Creamy, tangy, and irresistibly Southern- this easy Pimento Cheese recipe (inspired by Chicken Salad Chick) is perfect for sandwiches, crackers, and more. Simple to make, hard to stop eating!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Vicki raved, “Excited to find this recipe! My SIL mixed this with scrambled eggs for breakfast, and it was delicious… My only problem is what category to put this recipe in.. so many uses!”
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What is Pimento Cheese?
Pimento cheese (or as some call it, pimiento cheese) is a creamy cheese Southern classic that’s been around since the early 1900s. Made with cheddar, pimentos (those sweet red peppers), and a little mayo, it’s a creamy, tangy spread that’s earned the nickname “the caviar of the South.” Whether you’re spreading it on crackers or using it in a sandwich, it’s a must-try comfort food that never goes out of style!
If you are into cheeseballs, try this Rudolph Cheeseball for Christmas.
Pimento Cheese Recipe Ingredients
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Try regular sharp cheddar cheese or extra sharp cheddar cheese.
- Pepper Jack Cheese: The pepper Jack adds a bit of spiciness and creaminess! I recommend grating your own cheese for the best results.
- Full-fat Mayonnaise: Full-fat mayo adds the creaminess and richness that you need here. Use real mayonnaise, not Miracle Whip. Some use cream cheese, not this one, which is packed with a real cheese mixture.
- Pimento peppers: These small, sweet peppers give that signature flavor. You will typically find them jarred near the olives in the store. Make sure they’re well-drained to avoid excess moisture.
- Tabasco Sauce: For an extra kick of heat!
- Worcestershire Sauce: This adds a depth of savory, umami flavor.
- Seasonings: Onion powder, salt, and pepper are all you need to season the spread to perfection!
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
Recommended Tools
- Cheese grater, box grater or try this easy rotary grater!
- Large mixing bowl
- Large spoon or spatula
How to Make Chicken Salad Chick Pimento Cheese
In a large bowl, add shredded cheeses, mayonnaise, diced pimento, Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings. Stir until well combined.
Chill for at least 1 hour to let the flavors marry. For the best flavor, let it sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before serving. This mixture is easy to mix by hand, but you can mix in your stand mixer too! Grab a dollop and enjoy!
Chicken Salad Chick Pimento Cheese Variations & Substitutions
- Choose your favorite mayo! Chicken Salad Chick uses Duke’s mayonnaise; however, any will do for this copycat recipe. I recommend full-fat for flavor and texture. I love Chosen Avocado Mayo; please don’t use Miracle Whip, as it’s too sweet.
- You can use a different hot sauce if you prefer. I like Tabasco, which is typically used in Southern foods.
- If you want it extra spicy, add more hot sauce and some cayenne red pepper!
- If you don’t want any spice in your cheese spread, omit the pepper jack cheese and tabasco sauce. Replace that cheese with Monterey Jack instead!
- Feel free to add ¼-½ teaspoon of garlic powder or smoked paprika.
- Serve it in a bowl or shape it into a Pimento cheese ball. Go ahead, roll it in chopped pecans, almonds, or your favorite nuts for a traditional look! Store it in plastic wrap in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Garnish: For a pop of color, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, fresh chives or your favorite fresh herbs.
Serving Suggestions for Pimento Cheese Spread
This is a Southern staple, and where I first enjoyed it; perfect for a tailgate, game day, parties, Master’s party, and more! Here are some ideas to inspire you:
- Pimento Cheese Sandwich: This is my favorite way to enjoy this classic sandwich spread—between a slice of bread. For a Master’s pimento cheese sandwich, it’s just the cheese spread between soft sandwich bread, sometimes served with a pickle spear and chips. Try my homemade white bread. Cut into small wedges for baby showers or a picnic!
- Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich: A warm, melty twist on the classic, grilled with optional bacon or tomatoes. Make the above way, spreading a little butter on the outside and cooking on a griddle until toasted and the cheese is warm.
- Pimento Cheese Dip: Serve it as a dip with crackers, veggies, or pretzels for an easy appetizer.
- Pimento Cheese-Stuffed Celery: Fill celery sticks for a crunchy, satisfying snack.
- Pimento Cheese Pinwheels: Spread on a tortilla, roll with deli meat and greens, then slice into pinwheels.
- Stuffed Burgers: Add cheese to the center of a burger patty before grilling for a creamy surprise.
- Topping for Baked Potatoes: Replace sour cream with pimento cheese on baked potatoes for extra flavor, topped with bacon or chives.
- Pimento Mac and Cheese: Stir into your mac and cheese for an extra-cheesy, flavorful dish.
- Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs: Add a Southern twist to deviled egg yolks.
- Cheese Pizza: Use as a base sauce on pizza, topped with grilled chicken, peppers, or onions.
- Pimento Cheese Quesadillas: Fill quesadillas with cheese spread and add grilled chicken or veggies.
- Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers: Fill halved jalapeños with cheese and bake or grill until bubbly.
- Pimento Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms: Spoon the pimento cheese into mushroom caps, top with breadcrumbs, and bake.
- Pimento Cheese Cornbread: Stir into cornbread batter for a cheesy twist on a classic.
- Pimento Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breast: Stuff chicken breasts with cheese and bake until the cheese is melty.
Success Tips for Pimento Cheese Spread
- Grate your own cheese! For the best texture and flavor, I recommend grating sharp cheddar and pepper Jack cheeses from a block. Pre-grated cheese often contains a preservative that may include gluten and can alter the texture.
- Don’t skip the chill time. Letting the pimento cheese chill in the fridge for at least an hour is crucial. This allows the flavors to blend and develop into a tastier spread.
- Make it ahead of time! This pimento cheese keeps well in the fridge for about a week, so I always make it ahead of time to let it get extra flavorful before serving. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container.
How to Store Pimento Cheese Spread
For the best flavor, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy it within 7 days. Remove from the fridge 15-30 minutes before serving.
While freezing is possible, it’s not recommended, as it can alter the texture. If needed, freeze for up to 2-3 months in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Chicken Salad Chick Pimento Cheese Recipe FAQs
Yes, but it will change the flavor. Traditional pimento cheese recipes use sharp cheddar, but you can experiment with your favorite cheese blend. Avoid pre-shredded cheese, as it may contain an anti-caking agent that can affect the texture.
Serve as a spread on sandwiches or burgers or as a dip with your favorite crackers, corn chips, pretzels, or vegetable sticks.
Customize your spread by adding jalapeno, cayenne pepper or extra hot sauce for heat. For added texture or color, try bacon bits, black olives or chopped green onion.
Yes, as long as you grate your own cheese. Preshredded storebought cheeses typically contain an anti-caking ingredient; which many times contains gluten. Otherwise, it is completely gluten-free.
Oh, where do I even begin? It’s creamy, tangy, with that pleasant bite from the sharp cheddar. A touch of spice from a little hot sauce and Pepper Jack cheese, without being overpowering. The pimento itself is delightfully sweet. It’s a cheesy spread that you might just find yourself schmearing on everything and eating it straight off the spoon!
So come on, whip some of this versatile cheese dip up, serve it with crudités on your next appetizer platter, your guests will love you!
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Ingredients
- 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese grated
- 1 cup Pepper Jack cheese grated
- ½ cup mayonnaise full-fat is best
- 2 tablespoon diced pimento drained
- 1 dash Tabasco sauce more if you like heat
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add shredded cheeses, mayonnaise, diced pimento, Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings. Stir until well combined.1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 1 cup Pepper Jack cheese, ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoon diced pimento, 1 dash Tabasco sauce, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- Chill for at least 1 hour to let the flavors marry. For best flavor, let it sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Vicki Pidgeon
Excited to find this recipe! My SIL mixed this with scrambled eggs for breakfast and it was delicious! I can’t find it ‘ready made’ where I live (Northern California). I used to live pimento cheese finger sandwiches (Massachusetts native) . My only problem is what category to put this recipe in.. so many uses!
Thank you so much Vicki! Sorry for my delay, so glad you loved the recipe — we do too! And yum with scrambled eggs!
Chellie
I had this at Chicken Salad Chick once while traveling, but there are none of those around me. So glad I can make this at home now.
Thanks Chellie!