Name: Southern Pimento Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 1 pkg. (8 oz) cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 8 oz. block extra sharp cheddar, shredded by hand; 4 ounces diced pimentos; 1 tsp. dry ground mustard; 1/2 tsp. onion powder; 1/4 tsp. garlic salt with parsley

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Homemade Southern Pimento Cheese is a staple in the south. It’s enjoyed as a dip, spread, appetizer, and topping for just about anything you can conjure up!

pimento cheese in mason jars with crackers and a spreader dipping in the cheese.

What is A Pimento?

Pimentos are actually a type of mild chili pepper. When diced and jarred in water, they take on a sweet flavor that is a perfect match for sharp cheddar cheese.

Pimento cheese is a blend of creamy cheeses, diced pimentos, mayonnaise and various spices. Down south, we slather it on everything including burgers, celery sticks, fried green tomatoes, and buttery round crackers.

What’s Special About This Recipe?

This recipe is quick, easy, and comes out perfectly every time. Most southerners have a favorite recipe for pimento cheese, but I like to keep mine as simple as possible.

When I want to jazz it up, I make Smoked Pimento-Jack Cheese, but this classic recipe is much easier. It’s a great appetizer to whip up in a jiffy!

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make homemade Southern Pimento Cheese you’ll need a block of extra sharp cheddar, cream cheese, mayonnaise, diced pimentos, onion powder, mustard powder, and garlic salt with parsley. (Quantities listed in recipe card below.)

How to Make Pimento Cheese

Start by adding a block of cream cheese to a mixing bowl. To obtain the perfect consistency for this yummy spread, it’s best to beat the cream cheese for at least 3 minutes on high before adding anything to it. Next, add mayonnaise to the cream cheese and mix until creamy.

Drain the pimentos, shred the cheese by hand, and add both to the mixing bowl. Mix on low for 1 minute, then add the spices and blend well.

In just 10 minutes, you’re on your way to pimento cheese bliss!

cream cheese, pimentos and shredded cheddar in a glass bowl.

Is it Okay to Use Pre-Shredded Cheese?

You can use pre-shredded cheese, but I don’t recommend it. Packaged cheese contains stabilizers to keep the cheese from sticking together. You need a creamy consistency with no preservatives or caking. By shredding the cheese by hand, you’ll get perfect results every time!

How Long Will It Keep?

Southern Pimento Cheese will keep up to a week in the refrigerator in an airtight container. I like to store it in small Mason jars and seal it tightly between servings. You can also serve it straight from the jar if desired. These little jars make great gifts too!

a bowl of pimento cheese with crackers on the side and one dipping in the bowl.

Serving Ideas

You’ll love how versatile this easy spread can be! Here are just a few serving ideas…

create a party platter with pimento cheese, celery, crackers and crostini
spread it on two slices of bread and make a grilled cheese sandwich
top a burger or fried chicken sandwich with a scoop of pimento cheese
layer it between fried green tomatoes drizzled with balsamic glaze
build a snack board with cucumbers, carrots, and pimento cheese dip
fold it into macaroni for a delicious pimento mac & cheese
mix in some hot sauce and bake it for a hot and spicy dip
pipe it into egg halves to make pimento cheese deviled eggs
bake it into drop biscuits for a delicious tea party treat
fill tiny mason jars (ad) with pimento cheese and give as hostess gifts

If you can dream it up, it’s probably already been eaten with pimento cheese on top!

jars of southern pimento cheese with a blue background

More Delicious Dips & Spreads

If you love this recipe, try my other dips and spreads that are absolutely YUM!