Old Fashioned Pimento Cheese is a Southern classic and is full of flavor. A creamy texture, cheesy goodness and just the right amount of kick. Great for spreading on crackers, bread, making grilled pimento cheese sandwiches, or enjoying it as a dip. Plus, it takes just 5 minutes to make!
Ready for a throwback? This Pimento Cheese recipe reminds me of making pimento cheese sandwiches as a kid with my siblings. My Mom used to pick up a package of this at the deli, and we'd use it to spread over crackers, stuff into sandwiches, or dip sturdy veggies in. It's totally retro, and I'm absolutely here for it. I forgot about pimento cheese for a while, but had an urge to make it recently and I'm so glad I did. It makes me want to throw a 50's themed party and serve this alongside speared Italian meatballs, bacon-wrapped water chestnuts, hot crab dip recipe, and ambrosia salad.
In This Post
Why I Love This Recipe
It's almost embarrassing how much I love this delicious cheese spread. Here are a few reasons why:
- Memories. Truly, this makes me feel like I'm a kid again. It's comforting and delicious at the same time.
- Easy. Seriously. Just toss everything in a bowl and mix briefly to combine. There's nothing to it and int only takes about 5 minutes..
- Delicious. There's a reason that many refer to this cheesy spread as the "caviar of the South". It's completely addictive and is a classic Southern staple. Use it as a dip, use it in place of the goat cheese in these crostini appetizers, or add it to an incredible grilled pimento cheese sandwich!
- Great for parties. It may be a throwback, but Pimento cheese is having a moment. I've been seeing it all over menus lately and have seen some really inventive ways of elevating this classic dip that I'm dying to try (see the variations below). It's a great classic dish to serve at your next party. Serve it up with these bacon jalapeno deviled eggs for the ulimate old school party!
Key Ingredients
Just a few simple ingredients are needed for this Old-Fashioned Pimento Cheese Recipe:
- Sharp cheddar cheese. The base of this southern pimento cheese recipe, sharp cheddar, gives it that rich, tangy flavor. For the best pimento cheese recipe, I recommend grating your own cheese using a box grater rather than using pre-shredded cheese from the grocery store, which tends to be a bit drier.
- Pimento peppers. These mild red peppers are the heart of this dish. Not at all spicy, they add sweetness and a pop of color to the spread.
- Mayo: You can really use any type of mayo you like, but I prefer Duke's for this dip. A southern classic, Duke's mayonnaise adds a creamy texture and tangy flavor that ties everything together.
- Pickled jalapeno peppers. These add a little heat, balancing out the creaminess of the cheese and mayo.
- Worcestershire sauce. The secret ingredient that deepens the flavor of this classic southern recipe.
- Cayenne pepper & paprika. These spices give the spread a subtle warmth and a depth of flavor.
How To Make Old-Fashioned Pimento Cheese Dip
Pimento cheese is an easy recipe to make. Here's what you'll do:
- Prep your ingredients. Start by shredding 2 cups of extra-sharp cheddar cheese using a box grater. Drain and chop 8 oz of pimento peppers.
- Mix. In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cheese, chopped pimento peppers, Duke's mayo, pickled jalapenos, Worcestershire sauce, and spices. Mix everything well to combine. (If you prefer a chunkier texture - I do - mix by hand until all ingredients are evenly distributed. Alternatively, you can make a smoother, creamier texture if you use a hand mixer, stand mixer, or even food processor to blend the ingredients.)
- Serve. Serve your homemade pimento cheese as a dip with Ritz crackers, celery sticks, or green olives, or spread it on slices of white bread for a classic sandwich. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Variations And Substitutions
This classic cheese dip is perfect as is, and while I normally wouldn't mess with perfection, there are some fun ways you could mix this dip up a bit. Here are a few ideas to change up this easy pimento cheese recipe:
- Change up the cheese. While sharp cheddar is traditional, you can use white cheddar, mild cheddar, or even a mix of hard cheeses like Parmesan to test out different flavors.
- Try some add-ins. For a unique twist, try adding a pinch of garlic powder, or a bit of onion powder to the mix. Dill pickles or a splash of pickle juice can add an extra tang. Diced caramelized onions or diced red bell peppers could be a nice addition too.
- Add some spice. If you love heat, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or jalapenos, or add a dash of hot sauce for a little kick.
- Top it up! If you really want to take this southern pimento cheese spread to the next level, add chopped cooked bacon to the top of the dip. Beyond indulgent!
- Make it creamier. For a creamier texture, mix in a bit of cream cheese.
Homemade Pimento Cheese Frequently Asked Questions
Pimento cheese is incredibly versatile. Serve it as a dip with crackers, as a spread on sandwiches, as a mix-in for grits, or as a topping on burgers. It's also great as a filling for finger sandwiches or as a spread for a grilled cheese sandwich. You can even use it as a stuffing for puff pastry to make little cheese puffs!
Absolutely! Pimento cheese tastes even better after it sits for a while, allowing the flavors to meld together. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
While you can use pre-shredded cheese for convenience, grating your own cheese yields the best results. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make the dip a bit dry and can affect the texture.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to a week. Just bring it to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Pimento cheese pairs wonderfully with a variety of foods. Try serving it with Ritz crackers, celery sticks, green olives, or spreading it on slices of white bread for pimento cheese sandwiches.
You can even make a grilled pimento cheese sandwich (one of my favorite ways to use it!)
If you try this delicious Old Fashioned Pimento Cheese Dip, please let me know what you think in the comments below. And don't forget to tag me on Instagram @frontranfefed with a pic - I love to see your final product!
Recipe
Old Fashioned Pimento Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (use freshly grated cheese if possible for best texture)
- 8 oz pimento peppers drained and chopped
- ½ cups mayonnaise (preferably Duke's Mayo)
- 1 tablespoon pickled jalapeno peppers
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add all ingredients - cheese, pimento peppers, mayo, jalapenos, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, paprika, and salt and black pepper - to a large bowl.
- Mix well to combine. (You can mix by hand with a spatula for a chunkier texture, or use a food processor to make it creamy.)
- Serve as a dip with crackers, or use as a sandwich spread on Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwiches, on burgers, etc.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for one week.
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Sarah says
Just like my Grandma used to make! Perfect with crackers, but also love this spread on a sandwich!