A southern specialty for my favorite midwesterner
Until I met my fella, I had pretty much lived my whole life without Pimento Cheese. Though I had a vague idea what it was, it wasn’t a regular guest in our house growing up. So, I assumed his adoration with the dish was a charming midwest thing – a category where I organize the things he loves or grew up with that I don’t really understand. Once I finally tried it, I realized I had definitely been missing out.
Because my charming midwest fella puts up with my teasing, I decided that I would surprise him with a batch of homemade Pimento Cheese. In actuality, Pimento Cheese is actually a southern specialty, with a pretty traditional base of cheese, mayo, and pimentos blended together, with additional ingredients added to your taste. I like to give ours a small kick with a tiny bit of cayenne pepper, but if you prefer yours on the mild side, it’s super tasty without.
Pimento Cheese in 5
This Pimento Cheese is awesome eaten as a classic dip with veggies and gluten-free crackers or used as a spread for sandwiches or burgers. The best part? This labor of love takes a whopping 5 minutes or less in your food processor.
A note for special diets
This Pimento Cheese is gluten-free, grain-free, refined sugar-free and friendly for Keto diets. If you chose to use a lactose-free cream cheese in this recipe, it is also friendly for SIBO diets.
Pimento Cheese (a 5-minute labor of love)
Prep
Total
Yield approx 5 1/4 cups
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese (I prefer this lactose-free version, but you can use any you like)
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tbsp mayo
- 1/4 c diced pimentos
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne (omit for a milder mix)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a food processor and pulse until well-incorporated. I like to leave mine a little chunky, so I am careful not to over-blend.
- Store in a glass dish in the refrigerator until ready to use. Cheese will soften slightly after a few minutes at room temp, making it perfectly spreadable.
Notes
This recipe is easily doubled for a large batch to use around the holidays or at a party, which is what I did when I photographed this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1/4 cup
Amount Per Serving | ||
|---|---|---|
Calories 97 | ||
% Daily Value | ||
Total Fat 9 g | 14% | |
Saturated Fat 5 g | 25% | |
Cholesterol 27 mg | 9% | |
Sodium 134 mg | 6% | |
Total Carbohydrates 1 g | 0% | |
Protein 3 g | 6% | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
wow this looks so easy an yummyyyy to make. I can’t wait to try this recipe out one day
This looks so good! I’m definitely going to make it next time I need a dip!
I love quick and easy recipes like this. My hubby would love this for our next date night in!
I’m not a fan of pimento cheese, but my hubby will be all over this! I love the cream cheese idea.
So excited to try this! It looks super simple and extra yummy! I might score some extra brownie points with the hubby when I make this!
I can’t believe how doable this is! I loooooove cheese too 🙂
A healthy perfect snack! I love cucumbers, even my kids love it too!
Mmmm, pimento cheese is definitely one of my favorites and a staple at every midwest gathering! LOL. Love the simplicity and quickness of this recipe!
My dad loves this stuff, though he’s from Illinois… I wonder what’s the connection there?!
My fella is from Illinois as well. There must definitely be something going on there!
I will always be a fan of an easy recipe! Love how it can be made for 5 minutes only.
Well this is a win win … love cheese, spreads and appetizers and a bonus is that its easy too!
This sounds so tasty! I will have to try it out!
What a pretty color. It looks like it could be the whole party!! I’ve tasted pimento cheese spread but I’ve never tasted a homemade version. From what I’ve seen of the ingredients — the homemade would be out of this world. Will have to give it a try.
Homemade is almost always better, in my opinion. I hope you give it a try!
I didn’t know what pimento cheese was either until a friend from the south always made it for our gatherings. It’s so good! I’ll have to try it with dairy free cream cheese too. Yum!
I love how the cheese got such a pretty color from the pimento. This would make a perfect picnic food for us in the coming weeks. I love such food that you don’t have to work hard all the time. Sounds yum.
First of all, I LOVE the title to your recipe. 🙂 Very cute. I also love pimentos! My grandmother always had dozens of cans of them in her pantry and used them all the time in her cooking. Now I do the same. The dip sounds delish!
Yum! Sounds like your grandmother was a great cook!
Pimento Cheese is one of our go to’s during fall. Love your recipe.
What a great way to ring in the fall months!
I am pretty much all about anything involving cheese:)
Me too! Cheese is the best!
Ohhhh now this is my kind of dip for real!!! YUMMY!!
I’ve lived in the South for most of my life and have yet to make my own pimento – that needs to change eh?!
Definitely! It sounds like you’ve found your next southern recipe to try!
I tried pimento cheese for the first time a few years back and absolutely loved it. Your recipe definitely brings those memories back!
I don’t know how I went so long without trying it. I love how easy it is to come together!
I love a good dip. This looks so easy to make. perfect for entertaining, or a quiet evening with tea and crackers.
I totally agree! It’s also really great as a spread for sandwiches!
What an easy, tasty snack/appetizer! It would be great for holiday entertaining or as a snack while homegating – great recipe!