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Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 130 reviews

This Southern Pimento Cheese is a creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy spread combining sharp cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and diced pimentos. Perfect for sandwiches, crackers, or as a flavorful dip, it’s a classic Southern staple that comes together quickly with just a few ingredients and no cooking required.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheeses

  • 2 cups shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened

Mix-ins

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 jar (4 ounce) diced pimento, drained

Seasonings

  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Beat cream cheese: In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy, creating a perfect base for your pimento cheese spread.
  2. Add remaining ingredients: To the whipped cream cheese, add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, and drained diced pimentos. Continue mixing with the hand mixer until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and evenly distributed.
  3. Season to taste: Taste the mixture and season with salt and black pepper according to your preference. For extra heat, add a little more cayenne pepper and mix well.
  4. Chill: Transfer the pimento cheese mixture to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and the spread to firm up slightly for easier spreading.

Notes

  • Use extra-sharp cheddar cheese for a robust, tangy flavor that is characteristic of Southern pimento cheese.
  • Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing to achieve a smoother texture.
  • You can adjust the cayenne pepper to control the level of spiciness according to your taste preferences.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 5 days for optimal freshness.
  • Pimento cheese can be served as a sandwich spread, dip with crackers or vegetables, or as a topping for burgers and grilled dishes.

Keywords: Southern Pimento Cheese, Pimento Cheese Spread, Cheese Spread, Southern Recipe, Pimento Cheese Dip, No Cook Spread

Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/southern-pimento-cheese-recipe/