Pimento Cheese

This Traditional Southern Pimento Cheese is creamy, tangy, spreadable, and packed with sharp cheddar flavor. Made with sharp cheddar, cream cheese, mayonnaise, chopped pimentos, and a few simple seasonings, it is an easy homemade cheese spread for crackers, vegetables, sandwiches, burgers, and party snack boards.

The combination of freshly shredded sharp cheddar and a small amount of cream cheese keeps the cheddar flavor bold while giving the spread a smooth, scoopable texture. The chopped pimentos add their signature sweet pepper flavor and colorful red flecks.

Creamy Southern Pimento Cheese

Pimento cheese is a classic Southern cheese spread that works just as well with crackers as it does tucked into sandwiches, spooned onto burgers, or served with crunchy vegetables for parties, potlucks, and game days.

Some versions are made without cream cheese, while others rely heavily on it. This recipe uses just 4 ounces, which gives the spread a smoother, tangier texture without covering up the sharp cheddar flavor.

If you are building a larger appetizer spread, something like Loaded Hummus Pitas can add another creamy, savory option without duplicating the same flavors.

What Are Pimentos?

Pimentos, sometimes called cherry peppers, are small red peppers with a mild, sweet flavor. They are similar to red bell peppers but tend to taste sweeter.

For this recipe, you need one 4-ounce portion of chopped pimentos. Jarred or canned pimentos are commonly sold near olives and other jarred vegetables in grocery stores.

If the pimentos come in strips rather than diced, simply chop them into smaller pieces before adding them to the cheese mixture.

Because their flavor is similar to sweet red peppers, diced jarred red bell peppers can also work as a substitute when pimentos are unavailable.

Recipe Success Tips

1. Shred the cheddar yourself. Freshly shredded sharp cheddar gives the spread a softer, creamier texture. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking ingredients that can make the finished mixture feel slightly drier.
2. Soften the cream cheese first. Room-temperature cream cheese blends much more smoothly with the mayonnaise and helps prevent small lumps.
3. Drain the pimentos well. Removing excess liquid helps keep the cheese spread thick and creamy.
4. Fold instead of beating after adding the cheddar. Gentle folding keeps the shredded cheese and pieces of pimento intact, giving the spread its traditional chunky texture.
5. Adjust the heat gradually. Cayenne gives the recipe some warmth. For additional heat, the source also suggests sriracha, extra cayenne, or finely chopped jalapeños.
6. Taste before adding salt. Cheddar, cream cheese, and mayonnaise already contribute plenty of seasoning, so additional salt may not be necessary.

How to Make Pimento Cheese

Detailed quantities are available in the recipe card, but the basic process is straightforward.

1. Shred the Cheddar and Drain the Pimentos

Shred 8 ounces of sharp cheddar and thoroughly drain one 4-ounce portion of chopped pimentos. Freshly shredded cheese helps create the softer texture used in this recipe.

2. Finely Chop the Pimentos

Chop the pimentos into smaller pieces so the sweet pepper flavor is distributed evenly throughout the cheese.

3. Make the Creamy Base

Add 4 ounces of room-temperature cream cheese and ½ cup mayonnaise to a large mixing bowl. Beat until smooth and mostly free of lumps, scraping down the bowl when necessary.

4. Fold Everything Together

Add the shredded cheddar, drained chopped pimentos, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.

Fold everything together gently until the cheddar is coated with the cream cheese and mayonnaise mixture and the pimentos are evenly distributed.

5. Serve or Chill

The pimento cheese can be served immediately, but the flavor improves after chilling for about an hour because the seasonings have time to blend into the cheese mixture.

How to Use Pimento Cheese

Pimento cheese makes an easy dip with crackers or crudités, but it can be used for much more than dipping.

Spread it onto toast for a quick snack or lunch, tuck it into sandwiches, or melt it between slices of bread for pimento grilled cheese. A slice of Gluten-Free Artisan Bread can also provide a sturdy base when you want to serve the cheese as a spread.

It can also be spooned onto burgers as a creamy cheese topping or served beside savory proteins. If you are preparing a larger meal, Classic Homemade Meatloaf is one hearty option where a little pimento cheese can be served separately as a rich accompaniment.

The cheese spread can also be incorporated into breakfast. The source specifically notes that it works mixed into scrambled eggs.

For game-day food, serve a bowl of pimento cheese alongside something crisp like Dry Rub Chicken Wings so guests have both a creamy dip and a savory finger food.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Pimento Cheese with:

• Club crackers
• Butter crackers
• Saltines
• Pretzels
• Celery sticks
• Cucumber slices
• Mini sweet peppers
• Other crunchy vegetables

It also works particularly well on snack boards for parties, potlucks, tailgates, holidays, and casual get-togethers.

For a larger party spread, Loaded Hummus Pitas add another easy dip-style option, while Dry Rub Chicken Wings give the table a warm, savory finger food.

If you are turning the appetizer into part of a full meal, Chicken Sausage White Bean Skillet or Slow Cooker Santa Fe Chicken can provide a more substantial main dish without changing the pimento cheese itself.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover Pimento Cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

The flavor can actually improve after some time in the refrigerator because the garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and pimentos have more time to blend with the creamy cheese base.

Before serving leftovers, let the cheese sit at room temperature for about 10 to 15 minutes so it softens slightly, then stir it before serving.

The source says homemade pimento cheese can be frozen for 2 to 3 months, although freezing is not recommended because mayonnaise and cream cheese can separate and become grainy after thawing.

If you do freeze it, thaw it in the refrigerator and stir thoroughly. Using thawed pimento cheese in a melted preparation such as grilled cheese can make the texture change less noticeable.

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