Southern Pimento Cheese

My Southern pimento cheese is simple to whip up in only 5 minutes, and it has the creamiest texture! I use wholesome ingredients like avocado oil mayo and raw honey, but it’s still got that classic, quintessential taste.

This recipe is my version of my favorite pimento cheese served at a local café just up the road here in Middle Tennessee. I love it spread on sandwiches or as a snack with crackers or tortilla chips. I hope this becomes your go-to pimento cheese recipe!

What is Classic Southern Pimento Cheese?

It’s a cheesy spread that’s creamy and so savory. It’s made with a base of mild-tasting pimento peppers, mayonnaise, and shredded cheese.

There are so many different variations of pimento cheese in the South, and they’re all unique. Every Southern cook has their favorite! After all, it’s called the “caviar of the South,” haha!

Mine has onion powder, sea salt, raw honey, and cream cheese added in for a perfectly balanced taste.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Creamiest Texture: The added cream cheese creates the best creamy texture!
2. Can Be Made in 5 Minutes: It only takes 5 minutes to whip up.
3. Not Many Ingredients: The ingredients are simple.
4. Wholesome Ingredients: We’re using things like avocado oil mayonnaise and raw honey for this recipe.
5. The Best Flavor: It’s slightly sweet, tangy, peppery, and cheesy!

Molly’s Tips Tips

1. Read the full recipe before you get started. This will help you know what to expect.
2. Shred your cheese at home! Do not use pre-shredded cheese.
3. Use a good mayonnaise that’s got a tang to it. I really love using a wholesome option like homemade mayonnaise or Chosen Food’s Avocado Oil Mayo. They don’t have additives and harmful ingredients.
4. Save the drained pimento juice in case you want to thin the cheese spread after it sets up in the fridge. I learned this little trick from another Southern home cook.

Best Wholesome Mayonnaise for Pimento Cheese

I really like using Chosen Foods avocado oil mayonnaise. The ingredients are simple, yet it tastes amazing, and there are no seed oils!

Best Cheese for Pimento Cheese

The best cheese you can use for pimento cheese is sharp cheddar. I like to add a little mild cheddar as well to give it a different taste.

No matter what cheese you use, it must be shredded at home, not pre-shredded from the store. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents added, and they prevent the mayonnaise mixture from sticking to the shreds of cheese.

Ingredients

• mayonnaise: I highly recommend using a wholesome avocado oil brand, like Chosen Foods or homemade
• plain cream cheese: make sure it’s unsweetened, I like Philadelphia or an organic brand with few additives
• raw honey: I like to use raw, unfiltered but you can use any
• onion powder: make sure it’s a salt-free option
• sharp cheddar cheese: make sure you shred it at home 
• mild cheddar cheese: make sure you shred it at home 
• jarred pimentos: use a brand that doesn’t have artificial coloring or lots of additives, I use the Kroger brand
• sea salt: this is my favorite wholesome salt option

Tools You May Need

• mixing bowl
• hand mixer

How to Make Southern Pimento Cheese

Add mayonnaise, cream cheese, honey, and onion powder to a mixing bowl. Mix with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth (or whisk by hand).

Add sharp cheddar, mild cheddar, and drained pimentos. Fold into mayonnaise mixture until evenly distributed. Stir in sea salt to taste (about 1/4 tsp to 1/2 tsp).

Best enjoyed after being refrigerating for 1-2 hours so it can set up. Enjoy!

Video Tutorial

How to Serve Pimento Cheese

I love eating pimento cheese with crackers, tortilla chips, and even out of the container with a spoon! But it’s also absolutely delicious spread on sandwiches, both hot and cold.

Here are a few more ideas on how to serve Southern pimento cheese:

• spread it on sourdough French bread for a quick, easy snack
• add a dollop instead of using sliced cheese when making a ham and cheese crescent ring
• spread it on slider buns when making oven-baked ham and cheese sliders
• add some when making homemade chicken minis
• use it as a dip for mini pigs in a blanket

How to Store

I highly recommend storing homemade Southern pimento cheese in an airtight glass container. It’ll last in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Recipe FAQs

More Southern Staple Recipes to Try

• Sourdough Southern Cheese Straws
• Sourdough Buttermilk Biscuits (Southern-Style)
• Southern Sweet Tea (better than restaurants)
• Honey Sourdough Cornbread
• The Best Southern Peach Sweet Tea
• Sourdough Angel Biscuit Recipe

Did you make this recipe? If so, I’d be so grateful if you left a review below!