Homemade Pimento Cheese Recipe

Everyone needs a homemade pimento cheese recipes! Sharp cheddar, tangy cream cheese, rich mayonnaise, and plenty of mild pimentos make this southern favorite perfect for everything from lunch box sandwiches to weekend burgers on the grill.

Shopping list

All of the ingredients are readily available - nothing weird here!

• Sharp Cheddar
• Mild Cheddar
• Cream cheese
• Mayonnaise
• Pimentos
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Pepper
• Chipotle powder (optional)
• Smoked paprika (optional)

Tips

• I used shredded cheese to save time
• Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature
• Add more mayonnaise if you want a creamier spread
• You should let pimento cheese sit in the refrigerator for an hour or so to let the flavors blend
• Use it for sandwiches, on top of burgers, on crackers, or as a dip

Storage

This doesn't freeze well but it will keep in your refrigerator, tightly covered, for up to 2 weeks.

Variations

There are a ton of variations to homemade pimento cheese recipes. I think it tastes best served at room temperature - the flavors seem to really bloom.

Here are some of my favorites -

• Add chopped jalapeno
• Add chopped candied jalapeno
• Add chopped celery
• Chopped pickles are delicious in this
• Finely chopped onion can be added
• Use smoked Gouda instead of Cheddar
• Or try Pepper Jack
• Use it instead of sliced cheese on burgers
• Add a little mustard
• Stir in mashed chipotle in adobo

Related recipes

Cheese is such a budget friendly protein! Here are some more of my favorite recipes that feature it.

• Macaroni and Cheese topped with crispy, buttery breadcrumbs brings old fashioned goodness to your table whenever you need serious comfort food.
• Mac and Cheese with Beer is creamy, gooey-cheesy with a crispy topping like the old fashioned mac and cheese recipe your kids love but with a grown up flavor all its own!
• Pea Salad with Bacon and Cheese is a classic southern recipe that you’ll find at picnics and potlucks all summer long. Sweet peas, salty cheddar, crisp bacon, and mild red onions are blanketed with a simple mayonnaise dressing. 

Kaffeeklatch

If you've lived in the South for any length of time you've come upon pimento cheese in one form or another. It might be on sandwiches, mounded on a cracker, or slathered across a piece of celery but it will show up at parties nearly as often as deviled eggs.

There are as many homemade pimento cheese recipes as there are Southern cooks. Each has her own recipe passed down through the generations, and probably tweaked each time.

This is my favorite. The cream cheese adds a weight and richness to the spread that I love. I've had it made with just mayo before but it just seems bland to me -- and of course, the more jalapeños the better.

Try this between two slices of Amish milk bread for a real treat.

4.67 from 6 votes

Homemade Pimento Cheese Recipe

Print Pin Recipe Save Go to Collections

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Easy, homemade pimento cheese is a creamy Southern dip that is great for parties or as a filling for sandwiches. Budget friendly recipe that anyone can make - and it's delicious!

Course Appetizer/ Sandwich Filling

Cuisine Southern

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Chill: 8 hours

Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes

Servings:12 servings

Calories:297

Author:Marye Audet-White

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

1x2x3x

• ▢ 8 ounces Sharp Cheddar, shredded
• ▢ 8 ounces Mild Cheddar, or one of the variations - shredded
• ▢ 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ▢ 8 ounces pimentos, drained. You may want to use just 4 ounces - I like a lot of pimentos.
• ▢ 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• ▢ ½ cup Hellman's Mayo, , or your favorite brand, or homemade
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon Smoked paprika
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon Chipotle powder
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

• Put everything into a bowl and stir together until well mixed.
• Cover and refrigerate 8 hours before using to allow the flavors to blend, if possible.
• Sprinkle with more smoked paprika before serving.

Notes

Tips

• I used shredded cheese to save time
• Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature
• Add more mayonnaise if you want a creamier spread
• You should let pimento cheese sit in the refrigerator for an hour or so to let the flavors blend
• Use it for sandwiches, on top of burgers, on crackers, or as a dip

Storage

This doesn't freeze well but it will keep in your refrigerator, tightly covered, for up to 2 weeks.

Variations

There are a ton of variations to homemade pimento cheese recipes. I think it tastes best served at room temperature - the flavors seem to really bloom.

Here are some of my favorites -

• Add chopped jalapeno
• Add chopped candied jalapeno
• Add chopped celery
• Chopped pickles are delicious in this
• Finely chopped onion can be added
• Use smoked Gouda instead of Cheddar
• Or try Pepper Jack
• Use it instead of sliced cheese on burgers
• Add a little mustard
• Stir in mashed chipotle in adobo
• Stir in crisp, crumbled bacon

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 379mg | Potassium: 168mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2428IU | Vitamin C: 56mg | Calcium: 295mg | Iron: 1mg

Sign up for the emails and never miss another recipe!!

I'M IN!

We'll never share your email or send you spam. Pinkie swear.

First published June 16, 2015, last updated March 16, 2020 -improved images and readability plus updated information.