Is there anything more Southern on an appetizer menu than pimento cheese? It’s delicious stuffed between two slices of white bread or just slathered on top of a cracker. Southern Pimento Cheese is likely to become your new favorite party dip.

Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe

A cracker dipped into a jar of Pimento Cheese Spread.

HOWDY! CHEF ALLI HERE. LET’S GET YOU COOKIN’…. SHALL WE?? 🙂

Southern pimento cheese spread is a classic and beloved dish of the deep South. This recipe came to me by way of my good friend, Jan Blasi, one of the very best Southern cooks I know and love. Jan’s original recipe pimento cheese

I have been on the receiving end of some of Jan’s good cooking many times, thankfully. She makes some of the best grits and gravy around and we are absolute fanatics for her Overnight Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Casserole.

Jan also makes a fantastic Pork Steak and Sauerkraut Skillet that is so good you simply want to roll around in it….not even kidding. The pork is tender and juicy, all nestled down into a big bed of seasoned sauerkraut – it’s heavenly stuff.

WHAT TO LOVE ABOUT PIMENTO CHEESE SPREAD AS AN EASY APPETIZER

Well, who doesn’t love CHEEEEEESE???
All you need to add are crackers or some veggies.
This is an appetizer you can have ready in your fridge at all times.

Pimento Cheese Spread in a glass jar with carrots on the side.

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE PIMENTO CHEESE SPREAD

SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE
DICED PIMENTOS
CREAM CHEESE
MAYONNAISE
GRANULATED ONION
SUGAR
SALT AND PEPPER, TO TASTE
CAYENNE PEPPER, TOTALLY OPTIONAL

TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST PIMENTO CHEESE

For the very best flavor, grate your own cheese! Yep, bagged shredded cheese is super convenient but shredding your own is absolutely worth it when making cheese spread. Bagged cheese has additives to keep the shreds from sticking and this can definitely affect the flavor and texture of the cheese.
Pimento cheese spread is best served at room temperature. You’ll want to store it in the fridge, but let it sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes or so before serving. This allows the true flavors to amplify more as you eat it. It also makes it easier for dipping.
Pimento cheese is beautiful and delicious as part of a crudité platter, served alongside an assortment of colorful and crisp vegetables.
Pimento cheese also makes a fantastic midnight snack – the perfect creamy dip with a cracker or two.

ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED ABOUT THIS RECIPE

WHAT IS PIMENTO CHEESE SPREAD?

Pimento cheese is a popular Southern spread that’s traditionally made with shredded Cheddar, mayonnaise, and pimentos. This recipe is extra decadent due to the addition of cream cheese.

HOW DO YOU SERVE PIMENTO CHEESE?

Serve pimento cheese spread with crackers, toasted baguette slices, or your favorite vegetables. Pimento cheese is also delicious as a sandwich filling!

WHAT ARE PIMENTOS?

Pimentos are small red peppers that are very mild in flavor, often called cherry peppers when sold fresh in the grocery store or at a farmer’s market. You may often see them called “pimiento” peppers.

A glass jar full of pimento cheese, ready to serve.

MORE FAVORITE RECIPES

Printable Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe

A jar loaded with Pimento Cheese spread.

Southern Pimento Cheese

Is there anything more Southern on the menu than pimento cheese? It's delicious stuffed between two slices of white bread or just slathered on top of a butter cracker. Southern Pimento Cheese is even delicious served on crispy potato wedges.

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 0

Total Time: 10

Servings: 12 servings

Calories: 172kcal

Ingredients

2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
8 oz. softened cream cheese
1/2 cup Hellman's mayonnaise
8 oz. jar diced pimentos
1 tsp. granulated sugar
1/4 tsp. granulated onion
salt and pepper to taste
cayenne pepper, to taste optional

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, and granulated onion until smooth; season to taste with salt and pepper (and cayenne, if using).
Fold in the shredded cheddar and pimentos, gently mixing until combined. Adjust seasonings, as needed.
Pimento cheese is best served at room temperature.

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy appetizer, easy cheese spread, pimento cheese

Nutrition

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LET’S GET YOU COOKIN’,
CHEF ALLI

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