Popular in the Southern Pimento Cheese is often made with shredded Cheddar, mayonnaise, and pimentos. It is frequently used as a sandwich filling or served with crackers and vegetables. The “pate of the south” is a common moniker for pimento cheese.
What’s there In Pimento Cheese?
Lets briefly talk about the ingredients that you will need to make pimento cheese at home:
- · Cheese: This recipe calls for shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese.Don’t buy pre-shredded cheese,grate your cheese by hand on the large holes of a box grater.
- · Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise is a key ingredient in traditional pimento cheese.Mayonnaise lends a silky texture and some key flavor.
- Cream cheese: Cream cheese makes this pimento cheese spread extra decadent.Cream cheese enhances the cheddar flavor and ensures that your pimento cheese is tangy and spreadable.
- · Pimentos: Of course, you’ll need jarred pimentos!They infuse the dip with mild pepper flavor and provide its signature reddish hue.If you can’t find pimento peppers, roasted red peppers are a great substitute.
- · Jalapenos: A minced jalapeno is optional, but it’s great for fans of spicy flavor. It adds seriously fresh flavor and a light crunch. A little bit goes a long way. However If you’re sensitive to spice, you can reduce or omit both the cayenne and jalapeno.
- · Spices and seasonings: This pimento cheese is flavored with garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.Pimento cheese flavorings vary by recipe. A combination of garlic powder and onion powder lend subtle and irresistible savoriness.
Recipe Ingredients:
- 2 cups freshly grated extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cut into 1” cubes and softened at room temperature
- 4 ounces pimento peppers, well drained and chopped if in strips
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (decrease or omit if sensitive to spice)
- ½ medium jalapeño pepper, ribs and seeds removed, and minced (about 1 tablespoon; omit if sensitive to spice)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Salt, to taste
How To Make Pimento Cheese?
Pimento cheese is super easy to make, and ready in 10 minutes!
Directions:
- Combine the cheddar, cream cheese, pimento peppers, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and jalapenos (if using) in a fairly large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer. Add several grinds of black pepper to the mixture.
- Use a stand mixer, a hand mixer, or a firm wooden spoon or spatula to beat the mixture together by hand. Mixture should be well mixed by beating.
- For a richer flavour overall, add extra salt or black pepper to taste. Add additional pinch of cayenne if you want your pimento cheese to have more of a kick. Blend once more.
- Place the mixture in a more compact serving basin. Pimento cheese can be kept chilled in the refrigerator for up to a week before serving. Allowing pimento cheese to cool and sit for 30 minutes at room temperature will cause it to soften.
For more delicious recipes to check
- How to Make Deep Fried Oreos at home?
- Hamburger Steak with Onions and Gravy Recipe
- Fried Apricot Hand Pies Recipe
- Fresh Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe
How to serve pimento cheese?
Pimento Cheese Sandwiches:
If you’re hosting a party, you can serve pimento cheese sandwiched between two slices of bread. Southern Pimento Cheese goes well with sliced cucumber (or dill pickles), tomato, sprouts or arugula, and even a fried egg if you want to create a more substantial sandwich.
As a Dip or Spread:
Crackers and pimento cheese are a winning combination. Serve it with thick pieces of bell pepper (any colour except green), cucumber, or celery to lighten up your party spread.
How to Store Pimento Cheese?
Store the pimento cheese in a shallow, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Can You Freeze Pimento Cheese?
You can freeze pimento cheese for up to three months. Though it will still taste delicious, the flavor might be slightly different after it has been frozen and thawed.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories 208
- Total Fat 20g
- Saturated Fat 9g
- Cholesterol 44mg
- Sodium 229mg
- Total Carbohydrate 2g
- Dietary Fiber 0g
- Total Sugars 1g
- Protein 6g
- Vitamin C 9mg
- Calcium 150mg
- Iron 0mg
- Potassium 43mg
You haven’t lived until you’ve had a pimento grilled cheese sandwich. Please let us know how the recipe turned out for you.