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    Whip & Wander » Recipes » Appetizers and Small Bites

    Published: Sep 3, 2018 · Modified: May 16, 2024 by Jenni · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Pimento Cheese

    This page may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    pimento cheese in a glass jar, cucumbers, crackers with white text
    Pimento cheese in a glass storage container with a cheese spreader with white text

    Pimento cheese in a glass storage container with a cheese spreader

    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 and because my charming midwest fella puts up with my teasing, I decided to develop this Pimento Cheese recipe for him. 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 a glass jar, cucumbers, crackers
    cucumbers in a white dish, pimento cheese in a glass dish and crackers in a white dish

    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 hand scooping pimento cheese up on a cracker
    pimento cheese, cucumbers, and crackers on a wood board
    Print
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    pimento cheese and cheese spreader in a glass jar

    Pimento Cheese

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 25 reviews
    • Author: Whip & Wander
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Total Time: 5 minutes
    • Yield: approx 5 ¼ cups 1x
    • Category: Appetizers & Bites
    • Method: No-Cook
    • Cuisine: American
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Pimento Cheese is a southern specialty with a 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.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 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
    • ¼ c diced pimentos
    • ¼ tsp  sea salt
    • ¼ tsp  cracked black pepper
    • ¼ tsp  paprika
    • ¼ tsp cayenne (omit for a milder mix)

    Instructions

    1. 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.
    2. 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.


    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: ¼ cup
    • Calories: 97
    • Sodium: 134 mg
    • Fat: 9 g
    • Saturated Fat: 5 g
    • Carbohydrates: 1 g
    • Protein: 3 g
    • Cholesterol: 27 mg

    Did you make this recipe?

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shashi at SavorySpin says

      September 07, 2018 at 7:35 pm

      I've lived in the South for most of my life and have yet to make my own pimento - that needs to change eh?!

      Reply
      • Whip & Wander says

        September 11, 2018 at 9:17 am

        Definitely! It sounds like you've found your next southern recipe to try!

        Reply
    2. camila says

      September 07, 2018 at 7:29 pm

      Ohhhh now this is my kind of dip for real!!! YUMMY!!

      Reply
    3. linda spiker says

      September 07, 2018 at 6:24 pm

      I am pretty much all about anything involving cheese:)

      Reply
      • Whip & Wander says

        September 11, 2018 at 9:18 am

        Me too! Cheese is the best!

        Reply
    4. Sandi says

      September 07, 2018 at 6:09 pm

      Pimento Cheese is one of our go to's during fall. Love your recipe.

      Reply
      • Whip & Wander says

        September 11, 2018 at 9:18 am

        What a great way to ring in the fall months!

        Reply
    5. Valentina says

      September 07, 2018 at 4:21 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Whip & Wander says

        September 11, 2018 at 9:18 am

        Yum! Sounds like your grandmother was a great cook!

        Reply
    6. Veena Azmanov says

      September 07, 2018 at 9:20 am

      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.

      Reply
    7. Marlynn | Urban Bliss Life says

      September 07, 2018 at 7:26 am

      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!

      Reply
    8. Marisa Franca says

      September 07, 2018 at 5:10 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Whip & Wander says

        September 11, 2018 at 9:19 am

        Homemade is almost always better, in my opinion. I hope you give it a try!

        Reply
    9. Julie says

      September 06, 2018 at 9:59 pm

      This sounds so tasty! I will have to try it out!

      Reply
    10. Claudia Lamascolo says

      September 06, 2018 at 4:45 pm

      Well this is a win win ... love cheese, spreads and appetizers and a bonus is that its easy too!

      Reply
    11. Karen says

      September 06, 2018 at 12:39 pm

      I will always be a fan of an easy recipe! Love how it can be made for 5 minutes only.

      Reply
    12. Catherine @ To & Fro Fam says

      September 06, 2018 at 12:18 pm

      My dad loves this stuff, though he's from Illinois... I wonder what's the connection there?!

      Reply
      • Whip & Wander says

        September 11, 2018 at 9:20 am

        My fella is from Illinois as well. There must definitely be something going on there!

        Reply
    13. Amber Battishill says

      September 06, 2018 at 9:24 am

      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!

      Reply
    14. Em Smith says

      September 06, 2018 at 8:26 am

      A healthy perfect snack! I love cucumbers, even my kids love it too!

      Reply
    15. Nicole Pyles says

      September 05, 2018 at 10:55 am

      I can't believe how doable this is! I loooooove cheese too 🙂

      Reply
    16. Chanell says

      September 04, 2018 at 10:37 pm

      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!

      Reply
    17. Amanda says

      September 04, 2018 at 7:06 pm

      I'm not a fan of pimento cheese, but my hubby will be all over this! I love the cream cheese idea.

      Reply
    18. Amanda says

      September 04, 2018 at 7:03 pm

      I love quick and easy recipes like this. My hubby would love this for our next date night in!

      Reply
    19. Emily says

      September 04, 2018 at 5:39 pm

      This looks so good! I'm definitely going to make it next time I need a dip!

      Reply
    20. Glenny says

      September 04, 2018 at 12:48 pm

      wow this looks so easy an yummyyyy to make. I can't wait to try this recipe out one day

      Reply
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