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Our Homemade Pimento Cheese recipe turns out so creamy, loaded with three different types of cheese, and packed with sweet pimentos. This Southern favorite is perfect for serving as a dip with crackers, spread between bread for a simple lunch, or melted on burgers!
Have y’all ever had Pimento Cheese? I know. It’s a Southern thing and those of you who live South of me are rolling your eyes. Of course you’ve had pimento cheese.
Those of you who live North of me? Not so much.
I’d like to change that.
Pimento Cheese is a southern delicacy – rich and creamy, begging to be eaten as a dip for crackers, spread between bread as a sandwich, on pizza (yes, we’ve made Pimento Cheese Pizza – with bacon, of course!), turned into a Pimento Cheeseburger, and even air fried into Pimento Cheese Bombs!
No need to get all fancy though. This homemade pimento cheese is really good just spread on a cracker and eaten in front of the TV.
And yes, I can promise you that this is SO MUCH better than the weird processed pimento cheese that you buy in little tubs at the grocery store with the weird after taste. This stuff tastes fresh and creamy and is seriously hard to resist!
Ingredient Notes:
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Cheese – Our pimento cheese recipe calls for three types of cheese: cream cheese, cheddar, and Monterey jack.
Pimento – Jarred, diced pimento is what you are looking for here. You’ll usually find it near the olives and pickles in the grocery store or with the canned veggies. It’s often sold in small glass jars.
Mayonnaise – This is going to add even more creaminess and a little tangy flavor to the pimento cheese.
Seasoning – We’re keeping it simple with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
What We Love About This Recipe:
- It’s a really quick and easy recipe that’s ready in just a few minutes.
- You can use this pimento cheese on sandwiches or as a dip for chips, crackers, or veggies.
- It stores well in the fridge and can last for a few weeks.
- Spread it on burgers, plop it in your mac and cheese, or turn it into the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich!
How To Make Pimento Cheese:
Combine: Add all of the ingredients to a mixing bowl. Make sure that your cream cheese is at room temperature so that it mixes nicely.
Mix: Use a hand mixer to beat the cheese together to form a somewhat smooth and creamy mixture.
Serve: That’s it! This pimento cheese recipe is so simple and ready in no time. See below for some suggestions on what to serve it with!
My Favorite Hand Mixer!
It’s so easy to whip up dessert with this cute hand mixer. It doesn’t take up much space and is a must for any kitchen!
Variations:
Bake your pimento cheese and serve it as a hot, melty dip with slices of toasted bread or crackers!
Mince jalapenos and add them to your pimento cheese for a spicy kick.
Swap the Monterey jack for a smoked gouda and stir in some smoked paprika to add a little smokiness.
What To Serve With Pimento Cheese:
There are lots of great ways to enjoy this pimento cheese. It’s perfect for sandwiches or dips, and here are a few suggestions:
- Sandwiches (Plain with just the pimento cheese, or try it like a grilled cheese sandwich!)
- Crackers
- Low Carb Crackers
- Crostini
- Veggies (Carrots, celery, bell peppers, etc.)
- Bagels
- Homemade Biscuits
FAQs:
They are diced red cherry peppers that tend to be sweet and have been packed or jarred in a brine.
You can keep pimento cheese stored in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for up to three weeks, depending on the freshness of the ingredients that you used.
Pimento Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 1 cup cheddar cheese freshly grated
- 1 cup Monterey Jack freshly grated
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons jarred diced pimento
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Add everything but the parsley to a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Spoon into a serving dish and sprinkle the top with parsley, if desired.
- Serve with chips, crackers, and fresh vegetables for dipping or spread between bread as a sandwich.
Noelle (@singerinkitchen) says
Yum! It is sad that people up north do not like this. Texas I miss you much!
Karly says
@Noelle (@singerinkitchen),
Oh, I think they’d like it. It’s just not as widespread up here. Kinda like sweet tea. 🙂
shelly (cookies and cups) says
So I have never had good pimento cheese….my mom used to make sandwiches with some store bought kind when I was little and it looked a little like something a cat might do and cover.
BUt you have completely convinced me that I need to smear it all over my face, and then eat a sandwich.
You’re kinda magic.
Karly says
@shelly (cookies and cups),
Um, gross? I’ve never had the store bought kind. Thank goodness.
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
Wow, this looks amazing! I live in NY and have never heard of Pimento cheese.
Karly says
@Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes,
Do it do it do it. So good!
Melissa says
Ok I didn’t think I liked pimento cheese, but I think there is no reason I wouldn’t. I bet my mom bought the processed kind and tried to pass it off and kept buying it til we got sick of it so I have not had it since- she did the same thing with liver cheese. I think I’m tring your version.
Karly says
@Melissa,
I’ve never had the processed kind, but I imagine this would kick it’s butt. 🙂
Southern says
Its best served on triskets …. and add little jalapenos/juice + a dash of cheyenne for an added yummy kick. Best cheese to use= Crackle Barrel block cheese (for both flavors). Its slightly more expensive but worth it on taste!
Mindy says
You should try it with poblano peppers…so good!
Karly says
@Mindy,
That sounds fabulous.
Aggie says
I am not sure when I had pimento cheese for the first time (I’m originally a northerner) but I love it!! I’ve never made it at home though. This sounds great!
Patty says
My parents enjoyed the cheap pre-made pimento cheese from the grocery store. I found the texture disgusting.
My father-in-law changed my whole perspective on pimento cheese! His homemade batch from a family recipe (very similar to yours) left me embarrassed since I greedily devoured his prized concoction (and seriously considered licking the serving dish!).
I love to grab a box of Melba toast, a nice glass of wine and find a hiding place where I can enjoy til my heart’s content!
Cookbook Queen says
Can you believe I have never HAD Pimento Cheese?
I mean, I am totally familiar with it, just never actually ate any. But that shall change soon.
Also, you are like a preggy lady best friend. Cheetos Mac and Cheese, Fried Pickles, Pimento Cheese…will you just move in for the next sevenish weeks? Thanks.
Karly says
@Cookbook Queen,
I don’t want to make your water break or anything, but I’ll bet you could put pimento cheese in Cheetos mac and cheese and then top it with fried pickles. Dream come true?
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
Mmm cheezy heaven.
Anna says
My husband grew up here in Colorado. We were just discussing pimento cheese this week, and he’d never heard of it, or tried it or anything! I don’t think he can have pimentos, though.
On a similar note… do any of your friends and family make sandwiches with butter on the inside? I mean, bread, butter, meat, butter bread. Any kind- cheese, chicken salad, deli, anything! It’s crazy. He always laughs when we run across that back home.
Melissa says
@Anna, My grandfather always made his sandwiches with butter, no mayo. My granny would put mayo out for us, butter for him. Old Cajun thing I always thought…
Karly says
@Anna,
Sadly, I’m not actually from the South. I live in boring Illinois. So, no. Nobody that I know eats butter on their sandwiches. I think I’ve seen that on tv before though. Seems kinda weird to me. 🙂
Cher St.John-Bartlett says
@Anna, Just got this site ! so has late as this is……I always butter the bread first when making any sandwich even peanut butter.Thats how i was raised,i know lots of people do it and then add your mayo or what ever ! I thought it was a Wisconsin thing ! Lol !
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I cannot even make this b/c I love pimento cheese so much and could suck down the whole batch myself in like…record time. It looks soooo good!
Karly says
@Averie @ Averie Cooks,
So…you’re saying that’s a bad thing?
Deborah says
Pimento cheese = one of my favorite things ever. And I’m not even from the south!! 🙂
Karly says
@Deborah,
I’m not either. Doesn’t matter. Pimento cheese will bring the Southerners and Yankees together as one. 🙂
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
Duuuuuuude. I’ve never had pimento cheese (can we have a moment of silence for me?) *crickets*
Okay, but really though, I was deprived as a child. A pimento-cheeseless child, also without a Santa that brought pimento cheese. The world didn’t want me to know of such excellence. And now I’ve seen the light and I want one of those friggin’ grilled cheese sandwiches.
Stacey Downs S. says
I’m going to make this! Putting on grocery list right now!