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Pimento Cheese Spread

Pimento Cheese Spread - recipe card
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A creamy, tangy Southern classic made from sharp cheddar, cream cheese, and diced pimentos with a hint of heat. This spread is smooth yet textured, perfect for slathering on crackers, stuffing celery, or melting onto burgers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1/2 cup full-fat mayonnaise (preferably Duke’s or Hellmann’s)
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 8 oz sharp yellow cheddar cheese, freshly grated (about 2 cups, loosely packed)
  • 4 oz extra-sharp white cheddar cheese, freshly grated (about 1 cup, loosely packed)
  • 1/4 cup diced pimentos (from a jar, drained well)
  • 1 tbsp pimento juice (reserved from the jar)

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 oz softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1/4 tsp cayenne, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp onion powder. Stir with a rubber spatula until the mixture is completely smooth and homogeneous — this ensures the seasonings are evenly distributed and prevents pockets of unseasoned cheese.
  2. Add 8 oz freshly grated sharp yellow cheddar and 4 oz freshly grated extra-sharp white cheddar to the bowl. Grate your own cheese from a block; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from blending smoothly and give the spread a gritty texture.
  3. Add 1/4 cup well-drained diced pimentos and 1 tbsp reserved pimento juice. Fold everything together gently but thoroughly with the spatula until all the cheese is evenly coated in the creamy base and the pimentos are dispersed. The pimento juice adds a subtle sweet acidity that brightens the spread.
  4. Taste the spread and adjust seasoning if needed: you may want a pinch more salt or cayenne depending on the sharpness of your cheese. The final texture should be thick, spreadable, and slightly chunky from the grated cheese.
  5. Transfer the pimento cheese to an airtight container, cover tightly, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the spread to firm up to a perfect consistency.
  6. Serve chilled or at room temperature with crackers, crusty bread, celery sticks, or as a topping for burgers and grilled sandwiches. For a hot pimento cheese dip, spread in a small baking dish and bake at 375°F / 190°C for 10-12 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Not recommended for freezing, as the mayonnaise and cream cheese will separate and become grainy upon thawing. To reheat as a warm dip, microwave in 15-second bursts at 50% power, stirring between each, or bake as described above. For a spicier kick, increase cayenne to 1/2 tsp or add a dash of hot sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: pimento cheese spread, Southern pimento cheese, easy cheese spread, sharp cheddar spread, pimento cheese recipe, no-cook appetizer, party dip, Southern snack, creamy cheese spread, pimento cheese dip

Find it online: https://copycatkitchenco.com/pimento-cheese-spread/