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.
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.
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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.
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.
how to make pimento cheese
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
- Dill Dip {5 Minute Recipe}
- Hot Corn Dip
- BLT Bites
- Easy Crispy Coconut Shrimp
- Roast Beef Crostini with Horseradish Cream
If you make this delicious Pimento Cheese, be sure to give it a rating and/or comment. Thank you!
Recipe
Homemade Pimento Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 8 ounces Muenster cheese shredded
- ½ cup finely chopped Peppadew peppers
- Celery sticks carrot sticks and crackers for serving
Instructions
- In the bowl of a standing mixer or with a hand mixer, add the cream cheese, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard and pepper. Beat the ingredients until fully combined or for about 1 minute.
- Add the cheddar and Muenster cheeses and the peppers and beat for about 2 minutes, Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Place the cheese dip in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Serve with celery and carrot sticks and crackers.
- Also spread on soft bread. Cut off the crusts then slice into 4 portions.
Notes
- I combined a couple kinds of shredded cheese. I use sharp cheddar not only for the bite it adds to the taste of the dip but, also for the deep orange color. Muenster cheese adds a mellow smooth flavor reminiscent of a combination of mild cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Mozzarella is a good substitute for Muenster cheese too.
- Grate the cheeses by hand for the freshest tasting cheddar and Muenster. 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.
Steve d'Ohio says
Followed recipe exactly. Delicious, huge hit. Peppadews have such a unique flavor. It's worth seeking them out. Take note of Amy's suggestion to use only block cheese you shred yourself. You'll get better texture and fresher flavor.
Amy Casey says
Thanks for sharing Steve. There's such a difference when you shred your own cheese.