Enjoy the ultimate Southern classic, Pimento Cheese, with buttery crackers or veggie sticks. Simple, portable, and a family favorite for snacking!
This recipe costs approximately $8.75 to make. The recipe serves fifteen for about $0.58 per serving.
For a hot version of this dip, check out my Hot Pimento Cheese Dip with a Tex-Mex flair!
Pimento Cheese Recipe
Pimento Cheese has a creamy texture full of cheese with a tangy kick. While you can buy this dip pre-made at the grocery store, it is way better homemade!
Spread it on your favorite buttery cracker or on sandwich bread. It can also be served with veggie sticks. This vintage dip is a classic for holiday parties or afternoon snacks.
Ingredients and Estimated Cost
Per Serving Cost: $0.58
Recipe Cost: $8.75
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise – $0.42
- 4 ounces cream cheese – $0.75
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice – $0.02
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce – $0.02
- ½ teaspoon salt – $0.01
- ½ teaspoon paprika – $0.01
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper – $0.02
- ½ teaspoon onion powder – $0.01
- 12 teaspoon ground dry mustard – $0.04
- 8 ounces yellow sharp cheddar cheese – $2.56
- 8 ounces white sharp cheddar cheese – $2.22
- 6-ounce can diced pimentos – $2.67
NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. I updated the pricing for this recipe in April 2023.
How To Make Pimento Cheese
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
- First, whisk together the mayonnaise, cream cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, spices, onion powder, and ground mustard.
- Then, shred the yellow sharp cheddar cheese on the large holes of a box grater.
- Next, shred the white sharp cheddar cheese on the small holes of a box grater.
- Fold, the cheese and pimentos into the mayonnaise mixture until mixed together.
- Finally, serve with RITZ crackers or store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Add diced jalapeños for a spicy kick.
- Use different types of cheese like smoked gouda or cheddar for unique flavors.
- Mix in herbs like dill, parsley, or thyme for added freshness.
- Use Greek yogurt or sour cream instead of mayo for a tangy twist.
- Add diced onions, green onions, or chives for extra flavor and texture.
- Stir in crispy bacon bits for a smoky flavor and crunch.
- Add chopped pickles or pickle juice for a tangy and crunchy element
- Mix in chopped roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes for added depth of flavor.
Storage Tips
SERVE: Serve the dip immediately with crackers and veggies or place it in the fridge until you are ready to serve.
STORE: The Pimento Cheese can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. I prefer keeping it in a glass jar-a canning jar works great!
FREEZE: I do not recommend freezing Pimento Cheese. Freezing can change the texture and consistency of the cheese, causing it to become crumbly and watery once thawed.
Recipe FAQs
My recipe uses cream cheese, yellow sharp cheddar cheese, and white sharp cheddar cheese. All the good things!
For this recipe you will need cream cheese, mayonnaise, yellow and white sharp cheddar cheese, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, paprika, onion powder, dry ground mustard, and pimentos. For the exact measurements of each ingredient, scroll down to the recipe card.
This Pimento Cheese recipe will stay fresh in the fridge for about a week. See the storage tips for more information and tips for keeping the pimento cheese fresh.
More Appetizers
- Everything But the Bagel Dip
- Smoked Queso
- Shortcut Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Salsa Verde
- Homemade French Onion Dip
- Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Velveeta Queso Blanco Dip
- Chile Con Queso
- Marinated Goat Cheese
- Whipped Feta Dip
- Jalapeno Dip
Pimento Cheese
Equipment
- mixing bowls
- whisk
- Cheese grater
- measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground dry mustard
- 8 ounces yellow sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces white sharp cheddar cheese
- 6 ounce jar diced pimentos drained and patted dry (about ⅓ cup)
FOR SERVING (both optional):
- crackers
- veggie sticks
Instructions
- In a medium bowl whisk together mayonnaise, cream cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire, spices, onion powder, and ground mustard.
- Shred the yellow sharp cheddar on large holes of a box grater.
- Shred white sharp cheddar on small holes of a box grater.
- Fold all of cheese and pimentos into mayonnaise mixture until thoroughly combined.
- Serve immediately on crackers or veggies, or chill until ready to serve.
Video
Nutrition
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Oh Jill you can’t be southern without pimento cheese spread. Your recipe is wonderful… thank you
You’re so sweet, thank you, Aunt Nancie! 🙂
I remember having Ritzes and pimento cheese spread (from a jar) at my grandma’s house when I was little. Yum! And all of her juice glasses were pimento cheese spread jars–I think that was their shtick: buy the pimento spread, get a juice glass (anyone else remember this?) This was a popular thing in the 70s-80s, but you know, I don’t even know what pimentos are or where to find them in a grocery store! (Canned veggie aisle, I’m guessing??) I’d love a little more info about the pimento itself. Maybe it’s because I’m not from the south, but it’s a food I just don’t know anything about. Would love to try this recipe, though.
Pimento really isn’t a southern thing. It’s a variety of sweet, red pepper. Find them in jars on the pickle or canned vegetable aisle in the grocery store. Sometimes I use jarred roasted red peppers in my pimento cheese instead of pimento…they tend to hold their shape a little better in my opinion. Can’t wait to try Jill’s recipe!
Thanks for the tip, and I hope you enjoy the recipe!
I remember the little glass jars of pimento cheese if I’m not mistaken the cheese spread also had some pickles in it. None of recipes listed any. So now i’m wondering if it ever did or was my imagination working overtime.Does anyone recall THANKS
Pinmentos can be found in the pickle isle. Pinmentos are actually just diced canned sweet red bell peppers. Hope this helps.
Great tip for everyone, thanks!
Melanie, I agree with Leslie, you can find them by the pickles and I’ve also found them by the salad dressing. Most commonly I’ve seen them in little 4 oz jars (although I have seen bigger jars, too). I hope this helps, and thanks for sharing your memory of your grandma – recipes are always more special when there’s a loved-one connection. 🙂
YES! the glass jars and all other cups were like colored Aluminum Tumblers that kept your drink so cold
Oh Jill you can’t be southern without pimento cheese spread. Your recipe is wonderful… thank you
You’re so welcome. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Hear Hear!!
I love Pimento Cheese Spread and nothings ever better then homemade! Such a great recipe!
Thank you, Serena!
Love pimiento cheese. These look great!
You’re so welcome, thanks for stopping by!
For a little kick, try pepper jack cheese instead of the white cheddar. Yuuuuum !
Oh yum, I’m going to try that this weekend!
I made this for our college football day yesterday and followed the suggestion of using pepper jack instead of the white cheddar- it was a huge hit! Will be making this one again!
Sherry, I’m SO glad you loved this recipe! Thanks for stopping by to let me know! 🙂
How much does this make? A pint canning jar?
It makes about 4 cups, so about a quart.
This is my go to recipe. I have made this numerous times and it get get great reviews from family. Requested for Super Bowl party. Thanks for sharing..
Yay, Wanda! I’m so glad it’s a hit. Enjoy the Super Bowl. 🙂
Do you know how many carbs there is in this recipe?
I just added the nutrition information for this recipe. There is 1 gram of carbs per 1/4 cup serving.
This is a true southern favorite my husband loves this pimento cheese dip and we do eat it with ritz best combo mouthwatering now =)
Ohh that’s such a lovely quick snack idea! I can keep having these ones after another without having a count!
We always used to get a box of Ritz crackers to share in the car on the way home after grocery shopping when we were kids. Gosh I love them still, and I LOVE the sound of this topping!
Oh wow, that cheese looks so good! I’d be so tempted to eat up the whole lot with some crackers!
Oh my goodness I want to dive straight into this cheesy goodness!! Thanks so much for sharing, definitely giving it a go 🙂
Easy and delicious! I love dip recipes, always great to be able to diversify. Had not heard of Pimento Cheese in so long and you basically resuscitated it in my mind! Great recipe, thanks!
Best pimento cheese recipe! Simple, easy to make and so flavorful! Will always be a go-to family snack!
Victoria, your comment made my day! i’m so glad you and your family love this recipe!
Pimiento cheese was always on a sandwich when we were growing up. My mom always cooked hers though and it was awful. I love your recipe. Quick and easy and so much better than the cooked mess my mother made!! Thanks!
Thanks, Lynn! So glad you enjoyed it!
Easy to make. I’m still trying to find a recipe that is as good as what I enjoyed in West Virginia.
I love pimento cheese but this is the first time I made it myself. I added some jalapenos like you suggested and absolutely loved that! Thanks so much for sharing, I’ll be making this again ASAP.
such a fun cheese dip! we served this over the weekend and everyone loved it
We made this for an Easter potluck. It was a big hit. I put it out with veggies and crackers.