Homemade Pimento Cheese

A white bowl of pimento cheese with pretzels and crackers around it.

5 from 4 votes

Get ready to indulge in the creamy, peppery goodness of Pimento Cheese Dip, a classic southern recipe that's perfect for any occasion. With its blend of shredded cheddar cheese, mayo, and diced pimentos, this versatile spread is not only a delicious sandwich filling but also a crowd-pleasing dip for crackers and veggies or a flavorful topping for burgers.

Prep Time10

Total Time10

Course: Appetizer, Condiments, Snack

Cuisine: Southern

Keyword: pimento cheese, pimento cheese dip, pimiento cheese

Servings:

Calories: 194kcal

Author: Kari

Equipment

a stand mixer
a cheese grater
measuring cups
measuring spoons

Ingredients

2 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese grated
½ cup parmesan cheese freshly grated, not the powdered stuff
4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
⅓ cup mayonnaise use Duke's or Blue Plate
8 ounces jarred pimiento peppers drained and rinsed (pimentos)
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon black pepper

For Serving

crackers
mini pretzel twists
tortilla chips

Instructions

Grate the cheddar cheese using a food processor or box grater, and finely grate the parmesan cheese using a hand grater or zester.
Next, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine all of the ingredients. Mix for about 2 minutes until it's nice and creamy.
2 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, 4 ounces cream cheese, ½ cup parmesan cheese, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ⅓ cup mayonnaise, 8 ounces jarred pimiento peppers, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon black pepper
Refrigerate for at least two hours to allow the flavors to develop, then serve at room temperature.
Serve with your favorite chips, crackers, or pretzels.
crackers, mini pretzel twists, tortilla chips

Notes

How to Store Southern Pimento Cheese

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. It will last up to 10 days in the refrigerator and up to about 3 months in the freezer. I like to freeze it in small containers to have it ready to grab and bring to parties.

Recipe Tips

Use a food processor to grate the cheddar cheese - it is easier to grate cheese while it is still cold.
Make your pimento cheese several hours before serving to allow time for the flavors to meld in the refrigerator, but serve the spread at room temperature.
Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing the ingredients together - it will be much easier to mix.

Recipe Variations

Add a diced jalapeño to make it a little spicy.
Use a mix of pepper jack cheese and cheddar cheese.
Add some diced green onions if desired.

Nutrition