Our Favorite Pimento Cheese.
This is our favorite pimento cheese recipe ever! Finally in one place for you. My pimento cheese is partially whipped and has so much ridiculously flavor. Perfect for dipping or melting in a grilled cheese. Eeeep!
Oh how I love this wonderful spread!
And I’m finally putting my favorite pimento cheese recipe in one place for you!
Over the years, ever since we got into pimento cheese (it was fairly recently, haha – you may remember!), I’ve linked back to one of my random recipes that includes pimento cheese. But you end up having to search for it in the recipe. So here we go! It’s here, in one place. The best of the best.
This is our absolute favorite favorite favorite pimento cheese recipe. Now, of course I do love a version with bacon. Or with candied jalapeños. I love to fancify in a few different ways. But this is our base. This is the base that I make and everyone loves – and then if I want to trash it up somehow, I go from here.
What I love most about this is that it’s sort of… whipped. And the way I discovered how much we love that?
By complete accident.
For the last few years I’ve made similar versions of this and just mixed all the ingredients together in a bowl until combined. Occasionally, I use a hand mixer. It never looks gorgeous or appetizing or anything, but it tastes like heaven. And the key is that it’s combined, that’s all we really need.
Then one day, I forgot how to make it and thought I threw the ingredients in the food processor to blend. Ummm… I normally do not. But that is how this wonderful whipped version of pimento cheese was born!
It’s not fully whipped. I like to keep some of the cheddar out, then fold it into the whipped consistency to keep that classic pimento dip texture. But it’s more whipped than it would be if you just stirred everything together in a bowl. And it is freaking delish! You can see me make it on instagram stories today for a step-by-step.
I always love to make recipes using this around kentucky derby time and this year is no different!
I have a few recipes coming up in the next ten days using this pimento cheese, so you might want to make a batch and just stick it in your fridge right now. Swear you won’t regret it!
If you are new to pimento cheese, it’s amazing served with pretzels or crackers. Basically anything crunchy. Carrots and celery too, if you want to get into the whole veggie thing. It’s so good on a cheeseboard, but also amazing served alone with the dippers. It’s a great thing to have in the fridge if you’re feeling snack too!
Of course, if you’re looking for something to do with extra pimento cheese, I’m your girl. I’ve made cheeseburgers, crispy chicken tacos with pimento cheese, crostini, pimento grilled cheese with pickle slaw, flatbread, grits, chicken quesadillas and chicken salad.
I KNOW. It’s insane. So many options!
All super worth it. Fantastic.
Our Favorite Pimento Cheese
Pimento Cheese
Ingredients
- 12 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 ounces pimentos, drained
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- kosher salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, for topping
Instructions
- Freshly grate the cheddar cheese and set about 4 ounces of it aside.
- Combine the cream cheese, drained pimentos, remaining white cheddar, mayo, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and a pinch of salt and pepper in a food processor. Pulse and blend until combined and somewhat whipped - you don’t want to overwhip it. I pulse for about a minute off and on until it appears blended but not 100% smooth.
- Remove the pimento cheese from the processor and place it in a bowl. Stir in the remaining white cheddar. At this point you can store it in the fridge for a few days. To serve, top with the fresh chives!
- Serve with pretzels, crackers, chips, carrots, celery or any of your favorite dippers. Or make any of the recipes I linked above!
Did you make this recipe?
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I appreciate you so much!
Now what’s your favorite use for this delicious dip?!
25 Comments on “Our Favorite Pimento Cheese.”
What brand of candied jalpenos do you buy and where do you find them?
Never thought of them and already thinking of other recipes that I could add them to.
so i usually make my own! you can find them here: https://www.howsweeteats.com/2015/04/bacon-ciabatta-crostini-with-pimento-cheese-and-candied-jalapenos/
trader joes has some sweet+spicy jalapenos in a jar, but they aren’t candied. still really good though!
Grumpy Man makes a delicious candied jalapeño I use in my pimiento cheese. I live in Alabama, but I’m sure you can find it on online.
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If this is as good as your Pub Cheese recipe, sign me up! Everybody – please try the pub cheese also because it’s insane delicious!
will be making this soon can i use vegan chedar cheese cream cheese and mayo as am a vegan perfect for my snacks will dm you if i make this and let you know how it goes Thanks Ramya
If your using white cheddar how come the picture shows such a deep orange hue, there isn’t that much paprika in the recipe to color it that much,
because when you whip it, the pimentos blend up and give it some red color. if you go look at my instagram stories right now you can see how it happens!
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Made it last night. Great flavor. We’re having it for lunch today. Thank for the recipe!
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According to Business Insider, the increase in the demand for cheese has caused the product’s price to reach record highs, especially since many of the restaurants that are able to remain open with takeout and delivery are big cheese users (think pizzerias and fast-food eateries). Lakewood Flooring
Thank you, Captain Obvious! We all know the price of ingredients when we go shopping! How about you don’t comment on an amazing recipe developer about anything other than their recipe? She’s amazing and so fun to follow!
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I haven’t tried this recipe but it looks delicious. Can you clarify, it says remaining white cheddar in both step 2 and 3. My gut tells me that you put the bulk of it in step 2 and the remainder in step 3. Am I correct? Cant wait to try this.
Delicious!! Made for a Labor Day cook out. My friends couldn’t stop eating it. I have already given out several copies of this recipe. This is one I will make over and over again. The food processor makes it quick and easy. Thanks for posting this pimento cheese recipe.
This is great, Jessica! For some reason, I only think about Pimento Cheese every year during The Master golf tournament. I always enjoy it, tho. Might have to start making them year round. Alexi Ojeda Roofing
Love this recipe! I’ve made it so many times that I don’t even need to look at the recipe anymore. I eat it with crackers to dip or turn into a grilled cheese sandwich. Do good. Thank you for this recipe.
where can I find that cute jar it is in!! :)
it’s a weck jar! https://amzn.to/42sGIXO
Very yummy on top of burgers!
This was delicious and most people that tried it sounded delicious!! I made it by myself and my dad said it was delicious!!
How much does this make? Is cheddar by weight or volume?