Pimento Cheese
This creamy, tangy Southern spread comes together in minutes with sharp cheddar, pimentos, mayonnaise, and a little seasoning. Serve it with crackers, tuck it into sandwiches, or melt it on toast.
Total
15 min
Servings
Makes about 2 1/2 cups, serving 8
Level
Easy
Pimento cheese is a classic Southern spread made with shredded cheese, jarred pimentos, and mayonnaise. It is rich, a little tangy, and easy to adjust to your taste.
The key is to grate the cheese yourself. Freshly grated cheddar has a better texture than bagged shredded cheese, which is often coated with starch to keep it from clumping.
Serve pimento cheese chilled as a dip, spread it on soft white bread for sandwiches, or spoon it onto burgers and grilled cheese. It is simple food, but it earns its place on the table.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
13 items · Makes about 2 1/2 cups, serving 8
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise, plus more if needed
- 1/2 cup diced pimentos, drained well
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika or sweet paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 to 2 teaspoons pimento brine or pickle juice, optional, for extra tang
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Soften the cream cheese
Set the cream cheese on the counter until it is soft enough to press with a spoon, about 20 to 30 minutes. Soft cream cheese mixes smoothly and helps hold the spread together.
2. Drain the pimentos
Pour the pimentos into a small strainer and let them drain well. Pat them dry with a paper towel if they look very wet. Too much liquid can make the pimento cheese loose.
3. Grate the cheddar
Grate the cheddar on the large holes of a box grater. Freshly grated cheese gives the spread a better bite and melts more nicely if you use it in a hot sandwich.
4. Mix the creamy base
In a medium bowl, stir the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne if using, salt, and black pepper until mostly smooth.
5. Fold in the cheese and pimentos
Add the grated cheddar and drained pimentos. Fold them in with a spatula, which means gently turn the mixture over itself until combined. Do not overmix, or the spread can become too smooth.
6. Adjust the texture
If the pimento cheese feels too thick, stir in 1 tablespoon more mayonnaise or 1 to 2 teaspoons pimento brine or pickle juice. If it feels too loose, add a little more grated cheddar.
7. Taste and season
Taste a small spoonful and adjust with more salt, pepper, cayenne, or pickle juice as needed. The flavor will mellow slightly after chilling.
8. Chill before serving
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes if you have time. Chilling helps the flavors come together and makes the spread easier to scoop.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: Pimento cheese is a good make-ahead recipe. Prepare it up to 3 days before serving and keep it covered in the refrigerator.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir before serving, as a little moisture may collect on top.
- Serving temperature: It spreads easiest after sitting at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes. Do not leave it out for more than 2 hours.
- Cheese swaps: Sharp cheddar is classic, but you can use extra-sharp cheddar, white cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a mix. Avoid pre-shredded cheese if you can, because it can make the texture dry or grainy.
- Mayonnaise choice: Use a mayonnaise you like the taste of. For a lighter texture, replace 2 tablespoons of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt or sour cream.
- Heat level: For a spicier spread, add more cayenne, a few dashes of hot sauce, or 1 tablespoon finely chopped pickled jalapeños. Drain jalapeños well before adding them.
Cook's note
Pimentos are mild, sweet red peppers sold diced in small jars. You will usually find them near pickles, olives, or canned vegetables at the grocery store.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I use pre-shredded cheese for pimento cheese?
You can, but freshly grated cheese gives a better texture. Pre-shredded cheese often has anti-caking starch on it, which can make the spread feel dry or slightly powdery.
Why is my pimento cheese watery?
The pimentos may not have been drained well, or too much liquid was added. Stir in more grated cheddar to thicken it, then chill it for 30 minutes before serving.
Can pimento cheese be frozen?
Freezing is not recommended. Mayonnaise and cream cheese can separate after thawing, which makes the spread grainy and watery.
What do you serve with pimento cheese?
Serve it with crackers, celery sticks, cucumber slices, pretzels, toasted bread, or soft sandwich bread. It is also good on burgers, baked potatoes, and grilled cheese.
Can I make pimento cheese without cream cheese?
Yes. Leave out the cream cheese and use a little extra mayonnaise to bind the mixture. The spread will be looser and more classic in texture.
05Keep cooking
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