Pimento cheese is a party dip and sandwich spread that's easy to make from scratch. Serve up a batch at your next event with crackers and fresh veggies for an easy appetizer.
Heather's recipe summary
Flavor/texture: Creamy spread made with multiple savory cheeses, pimentos, crunchy minced onions, and a dash of hot sauce.
Serves: 12 or more
Yield: About 3 ½ cups
Similar to: Pimento Cheese Pinwheel Sandwiches and Bacon Pimento Grilled Cheese
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Ingredients and substitutions
- Cheese - Fresh grated cheese from a block adds the best flavor and texture to your pimento cheese.
- Pimentos - Pimentos are sold in small jars near the pickles at the grocery store. If you have whole or sliced pimentos (long strips), make sure to give them a quick dice before adding to your spread.
- Onion - The minced onion can be omitted but adds a great amount of flavor and texture to the pimento cheese.
- Hot sauce - Adds just enough flavor without making the pimento cheese 'spicy'. You're welcome to add more hot sauce to taste.
How to make pimento cheese
- Add all ingredients to a large bowl.
- Mix until all of your ingredients are fully incorporated.
Tips and tricks
Bring cream cheese to room temperature - Before beginning, soften your cream cheese to room temperature. This ensures the cream cheese incorporates evenly with the rest of the ingredients and you aren't left with large clumps of cold cream cheese throughout.
Freshly grate your cheese - I highly recommend using freshly grated cheese from a block for best flavor and texture. Pre-grated bagged cheeses are often coated in anti-clumping powders that can add a grainy texture to your recipe.
Use the tools you have - Pimento cheese can be mixed with a stand mixer, hand mixer, or a wooden spoon. A mixer makes quick, easy work of a batch of pimento cheese, but it's not necessary if you don't have one on hand.
Frequently asked questions
The base ingredients of pimento cheese include shredded cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and diced pimentos. It's kind of a mix between a spread and a relish. Pimentos are a sweet, aromatic cherry pepper, and one of the lowest peppers on the Scoville scale. Another common ingredient includes cream cheese, which adds a rich, creamy, and smooth texture.
Other optional flavor additions include ingredients like worcestershire sauce, horseradish, jalapenos, hot sauce, onions, or diced pickles.
Pimento cheese spread is creamy and tangy, with a sharp cheddar cheese flavor. Other flavor notes in this recipe include onion, mild pimento flavor, and a hint warmth from the hot sauce.
Pimento cheese is a creamy spread that can be added just about anywhere you'd like to add more cheese! It is commonly spread onto crackers, added to bread for a quick cold sandwich, or used as a dip with fresh veggies.
It can also be used in your next grilled cheese sandwich, as the cheese on your next burger, or spread onto your morning biscuit for breakfast.
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📖 Recipe
Pimento Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 4 ounces jarred pimentos, diced
- 2 tablespoons minced onion
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add all of your ingredients. Using a hand mixer, stand mixer, or a wooden spoon, mix until evenly combined.
- Taste and add more hot sauce, salt, and pepper as desired.
- Transfer to a serving dish and serve immediately with crackers and veggies, or store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Equipment Recommendations
Notes
- Recipe will serve 12 as an appetizer spread or will make 8 sandwiches.
- Spread will keep for up to two weeks in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.
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