Basic Pimiento Cheese Recipe

Active Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

15 mins

Yield:

4 cups

There are countless views on pimiento cheese perfection: It can be a smooth and spreadable version sandwiched between two slices of white bread. It can be chunky, spiked with hot sauce and cayenne pepper, and stuffed into celery sticks. It can be made with extra mayonnaise for a creamy cracker topper. The list goes on and on.

Southern Living Basic Pimento Cheese in a bowl to serve with crackers and vegetables — Fred Hardy; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

How To Make the Best Southern Pimiento Cheese

We've found that, apart from the fundamental ingredients (cheese, pimientos, and mayo), the best pimiento cheese is the one you grew up eating.

However you enjoy it, two things are essential: First, hand shred the cheese—some finely, some coarsely—for the best texture. A food processor will get the job done, but don't cheat with the pre-grated stuff.

Second, pick jarred pimientos that are diced, not sliced.

And though not a part of our official tips for the best pimiento cheese, we also think the mayo you use is vital. Learn more below.

What Is Pimiento Cheese Made Of?

Classic pimiento cheese is made with three ingredients only: shredded Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and pimientos.

What you do with your pimiento cheese from there is up to you—and probably the people who raised you.

Variations of pimiento cheese will include ingredients like shredded onion (this recipe has that), Worcestershire sauce, cream cheese, jalapeño, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, minced garlic, even pickles.

Southern Living Basic Pimento Cheese ingredients — Fred Hardy; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Cheddar cheese

The choice of Cheddars is up to you. Some people like all of one variety, or a combination of two. We use both classic sharp and extra-sharp in this recipe because we like the dual layer of cheese flavor.

Whatever you do, don't buy the pre-shredded Cheddar cheese. That cheese is too dry and crumbly to make a spreadable pimiento cheese. Shred the cheese yourself—by hand or with a food processor.

Mayonnaise

You already know what we're going to say—Duke's or bust. Yes, you can in theory use any mayonnaise for pimiento cheese, but Southerners know it's Duke's or Duke's. Nothing else matches the flavor.

Pimiento peppers

You'll most likely find pimientos diced in a small jar at the grocery store. They can be labeled as cherry peppers, too. If you find them fresh, be sure to dice them, not cut them into strips.

Are pimiento peppers hot?

No, pimiento peppers (or pimento peppers) are small, round peppers that are milder than even a bell pepper. They are sweet and aromatic, not hot and spicy.

What Does Pimiento Cheese Taste Like?

Pimiento cheese is a tangy, creamy cheese spread. The Cheddar cheese provides the strong base of flavor. Pimiento peppers add a hint of sweet pepper tang without any heat. The mayonnaise combines it all into a spread or spoonable dip.

How To Make Pimiento Cheese

The full recipe is below, but making your own pimiento cheese couldn't be easier.

Step 1. Combine ingredients. First, you'll add the mayo, Cheddar cheese, and pimiento peppers in a bowl. For this recipe, you'll also add onion, Worcestershire, and cayenne pepper, but you can experiment and add whatever you think you'll like.

Step 2. Stir. With a large spatula, stir until all the ingredients are well combined. Some people like to take out a hand mixer and quickly whip the ingredients together. It does make the pimiento cheese ever so slightly more spreadable. So that's up to you.

basic pimiento cheese in a clear glass bowl — Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

How To Serve Pimiento Cheese

In the South, we'll eat pimiento cheese just about any way we can: on crackers, between two slices of white bread, in celery boats, on crostini, or on vegetable slices.

We also won't shy away from putting pimiento cheese on foods to make them even more Southern. Try a scoop of pimiento cheese on your burger, grilled chicken sandwich, grilled cheese sandwich, or omelet.

Stir pimiento cheese into scrambled eggs, macaroni and cheese, or even chili.

How To Store Pimiento Cheese

Once you've mixed the pimiento cheese, spoon it into an airtight container, or cover the mixing bowl with food wrap. Then, pop the bowl in the fridge.

Pimiento cheese will last up to one week in the fridge—if you can stand to not eat it by the spoonful every time you walk by the kitchen.

Ingredients

1 (4-oz.) jar diced pimiento, drained
1 ½ cups mayonnaise
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. finely grated yellow onion
¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
1 (8-oz.) block extra-sharp yellow Cheddar cheese, finely shredded
1 (8-oz.) block sharp yellow Cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions

Stir together pimiento, mayonnaise, Worcestershire, onion, and cayenne in a large bowl.

Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke
Stir cheeses into pimiento mixture until well combined.

Fred Hardy; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Store covered in the refrigerator up to 1 week.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do Southerners eat pimiento cheese?

There's almost no way Southerners won't eat pimiento cheese. This classic recipe works as a dip, spread, or all by itself. Serve it as tea sandwiches between two slices of white bread. Put it in a bowl beside crackers, vegetable chips, or crostini for easy dipping and spreading. Or get fancy, and add it to sandwiches, salads, or even pasta.
What is pimiento cheese called in the South?

Most people only call it pimiento cheese, but you might hear it referred to as Southern Pâté from time to time.
What do you dip in pimiento cheese?

We like serving pimiento cheese with celery sticks, baby carrots, crackers, crostini, seed crackers, toast points, and just about anything else that's sturdy enough for a spread.