This homemade Pimento Cheese is creamy, cheesy, and has just the right amount of heat. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare and improves after chilling, making it ideal for gatherings, cookouts, sandwiches, or simply as a satisfying snack.
Why You’ll Love This Pimento Cheese
- Sweet heat: Diced pimentos bring a subtle sweetness that balances the red pepper flakes, hot sauce, and a touch of Cajun seasoning.
- Cheese-forward: Extra-sharp cheddar provides bold flavor while pepper jack adds creaminess and a hint of spice.
- Quick to make: No cooking required—just mix, chill, and serve in about 15 minutes.
- Make-ahead friendly: Flavors deepen after a few hours in the refrigerator.
- Versatile: Use as a dip with crackers and vegetables, spread on biscuits or sandwiches, or spoon onto burgers and grilled items.
Table Of Contents
- What Sets This Recipe Apart
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How To Make Pimento Cheese
- Pro Tips
- What to Serve With Pimento Cheese
- How to Store Pimento Cheese
- Recipe FAQs
- More Classic Southern Recipes
What Sets This Recipe Apart
Pimento cheese can become loose or watery if there’s too much liquid or mayonnaise. This version stays creamy and scoopable while keeping visible pieces of cheese and pimento throughout the spread.
To achieve that balance, this recipe uses two jars (about 8 ounces) of diced pimentos and a base of both cream cheese and mayonnaise for richness and structure. The combination of extra-sharp cheddar and pepper jack delivers sharp flavor and a gentle heat that complements the pimentos.
Ingredients You’ll Need
(See the recipe card below for exact measurements.)
- Pimentos: Drain thoroughly before adding. These mild red peppers add color and a touch of sweetness.
- Extra-sharp cheddar and Pepper Jack: Buy block cheese and grate it yourself for the best texture and flavor.
- Cream cheese: Use full-fat, brick-style cream cheese at room temperature for a smooth, stable base.
- Mayonnaise: Adds creaminess—start with the listed amount and adjust only if you want a looser spread.
- Cajun seasoning: Adds savory, peppery notes. Because blends vary in salt, taste before adding extra salt.
- Hot sauce and red pepper flakes: Provide heat. Reduce or omit flakes for a milder spread.
- Garlic and onion powder: Round out the flavors so the spread isn’t flat.
- Scallions: Add fresh onion flavor and a pop of green color.
How To Make Pimento Cheese
Prep: Place the diced pimentos in a fine-mesh strainer and press out as much liquid as possible. Pat them dry with a paper towel if they still look wet.
Beat the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, hot sauce, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and black pepper with a hand mixer until smooth. Gently fold in the grated cheeses, drained pimentos, and diced scallions with a spatula so the shreds remain distinct. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the spread firm and the flavors meld. Stir and taste before serving, adjusting heat or seasoning if desired.
Pro Tips
- Grate cheese from a block: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can dry out the texture.
- Drain pimentos well: Excess liquid will make the spread watery and can cause separation.
- Use room-temperature cream cheese: Cold cream cheese can leave lumps and makes it harder to fold in the shredded cheese.
- Chill before serving: Thirty minutes is fine; a few hours is better. The spread thickens and flavors mellow as it rests.
- Taste before salting: The cheeses, mayo, and seasonings already add salt—adjust only if needed.
What to Serve With Pimento Cheese
Crackers & vegetables: Serve with buttery crackers, pretzels, celery, cucumber slices, or mini sweet peppers.
Biscuits: Split a warm biscuit and add a generous spoonful.
Sandwiches: Use as the sole filling for a classic pimento cheese sandwich or pair with fried or grilled proteins.
Burgers: Spoon onto a burger so the edges melt slightly for a rich topping.
How to Store Pimento Cheese
Store homemade pimento cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. It firms up while chilled; let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes and stir before serving.
Freezing is not recommended. Thawing can cause the mayonnaise and cream cheese to separate, resulting in a watery or grainy texture.
Recipe FAQs
It has a noticeable kick from the pepper jack, hot sauce, Cajun seasoning, and red pepper flakes. For a milder spread, use Monterey Jack or all cheddar instead of pepper jack and reduce the red pepper flakes.
Most often the pimentos weren’t drained well. Press and pat them dry. Also avoid adding extra mayonnaise before chilling; the spread will thicken in the refrigerator.
Yes. Prepare it one or two days ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. The flavors benefit from sitting together.
You can, but freshly grated cheese yields a creamier texture and cleaner flavor. Packaged shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make the spread feel slightly dry.
Yes. Both spellings refer to the same mild red pepper used in this spread. “Pimento cheese” is the common search term.
More Classic Southern Recipes
Main Course
Salmon Croquettes with Creole Tartar Sauce
Main Course
Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
Main Course
Crispy Catfish Nuggets with Creole Tartar Sauce
Main Course
Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Want more recipes? Subscribe to receive new seasonal recipes and updates.
If you make this recipe, please leave a rating on the recipe card and share a photo on social media using the recipe name so others can find your version.
Pimento Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 oz diced pimentos, drained
- 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 3 tbsp scallions, diced
- 8 oz extra sharp cheddar, shredded
- 4 oz pepper jack, shredded
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Place the diced pimentos in a fine-mesh strainer and press out as much liquid as possible. Pat dry if needed.
- Grate the cheeses using the large holes of a box grater.
- Beat the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, hot sauce, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and black pepper until smooth.
- Fold in the shredded cheeses, drained pimentos, and scallions, taking care not to crush the shreds.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the spread firm up and the flavors meld. Stir and taste before serving.
Notes
- Grate cheese from a block for the best texture.
- Drain pimentos very well to avoid a watery spread.
- Use room-temperature cream cheese to ensure a smooth base.
- Chill before serving to thicken and let flavors blend.
- Taste before adding salt—ingredients may already be salty enough.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation.