfect on another icon southern dish, fried green tomatoes. Use it to make pimento cheese sandwiches, grilled cheese sandwiches, or as a general condiment. I love it for topping my burgers!

Not the prettiest photo, my friends, but dang is it delicious!

That’s it, my friends. I hope you enjoy my pimento cheese recipe. Let me know if you make it. I’d love to hear how it turned out for you and how you’re making it your own. And how you’re serving it!

Cookbook Recommendation

If you’re interested in southern cooking and cuisine, check out this cookbook for some great southern recipes. I’m learning quite a lot about southern food from it. Definitely some great eating!

The Southerner’s Cookbook: Recipes, Wisdom, and Stories (affiliate link, my friends!)

Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.

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