Description
Classic Southern-style pimento cheese spread made with sharp Cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, and diced pimentos. This creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy spread is perfect for serving with crackers and crudités as an appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Pimento Cheese Spread
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, at room temperature
- ½ cup mayonnaise, best quality such as Hellmann’s or Duke’s
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 1 (8-oz) block sharp Cheddar cheese (a good supermarket brand like Tillamook or Cabot is fine)
- 1 (4-oz) jar diced pimentos, drained
Instructions
- Prepare Base Mixture: In a food processor fitted with the steel blade, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, ¼ teaspoon salt, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Process until smooth and evenly combined. Scrape down the sides as needed to ensure everything is well mixed.
- Grate the Cheese: Remove the steel blade and replace it with the grating blade. Cut the Cheddar cheese into pieces that fit into the feed tube. With the machine running, add the Cheddar cheese pieces through the feed tube to grate them evenly into the mixture.
- Combine with Pimentos: Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and gently fold in the drained diced pimentos to evenly distribute them throughout the cheese spread.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the spread and adjust the salt as needed, typically adding about ¼ teaspoon more salt depending on the saltiness of your cheese.
- Alternative Method: If you prefer not to use a food processor, you can beat the cream cheese, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper in an electric mixer with the paddle attachment until smooth. Then coarsely grate the Cheddar cheese and fold it into the mixture along with the diced pimentos.
- Serve and Store: Transfer the pimento cheese to a serving bowl and serve with crackers or crudités. If not consuming immediately, cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Taste and adjust salt carefully as different cheeses have varying salt levels.
- Best served at room temperature to enhance flavors and spreadability.
- Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- This spread makes a great addition to sandwiches, burgers, or as a dip.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Spread
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Southern American
