Southern Pimento Cheese🥗 Side

Name: Southern Pimento Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Yield: 24 servings
Ingredients: 1 (4-ounce) jar sliced pimento peppers, drained (about 1/2 cup); 8 ounces extra-sharp cheddar, grated on the large holes of a box grater; 1/4 cup (2 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature; 3 tablespoons mayonnaise; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder; Pinch fine sea salt, plus more to taste; Crackers, veggies, pickles, or sliced crusty bread

This classic South-inspired cheese spread shines when paired with crunchy vegetables or your favorite crackers, and makes incredibly delicious sandwich fillings or melted panini creations.

By Marcus Rivera, Kitchen Tips Editor

Prep: 10 minServes: 24

southern appetizer spread quick no-cook vegetarian

Be the first to rate!

Often called the "caviar of the South," this versatile spread deserves its legendary status. What started as a simple Depression-era way to stretch ingredients has become a beloved staple at picnics, cocktail parties, and family gatherings throughout the region. The beauty lies in its simplicity—just a handful of ingredients transform into something far greater than the sum of their parts, with sweet pimentos adding pops of color and flavor throughout creamy, sharp cheddar.

The secret to exceptional pimento cheese is in the preparation. Take the time to grate your cheddar from a block rather than buying pre-shredded cheese, which contains anti-caking agents that prevent the spread from achieving its signature creamy texture. When mixing, you'll want to fold everything together gently but thoroughly, finding that sweet spot where the cream cheese and mayo create a cohesive spread while still leaving some shreds of cheddar intact for texture. This isn't the time to break out your food processor—the rustic, hand-mixed approach gives you much better control.

While this version is wonderfully balanced as written, feel free to make it your own. Add a splash of hot sauce for extra tang, fold in some crispy bacon bits for a smoky dimension, or swap in smoked cheddar for depth. Beyond the classic cracker pairing, try it tucked into celery sticks, slathered on warm biscuits, or grilled between sourdough slices until golden and gooey.

Ingredients

1 (4-ounce) jar sliced pimento peppers, drained (about 1/2 cup)
8 ounces extra-sharp cheddar, grated on the large holes of a box grater
1/4 cup (2 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Pinch fine sea salt, plus more to taste

For Serving

Crackers, veggies, pickles, or sliced crusty bread

Nutrition (Per 24 servings)*

119

Calories

Protein

Carbs

11g

Fat

Fiber

355mg

Sodium

* AI-estimated values only — not a substitute for professional nutrition labeling.

Instructions

Thoroughly drain the jar of pimento peppers, then spread them on a cutting board and finely chop them into tiny pieces.
In a medium bowl, combine the chopped pimentos, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, black pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt.
Use a spoon or a flexible rubber spatula to smoosh and stir the ingredients until the cream cheese and mayonnaise are well blended. Do your best to keep some of the shredded cheddar's texture.
Taste and adjust with additional salt or red pepper flakes. Serve immediately, or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before serving to make it easier to spread.