Pimento Cheese Recipe

Homemade Pimento Cheese is a Southern spread that’s served as a dip for crackers and veggies or spread on finger sandwiches at parties. Whip it up in Less Than 5 minutes and perfect for any occasion or just eating by the spoonful in front of the fridge.

Homemade Pimento Cheese Dip

If you are not familiar with this recipe, or have never even heard of pimiento peppers, hang on to your cheese spread loving pants! Mine are yoga pants, LOL!

Of all the variations of this Southern staple, often called the caviar of the south, the best pimento cheese recipe I have ever tasted is my mother in law’s.

Passed down from the sweetest ladies in the South, it will soon be your favorite way to dress a cracker.

The best part is it truly a Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe because it doesn’t use any fillers like cream cheese. In my opinion it only dulls the flavor so why use it?

What is Pimento Cheese?

Not to be confused with Palmetto cheese from South Carolina, which is just a specific brand, but is the same thing as pimiento cheese.

The spelling is the only difference. Don’t you love it when people throw in a few extra letters?!?!

I like it so much I added it to my pimento cheese sausage balls, Kentucky Derby menu, and this fun and spicy pimento cheese bread!

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Ingredients Needed

Cheese: Mix of sharp cheddar cheese and pepper jack cheese.

Mayo: Duke’s brand mayo is my favorite. Substitute Greek yogurt or sour cream if you prefer.

Onion: Minced onion balances the flavors so don’t leave it out. Substitute onion powder if needed.

Pimentos: These are the star of the show. Substitute roasted red peppers as a pimento substitute.

Spices: Instead of garlic powder, I prefer fresh garlic ground up or minced.

Kitchen staples: Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce.

Secret ingredient: I like to add some olive juice. Substitute pickle juice if necessary.

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How to Make this Old Fashioned Pimento Cheese Recipe

First: Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Garnish with sliced green onions.

Second: Serve with crackers or place in the fridge for future uses! Pretty easy, right?!

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

What do you eat with Pimento Cheese?

I like to use it as a creamy spread for crackers but it’s also great with these:

• grits
• mashed potatoes
• grilled cheese sandwiches
• sandwich spread for tea sandwiches
• mix into these easy sausage balls
• burger topping
• french fries
• crostini
• pretzels, bagel chips
• fresh veggies (red bell peppers, carrot, & celery sticks)
• shape it into a cheese ball and coat with pecans – MY FAVE WAY!

How long does it last?

If you keep it sealed in an airtight container in the fridge it will last for up to 2 weeks. Although my family usually eats it within the first few days.

Can I freeze it?

You can freeze it, but you don’t want to serve it as a dip or spread as the ingredients will separate. But if you are using it as part of another recipe, feel free to thaw and use.

What exactly is a Pimento?

A pimento, or sometimes spelled pimiento, is a small chili pepper with the lowest heat (Scoville scale) of any chili peppers.

So don’t worry about them being too spicy.

You can find them on olive bars or in jars already pickled. The ones I use for this recipe come already chopped in a brine in a little jar or can. Look in the pickle aisle at the grocery store.

Tapas Tips & Tricks

• Bring the cheese to close to room temperature for easier mixing.
• Mix by hand for better texture but you can use a stand mixer, hand mixer, or food processor.
• Don’t use pre-shredded cheese if possible. It’s creamier if you grate it from a block.
• Use extra sharp cheddar cheese for intense flavor.
• Like more texture? Chop up some green olives or dill pickles and mix in.
• Want more kick? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or black pepper.
• Play around with different types of cheese like white cheddar, extra-sharp cheddar cheese, 
• I know you have a jar of olives tucked in the back of the fridge along with all the other half used condiments that are waiting to be thrown out next year. Jalapeno juice works well too!

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

This pimento cheese recipe is a classic southern staple that is perfect on it’s own or between two slices of white bread to make perfect pimento cheese sandwiches that even picky eater will love!

{Originally posted 02/09/14 – photos and recipe notes updated 09/24/20, reshared on 10/03/23}