Pimento Cheese Recipe

This quick and easy Homemade Pimento Cheese, or “Southern pâté,” is a creamy and delicious cheese dip made with a flavorful combination of cream cheese, mayonnaise, pimentos, and shredded cheddar cheese. It is a must-have appetizer or snack for game days and holidays and wonderful on crackers or spread over sandwiches.

What are Pimento Peppers?

Pimento peppers, also known as cherry peppers, are small and round red peppers that have a mild and sweet flavor, similar to bell peppers. Commonly sold in jars at the grocery store, you may also recognize them as the little red peppers found stuffed inside green olives. In my case, I will always associate pimentos with the little red things my grandmother added to her turkey tetrazzini.

What is Pimento Cheese

Pimento cheese is a popular cheese spread in the Southern United States. Traditional recipes are made with simple ingredients like sharp cheddar cheese, mayo, and pimentos, and the texture may range from smooth to chunky based on personal preference.

Ingredients

• Cream Cheese: Not all pimento cheese recipes include cream cheese, but I feel that it adds so much extra flavor and helps make it creamy and spreadable.
• Mayonnaise: The mayo, together with the cream cheese, binds the cheese and pimentos together, creating a spreadable consistency. The mayonnaise adds a slight tang while also balancing the flavors of the other ingredients.
• Pimentos: These small, sweet, red peppers add a mild, peppery flavor, and their bright red color contrasts beautifully with the orange from the cheddar cheese. They are sold packed in water or their own juices in jars and are found in the canned vegetable section at the grocery store.
• Seasonings: This recipe calls for sweet paprika, salt, and pepper. Some recipes will add garlic powder, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce.
• Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese: For best results, shred your own cheese directly from the block.

How to Make Pimeno Cheese

1. Combine the Cream Cheese and Mayo: In a large mixing bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, sweet paprika, salt, and pepper. Do this using your favorite mixing spoon or handheld electric mixer – I do not recommend using a food processor.

2. Fold in the Pimentos and Shredded Cheese: Add the diced pimentos and shredded sharp cheddar cheese to the creamy mayo mixture and gently fold to combine.

3. Chill: Cover and transfer the mixing bowl to the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

4. Garnish and Serve: Season with additional salt and pepper to taste and garnish with fresh chives, if desired.

Serving Ideas

Pimento cheese is a versatile and delicious cheese spread that pairs well with a variety of different foods. Here are some ideas:

• Sandwiches: Cold pimento cheese sandwiches on white bread with lettuce and tomatoes or warm and gooey grilled cheese sandwiches.
• Crackers and Veggies: Serve this pimento cheese with an assortment of crackers and veggies like celery sticks, carrots, sliced cucumbers, peppers, or bell peppers.
• Burgers: Add a generous spoonful to the top of your next hamburger patty just before serving – the hot burger patty will melt the cheese slightly.
• Try it Hot: Bake your pimento cheese until it is hot, gooey, and bubbly by baking it in the oven until warm. Serve it with tortilla chips or slices of fresh bread.
• Deviled Eggs: Use pimento cheese as a filling for deviled eggs, either on its own or mixed with the traditional yolk filling.
• Other Ideas: Mixed into pasta, soups, or even stuffed into chicken breasts before baking.

Storage Tips

Keep leftover pimento cheese stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. After storage, the ingredients may separate a bit, so give the dip a stir before serving.

Although I have never tried freezing pimento cheese, you can give it a try. For best results, portion the cheese into small amounts in airtight containers or small heavy-duty freezer bags. Store for up to 2-3 months and thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving. Note that the texture may be slightly different after freezing.

More Yummy Dip Recipes,

• The Best Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
• French Onion Dip
• Velveeta Cheese Dip with Sausage
• Rotel Dip
• Crab Rangoon Dip

Craving more classic Southern dishes? Don’t miss my roundup of 25+ Best Southern Comfort Food Recipes packed with soul-warming favorites like fried chicken, cornbread, and mac and cheese.