Pimento Cheese Dip Recipe (2024)

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Pimento Cheese Dip Recipe is creamy and delicious with only a few ingredients. It’s the perfect snack, party food or appetizer for any occasion.

Pimento Cheese Dip Recipe (1)

Did you grow up eating pimento cheese sandwiches? It is a delicious Southern favorite full of cheesy goodness. We love to enjoy it as a dip for snacking and it’s super fun and easy snack recipe.

While grocery store bought pimento cheese works in a pinch, it does not compare to homemade. The secret to good pimento cheese is to use really sharp cheddar. You may also like these Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs.

Table of Contents

  • What are Pimento Peppers?
  • Ingredients:
  • Variations Ideas:
  • Step By Step Instructions:
  • Expert Tips:
  • Serving Suggestions:
  • Other Ways to Serve:
  • How to Store:
  • More Easy Dip Recipes:
  • Pimento cheese dip Recipe

What are Pimento Peppers?

They are a mild sweet pepper that is red. They are not spicy at all and typically are small peppers.

Ingredients:

Pimento Cheese Dip Recipe (2)
  • Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese
  • Cream Cheese
  • Jarred Pimento Peppers, drained and chopped
  • Mayonnaise
  • Garlic Powder
  • Cayenne Pepper
  • Pepper

For the full list of ingredients and recipe, scroll to the bottom for the recipe card.

Variations Ideas:

  • Top on Jam – This is optional but pimento cheese dip is really good topped with hot tomato jam. The sweet jam and savory dip combine for a great snack. Just put a small dollop on top of the dip.
  • Cheese – Use sharp or extra sharp cheddar. This gives it the best flavor.
  • Cayenne Pepper – Add if you want a little heat or check out our Best Cayenne Pepper Substitute for more ideas.
  • Roasted Red Peppers – If you can’t find pimentos, you can substitute with roasted red peppers.

Step By Step Instructions:

  • Step 1 – Place all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl including diced pimentos.
  • Step 2 –Mix together all of the ingredients. You can use a hand held mixture or a sturdy spoon by hand. Just make sure everything is well combined.
Pimento Cheese Dip Recipe (3)
  • Step 3 – Finally, scoop the pimento dip into a small serving bowl.

Expert Tips:

  • Shredded Cheese – Try to hand grate the cheese instead of using pre shredded cheese. Shredded cheese has additives that can change the consistency.
  • Pimento Peppers – Make sure to drain really well before mixing into the dip. You don’t want any extra liquid or it will be runny. You can chop the pimento cheese in a food processor.
  • Cream Cheese – The cream cheese needs to be full fat. While you can certainly use reduced fat, it does not have the rich flavor pimento cheese is known for.
  • Mayo – You don’t need much but make sure it is a good brand. Use what your family prefers if you are brand loyal.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve this Pimento Cheese Dip with your favorite dippers. These are some of our favorites.

  • Veggies: We love celery sticks. carrot sticks and sliced green and red bell peppers.
  • Crackers, tortilla chips and pita chips are all tasty options for dipping.

Other Ways to Serve:

This is so delicious that you will be looking for ways to serve this.

  • I love it on burgers. Add it to your bun to make your burger creation amazing!
  • Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. Take this traditional sandwich to the next level when you make a grilled cheese with this.
  • Biscuits. Serve the dip warm and load your biscuit with it. I like it with just pimento cheese but you could also add bacon.
  • BLT– Jazz up your next bacon lettuce and tomato sandwich with a scoop of pimento cheese spread. Yum!
Pimento Cheese Dip Recipe (4)

How to Store:

The homemade pimento cheese dip can be stored in an air tight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. If you love it as much as we do, you might want to make a double batch. It is perfect for a quick snack or lunch.

More Easy Dip Recipes:

  • Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip
  • Crack Dip recipe
  • Smoked Salmon Dip
  • Crock Pot Rotel Dip
  • Pizza Dip
  • Dill Pickle Dip
  • Fiesta Ranch Dip
  • Texas Caviar Dip Recipe
  • Ground beef taco dip

We love hearing from you. If you make this Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe, make sure to leave us a comment or star review.

Pimento Cheese Dip Recipe (5)

Review

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Pimento cheese dip

4.99 from 85 votes

Pimento cheese dip is creamy and delicious with only a few ingredients. It's the perfect snack, party food or appetizer for any occasion.

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Servings 9

Cuisine American

Course Appetizer

Calories 212

Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded
  • 8 oz Cream Cheese Softened at room temperature and cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 4 oz Pimento Peppers drained and chopped
  • 2 Tbsp Mayonnaise
  • 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper Optional
  • 1/4 tsp Pepper

Instructions

  • Place all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

  • Mix together with a hand held mixer or by hand with a sturdy spoon until the mixture is thoroughly combined.

  • Serve immediately and enjoy with your favorite dippers!

Nutrition Facts

Calories 212kcal, Carbohydrates 2g, Protein 8g, Fat 19g, Saturated Fat 11g, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 55mg, Sodium 258mg, Potassium 82mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 1g, Vitamin A 927IU, Vitamin C 11mg, Calcium 207mg, Iron 1mg

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About the Author

Pimento Cheese Dip Recipe (14)

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

About Carrie Page
Pimento Cheese Dip Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is pimento dip made of? ›

What Is Pimento Cheese? Pimento cheese is a popular Southern spread that's traditionally made with shredded Cheddar, mayonnaise, and pimentos. It's commonly served with crackers and vegetables or as a sandwich filling. Pimento cheese is often called the "pâté of the south."

How is pimento cheese made from scratch? ›

Stir together pimiento, mayonnaise, Worcestershire, onion, and cayenne in a large bowl. Stir cheeses into pimiento mixture until well combined. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 1 week.

How long does homemade pimento cheese keep in the refrigerator? ›

If you have homemade pimiento cheese to use up, our test kitchen suggests storing it covered in the refrigerator for up to one week.

What are the ingredients in palmetto cheese? ›

Palmetto Cheese is gluten free, made with Wisconsin sharp cheddar, cream cheese, mayonnaise and chopped pimentos along with other quality ingredients. Our pimento cheese has the taste and texture of homemade and is currently available in over 10,000 locations in 45 states and Washington D.C.

What is pimento made of mayonnaise? ›

Pimento cheese (or pimiento cheese) is a spread typically made of cheese, mayonnaise, and pimentos and served on crackers and vegetables or in sandwiches.

What do you serve with pimento cheese dip? ›

The best cracker for pimento cheese is a water cracker or a rustic whole wheat flatbread dipped in herbs and flaky salt. Additionally, buttery Club crackers and pita chips are also good options due to their neutral flavors.

What is pimento cheese called in the South? ›

Most Southerners have fond memories of a loving aunt mixing up a batch for a church gathering, while Northerners haven't the foggiest idea what pimento cheese even is. Affectionately referred to as “Carolina caviar” or “Southern pate,” it has been a Southern staple for well over 50 years.

What is a substitute for pimentos in pimento cheese? ›

And as far as the pimentos go, purists will likely cry foul, but roasted red bell peppers and diced green chiles make fine, tasty alternatives.

What is the difference between palmetto cheese and pimento cheese? ›

Palmetto Cheese is a trademark for a brand of pimento cheese from Pawleys Island Specialty Foods, a division of Get Carried Away, based in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. It is manufactured and packaged at Duke Sandwich Productions located in Easley, South Carolina.

Can I freeze homemade pimento cheese? ›

While you can put pimento cheese in the freezer for up to three months, it can affect the texture. We suggest putting it to good use in a recipe after freezing! Is pimento cheese served hot or cold? Pimento cheese is perfect for parties, no matter how you like to share it!

Can pimento cheese go bad? ›

Once opened, as long as the product remains refrigerated, Palmetto Cheese should be good until the date printed on the side of the lid. However, like any product, the “freshness” will be compromised after a few weeks, though it would remain safe to eat. After the expiration date, the product should be discarded.

Why did Costco stop selling palmetto pimento cheese? ›

Costco reportedly pulls Palmetto Cheese after founder calls Black Lives Matter a 'terror organization' Costco has reportedly removed Palmetto Cheese from store shelves after the owner of the pimento cheese brand called Black Lives Matter a "terror organization."

What brand of pimento cheese is from South Carolina? ›

Pawleys Island Specialty Foods is a wholesale food company based in Pawleys Island, SC. We are the creators and marketers of the #1 brand of pimento cheese in America called Palmetto Cheese. Founded in 2006, Pawleys Island Specialty Foods continues to develop and market new products for retail customers.

How long is pimento cheese good after opening? ›

Homemade pimento cheese should last about ten days in the fridge. The store bought varieties, which often include preservatives, will keep for around four weeks after opening.

What are pimentos and what do they taste like? ›

Pimentos are sweet and mild, and unlikely to cause trouble if you cannot tolerate spicy peppers. They register between 100 and 500 heat units on the Scoville scale, making them one of the mildest of all the chile peppers. Think of them as a sweeter and more aromatic red bell pepper.

Is pimento a cheese or pepper? ›

Pimientos are mild, sweet peppers that are are usually found canned or jarred in grocery stores. You can use them in your cooking the same way you would roasted red peppers.

What makes a pimento? ›

Pimento (also spelled pimiento) peppers are small red peppers that are not at all spicy. They're often called cherry peppers when you find them sold fresh in grocery stores. Pimento peppers are even more mild than red bell peppers. You might recognize them as the little red peppers stuffed inside green olives.

What does pimento dip taste like? ›

What Does Pimento Cheese Taste Like? Pimento cheese is a creamy and tangy spreadable cheese mixture. It can be spicy depending on what add-ins you include, or even more tangy with the addition of ingredients like pickles or Worcestershire sauce.

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