This Delicious and Super Easy Pimento Cheese recipe is filled with impactful flavor! Various decadent sharp and creamy cheeses, pimento peppers, and incredible spices mix together with mayo to create the perfect Southern cheese spread with a kick that you can put on everything from crackers and grilled cheeses to Corn Pudding, Southern Baked macaroni and cheese and even inside biscuits!
Easy Pimento Cheese Dip and How to Make it!
If you’re someone who either grew up in the South or was raised by a Southern family then you know about our love for cheese. It can be creamy, pungent, sharp, buttery, salty and maybe even a little sweet. Cheese can be added to almost anything and the entire dish almost instantly becomes more comforting. Although it may not be the healthiest addition to your meal it adds flavor that just can’t be denied.
I grew up in a very Southern household where we enjoyed Mac and Cheese, Cheddar Biscuits, Cheesy Grits and various kinds of cheese dips. There was rarely ever a time where I’d open up the refrigerator and there wasn’t a small collection of cheeses ready and waiting for me.
What Is Pimento Cheese?
A classic Southern cheese, one that my family and I enjoyed often, is Pimento Cheese. Whether spread between two slices of Wonder Bread, served in a bowl with crackers or simply eaten with a fork straight out of its container, it is fantastic. The flavor is sharp, smokey and slightly spicy while the texture is creamy with just enough bite. Hold on, my mouth is watering.
It is a wonderful appetizer to serve along with Deviled Eggs and Tomato Tarts when entertaining as well.
Pimento Cheese History
Even though Pimento cheese is regarded as being Southern, it actually wasn’t invented in the South. The first cheese was a blend of Neufchâtel cheese and diced pimento peppers. It was sold by the slice or in a jar in early 1900s groceries all over the country, from Richmond to Portland.
With the start of World War I, the need to feed troops and volunteers inexpensively became very important and Pimento Cheese found its market. Overtime, recipes for Pimento cheese started popping up everywhere but the South took ownership by perfecting said recipes.
Easy Pimento Cheese Ingredients
Today, I’m sharing with you not only the ultimate Easy Pimento Cheese recipe but a piece of true Southern living. The ingredients in this recipe are super simple and come together in no time.
The ingredients are:
- Mayonnaise
- Pimentos
- Onion
- Various Spices
- Cheese! Tons of Cheese!
It’s important that you choose ingredients that are fresh and carry strong flavors. For instance, I like to use cayenne and Worcestershire sauce for additional kick and tang. I also LOVE to add a variety of different cheeses to vary up the flavor.
Tip: If you’re looking to amplify this recipe, buy your cheeses in whole blocks and grate them finely yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses can sometimes be coated with preservatives that dull the sharpness and prevent flavor from really shining through. But don’t worry, if you choose not to shred your cheese the end result will still be amazing.
How to Make Pimento Cheese Recipe
Start your recipe by whisking together your mayonnaise, pimentos, onion, Worcestershire sauce and spices in a medium sized bowl. You are completely in control of how spicy you want this recipe to be. Adding or subtracting cayenne pepper and pimentos will allow you to customize your spice level.
Next carefully fold in your cheeses with a spatula until well mixed and combined throughout. Refrigerate for at least three hours and then it’s ready to be served! I mean, how easy is that?
Tip: If you want your pimento cheese to be super smooth without texture, just throw the ingredients in a food processor to smooth out to your preference.
In almost no time you have some deliciously Southern Pimento Cheese that is ready to be shared. Throw it in a grilled cheese or just hide it in the back of the fridge for some personal snacking. I won’t tell if you don’t.
Pimento Cheese
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 (4 ounce) jar diced pimentos drained
- 1 tbsp grated vidalia onion with juice
- 1 1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 tsp seasoned salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 cup shredded sharp yellow cheddar (Best if grated with food processor or by hand finely from a block)
- 1 cup shredded medium yellow cheddar (Best if grated with food processor or by hand finely from a block)
- 1/2 cup shredded mild white cheddar (Best if grated with food processor or by hand finely from a block)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (Best if grated with food processor or by hand finely from a block)
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, pimentos, onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne together.
- Next carefully fold in all cheeses with a spatula until well mixed and combined throughout. Add to a container and refrigerate for 3 hours then serve. Use within 1 week.
Tried it and loved it. I’m a Southern gal and grew up eating Price’s original Pimiento cheese with soft white bunny bread and nothing seems better to me. Thanks for such a fun blog and website. LOVE IT and have saved some recipes to try. I take care of my 91 year old Momma and cook for her. So I bet she will love everything.
Wonderful recipe! After reading many pimiento cheese recipes, I had decided to mix all the ingredients except the cheddar cheese, then stir in the cheese. Here you have recommended just that! And your idea of using mozarella cheese instead of cream cheese was exactly what I was searching for – I didn’t come up with that idea myself, and I am so excited that I found it with you! Thanks for a fabulous recipe.
Can’t wait to try this…!!!
This was so yummy. My husband planted some pimento peppers for me this year and we finally were able to pick a few so I googled this recipe. I only had sharp cheddar and mozzarella and it still came out great. I also added about 2 tablespoons of diced jalapeño. Will definitely put this on summer rotation.
I made deviled eggs with it, was the perfect filling!!
Oh that is so genius!
I added a little jalapeno pepper minced. It was soooo much better the next day!! The thanksgiving crowd was crazy about it and I shared the recipe!! Thanks!! My go to pimento cheese recipe from now on!!
Thanks so much for posting this can’t wait to try it! You posted the nutritional info how much pimento cheese would you get for that? Thanks in advance!
About 4-5 servings. I hope you enjoy.