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Southern Pimento Cheese: A Creamy, Tangy Southern Classic

Southern pimento cheese is one of those recipes that proves simple ingredients can create something incredibly satisfying. Creamy, sharp, slightly tangy, and packed with little pieces of sweet pimentos, this beloved Southern spread can be served as a dip, sandwich filling, cracker topping, or accompaniment to vegetables.

Often nicknamed “the pâté of the South,” pimento cheese has a long-standing place at Southern gatherings, picnics, lunches, and holiday tables. While recipes vary from family to family, the heart of the dish remains the same: good cheese, creamy mayonnaise, and chopped pimentos.

The beauty of homemade pimento cheese is that you can adjust nearly every element to suit your taste. Prefer a stronger cheese? Add extra sharp cheddar. Want some heat? Include jalapeño or cayenne. Like it extra creamy? Add a little more mayonnaise.

Below is a straightforward recipe that delivers a flavorful, well-balanced Southern-style pimento cheese.

What Is Pimento Cheese?

Pimento cheese is a cold cheese spread traditionally made with shredded cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and chopped pimentos. Pimentos are small, sweet red peppers that are typically sold jarred and preserved.

Although the basic recipe is uncomplicated, the final flavor depends heavily on the ingredients and how they are combined. Sharp cheddar gives the mixture a deep, savory flavor, mayonnaise creates its creamy texture, and pimentos add sweetness, color, and a mild pepper flavor.

Some versions include cream cheese for extra richness, while others add mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, onion, cayenne, or hot sauce.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For approximately 2½–3 cups of pimento cheese:

8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
4 ounces mild or medium cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
½ cup mayonnaise
4 ounces jarred pimentos, drained and finely chopped
1 teaspoon yellow or Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Salt, to taste
1–2 tablespoons finely chopped pickled jalapeños, optional

Why Freshly Shredded Cheese Matters

For the best texture, shred the cheese yourself rather than using pre-shredded cheese. Packaged shredded cheese often contains anti-caking ingredients that can make the finished spread slightly drier or less creamy.

A combination of sharp and mild cheddar also gives the recipe more depth. The sharp cheddar provides a pronounced cheese flavor, while the milder cheddar keeps the mixture balanced.

How to Make Southern Pimento Cheese Step by Step

Step 1: Prepare the Cheese

Start by shredding the cheddar cheese using the large holes of a box grater.

Place the shredded cheese in a large mixing bowl.

For the most authentic texture, avoid shredding the cheese too finely. Slightly larger shreds create a pleasant texture throughout the spread.

Tip: Let refrigerated cheese sit at room temperature for about 10–15 minutes before mixing. Slightly softened cheese combines more easily with the mayonnaise.

Step 2: Prepare the Pimentos

Drain the jarred pimentos thoroughly.

This step is important because excess liquid can make the pimento cheese watery.

Finely chop the pimentos into small pieces. You want them distributed throughout the mixture rather than appearing in large chunks.

Add the chopped pimentos to the bowl containing the shredded cheese.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Seasoning Mixture

In a separate small bowl, combine:

Mayonnaise
Mustard
Worcestershire sauce
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Black pepper
Cayenne pepper, if using

Stir until everything is evenly blended.

Taste the mixture before adding salt. Cheddar cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and pimentos can already provide plenty of saltiness, so you may need only a small pinch.