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Pimento cheese dip is a Southern American classic, and a staple when celebrating the Kentucky Derby. It’s creamy, tangy, peppery, and, best of all, spreadable. Cream cheese and mayo provide the creamy base. You’ll beat in cheddar for saltiness, pickled pimentos for a tart zing, and calabrian chiles for a kick of heat–it’s the perfect balance of flavors and it’s shockingly easy to make.
This dip is a crowd pleaser for parties, but it also makes one heck of a snack! Try serving it with my Parmesan Crisps or Salami Chips, or include it on a board like my Crudite Platter, Pretzel Board, or Veggie & Goat Cheese Board.
Pimento Cheese Dip Recipe
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes and softened
- 3 cups shredded cheddar
- 4 ounces diced pickled pimentos, drained
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons chopped Calabrian chiles
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- Crostini, for serving (see tutorial below!)
- Raw vegetables, for serving
Directions
- To the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, add the cream cheese, cheddar, pimentos, mayonnaise, Calabrian chiles, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix on medium speed until well-combined, about 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer cheese mixture to a serving dish and serve with crostini and assorted vegetables on the side.
Pro tip: Use freshly shredded cheddar for the best flavor! And feel free to use less of the Calabrian chiles for less heat.
What Is a Pimento?
They’re so much more than the zippy little red things stuffed into martini olives! Pimentos are small, sweet little red peppers with basically no bite. They’re sometimes called cherry peppers! In the U.S. they’re most commonly found in cheese spreads (like this one!), loaves, and, of course, olives!
You can sub them in basically anytime a recipe calls for a bell pepper–they’re not quite as sweet though! They’re still very mild, but definitely have more of a kick than your average bell.
For the most part, you’ll find pimentos jarred and stocked with the olives at your local store. However, if your market has a great produce section, you might be able to find them fresh as cherry peppers!
Pimento Dip Variations
Not a fan of pimentos? No prob! Swap them for one of these:
- Chopped bacon
- Chopped ham
- Chopped roasted red peppers
- Chopped pickled jalapeños
Need a dairy-free alternative? Swap the cheddar for a vegan cheddar. For the cream cheese, you can use your favorite kind of plant-, tofu-, or nut-based substitute!
History of Pimento Cheese Dip
Pimento cheese is widely thought of as a hallmark of Southern American cuisine, which, while true, is not the whole story! It remains incredibly popular in the South (mainly as a dip and as a spread), but it was technically conceived in New York in the late 19th century.
In the 1870’s, farmers started producing a soft, unripened cheese made in a French-style that they called American Neufchâtel. They soon started forming it into blocks and cream cheese was born (no, it wasn’t in Philadelphia!). Later came the manufacturing of canned Spanish peppers. Put the two together and voila!
According to Serious Eats, an article in Good Housekeeping was the first to print a recipe combining the two in 1908. “[They] recommended sandwiches filled with a blend of soft cream cheese, mustard, chives, and minced pimentos.”
The combo fully took root in the South when pimento farming and production took off in Georgia, making the sought-after peppers much more accessible. And the rest is history!
What To Dip in Pimento Cheese
Crostini and raw veggies are great dippers, but you can also try:
- Ritz crackers
- Club crackers
- Pretzel chips
- Bagel chips
- Triscuits
What Are Crostini?
The best kind of cracker (in my humble opinion)for any dip or appetizer! You can find a crostini how-to recipe in my Strawberry and Burrata Crostini. For more info:
Show Me Your Cheese Dips
I hope this post inspires you to make this pimento dip. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the beautiful spreads and snacks you create from my tips. If you make something inspired by this post, please tag me at @ainttooproudtomeg so I can see and share!
And, If you liked this recipe, please rate and review.
Easy Cheesy Pimento Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese cut into 1-inch cubes and softened
- 3 cups shredded cheddar
- 4 oz diced pickled pimentos drained
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tsp chopped Calabrian chiles
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- Crostini for serving
- Raw veggies for serving
Instructions
- To the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, add the cream cheese, cheddar, pimentos, mayonnaise, Calabrian chiles, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix on medium speed until well-combined, about 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer cheese mixture to a serving dish and serve with crostini and assorted vegetables on the side.
Photos by Haley Hunt Davis of Salt Worth Creative.
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