Easy Southern Jalapeño Pimiento Cheese Spread

Name: Easy Southern Jalapeño Pimiento Cheese Spread
Prep time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 (8-ounce) block extra-sharp Cheddar cheese; 1/2 (8-ounce) block white Cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup mayonnaise ((I like Duke's)); 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 tbsp grated yellow onion; 1 tsp lemon juice; 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper; 1 (4-ounce) jar diced pimentos, drained; 2 jalapeños, seeded and minced; Crackers for serving

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If you're a fan of pimento cheese, then you're going to love this jalapeño pimiento cheese version. It's got everything you love about the original cheese mixture but with a little kick.

It's great as an easy appetizer, tasty filling, sandwich spread, or as a way to add a punch of flavor to your favorite favorite dishes. Even better, it's an easy recipe that's ready to eat in just about 10 to 15 minutes.

Jalapeno Pimiento Cheese in an aqua enamel bowl with a wooden handled spreader resting on the side and surrounded by a variety of crackers on a dark wooden board.

My mom is known for her traditional pimento cheese; she makes mega batches of the stuff and packs it in the glass pimento jars she's cleaned and saved. Her version is a little different than mine--it's got cream cheese in it.

Mine is mayonnaise-based, Duke's mayonnaise of course, (I mean, I did write a mayonnaise cookbook, right?), along with a few other simple ingredients. For this recipe, I also take my own pimento cheese and kick it up a notch with the addition of spicy jalapeños. Give it a try--I bet it'll become a staple recipe for your family too.

This homemade jalapeño pimento cheese makes an excellent sandwich spread or addition to a salad plate. Pair it with my Chicken Salad Chick chicken salad recipe for a delicious lunch.

Or, make a festive charcuterie board alongside your favorite cured meats, cheese wedges, these fruit and nut crackers, and my baked brie in a bread bowl.

It's also a great addition to a dip spread for tailgating season or Super Bowl parties. Serve it alongside my Carolina caviar, layered taco dip, and creamy dill pickle dip for the ultimate party.

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Ingredients
Instructions
Substitutions
Variations
Equipment
Storage
Tasty Tip
Frequently asked questions
Related
Pairing
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Recipe guidelines and test kitchen tips
Food safety

Ingredients

Before we get started, let's gather the ingredients we need for this creamy jalapeno pimento cheese:

extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
sharp white Cheddar cheese
yellow onion
diced pimientos
mayonnaise
Worcestershire sauce
lemon juice
cayenne pepper
jalapeno peppers
crackers for serving

(See recipe card for quantities.)

Instructions

Now that we've got our ingredients, it's time to make this delicious pimento cheese!

Shredded yellow Cheddar and white Cheddar with a box grater on a wooden board.

First, shred the cheeses with a box grater.

Grated onion with the grater and minced jalapeno with a paring knife on a wooden board.

Next, grate the onion and mince the jalapeños.

Whisking the mayonnaise mixture in a glass bowl.

Then, mix together the mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and cayenne pepper in a medium bowl.

Folding together the mayonnaise mixture, cheeses, pimentos, and jalapenos in a glass bowl.

Finally, fold in the cheeses, pimentos, and jalapeños. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Hint: Wear gloves when cutting the jalapeno peppers or be sure to wash your hands just after handling them. The juice from the peppers is very hot and can burn if you get it in your eyes or on your skin.

Substitutions

Need to switch out some ingredients? Here are some substitution ideas for this jalapeno pimento cheese recipe:

Cheese - I like to use a combination of sharpness of Cheddar cheese: extra-sharp yellow Cheddar and sharp white Cheddar. Use a mild Cheddar or your favorite variety of Cheddar if you prefer.
Pimento peppers - Minced jarred roasted red peppers can be used in a pinch instead of diced pimentos.
Mayonnaise - As you probably know, I'm a Duke's mayo girl. I grew up on it, and I love the thick texture from the extra egg yolks and that there's not any sugar added. If you use another brand, taste the mixture and add a little extra salt to account for any sugar that's in the mayonnaise.

Variations

Here are some more ways to add a twist to this jalapeño pimento cheese recipe:

Super Spicy - If you're a spicy super fan, use the seeds and membranes of the jalapeños. That's where most of the heat is kept. You can also bump up the amount of cayenne in the mixture.
Deluxe - You know what would make this dip even better? Bacon and Ranch dressing mix. Stir in a couple of slices of crispy cooked and crumbled bacon and about a tablespoon of Ranch powder.
Not So Spicy Pimento Cheese - Not a fan of spicy things? Simply omit the jalapeños.

Equipment

Here's the equipment you'll need for this recipe:

cheese grater
microplane grater
dry measuring cup
measuring spoons
chef's knife
strainer

Storage

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Freeze in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Tasty Tip

Don't be tempted to use pre-shredded cheese. While it does help cut down on time, pre-shredded cheese is coated in a non-caking agent, making it unappetizing in this recipe.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between palmetto cheese and pimento cheese?

Palmetto cheese is pimento cheese made in South Carolina, the palmetto state. It's a pre-made pimento cheese you can buy in my grocery stores around the South.

Why do southerners love pimento cheese?

Many believe that pimento cheese became a Southern staple because of Eugenia Duke, yes that Eugenia Duke (the one who created the mayonnaise I wrote an entire cookbook about.) The spread doesn't spoil easily at room temperature and was a popular option at tea rooms and in the sandwiches she became so famous for.

How are you supposed to eat pimento cheese?

The great thing about pimento cheese is that it's really versatile. You can spread it onto bread (preferably soft white) and eat it as a sandwich, use it as a dip with your favorite crackers (or pork rinds if you want to go ultra-Southern), or add it to your favorite dishes to liven them up. I love to stir it into grits or to make an amazing grilled cheese sandwich.

Is pimento cheese served hot or cold?

Traditionally it's served cold (but not right out of the fridge--that'll break your cracker).

Why is pimento cheese big in the South?

A vast majority of pimentos were grown and produced in Georgia between 1920 and 1940, so the pepper was shipped all across the country. The famous pimento cheese sandwiches can be found in Augusta each year at The Masters golf tournament.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this homemade pimento cheese recipe:

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