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The Best Pimento Cheese Recipe: A Southern Delight You’ll Love
Pimento cheese is a Southern classic that has earned its place as a beloved comfort food, and for good reason! Whether you’re spreading it on crackers, enjoying it as a sandwich, or using it as a topping for burgers, this cheesy, creamy, and slightly tangy spread brings a burst of flavor to any dish. If you’ve ever wondered how to make the best pimento cheese from scratch, look no further—this recipe is the ultimate combination of flavor and texture, guaranteed to please your taste buds.
What Is Pimento Cheese?
Pimento cheese, often referred to as the “Caviar of the South,” is a creamy cheese spread made with sharp cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, pimentos (small red peppers), and a variety of seasonings. It’s rich, cheesy, slightly tangy, and a perfect balance of flavors. While the ingredients are simple, the key to making the best pimento cheese is in how you combine them to create the perfect texture and taste.
Why This Pimento Cheese Recipe Stands Out
This Best Pimento Cheese Recipe isn’t just any version you’ll find at the store—it’s made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, so you get a rich and creamy texture, with the right amount of sharpness and tang. The combination of creamy mayo, sharp cheddar cheese, and a touch of seasoning creates the perfect balance of flavors. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to whip up, and you’ll always have a batch ready in no time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this perfect pimento cheese, you’ll need a few simple ingredients that come together beautifully:
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated (don’t use pre-shredded cheese for the best texture)
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (use full-fat mayo for the best consistency and flavor)
- 1/2 cup pimentos, drained and chopped
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional, for a slight kick)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
How to Make the Best Pimento Cheese
Step 1: Prepare the Cheese Start by grating the sharp cheddar cheese. Freshly grated cheese provides the best texture, so be sure to skip the pre-shredded stuff for this recipe. Grating it yourself ensures a smooth and creamy consistency when mixed with the other ingredients.
Step 2: Combine the Ingredients In a large mixing bowl, combine the freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, softened cream cheese, and mayonnaise. Use a spatula or hand mixer to combine them until smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Add the Flavoring Ingredients Add the chopped pimentos, Dijon mustard, hot sauce (if using), garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together until it’s well combined. The pimentos give the spread its signature tang, and the seasonings add depth and flavor.
Step 4: Taste and Adjust Taste the pimento cheese and adjust the seasoning as necessary. You might want to add a little extra salt or pepper, or more hot sauce if you like a little more heat.
Step 5: Chill and Serve Once everything is combined and seasoned to your liking, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Chilling the pimento cheese allows the flavors to meld and makes the spread even creamier.
Serve with crackers, toasted bread, fresh vegetables, or as a topping for burgers or sandwiches. The possibilities are endless!
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