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Homemade Pimento Cheese is a classic Southern recipe that’s rich, creamy, and so easy to make. This cheesy spread made with pimentos and just the right amount of peppery seasoning is perfect served with crackers, celery, as a sandwich, or slathered on a burger.
Have you ever tasted food that brings back fond memories?
That’s what happens with Homemade Pimento Cheese. You get a flood of satisfying feelings when you take one bite of this amazing concoction. This dish is made with simple ingredients that are combined to make something incredibly delicious.
What Does Pimento Cheese Taste Like?
Pimento cheese with two types of sharp cheddar is a tangy, creamy cheese spread with a hint of sweet pepper flavor without any heat. My recipe for pimento cheese is not fancy and has no extras – they are not needed. It’s as close as you can get to perfection in my book.
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Pimento Cheese Ingredients
The secret to making the best Pimento Cheese is not just using excellent quality ingredients, but it’s also about taking a little bit of time to do it right.
- Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Cream Cheese
- Jarred Chopped Pimentos
- Mayonnaise
- Cayenne Pepper
- Salt and Fresh Cracked Pepper
How To Make Homemade Pimento Cheese
Over the years, I’ve experimented with making pimento cheese, and I always come back to the same tried and true classic recipe I grew up on.
- Shred the cheese. Yep, you’ve got to do this yourself. You can use a box grater or a food processor. There’s really no substitute for grating your own. Store-bought, pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking additives that really mess with the taste and texture of Pimento Cheese.
- Mix the cream cheese, mayonnaise, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper until creamy. This gives a nice smooth base to start with.
- Add in the cheeses and pimentos last. This allows each of the ingredients to stand on their own and not get lost.
Pro Tip: save the liquid that the pimentos come packed in. You can use that to thin out the pimento cheese spread if it’s too thick, plus it will add additional flavor.
How To Serve Southern Pimento Cheese
There are so many ways to savor Pimento Cheese. Once you’ve tasted it, your mind will start to spin with ways to enjoy it.
- A combo of Pimento Cheese and crackers is always a winner. I like to load up a platter with different types of crackers, including “old-school” saltines and a chilled bowl of pimento spread. For casual entertaining, this is the way to go!
- Top grilled burgers with a heaping spoonful. AH-mazing!
- To lighten things up, stuff celery sticks with pimento cheese spread.
- Use this simple pimento cheese recipe as a dip with fresh veggies or an unexpected addition to a charcuterie board.
Often Asked Questions And Answers
Pimentos are small, sweet, and mild cherry peppers that are not spicy at all. They are often enjoyed stuffed in cheese spreads and garnishes.
Store pimento cheese in an airtight container in the fridge.
It will last for up to a week in the refrigerator.
How To Make Pimento Cheese Sandwiches
I could live on this sandwich forever. To make the best pimento cheese sandwich, take two slices of your favorite sandwich bread. For me, that’s soft, white bread. Generously, spread the pimento cheese all the way to the edge of one of the slices and top with the second piece of bread. That’s it!
Craving More? Try These Easy To Make Snacks
- Mexican Corn Dip
- Pimento Cheese Sausage Dip
- Outrageously Good Stuffed Celery
- Pimento Cheese Bites
- Million Dollar Dip
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 – 4 ounce jar chopped pimentos, drained
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Using a box grater or food processor, grate cheese.
- To a large bowl, add cream cheese, mayonnaise, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Mix together using a hand mixer or wooden spoon. Add-in cheese and pimentos. Blend together until well mixed. Taste and add salt if needed.
- Place in refrigerator for at least 1 hour prior to serving to chill and let flavors marry. Will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
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made this today to stuff burgers. I also was confused over the 14 vs 4 oz of pimentos. I checked some other recipes and concluded it was 4 oz. Glad I didn’t run out to store!
Taste is great. Doing some grilling tomorrow!
Hey Cathy. The recipe calls for 1 (one) 4 ounce jar of pimentos. Hope this helps in the future. Glad you made the recipe, and THANK YOU for the terrific rating!
~Donya
In the written recipe you call for sharp cheddar and extra-sharp cheddar. but in an answer to Stony’s question you say sharp and regular cheddar. I want to buy the right cheese, can you tell me which you prefer? Thank you 🙂
Sorry for any confusion. I use extra-sharp and sharp. You can also use regular if you can’t find either one of the sharp cheeses.
~Donya
Donya, One of my favorite recipes is pimento cheese, in your recipe you show 8oz sharp cheddar cheese two time, is that correct, just a little curious?
Hey there. Yep, you use sharpe, and regular cheddar cheese. Thanks for the great rating!
~Donya
Very good! Easy to make.
Hi, is it one 4 oz of pimentos or 14 oz?
4 oz
I’ve made this a few times now and it’s my go-to. I love that’s it doesn’t have a lot of mayo so the cheese stands out as the star it is and the addition of a little cayenne is perfect so it’s not bland. My husband likes this better than any pimento cheese we eat out!
Hey there Brenda!
My goodness, you are too kind! I am thrilled to hear that you and your husband have been enjoying this recipe, I might be biased but I think it’s better than anything at a grocery store or restaurant as well! If you enjoyed this recipe, you should check out my creamy, warm Pimento Cheese Sausage Dip, it’s super simple to make and it’s great for entertaining, I’d love to hear what y’all think! Thank you so much for your sweet words and fantastic rating, I really appreciate your support!
~Donya
Margaret, just like any recipe, feel free to season to your liking.
Have a great Thanksgiving,
~ Donya
Can’t wait to try this one out! I’ve never thought to make pimento cheese homemade. Thanks for the recipe!
You are so welcome, Chloe!
Let me know how you like it.
Have a great day,
~Donya