This Homemade Pimento Cheese recipe is a popular southern delicacy that is a creamy and slightly chunky spread or dip. It gets a spicy sweet kick from peppadew peppers. It's the perfect for veggies, your favorite cracker or made into finger sandwiches.

pimento cheese with carrot, celery, and crackers

While visiting my daughter in North Carolina one summer, I was introduced to pimento cheese. The favorite southern cheese spread is known as Carolina caviar or the “pate of the south”. It's a concoction of cream cheese, shredded cheese, mayonnaise, and chopped pimentos.

A hankering for the creamy yet slightly chunky cheddar cheese dip lead me to develop my own pimento cheese recipe.

what is pimento cheese?

Pimento cheese is sacred to many if not all southerners. Grocery stores in the south stock a variety of brands. It is served at every occasion imaginable. Found at picnics, baby showers, football tailgates, and Easter brunch. Most famously, the Masters golf tournament serves this delish dip/spread with carrots, celery, crackers or as a spread for finger sandwiches.

shreded cheese, cream cheese, peppadew peppers

ingredients

mayonnaise
cream cheese
Worcestershire sauce
Dijon mustard
pepper
sharp cheddar cheese
Muenster cheese
Peppadew peppers
celery sticks, carrot sticks, and crackers for serving

Scroll down to the recipe for the full quantities of the ingredients.

recipe details

Mayonnaise and cream cheese act as binders as well as adding to the creamy texture.

Typically the mildest of all peppers (the pimento) is added to the cheese dip. Kick the flavor. Add slightly sweet, slightly spicy pickled piquant peppers also known as Peppadew peppers. The small red pepper is the size of a cherry tomato.

A stand mixer is my preferred method of combining the thick mixture of ingredients. A food processor or hand-held mixer will work too. With a total mixing time is about 3 minutes, this cheesy dip/spread comes together quickly.

chef tips for making pimento cheese

I combined a couple kinds of shredded cheese. I use sharp cheddar. It has a tangy bite. Also it adds deep orange color to the Pimento Cheese. Muenster cheese adds a mellow smooth flavor. Mozzarella is a good substitute for Muenster cheese too.
Grate the cheeses by hand for the freshest tasting flavor. The pre shredded cheeses available at the grocery store are coated with an anti-caking ingredient that masks the true flavor of the cheese.
To meld the flavors of the ingredients, store the dip in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.

what do you eat with pimento cheese

This cheesy dip is ridiculously good and easy to make. Serve as finger sandwiches. Spread between a couple slices of bread. Cut off the crusts. Slice into 4 portions.

Sturdy dippers such as celery and carrot sticks, pretzel rods, pita chips, and wheat crackers make tasty accompaniments to the hearty dip.

more snack recipes to try

bowl of pimento cheese with celery, carrots and crackers

If you make this delicious Pimento Cheese, be sure to give it a rating and/or comment. Thank you!

recipe