Pimiento Cheese

Pimiento cheese is the ideal whip-up-in-a-flash dip or sandwich spread. This southern specialty is ready in under 15 minutes with a quick stir of shredded cheddar cheese, tangy mayonnaise (Duke’s, specifically!), bright-red pimiento peppers, and smoky, savory seasonings. Pimiento cheese is so popular among Southerners that it’s traditional at the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia (where it’s slathered between two pieces of white bread and sold for $1.50), and is always on the menu for Kentucky Derby appetizers.

With step-by-step instructions, here’s how to make pimiento cheese. Bring this dip to a party or simply have it ready to spread on sandwiches when the mood strikes.

What is pimiento cheese?

Pimiento (also spelled “pimento”) cheese is a peppery, tangy cheese spread that’s made with cream cheese, shredded cheddar, mayonnaise, pimientos and spices. It’s ubiquitous in the South, where it’s referred to by its nickname paté du Sud, or “southern paté.”

Pimiento Cheese Ingredients

• Cream cheese: Soften the cream cheese before starting this pimiento cheese recipe. It’ll mix more easily, so the dip doesn’t become lumpy.
• Mayonnaise: Pimiento cheese gets its signature tang from mayonnaise. Southerners insist on using Duke’s mayonnaise in pimiento cheese, but feel free to use what you prefer.
• Spices: We season this pimiento cheese with powerhouse spices like onion powder, garlic powder and smoked paprika. They give it a bold, savory, pungent flavor.
• Pimientos: Buy diced pimientos to save time (just make sure to drain them first), or dice fresh pimientos yourself.
• Cheddar cheese: I always like to shred my cheese right from the block for the freshest flavor. Plus, shredded cheese contains cellulose, an anti-caking agent that slightly alters its flavor. You can use bagged shredded cheese; just buy one of the best shredded cheddar cheese brands from the store.
• Hot honey: While totally optional, the spicy-sweet taste of sticky hot honey drizzled on top of pimiento cheese is a taste sensation you might not want to skip. Splurge on one of the best hot honey brands; the spice really comes through in quality honey.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the cream cheese base

Place the cream cheese, green onions, mayonnaise, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika and black pepper in a food processor. Process them until they’re smooth.

Step 2: Pulse in the cheddar and pimientos

Carefully scrape down the sides to ensure everything is incorporated. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and the pimientos.

Pulse the mixture until it’s combined. It doesn’t need to be completely homogenous; it’s nice to have small pops of red from the pimientos.

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Step 3: Serve the pimiento cheese

Transfer the pimiento cheese to a bowl. If you’d like, drizzle it with hot honey before serving.

Pimiento Cheese Variations

• Freshen it up with pickles: Dice your favorite pickles and add them to the food processor, or give the pimento cheese a squeeze of relish. The tangy-sweet flavors add a freshness everyone will love.
• Add bacon bits: If you’re anything like me, you look for any excuse to add bacon to a recipe! Cook the bacon first, then chop it up and add it in during Step 2.
• Give it more tang: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a handful of chopped olives can add a fresh, tangy brightness. Add them in Step 1.
• Use an umami flavor: Add a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce to the mixture in Step 1 for a burst of robust, savory depth.

How to Store Pimiento Cheese

To store pimiento cheese, wrap the bowl in storage wrap, or transfer the cheese to an airtight container. It can last in the fridge for up to four days.

Can you make pimiento cheese ahead of time?

Yes, you can make pimiento cheese ahead of time. Mix the dip together up to three days before serving it, and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Take your pimiento cheese out of the fridge 30 minutes before serving it so it’s easier to scoop and spread.

Pimiento Cheese Tips

How do I use pimiento cheese?

Pimiento cheese is a great dip for a potluck, appetizer for a Super Bowl party or dip to snack on throughout the week. It’s perfect with buttery and salty crackers, crispy kettle-cooked chips (especially jalapeno-flavored ones!), and a rainbow of cucumbers, carrots and bell peppers.

Pimiento cheese can double as a sandwich or cheeseburger spread, too. Slather it between two pieces of white bread and enjoy it as southerners do. You can eat it as-is, or griddle it for a grilled cheese. If you want a more sustaining sandwich, spread pimiento cheese on bread and build the sandwich with crispy veggies, spicy arugula, sliced turkey and a tangle of sprouts.

What are pimiento peppers?

Pimiento peppers, also known as cherry peppers, are small, cherry tomato–sized peppers. Their flaming-red hue is deceiving; these peppers aren’t spicy at all. They’re even considered to be milder and sweeter than bell peppers! Pimiento peppers only register between 100 to 500 on the Scoville scale, which is extremely low.