Pimento Cheese Dip Recipe
Pimento Cheese Dip is a classic southern recipe that’s rich, creamy, and easy to whip up. This “caviar of the south” is the perfect dip for crackers or veggies, and tastes heavenly on burgers, sandwiches, and even grilled cheese.
If you are looking for appetizer ideas, recipes like Chili Cheese Fries, Blender Mexican Salsa, and this Pimento Cheese Dip are sure to fit the bill! There are plenty of choices here on my site for your next get together or lunch time craving!
Pimento cheese dip is a huge favorite of mine. It’s a popular dish in my home state of Georgia, and is famously served during the Masters golf tournament in Augusta.
I grew up eating it frequently for lunch or dinner served between two slices of white bread. Back then, my mom would buy a big container of it from the grocery store and we would snack on it all week.
Nowadays I prefer to make it myself at home, especially since it can be challenging to find in restaurants or stores where I live in Texas. And honestly, like most things, the homemade version is always better!
What is Pimento Cheese?
Pimento cheese is a savory spread made from cream cheese, mayonnaise, sharp cheddar cheese, pimentos, and spices. It’s a popular dish in the southern United States, often referred to as “caviar” or “paté of the south.” It tastes delicious served as an appetizer with veggies, crackers, or chips. It’s also a great option for an easy lunch or dinner slathered on bread slices for a sandwich or stuffed into a croissant. I’ve also used it in place of sliced cheese to make grilled cheese!
Ingredients You Will Need
- cream cheese
- Mayonnaise
- garlic powder
- paprika
- red pepper flakes
- sharp cheddar cheese
- jalapeño (optional for spicy pimento cheese)
- jar of pimentos
How to Make Pimento Cheese – Step by Step
Step 1: Add Ingredients to Food Processor
Add the cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, paprika, and red pepper flakes to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until they are fully combined, about 30 seconds.
Step 2: Pulse
Next, add the cheddar cheese, jalapeños (if desired), and pimentos. Pulse just to combine; you don’t want to chop the cheese too much.
Step 3: Serve
Enjoy the pimento cheese dip as desired with cracker, veggies, or as a spread. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
Tips and Notes
- Shred the cheese yourself: this step is important! Use a block of sharp cheddar and shred it yourself for the best taste and texture. It will taste so much better than pre-shredded cheese!
- For best texture: make sure your cream cheese is completely softened so it fully incorporates. You don’t want to end up with lumps of cream cheese in your pimento cheese.
- To lighten it up: Mayonnaise adds a bit of richness, but feel free to use sour cream for a lighter swap.
- To make it spicy: I used red pepper flakes and jalapeño to spice up the pimento cheese, but you can use anything you like; hot sauce, different peppers, etc. Or you can leave out the jalapeño if you don’t want your pimento cheese to be spicy.
- The best cheese for pimento cheese dip: Sharp cheddar is my favorite cheese (and the most classic) to add, but feel free to add any kind of cheese you like.
- Where to find pimentos: you can find pimentos in most grocery stores either with the olives or jarred peppers.
Is Pimento cheese Keto?
Yes, pimento cheese dip is an excellent option if you’re following a keto or low carb diet. It’s great with veggies or on low carb bread as a sandwich.
Can you freeze this Pimento Cheese Recipe?
Yes you can freeze pimento cheese dip. Be aware that its texture once thawed might become a bit grainy or separated due to the cream cheese and mayonnaise. Full fat cream cheese will lend to less separation, so that would be a good option if you plan to freeze your pimento cheese.
To freeze, store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
More Great Lunch Recipes You Might Enjoy!
Recipe: Pimento Cheese Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 Jalapeño , deseeded and minced (optional)
- 4 ounce jar chopped pimentos, drained
Equipment
- Food Processor
Instructions
- Add the cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, paprika, and red pepper flakes to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until they are fully combined, about 30 seconds.
- Next, add the cheddar cheese, jalapeños (if desired), and pimentos. Pulse just to combine; you don’t want to chop the cheese too much.
- Enjoy the pimento cheese as desired with cracker, veggies, or as a spread. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
Notes
- Shred the cheese yourself: this step is important! Use a block of sharp cheddar and shred it yourself for the best taste and texture. It will taste so much better than pre-shredded cheese!
- For best texture: make sure your cream cheese is completely softened so it fully incorporates. You don’t want to end up with lumps of cream cheese in your pimento cheese.
- To lighten it up: Mayonnaise adds a bit of richness, but feel free to use sour cream for a lighter swap.
- To make it spicy: I used red pepper flakes and jalapeño to spice up the pimento cheese, but you can use anything you like; hot sauce, different peppers, etc. Or you can leave out the jalapeño if you don't want your pimento cheese to be spicy.
- The best cheese for pimento cheese dip: Sharp cheddar is my favorite cheese (and the most classic) to add, but feel free to add any kind of cheese you like.
- Where to find pimentos: you can find pimentos in most grocery stores either with the olives or jarred peppers.
This is such a good dip! I love it on everything!
I love a good cheese dip. This one looks incredible! Perfect for the holidays.
I have never made a cheese dip before, always store-bought. This looks so much tastier than anything you can find in a jar.
Yumm this looks so tasty!!! I love a good cheese dip.
This is a perfect dip for football party season for dipping chips and vegetables. But it’s also great on burgers too!
I have the best pimento cheese in South Carolina, and learned how great it is on burgers! thanks for the help to make it at home!
Oh yum, I will love this! I will have to make it for our next movie night.