Pimento Cheese

Pimento cheese is a classic Southern cheddar cheese and pimento pepper dip. It’s affectionately referred to as “pâté du Sud,” or Southern pâté.

Pimento cheese is creamy and cheesy, tangy, peppery (spicy if you wish), and spreadable. If you appreciate cheddar cheese, pimento cheese is going to be your new favorite party dip and sandwich spread.

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 (Duke’s is traditional but I also like Sir Kensington’s)
• 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