Pimento cheese dip is a traditional, southern favorite in my household. It is also easy to make and takes less than 15 minutes to mix together!
Pimento Cheese Please
My grandfather used to keep pimento cheese in the fridge. It was always store bought but was always the perfect snack. I remember him sharing some with me as a little girl. We ate them on buttery Ritz crackers.
My husband’s family also loves pimento cheese. We spend every summer with them at Edisto Beach, SC and pimento cheese is always a go to snack in the beach house. It is cold, creamy and easy to spread on crackers, pretzels or sandwich bread. Pimento cheese is also filling. It’s no wonder it’s a classic dish in the south.
The Process
I have experimented with this dish for quite some time now. After adjusting the ingredients, I finally ended up with the consistency and taste I prefer. In this recipe, I use mayonnaise as a binder. I prefer my pimento cheese a little thinner, so I don’t use cream cheese like in other recipes. If you leave this in the fridge overnight, the cold air helps it set and the flavors seem to marinate together.
I enjoy making this snack and keeping it on hand in the fridge. It’s an easy snack to make and whip out when guests stop by the house.A few weeks ago we topped our grilled burgers with pimento cheese- SO GOOD!
I use just a tad bit of cayenne pepper to add some heat. There is also an umami taste thanks to the worcestershire sauce. I always use sharp cheddar because of the intense flavor due to aging and the texture breaks up nicely in the mixer. The sharper cheddar also compliments the diced pimentos.
The process is quite simple. You put all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir them together until combined and creamy. I prefer using my KitchenAid mixer to blend the ingredients together. I set it on a medium-low speed. The paddle attachment with the flexible edge is my favorite. It breaks the sharp cheddar apart and scrapes the bowl as it spins.
What are pimentos?
Pimentos or pimientos are a variety of red pepper that are mild and have a sweet flavor. They are heart shaped and typically smaller than a red bell pepper we often see. Pimentos are canned, jarred, and you may have eaten them stuffed in olives. This recipe calls for jarred pimentos that are easy to find in almost any grocery store. My grocery store sells them in jars as small as 2 ounces and as large as 7 ounces. Fun fact I learned: According to The Kitchn, dried pimentos are sometimes ground into the spice paprika.
Pimento Plans
I plan on making this recipe in large batches for our summer vacation. It’s easy to keep in the fridge and anyone can get it out for a quick snack. I am confident I’ll find all of these ingredients at the local grocery store.
After doing a little research, I think I live in a climate conducive to growing pimento peppers. I am going to look in to different varieties and try growing them instead of traditional red bell peppers.
Do you have a favorite dip you like to buy or make often?
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Pimento Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Mayonnaise
- 16 oz Sharp Cheddar finely shredded
- 4 oz Pimentos drained
- 2 teaspoons Worchestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Stir on medium speed for at least 3 minutes. Serve immediately or refrigerate.
- Pour into serving dish. Serve immediately or refrigerate.
You know, I never actually thought about what goes into pimento cheese even though it’s a southern staple. Thanks for sharing!
I never knew how easy it is to make pimento cheese! Great recipe for Spring and Summer entertaining!! Thank you for sharing!!!!
You had me at cheese! This looks so yummy and would be the perfect treat for a work potluck coming up!
Oh great idea! I didn’t even think about potlucks.
I love pimiento! Will definitely try this one :)9
Awesome!!!
This looks delish! Reminds me of our time in North Carolina!
Is funny how our favorites recipes are always related to childhood experiences.
It looks so yummy, will definitely try!
It looks so delicious and super creamy! I need to give it a try!
I absolutely love Pimento Cheese. I always thought it was one of those lame dishes from the 60s and 70s until I had it and then I wondered what I did without for so long. It is so flavorful and makes any cracker to round of bread taste amazing.
It is pretty old school haha
I am definitely a southern girl and grew up eating pimento and cheese sandwiches. This sounds like a really yummy, authentic recipe.
Can’t beat a pimento cheese sammie when it’s hot outside! I added some to a grilled burger recently and it was delicious!
I always assumed this would be so hard to make. It seriously looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it.
Great to hear. Thanks for reading and trying my recipe.
Looks like a nice party snack. I like cheese things so I think it is a great option always
It’s definitely a great option for a crowd. Thanks for reading!
My son loves pimentos and cheese dishes. I’ve never been a huge fan but I do make it for him. I need to pin this to try.
Great! Hope he enjoys it!
I haven’t had a chance to try such a dip! I can’t wait to prepare it for the next party! Looks like a really delicious thing! 🙂
Forever wishing to taste the magic of real cheese again. Someday I hope to grow out of this allergy!
I didn’t know this simple recipe for a substantial and really good snack!
Such a small world! I grew up in Charleston, SC and we really do love pimento cheese!
I love Charleston! We’ve stopped there several times on the way to Edisto. Thanks for reading and leaving feedback!
Thanks for these great tips. It’s a new recipe I’ll have to try soon. Looks awesome!
Thanks!
I’m a transplant to the south and have never tried pimento cheese. Your recipe looks so good that maybe I’ll have to change that! 🙂
Yum!!! This sounds amazing. Wishing I had some for lunch. Thanks for sharing.
Yum this looks so delicious! We love to make guacamole and strawberry salsa!