Pimento cheese is a Southern classic you’ll find at just about any potluck or party. It’s creamy and ultra cheesy, with that perfect zing only real mayo provides. Cream cheese makes it super creamy and easy to spread while the addition of chipotle peppers instead of pimentos adds a smokey flavor. With two types of cheddar, you won’t be able to pass up this Southern appetizer.
Cream Cheese Pimento Cheese
There’s no cooking involved in this Southern dip and you can make it in less than 10 minutes flat with just 5 simple ingredients. Yes, it’s that easy! Cold dips are great for tailgates or picnics or when you’ve been tasked with bringing an appetizer. Pimento cheese is so versatile because it can be left out a room temperature or even withstand the heat for a few hours.
If taking to an outdoor event where it’s hot, you may need to keep it in a bowl filled with ice or try bringing something without mayonnaise like a peach salsa with corn.
Around here, everyone has their favorite way to make pimento cheese, kind of like potato salad. I don’t like it when it has too much mayonnaise, so instead I add a little cream cheese along with just a touch of mayonnaise. That way it’s still creamy but firm.
What makes any pimento cheese stand out is the quality of the ingredients. It just has a few, so use hand grated cheese and your favorite mayo, mine is Hellman’s. It also has two types of cheddar cheese which adds some interest along with the chipotle peppers.
While you might think that it can’t be pimento cheese without pimentos, not everyone likes pimentos.(not my favorite) Chipotle peppers make a great substitute adding a little Tex-Mex flavor along with a hint of spice.
Ways to Enjoy Pimento Cheese
The Masters brought the pimento cheese sandwich to the rest of the world, and while those are hard to beat, you’ll also find pimento cheese at showers, Derby parties (on a biscuit, of course), graduation parties, holiday gatherings, Super Bowl parties and tailgates.
You can use it to make pimento cheese sausage balls, or a hot pimento cheese dip mixed with ground beef. Add it to breakfast potatoes, or use it to make cheesy biscuits.
No matter what the occasion, we sure do enjoy this flavorful dip, and you can spread it on everything, from crackers and celery sticks, to burgers, chili and even eggs!
It’s a great addition to whatever other appetizers you might be serving and can be made a couple of days in advance. Try serving it alongside a pull apart baked brie (YUM!), caramelized onion puffed pastries, parmesan chicken wings or sausage rolls.
What is pimento cheese?
Pimento cheese is a beloved recipe in the South that doubles as both a dip and a condiment, known for its creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor. It’s typically made of a mixture of various grated cheese as well as diced pimentos (but I use chipotle peppers instead). It’s a simple recipe that’s easy to make in a couple of minutes and can be used as a spread on sandwiches, crackers, and burgers, or as a dip for vegetables and chips.
What can I put pimento cheese spread on?
This deliciously smoky version of pimento cheese can be slathered on just about anything. Here’s a list of our favorites:
Veggies: Make a veggie plate of raw carrot sticks, crisp and colorful yellow and red bell peppers, and celery sticks.
Crackers and Snack Foods: Serve on a platter with Ritz crackers, vegetable crackers, butter crackers, tortilla chips, and pretzels. Also, try crostini, or breadsticks.
Sandwich Spread: Make a pimento grilled cheese sandwich by using the spread as the filling of your grilled cheese, or just slather between 2 slices of white bread to make classic pimento cheese sandwiches.
Burgers: Use pimento cheese on a cheeseburger instead of mayo and other typical condiments.
Breakfast: Spread on a bagel or scoop a good dollop over your fried eggs for a cheesy breakfast treat.
Potatoes: Mix some pimento cheese into your mashed potatoes or serve over baked potatoes for some extra flavor.
Why You’ll Love Smoky Pimento Cheese with Chipotle Peppers
- Easy recipe: If you can grate your own cheese and use a hand mixer, you can make this!
- Complex, smoky flavor: My version uses chipotle peppers for just a bit more spicy kick and a smoky, complex flavor that regular pimento peppers don’t provide.
- Ready in minutes: You just have to mix everything together with a hand mixer – no baking or cooking required!
Pimento Cheese with Cream Cheese Ingredients
- Cream cheese – You need this to be at room temperature, so take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you start making the dip.
- Mayonnaise – It needs to be the real thing. Hellman’s and Duke’s are the two most popular brands.
- White and orange cheddar cheese – Try sharp cheddar and sharp white cheddar. Grate it yourself for the best flavor and texture.
- Chipotle peppers – You can find these jarred or canned in adobo sauce at the grocery store. Drain and chop them before you add them to your mixture.
- Salt & black pepper – to taste
How To Make this Southern Specialty
It’s so easy to make you hardly need directions.
Measure the cream cheese and mayonnaise into a large mixing bowl. Mix using a hand mixer until the cream cheese and mayo are completely combined. Next add the grated cheese and beat again.
Add chopped chipotle peppers and beat one last time until everything is well combined.
How to Store Pimento Cheese
At room temperature: If you’re serving this at a party, try not to keep it out of the fridge for more than a few hours.
In the fridge: Store your dip in an airtight container and it will stay fresh in the fridge for 4-5 days. Since it doesn’t have any preservatives, the cheese will start to mold in about a week.
In the freezer: I don’t recommend you freeze pimento cheese, but if you do, keep in mind it will probably lose its texture. It would still be good used in a recipe but not as a dip.
Ways to Use Pimento Cheese
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Pimento Cheese with Cream Cheese and Chipotle Peppers
Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese grated, 8 ounces
- 2 cups white cheddar cheese grated, 8 ounces
- 2 tablespoons chipotle peppers chopped
- Salt & pepper to taste
Equipment
Instructions
- Grate the cheese. Drain and chop the chipotle peppers. Set aside.
- Measure cream cheese and mayonnaise into a large bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper. Using a hand mixer on medium speed, beat together until creamy and lump-free. Add grated cheese and beat until your desired texture is reached. Add chipotle peppers and beat again until well combined.
Barbara’s Tips + Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature so that it will combine with the mayonnaise.
- You can use pimentos instead of chipotle peppers.
- Add more mayonnaise if you want a thinner consistency.
Nutrition
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