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I love pimento cheese. There, I said it. If you’re not from the South, you might be wondering, “What is pimento cheese?”
Pimento cheese is a classic Southern cheddar cheese and pimento pepper dip. It’s affectionately referred to as “pâté du Sud,” or Southern pâté.
Pimento cheese is creamy and cheesy, tangy, peppery (spicy if you wish), and spreadable. If you appreciate cheddar cheese, pimento cheese is going to be your new favorite party dip and sandwich spread.
My grandmother, Mimi, made pimento cheese when I was little. I was a picky eater back then, but at least I had the good sense to appreciate her pimento cheese. I order pimento cheese every time I find it on a menu, which to my delight, seems to be happening more frequently these days.
I tried to find Mimi’s recipe in her handwritten recipe books, which are among my treasured possessions, along with her ring that I’m wearing on my left hand. I got lost in nostalgia and found my great-aunt’s Jell-o cucumber salad recipe, but not Mimi’s pimento cheese.
So, I came up with my own pimento cheese recipe. Let’s make some!
What are pimento peppers?
Pimento (also spelled pimiento) peppers are small red peppers that are not at all spicy. They’re often called cherry peppers when you find them sold fresh in grocery stores.
Pimento peppers are even more mild than red bell peppers. You might recognize them as the little red peppers stuffed inside green olives.
If you’re from the Midwest, rest assured that pimento cheese has nothing to do with pimento loaf. Pimento peppers are the only common ingredient.
Pimento Cheese Ingredients
In its most essential form, pimento cheese is made with cheddar cheese, pimento peppers and mayonnaise.
Freshly made, homemade pimento cheese tastes far superior to store-bought options. By making it yourself with quality ingredients, you can avoid strange preservatives. Here’s what you’ll need.
Extra-Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Be sure to buy a delicious extra-sharp variety so the cheddar flavor shines above all else. I used Tillamook.
Grate your cheese by hand on the large holes of a box grater. Don’t buy pre-shredded cheese, which is coated in powder that mutes the flavor and interferes with its creamy texture.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese enhances the cheddar flavor and ensures that your pimento cheese is tangy and spreadable.
Not all pimento cheese recipes include cream cheese, but it just doesn’t taste right to me without it. I’d bet money that Mimi’s pimento cheese was made with cream cheese. If you read Serious Eats’ lengthy history on pimento cheese, you’ll see that cream cheese and pimentos have been friends for a long time.
Pimento Peppers
Pimento peppers are a given. They infuse the dip with mild pepper flavor and provide its signature reddish hue. Be sure to drain your peppers well, and give them a few extra chops if they come in slices rather than a tiny dice.
If you can’t find pimento peppers, roasted red peppers are a great substitute. Chop them up until you have a scant one-half cup. I used jarred peppers for my recipe tests, but you could go the extra mile and roast your own peppers.
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise lends a silky texture and some key flavor. If we weren’t using cream cheese, we’d make up for it with additional mayonnaise, but I’ve found that a combination of the two yields the tastiest results.
Duke’s brand of mayonnaise is standard in Southern pimento cheese. I used Sir Kensington’s instead, since that’s the brand I keep on hand.
A Few Simple Seasonings
Pimento cheese flavorings vary by recipe. A combination of garlic powder and onion powder lend subtle and irresistible savoriness.
I like my pimento cheese a little spicy, so my recipe includes cayenne pepper as well. The heat is subtle but makes me go back for more. Take it up a notch with fresh jalapeño pepper, which adds seriously fresh flavor and a light crunch. A little bit goes a long way.
If you’re sensitive to spice, you can reduce or omit both the cayenne and jalapeño. You can always add more heat, but you can’t take it away.
How to Make Pimento Cheese
Pimento cheese is super easy to make, and ready in 10 minutes. You essentially just need to stir the ingredients together until combined.
I use my hand mixer to beat the ingredients together, which yields a nice, lightly fluffy texture. Don’t mix it up in a food processor, since pimento cheese is best when the individual ingredients retain some texture.
Watch How to Make Pimento Cheese
How to Serve Pimento Cheese
Here are a few classic serving ideas:
Pimento Cheese Sandwiches
You haven’t lived until you’ve had a pimento grilled cheese sandwich. You can also follow tradition and serve pimento cheese between two slices of bread, sliced into tea sandwich form if you’re throwing a party.
If you want to build a more substantial sandwich, pimento cheese is great with sliced cucumber (or dill pickles), tomato, sprouts or arugula, and even a fried egg.
As a Dip or Spread
Pimento cheese and crackers is a winning combination. If you want to lighten up your party spread, serve it with substantial strips of bell pepper (any color but green), cucumber, or celery.
You can take cues from pimento cheese and add pimento peppers to your favorite cheddar dishes. I can’t wait to add some to my go-to mac and cheese.
Please let me know how your pimento cheese turns out in the comments! I bet your friends will fight over it at your game day parties.
Looking for more party snacks? Here are a few favorites:
- The Best Guacamole
- Baked Jalapeño Poppers
- Crispy Baked Potato Wedges
- Perfect Stovetop Popcorn
- Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip
Pimento Cheese
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- Author: Cookie and Kate
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: Dip or spread
- Method: Mixer
- Cuisine: Southern
- Diet: Vegetarian
★★★★★
4.9 from 110 reviews
This pimento cheese is the best! It’s cheesy, tangy, peppery (spicy if you wish), and spreadable. Recipe yields 2 cups.
Scale
Ingredients
- 2 cups freshly grated extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cut into 1” cubes and softened at room temperature*
- 4 ounces pimento peppers**, well drained and chopped if in strips
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (Duke’s is traditional but I also like Sir Kensington’s)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (decrease or omit if sensitive to spice)
- ½ medium jalapeño pepper, ribs and seeds removed, and minced (about 1 tablespoon; omit if sensitive to spice)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the cheddar, cream cheese, pimento peppers, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper and jalapeño (if using), and several twists of black pepper.
- Beat the mixture together with a hand mixer, your stand mixer, or by hand with a sturdy wooden spoon or spatula. Beat until the mixture is thoroughly combined.
- Taste, and add more black pepper if desired, and/or salt for more overall flavor (I usually add a pinch of two). If you’d like your pimento cheese to have more of a kick, add another pinch of cayenne. Blend again.
- Transfer the mixture to a smaller serving bowl. Serve your pimento cheese immediately, or chill it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Pimento cheese hardens as it cools; let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature to soften.
Notes
Recipe adapted from AllRecipes and the Lee brothers via The New York Times.
*Cream cheese tip: If you, like me, always forget to pull the cream cheese out of the fridge in advance, simply cube it into a microwave-safe mixing bowl. Warm it in the microwave for 15 to 30 seconds, just until it’s more pliable. We only need it warm enough to mix into the other ingredients, but not warm enough to melt the cheese.
**Where to find pimento peppers: You’ll find pimento peppers in well-stocked grocery stores, typically near the roasted red peppers. If you can’t find them, substitute a scant ½ cup chopped roasted red pepper. You’ll hardly tell a difference.
▸ Nutrition Information
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Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #cookieandkate.
As a seasoned culinary expert and avid enthusiast of Southern cuisine, I bring a wealth of firsthand experience and knowledge to the table. My passion for authentic flavors and traditional recipes has led me to explore and perfect various dishes, including the beloved Southern classic – pimento cheese.
Now, let's delve into the article, breaking down the key concepts and providing additional insights:
Pimento Cheese: A Southern Delight
Pimento Peppers: Pimento peppers, often referred to as cherry peppers, are a central ingredient in pimento cheese. These mild, non-spicy red peppers add a distinctive flavor and signature reddish hue to the dip. It's crucial to drain them well and finely chop if they come in slices. Roasted red peppers can be a suitable substitute if pimento peppers are unavailable.
Pimento Cheese Ingredients: The core components of pimento cheese include:
- Extra-Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Opt for a high-quality extra-sharp cheddar for a robust flavor. Hand-grating is recommended over pre-shredded options for better texture.
- Cream Cheese: A key ingredient, cream cheese enhances the tanginess and spreadability of pimento cheese. Its inclusion has historical roots in Southern recipes, as highlighted in Serious Eats' exploration of pimento cheese history.
- Pimento Peppers: Providing mild pepper flavor and color.
- Mayonnaise: Adds a silky texture and essential flavor. The article mentions Duke's as a traditional Southern choice.
- Seasonings: A blend of garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper contributes savory and spicy elements. Fresh jalapeño can be added for extra heat and freshness.
Making Pimento Cheese: The process is straightforward and takes about 10 minutes. Hand-mixing using a hand mixer is recommended to maintain a textured consistency, as opposed to a food processor. The resulting pimento cheese is described as creamy, tangy, and peppery, with a hint of spice.
Serving Ideas: Pimento cheese is versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways:
- Pimento Cheese Sandwiches: A highlight is the pimento grilled cheese sandwich. It can also be used in traditional tea sandwiches or combined with sliced cucumber, tomato, sprouts, or even a fried egg for a heartier option.
- Dip or Spread: Pairs well with crackers, bell peppers, cucumber, or celery. The article encourages experimentation, suggesting adding pimento peppers to mac and cheese for an extra flavor kick.
Recipe Details: The provided recipe yields 2 cups of pimento cheese. It emphasizes using freshly grated cheddar, quality cream cheese, well-drained pimento peppers, and a combination of mayonnaise and seasonings for optimal flavor.
As a connoisseur of Southern cuisine, I encourage fellow enthusiasts to try this homemade pimento cheese recipe and share their experiences in the comments section. Your game day parties might just become the talk of the town with this flavorful and versatile Southern classic.
