A creamy, spreadable dip made with cheddar cheese and pimento peppers is simple to make, requires no cooking at all, and makes the perfect snack!
What is Pimento Cheese?
If you’re from the South, you’ve probably enjoyed some version of Pimento Cheese a hundred times. It’s often served at casual get-togethers, holidays, or any time that friends and family come together to enjoy some good food. If you’re from another place, you’re going to be so happy to have found this homemade Pimento Cheese Recipe! You have to try it, it is just so good. While you’re enjoying this Southern specialty, you should also try my Sweet Potato Pie, Buttermilk Biscuits, and Fried Chicken Tenders. I’m always amazed by how a few simple ingredients can be mixed together to create such an amazingly flavorful dip! Buttery Ritz crackers are perfect for dipping into this creamy spread, or you can serve pimento cheese as a veggie dip or sandwich spread.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients In Pimento Cheese
Here’s what you need to make the best pimento cheese recipe:
Cream Cheese – This keeps the pimento cheese thick but still soft enough to dip into with celery sticks. Be sure to soften the cream cheese before trying to mix up the dip. Mayo – Mayonnaise is a key ingredient in pimento cheese and lends a silky texture. Some pimento cheese recipes use just mayo, but I’m using both mayo and cream cheese to get the perfect amount of creaminess. Pimento Peppers – Of course, we need pimentos for pimento cheese! These mild little red peppers are typically found in jars. They can be whole or already chopped. For our dip, we’ll want to chop the pimentos into small diced pieces. Cheddar Cheese – Look for sharp or extra sharp cheddar for this recipe. While you can use white cheddar, I like the color that yellow cheese adds. Seasonings – My pimento cheese recipe is mildly spicy with the addition of red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
How To Make Pimento Cheese
Recipe Tips
Add More Spice: If you want to make a spicy pimento cheese, add a bit of cayenne pepper to the mixture. You can also mix in finely chopped fresh jalapeno or a bit of hot sauce. Serve at Room Temperature: in order for this cream cheese mixture to be spreadable and dippable, you should let it sit out of the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving. Season to Taste: Pimentos are usually salty from the preservation process, so be sure to taste the dip before adding too much extra salt. Use a Mixer: If you have an electric hand mixer, it works really well to combine all of these ingredients into a smooth mixture. Otherwise, use a flexible spatula and a little bit of elbow grease to get the job done! I don’t suggest using a food processor as the blades will chop up the peppers and cheese too much. Can’t Find Pimentos? If you’re in the UK, look for Fragata Pimiento Piquillo Peppers in Tesco and Waitrose, or use Peppadew Sweet Piquante Peppers (available in Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s). They aren’t exactly the same as pimentos, but they have a sweet and spicy profile that works just as well.
Storing Tips
If properly stored in a sealed container in the fridge you can keep pimento cheese for 7-10 days in the refrigerator.
What To Serve With Pimento Cheese
I like to serve this pimento cheese recipe as an appetizer. With some carrot and celery sticks and your favorite crackers, you have an instantly tasty and satisfying snack! You can spread pimento cheese on bread or flatbread to make an amazing sandwich or use it as a topping for hamburgers or deli meat sandwiches. This delicious Pimento Cheese Dip is easy, foolproof, and will be enjoyed by all! Don’t forget to Pin the recipe to save it for your next gathering. © Little Sunny Kitchen
