Transform a Southern classic, Pimento Cheese Dip, into a quick and easy burrito dinner. Or, keep it warm in a crock pot for an amazing hot dip to serve for Game Day or your next get together. If you’ve never tried pimento cheese as a warm crockpot dip instead of a cold spread, you’re going to love it.
Pimento cheese, for the uninitiated, is a cheese spread made with cheddar cheese and mayonnaise. If you’re from the Carolinas then you’re very familiar with pimento cheese.
80% of all pimento cheese is consumed in the Southeast, with North Carolina being the number one consumer. The rest of you are missing out, so I’m here to share a pimento cheese dip that will convert you. Not a dip person, try making the fluffiest biscuits with it or top breakfast potatoes.
Don’t worry, I’ll let you know how and where you can find authentic Southern pimento cheese. (spoiler alert – it’s MyThreeSons Gourmet)
Game day is a big deal in the South, it starts with college football in the fall and just keeps on going through the Super Bowl and on to March Madness and the Final Four. That’s a lot of sporting events where you need food and appetizers to munch on.
A staple for anyone having friends over to watch a game around here is going to be a hot pimento cheese dip using our favorite home town brand of pimento cheese, MyThreeSons Gourmet, made right here in Greensboro.
While pimento cheese spread is delicious all by itself with chips, crackers, carrot sticks or celery sticks, this Southern pimento cheese dip recipe made in a crock pot is even better, and the crock pot keeps it warm for the whole game.
For those occasions when you want something heartier then a crock pot cheese dip, try making pimento cheese burritos or tacos with ground beef or chicken, or leave them out for a vegetarian version. It’s a family favorite and so simple to make.
Table of contents
Why you’ll love it
- The texture of the pimento cheese makes it great for dipping
- You can serve it wrapped in a tortilla or as a dip
- It can stay warm in a crock pot or serve right out of the skillet
- You can use ground beef or chicken or make it vegetarian
- It makes enough to feed a hungry crowd
- We all could use a quick and easy “no-fail” appetizer
What is pimento cheese?
Pimento cheese is a creamy cheese spread with three basic ingredients, cheddar cheese, mayonnaise and pimento peppers of course. The pimento cheese that we love to use is MyThreeSons Gourmet. It’s thick and creamy with extra sharp cheddar cheese, some secret seasonings and no preservatives or artificial anything.
This really sets it apart from other packaged pimento cheese brands that you’ll see at the grocery store. Some pimento cheese has so much mayonnaise that you can’t taste the cheese, but for me, MyThreeSons Gourmet has the perfect amount of cheese (it is loaded) and just enough mayo to make it creamy without it separating when heated.
MyThreeSons Gourmet was started when the owner wanted to provide homemade pimento cheese that tasted just as good as what she grew up eating. She came up with three versions, Emmy’s Original, Fiery Jalapeño and Spicy White Cheddar. I used the Spicy White Cheddar for this game day dip. It adds a little spice but not too much.
Where can you find MyThreeSons Gourmet pimento cheese?
MyThreeSons Gourmet pimento cheese can be found almost anywhere in the Carolinas – Harris Teeter, Lowes Food, Publix, Whole Foods and Fresh Market. If you’re out of state, no worries, it’s carried in Publix, Harris Teeter, Lowes Food and Whole Foods on the East coast and in Whole Foods along with many specialty groceries, on the West coast and throughout the rest of the country. Check out this list of where you can find it where you live.
What you’ll need
- Pimento cheese – MyThreeSons Gourmet is thick and creamy which gives you a perfect consistency and the taste is phenomenal. My gang likes things spicy so I used the Spicy White Cheddar.
- Ground beef/chicken – you can use either or leave out completely and make it vegetarian.
- Corn – canned corn, or you can use frozen, just let it thaw before adding.
- Black beans – one can or more if you’re making it vegetarian, totally optional but they’re a great addition.
- Rotel tomatoes and chilies – I love this product and use it for so many recipes, you can use the mild or spicy version.
- Onion – Vidalia for a milder taste.
- Fresh Cilantro – fresh adds more flavor.
- Seasonings – sugar, chili powder, oregano and cumin. If you want it spicy, add some cayenne pepper or hot sauce. If you really want it spicy, add some chopped jalapeno peppers.
- Soft tortillas/tortilla chips – if serving as a dip, it’s thick so you’ll need a strong chip to hold the dip. If making burritos use flour tortillas.
How do you make a burrito recipe with pimento cheese?
Whether you’re making these into burritos or serving as a warm cheese dip, you can make it completely in a skillet, or after you’ve browned the meat, transfer it to a crock pot to keep it warm.
Step 1
If using a crock pot, turn it to the low setting and add a package of MyThreeSons Gourmet pimento cheese.
Step 2
Heat olive oil in a 10 inch skillet and sauté onions until they have softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add ground beef or chicken and cook until brown and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease. Add cilantro and seasonings. At this point you can add to the crock pot or leave in the skillet.
If you are leaving it in the skillet, add the pimento cheese to the skillet and stir until melted.
Step 3
Drain the beans, corn and tomatoes and add to the rest of the ingredients.
Stir until combined and let it simmer until it’s warmed throughout, about 10-15 minutes in a crock pot or about 5 minutes on the stove.
Serve wrapped up in a tortilla with some warmed pimento cheese poured over the top, or serve with tortilla chips.
How do you make a hot pimento cheese dip?
If you really love pimento cheese like I do, and you want to serve this as a dip rather than make it into burritos, just scoop it with your favorite corn chips. However, if you love cheese, try adding a second container of pimento cheese to the mixture. This makes it super cheesy and even better!
If you need more recipes to serve along side your pimento cheese dip, check out 25 of my top game day appetizers, or if you love pimento cheese you’ll find some great pimento cheese recipes at MyThreeSons Gourmet, because while we love our sports, it’s really all about the food. 🥰
If you have left overs, just let it cool and store in an airtight container. You can microwave it or place in a skillet to warm it up.
Recipe tips
- Rinse the beans thoroughly before adding to the dip. This removes extra starch and salt and improves the flavor.
- Drain the canned corn and tomatoes, otherwise your dip will have too much liquid.
- For a spicy version, add some red pepper flakes.
- If you want to make this mild, use Emmy’s Original instead of the Spicy White Cheddar and use mild Rotel tomatoes.
FAQs
Pimentos are a large chili pepper that are sweet rather than spicy. Similar to a red pepper but sweeter. They are commonly found in stuffed green olives and in pimento cheese!
Pimento cheese will last about one to two weeks in the fridge. Like any cheese, it will begin to mold as it ages.
You can not freeze pimento cheese because it contains mayonnaise which will separate when frozen.
Pimento cheese burritos can easily be made vegetarian. Leave out the meat and add more beans and corn if desired.
On the East coast it can be found in Publix, Harris-Teeter, Lowes Food and Whole Foods. On the West coast it can be found in Whole Foods and other specialty stores. Here’s a full list of stores that carry it.
While most think of pimento cheese as a cold cheese spread for crackers, try warming it up for a delicious warm dip.
Other than crackers and celery sticks, trying making pimento cheese sandwiches, or use it to top your favorite burgers or sliders. It also makes an awesome grilled cheese sandwich, the skies the limit.
More game day dips to try
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Pimento Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 10 ounces Spicy Pimento Cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup Vidalia onion chopped
- 1 lb ground beef/chicken
- ⅓ cup fresh cilantro
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 can corn (15 ounces) drained
- 1 can black beans (15 ounces) drained
- 1 can Rotel tomatoes and chilies (10 ounces)
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Instructions
- Turn a slow cooker to warm and add 10 ounces of pimento cheese.
- Heat olive oil in a 10 inch skillet over medium-high heat, add onion and sauté until tender. Add meat and cook until browned. Drain excess fat. Add cilantro, sugar and seasonings. Simmer for a few minutes. If using a slow cooker, add the meat mixture to the slow cooker.
- Drain the beans and rinse well. Drain the corn and tomatoes and add to the meat mixture. Stir all ingredients until combined. Add salt and pepper to taste. Heat for 10-15 minutes then use as a filling for burritos or serve with chips.
- If cooking on the stove, add the pimento cheese to the meat mixture and stir until melted. Once melted, add the drained beans, corn and tomatoes and mix to combine. Let simmer for 5-10 minutes until heated through.
- If serving as a dip, try doubling the pimento cheese for a cheesier dip.
Video
Barbara’s Tips + Notes
- Make sure to rinse the black beans thoroughly to remove the extra starch and salt.
- This dip is best warm but is still delicious at room temperature.
- Add red pepper flakes to make it spicier.
- Try doubling the pimento cheese if you want a cheesier dip.
- This can be made ahead and rewarmed in a slow cooker or a skillet.
Nutrition
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Absolutely LOVE the ease of this recipe and pimento cheese.. YUM!
Isn’t Pimento cheese the best!
Love this idea – perfect for a game day recipe!
This recipe is speaking my love language!! Everything in this warm and comforting dip sounds fantastic! Definitely need to make this one 😊
I think you’ll love it!
I’ll definitely be making this dip for the Super Bowl, so good!
Can’t wait to hear how you like it.
Such a favorite of mine! I love spreading it on burgers! Thanks for a great recipe!
It’s the best on a burger!