Description
Creamy pimento cheese delight blends Southern comfort with zesty flavors from classic ingredients. Smooth spreadable texture and rich cheese notes make this recipe a memorable Southern classic you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups extra-sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 oz (113 g) pimento peppers, well-drained and finely chopped
- 2 tbsps mayonnaise (Duke’s or Sir Kensington’s recommended)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 medium jalapeño pepper, deseeded and minced (optional)
- 1 tsp ground cayenne pepper (optional, adjust according to heat preference)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Bring all ingredients to room temperature, ensuring smooth blending and optimal flavor development.
- Base Mixing: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine shredded cheddar cheese and softened cream cheese, creating a rich dairy foundation.
- Flavor Infusion: Fold in diced pimento peppers, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, and optional jalapeños and cayenne pepper, integrating each component thoroughly.
- Texture Refinement: Use a hand mixer or sturdy whisk to blend ingredients until achieving a uniform, creamy consistency with balanced flavor notes.
- Seasoning Adjustment: Taste and fine-tune the mixture, calibrating heat, saltiness, and creaminess to personal preference.
- Serving Preparation: Transfer the pimento cheese spread to a serving dish or airtight container, allowing it to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavor complexity and spreadability.
Notes
- Cheese Temperature Tip: Bring all dairy ingredients to room temperature for smoother blending and richer flavor release.
- Mixing Technique: Use a stand mixer or sturdy hand mixer to achieve a perfectly smooth, creamy texture without lumps.
- Flavor Customization: Adjust seasonings gradually, tasting as you go to balance spiciness, saltiness, and overall taste profile.
- Serving Strategy: Let the spread sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavor depth and spreadability.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 211
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 42 mg