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 low-carb veggies and parmesan crisps 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 and Low-FODMAP diets.
Pimento Cheese (a 5-minute labor of love)
Prep
Total
Yield approx 5 1/4 cups
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese (I like to use this lactose-free version but you don't have to)
- 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 covered 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
Nutritional information on Whip & Wander is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
Courses Appetizers & Bites
Cuisine American
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.
Glenny
September 4, 2018 at 12:48 pmwow this looks so easy an yummyyyy to make. I can’t wait to try this recipe out one day
Emily
September 4, 2018 at 5:39 pmThis looks so good! I’m definitely going to make it next time I need a dip!
Amanda
September 4, 2018 at 7:03 pmI love quick and easy recipes like this. My hubby would love this for our next date night in!
Amanda
September 4, 2018 at 7:06 pmI’m not a fan of pimento cheese, but my hubby will be all over this! I love the cream cheese idea.
Chanell
September 4, 2018 at 10:37 pmSo 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!
Nicole Pyles
September 5, 2018 at 10:55 amI can’t believe how doable this is! I loooooove cheese too 🙂
Em Smith
September 6, 2018 at 8:26 amA healthy perfect snack! I love cucumbers, even my kids love it too!
Amber Battishill
September 6, 2018 at 9:24 amMmmm, pimento cheese is definitely one of my favorites and a staple at every midwest gathering! LOL. Love the simplicity and quickness of this recipe!
Catherine @ To & Fro Fam
September 6, 2018 at 12:18 pmMy dad loves this stuff, though he’s from Illinois… I wonder what’s the connection there?!
Whip & Wander
September 11, 2018 at 9:20 amMy fella is from Illinois as well. There must definitely be something going on there!
Karen
September 6, 2018 at 12:39 pmI will always be a fan of an easy recipe! Love how it can be made for 5 minutes only.
Claudia Lamascolo
September 6, 2018 at 4:45 pmWell this is a win win … love cheese, spreads and appetizers and a bonus is that its easy too!
Julie
September 6, 2018 at 9:59 pmThis sounds so tasty! I will have to try it out!
Marisa Franca
September 7, 2018 at 5:10 amWhat 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.
Whip & Wander
September 11, 2018 at 9:19 amHomemade is almost always better, in my opinion. I hope you give it a try!
Marlynn | Urban Bliss Life
September 7, 2018 at 7:26 amI 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!
Veena Azmanov
September 7, 2018 at 9:20 amI 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.
Valentina
September 7, 2018 at 4:21 pmFirst 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!
Whip & Wander
September 11, 2018 at 9:18 amYum! Sounds like your grandmother was a great cook!
Sandi
September 7, 2018 at 6:09 pmPimento Cheese is one of our go to’s during fall. Love your recipe.
Whip & Wander
September 11, 2018 at 9:18 amWhat a great way to ring in the fall months!
linda spiker
September 7, 2018 at 6:24 pmI am pretty much all about anything involving cheese:)
Whip & Wander
September 11, 2018 at 9:18 amMe too! Cheese is the best!
camila
September 7, 2018 at 7:29 pmOhhhh now this is my kind of dip for real!!! YUMMY!!
Shashi at SavorySpin
September 7, 2018 at 7:35 pmI’ve lived in the South for most of my life and have yet to make my own pimento – that needs to change eh?!
Whip & Wander
September 11, 2018 at 9:17 amDefinitely! It sounds like you’ve found your next southern recipe to try!
Michelle
September 7, 2018 at 10:05 pmI tried pimento cheese for the first time a few years back and absolutely loved it. Your recipe definitely brings those memories back!
Whip & Wander
September 11, 2018 at 9:17 amI don’t know how I went so long without trying it. I love how easy it is to come together!
Mirlene
September 8, 2018 at 5:09 amI love a good dip. This looks so easy to make. perfect for entertaining, or a quiet evening with tea and crackers.
Whip & Wander
September 11, 2018 at 9:16 amI totally agree! It’s also really great as a spread for sandwiches!
Lauren Vavala
October 26, 2018 at 4:25 amWhat an easy, tasty snack/appetizer! It would be great for holiday entertaining or as a snack while homegating – great recipe!
Marie
April 25, 2019 at 11:07 amI haven’t had pimento cheese in ages! Always liked it spread on a slice of bread. Your recipe looks wonderful and easy to make too.
Tammy
April 25, 2019 at 11:42 amI’ve never made my own pimento cheese dip before but yours looks fantastic! I’d be spreading this over everything. I’m such a cheese fanatic…sounds awesome!
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen
April 26, 2019 at 4:52 amThis looks so simple to make – it’s time to ditch the store bought for sure!! I always serve as a dip / snack when I have guests, so will be making my own next time!!
Kelly Anthony
April 26, 2019 at 4:23 pmPimento cheese is a staple down here and we LOVE IT! It’s my favorite with hearty crackers. Totally making soon!
Sharon
April 28, 2019 at 5:52 amI love this pimento cheese! This would be great as a spread for parties or on top of burgers. Can’t wait to make this!
Anna
April 28, 2019 at 10:11 amThis pimento cheese looks so delicious Jenni! I must admit, I’ve never tried it, but it looks like a perfect dip or spread that would go well with so many different snacks! Perfect for a friends and family gathering!
Whip & Wander
May 1, 2019 at 12:31 pmIt’s awesome used as a spread for sandwiches and burgers or simply on a cheese and charcuterie board as a spread for veggies and crackers.
Anne Lawton
April 28, 2019 at 12:21 pmI’ve heard of pimento cheese but have never had it. This recipe is making me want to give it a try.
Natalie
April 28, 2019 at 2:46 pmWow this is such a great idea. I love adding all sorts of things in my cream cheese and making spreads but never used pimento before. Looks really delicious and so tasty. I must give this a try.
Charity
April 28, 2019 at 5:50 pmI’m obsessed with eating pimento cheese but being a PA girl at heart, I’ve never made it myself. But now that I’m a Southern gal in West Virginia I feel like I need to learn to make it myself, I had no idea it only takes 5 minutes! What have I been waiting for? Thanks for the recipe inspiration!
Whip & Wander
May 1, 2019 at 12:30 pmDefinitely time for you to make a batch! It’s not the south without a little pimento cheese (and maybe a sweet tea too!).
Linda
April 28, 2019 at 8:44 pmoh this sounds perfect almost on everything and I don’t mind spending 5 minutes of labor to make this gorgeous pimento cheese.
Nicole
April 28, 2019 at 9:15 pmYou know, I have never had pimento cheese. I see so many delicious looking recipes with it. I need to give it a shot.
Whip & Wander
May 1, 2019 at 12:28 pmI had never had it until just the past few years. Definitely a fun way to shake up a cheese spread!
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness
April 29, 2019 at 4:28 pmI don’t think that I could live without my food processor. This looks like the perfect thing to make with it 🙂
Whip & Wander
May 1, 2019 at 12:23 pmAgreed! I rely on my food processor for so many things these days.