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I love pimento cheese. There, I said it. If you’re not from the South, you might be wondering, “What is pimento cheese?”

Pimento cheese is a classic Southern cheddar cheese and pimento pepper dip. It’s affectionately referred to as “pâté du Sud,” or Southern pâté. If you appreciate cheddar cheese, pimento cheese is going to be your new favorite party dip and sandwich spread.

My grandmother, Mimi, made pimento cheese when I was little. I was a picky eater back then, but at least I had the good sense to appreciate her pimento cheese. I order pimento cheese every time I find it on a menu, which to my delight, seems to be happening more frequently these days.

I tried to find Mimi’s recipe in her handwritten recipe books, which are one of my most treasured possessions, along with her ring that I now wear on my left hand. I got lost in nostalgia and found my great-aunt’s Jell-o cucumber salad recipe, but not Mimi’s pimento cheese.

So, I came up with my own pimento cheese recipe. Let’s make some!

What are pimento peppers?

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.

If you’re from the Midwest, rest assured that pimento cheese has nothing to do with pimento loaf. Pimento peppers are the only common ingredient.

Pimento Cheese Ingredients

In its most essential form, pimento cheese is made with cheddar cheese, pimento peppers and mayonnaise. I’ve played with the proportions of common elements to find my ideal levels of cheesy, tangy, peppery (spicy if you wish), and spreadable.

Freshly made, homemade pimento cheese tastes far superior to store-bought options. By making it yourself with quality ingredients, you can avoid strange preservatives. Here’s what you’ll need.

Extra-Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Be sure to buy a delicious extra-sharp variety so the cheddar flavor shines above all else. I used Tillamook.

Grate your cheese by hand on the large holes of a box grater. Don’t buy pre-shredded cheese, which is coated in powder that mutes the flavor and interferes with its creamy texture.

Cream Cheese

Cream cheese enhances the cheddar flavor and ensures that your pimento cheese is tangy and spreadable.

Not all pimento cheese recipes include cream cheese, but it just doesn’t taste right to me without it. I’d bet money that Mimi’s pimento cheese was made with cream cheese. If you read Serious Eats’ lengthy history on pimento cheese, you’ll see that cream cheese and pimentos have been friends for a long time.

Pimento Peppers

Pimento peppers are a given. They infuse the dip with mild pepper flavor and provide its signature reddish hue. Be sure to drain your peppers well, and give them a few extra chops if they come in slices rather than a tiny dice.

If you can’t find pimento peppers, roasted red peppers are a great substitute. Chop them up until you have a scant one-half cup. I used jarred peppers for my recipe tests, but you could go the extra mile and roast your own peppers.

Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise lends a silky texture and some key flavor. If we weren’t using cream cheese, we’d make up for it with additional mayonnaise, but I’ve found that a combination of the two yields the tastiest results.

I recommend Sir Kensington’s or another quality brand for the best flavor.

A Few Simple Seasonings

Pimento cheese flavorings vary by recipe. A combination of garlic powder and onion powder lend subtle and irresistible savoriness.

I like my pimento cheese a little spicy, so my recipe includes cayenne pepper as well. The heat is subtle but makes me go back for more. Take it up a notch with fresh jalapeño pepper, which adds seriously fresh flavor and a light crunch. A little bit goes a long way.

If you’re sensitive to spice, you can reduce or omit both the cayenne and jalapeño. You can always add more heat, but you can’t take it away.

How to Make Pimento Cheese

Pimento cheese is super easy to make, and ready in 10 minutes. You essentially just need to stir the ingredients together until combined.

I use my hand mixer to beat the ingredients together, which yields a nice, lightly fluffy texture. Don’t mix it up in a food processor, since pimento cheese is best when the individual ingredients retain some texture.

How to Serve Pimento Cheese

Here are a few classic serving ideas:

Pimento Cheese Sandwiches

You haven’t lived until you’ve had a pimento grilled cheese sandwich. You can also follow tradition and serve pimento cheese between two slices of bread, sliced into tea sandwich form if you’re throwing a party.

If you want to build a more substantial sandwich, pimento cheese is great with sliced cucumber (or dill pickles), tomato, sprouts or arugula, and even a fried egg.

As a Dip or Spread

Pimento cheese and crackers is a winning combination. If you want to lighten up your party spread, serve it with substantial strips of bell pepper (any color but green), cucumber, or celery.

You can take cues from pimento cheese and add pimento peppers to your favorite cheddar dishes. I can’t wait to add some to my go-to mac and cheese.

Please let me know how your pimento cheese turns out in the comments! I bet your friends will fight over it at your game day parties.

Looking for more party snacks? Here are a few favorites:

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