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This homemade pimento cheese recipe is a creamy, homemade Southern spread made with sharp cheddar, Colby Jack, cream cheese, mayonnaise, and diced pimentos. It comes together in about 10 minutes and has the perfect balance of tangy, cheesy flavor with a smooth, scoopable texture and just a hint of spice.
Table of Contents
- Kellie’s Note A Southern Staple
- Why You’ll Love This Pimento Cheese Recipe
- How to Make Pimento Cheese
- Kellie’s Tips for Perfect Pimento Cheese
- What is Pimento Cheese?
- What To Serve With Pimento Cheese
- What to Make with Leftover Pimento Cheese
- Looking for even more easy dip recipes?
- Pimento Cheese Spread Recipe
Absolutely love this recipe! I’ve brought it to two parties now and it was a hit! Shared along your recipe to 3 people who just had to have it! And my husband just insisted I make a batch for just us this time! I serve them with pretzel crisps! Yummy!!!
– Christie
Kellie’s Note
A Southern Staple
I’ve made this homemade pimento cheese recipe for everything from party platters to sandwiches and easy weekend snacking, and it’s always one of the first things to disappear. Inspired by family roots in South Carolina, this version keeps the classic Southern flavor but adds a blend of cheeses and cream cheese for an extra creamy texture that’s easy to spread, dip, and serve for just about any occasion.
We were visiting my mother-in-law, who just happened to live in South Carolina at the time, and she served Pimento Cheese Dip as part of a cheese platter. She called it the caviar of the south.
A Grilled cheese sandwich made with this stuff is phenomenal. Try it, you’ll never go back to your regular old american grilled cheese again. Unless you run out of it but now I’ve solved that problem because it’s super easy to make.
We love to use this classic southern recipe as a sandwich spread between two slices of white bread for an epic Pimento Cheese Sandwich or a burger topping, as well.
Why You’ll Love This Pimento Cheese Recipe
- It can be made ahead, so it’s perfect for entertaining.
- It’s quick and easy to make in about 10 minutes.
- The mix of sharp cheddar and Colby Jack gives it the perfect balance of flavor and creaminess.
- Cream cheese makes it extra smooth and easy to spread.
- It works as a dip, sandwich filling, burger topping, or party appetizer.
Ingredients for Homemade Pimento Cheese
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this easy pimento cheese recipe, but each one plays an important role in the final flavor and texture.
- Sharp cheddar cheese adds the bold, tangy flavor that gives pimento cheese its classic Southern taste.
- Colby Jack cheese softens the sharpness a bit and helps create a creamier, smoother spread.
- Cream cheese makes the mixture extra rich and helps hold everything together beautifully.
- Mayonnaise gives the spread its signature creamy texture. Use a good-quality mayo for the best flavor.
- Diced pimentos add a touch of sweetness and that classic pimento cheese flavor.
- Cayenne pepper gives it a subtle kick without making it overly spicy.
- Salt and pepper round everything out and help balance the richness.
For the full ingredient list and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Ingredient Notes
- For a sharper, more traditional flavor, use all extra-sharp cheddar.
- For a milder spread, reduce the cayenne or leave it out completely.
- For the best texture, grate your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese.
How to Make Pimento Cheese
This homemade pimento cheese comes together quickly and can be made in a food processor or by hand, depending on the texture you like best.
- Soften the cream cheese so it blends easily and creates a smooth base.
- Combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, and seasonings until creamy.
- Fold in the shredded cheeses and diced pimentos until evenly mixed.
- Mix just until combined. You want the spread to stay creamy and textured, not completely whipped smooth.
- Taste and adjust with extra cayenne, black pepper, or a little more mayo if needed.
- Chill before serving for at least 30 minutes if you have time. This helps the flavors come together and improves the texture.
My easy Pimento Cheese Dip recipe has a little kick from the addition of cayenne pepper, which isn’t really traditional. If you want to omit it because you don’t like spicy food it’s fine but it really doesn’t make it super spicy.
It just lends a slight background kick after you had a few bites. It’s, seriously, the BEST Pimento Cheese recipe ever, in my opinion.
Kellie’s Tips for Perfect Pimento Cheese
- If you want more texture: reserve a little shredded cheese and stir it in at the end.
- If it feels too thick: stir in mayonnaise 1 tablespoon at a time until it loosens slightly.
- If it seems too soft: chill it for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.
- If it looks too smooth: you may have overmixed it. Next time, pulse less or fold everything together by hand.
Food Processor Note
If you use a food processor, pulse only until the mixture comes together. Do not process until completely smooth or the spread can lose that classic pimento cheese texture.
What is Pimento Cheese?
Pimento cheese is a classic Southern cheese spread made with shredded cheese, mayonnaise, and diced pimentos. It’s often served as a dip, sandwich filling, or appetizer spread, and every family seems to have their own favorite version. This homemade pimento cheese recipe stays true to that tradition while adding cream cheese for an extra creamy, party-friendly texture.
It’s fabulous served alongside my Sweet and Spicy Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms. It’s also perfect for your Kentucky Derby party along with this lighted up Kentucky Hot Brown or this Kentucky Bourbon Butter Cake.
Storage, Make-Ahead, and Freezing
Homemade pimento cheese stores really well, which makes it perfect for parties and make-ahead snacking.
- To store: Keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- To make ahead: You can prepare it a day in advance. In fact, the flavor often gets even better after it chills.
- Before serving: Let it sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes so it softens slightly and becomes easier to spread.
- Can you freeze it? I don’t recommend freezing pimento cheese because the texture can become grainy or separated after thawing.
What To Serve With Pimento Cheese
One of the best things about homemade pimento cheese is how many ways you can serve it. It works as a dip, a spread, or even a topping.
For dipping:
Serve it with sourdough crackers, pretzels, Easy Butter Swim Biscuitscelery sticks, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, Refrigerator Dill Pickles or toasted crostini.
For sandwiches:
Spread it on soft white bread, sourdough, or toast for an easy lunch. It also makes great tea sandwiches.
For burgers and mains:
Use it as a topping for burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, baked potatoes, or even scrambled eggs.
For entertaining:
Add it to a snack board with bread and butter pickles, olives, sliced vegetables, crackers, and fresh fruit.
What to Make with Leftover Pimento Cheese
If you have leftovers, don’t stop at crackers. Pimento cheese is delicious:
- spread inside a grilled cheese sandwich
- spread on sandwiches
- melted over burgers
- stuffed into celery
- stirred into Pimento Cheese Mashed Potatoes
- mixed into deviled eggs
Looking for even more easy dip recipes?
- My favorite Hot Crab Dip
- Super simple Spinach Artichoke Dip
- This Buffalo Chicken Dip is the BEST EVER.
- Easy White Queso Dip
- Hot Asiago Artichoke Dip
- Quick Crab Rangoon Dip
- Pepperoni Pizza Dip ready in minutes!
For more easy recipes, follow us on Instagram and Facebook!
Pimento Cheese Spread Recipe
Equipment
- 1 bowl
- spoon or spatula
- small serving bowl
Ingredients
- 6 ounce cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded colby jack cheese
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 3 tablespoons chopped pimentos
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whip the cream cheese using a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add the cheddar, colby jack, mayonnaise, cayenne, garlic powder, salt and pepper and continue mixing on medium speed until well blended. Add the pimentos and mix to combine.
- Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator until ready to use. The spread will last up to 3 months in the refrigerator.
Video
Notes
- For the best flavor, chill the pimento cheese for 30 minutes before serving.
- For a softer, more spreadable texture, let it sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the creamiest texture.
- Add cayenne gradually if you want more control over the heat.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing is not recommended because the texture can change after thawing.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is a great recipe one of the best my family loves it, and I make it all the time. Thanks for this great recipe.!!!
Thank you so much! I’m happy you enjoyed it!
Made this spread for our superbowl party and it is great.
Thanks for the recipe.
You’re very welcome!
I never liked pimento cheese growing up. However, as I have mellowed with age & my taste buds have matured/changed I have learned to appreciate GOOD pimento cheese & this is it! VERY easy to put together. VERY tasty! This is a keeper recipe!
I guess you could use mild cheddar cheese if you wanted a milder version of this, & leave the colby jack out. I made it as it was written & I highly recommend it.
I’m so happy you loved it! It’s definitely addicting!
Excellent dip. I was fortunate to have fresh market pimentos. Frank’s red hot powder seasoning was excellent. We will definitely make again.
Love the tip of the hot powder seasoning.
My husband loves this recipe. I follow it exactly and keep all the ingredients on hand at all times. The cream cheese makes it yummy while the cayenne adds a little bite. Everyone who eats it at my house raves over it. I love all your recipes that I’ve tried. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment! I’m so glad you love it!!
Absolutely love this recipe! I’ve brought it to two parties now and it was a hit! Shared along your recipe to 3 people who just had to have it! And my husband just insisted I make a batch for just us this time! I serve them with pretzel crisps! Yummy!!!
Love the idea of serving with pretzel crisps! Thanks for the comment and so glad you loved it!
Yuck dude, all the ads with pictures of raw chicken scattered through the ingredients list made me want to hurl… talk about ‘cross contamination’… I mean sheeew! gross!
Anyway, the right pimento cheese can be one of the best things in the world, but when done wrong it is often extremely off-putting. This recipe, like most, shoots itself in the foot by over-complexifying a recipe that is best when kept simple. Pick a good cheddar cheese (I like Cracker Barrel white cheddar), diced pimentos, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, and some pickled hot peppers if you’re feeling frisky. Smash is all together until it’s spreadable and you’re good to go (or if you’re a pathetic weakling you can cheat and use the food processor).
PS – anybody who puts velveta or miracle whip in pimento cheese deserves to be slapped silly
The ads pop up based on things you’ve been looking at on the internet, I tried to turn of the in recipe ads for you. 🙂 Anyway, thanks for the tips on the correct pimento cheese, I’m not from the south but this is the recipe my MIL (who lived in South Carolina) and I created together so it’s special to me. And I’m not a pathetic weakling when I use a food processor….just really lazy. 🙂 I love you….and hope you keep reading my blog/making the recipes/coming back with your witty comments. LOL!
You’re way nicer than I would have been to a rude comment like that..
🙂
Hopefully the 999 calories attributed to the fat in the recipe is an error.LOL Funny, in the north pimento cheese is a sandwich spread to be accompanied by some sort of deli meat but in the south it is the purists who win out and it is “The Sandwich.”
Ha ha ha!!! Yes, it’s based off a calculation per serving. I’ll adjust the serving size. 🙂 I’m all about just eating Pimento Cheese all by itself. So, sooooo good!
I love pimentos! Probably my favorite pepper!
Mine too!
Can not wait to give this recipe a try. Nothing better than really good Pimento Cheese with good crisp crackers. Don’t believe one can go wrong with this smashing recipe. Thank you
It’s great as a grilled cheese, too!
Pimento cheese dip always takes me back to my Granny’s house in Arkansas. She made the best pimento cheese sammiches! This recipe looks pretty close to hers, I think.
Isn’t it the best! Whoever invented pimento cheese is a genius. I like the bit of spice in this version.