Homemade Pimento Cheese

A bowl of pimento cheese dip garnished with chopped green onions is surrounded by round crackers on a plate, with whole green onions beside it.

This classic pimento cheese recipe combines sharp cheese and sweet pimentos into a rich, creamy spread. It’s a simple Southern favorite that works well for sandwiches, crackers, or easy snacks.

Course Appetizer, Sauces and Spices, Snack, Snacks

Cuisine American, International

Keyword appetizer, cayenne, cheddar cheese, cheese spread, crackers, cream cheese, dip, grate, homemade pimento cheese, jalapeños, mayonnaise, onion, pepper, pickle, pimento cheese, pimentos, sandwich, sharp cheddar cheese, southern pimento cheese

Prep Time 10

Refrigerate 30

Servings Servings

Calories 396kcal

Author Zuzana Paar

Equipment

1 Mixing Bowl
1 Spoon

Ingredients

2 Cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded finely
1 Cup Monterey Jack shredded
4 Ounce Cream Cheese softened
½ Cup Mayonnaise
4 Ounce Pimentos drained, 1 jar, diced
1 Sprig Green Onion thinly sliced
½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
¼ teaspoon Onion Powder
¼ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
¼ teaspoon Salt
⅛ teaspoon Black Pepper
1 Dash Hot Sauce optional

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Shred the cheeses, soften the cream cheese, drain the pimentos, and slice the green onion.
Blend cream cheese and mayonnaise until completely smooth.
Stir in cheddar and Monterey Jack until evenly combined.
Mix in pimentos, green onion, seasonings, and hot sauce if using.
Fold everything together, chill 30 minutes, then serve as a dip or spread.

Notes

Drain the pimentos thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels before adding. Even a small amount of leftover liquid thins the spread and makes it harder to use as a sandwich filling.
Finely shredded cheese blends in more evenly than coarsely grated. Pre-shredded bags have a coating that resists blending so shredding your own from the block gives a better result.
Hot sauce is optional but a small dash sharpens the whole spread without making it spicy. Add it at the end and taste before adding more.
This spread keeps for up to five days covered in the fridge. The flavor actually improves on day two once everything has had more time to settle together.

Nutrition