Spicy Pimento Cheese Dip

5 from 1 vote

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This Spicy Pimento Cheese Dip is a creamy and easy dip to make for game day. This recipe is also a special dish to make for a dinner party! Once the cream cheese comes to room temperature, this dip takes less than 10 minutes, utilizing only a few simple ingredients.

If you’re looking for more dip recipes, check out our Kashke Bademjan (Persian Eggplant Dip), and Rosemary White Bean Dip with Crispy Garlic. You can also pair this with Poblano Beef and Bean Chili for any game day!

spicy pimento cheese dip  in a serving bowl plated with crackers

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

What we love about this dip is that it can be prepped ahead, so when it’s time to serve, all you need to do is bring it to room temperature and serve it with your favorite vegetables or crackers. 

  • With a bit of heat and smokiness, this dip has pickled hot cherry peppers and smoked paprika, which adds some tang and brininess. It adds a lovely brightness!
  • While you will sometimes see yellow cheddar on pimento dip recipes, we are opting for a super sharp white cheddar, which adds even more sharpness to the dip.
  • You can serve this dip with veggies and crackers, or also place it between two slices of white bread to make pimento cheese sandwiches. Save some of the cheese dip to spread on burgers, too.
  • We finish the dip with fresh-cut chives, which add another layer of brightness.

Recipe Ingredients 

Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

all the ingredients you need to make pimento cheese dip

Sharp Cheddar Cheese: A main component of this recipe is the cheese, and we are using sharp white cheddar cheese. The sharpness pairs perfectly with the creaminess of the cream cheese.

Cream Cheese: Another key element of this dip is the cream cheese. It’s tangy and thick and adds important flavor to this dip. Bringing it up to room temperature is an important step in making sure the dip mixes seamlessly.

Mayonnaise: The mayo helps bind both the cream cheese and cheddar cheese to make this dip extra creamy! You can most definitely sub here with sour cream or Greek yogurt. 

Pimento: These red, heart-shaped peppers are smaller than regular bell peppers, and let off a nice sweet flavor. They are not hot peppers, but add a nice mild and sweet flavor, and when softened in a jar (what we are using here), add silkiness and smokiness to this dip.

Spices: A simple blend of salt, pepper, and smoked paprika adds the seasoning element to this dip. To amp it up further, we’re also adding hot pickled cherry peppers, which add brininess and heat.

For Serving: For some additional brightness, serve with fresh chives and more cracked black pepper.

Tips and Substitutions

  • Use any block of cheese (and not pre-shredded cheese) for a sub for sharp cheddar, such as mozzarella, yellow cheddar cheese, or Monterey Jack.
  • To sub out mayo, adjust with Greek yogurt or sour cream.
  • For a similar heat to pickled cherry peppers, sub with pickled jalapeno peppers, or pepperoncini. 
  • While you really want the tangy and thick consistency of cream cheese, you can substitute it with Greek yogurt or sour cream.
  • Storing: Store this dip in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days, bringing up to room temperature before serving. By serving at room temperature, you’ll have a nice creamy dip. If you serve it straight from the fridge, the cream cheese will have firmed up and it’s be harder to dip.

How to Make Spicy Pimento Cheese Dip

aluminum bowl of shredded sharp white cheddar cheese

Step 1: In a large bowl, add your cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayo, pimentos, garlic powder, paprika, hot pickled cherry peppers, salt, and pepper.

Step 2: Give everything a good toss until completely incorporated. Adjust with salt and pepper, to taste.

Step 3: Serve!

Serve right away with your favorite crackers, or vegetables such as celery sticks, carrots, radish, or cucumbers. For the best flavor, store in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow all the flavors to meld together, bringing up to room temperature when ready to serve. 

When ready to serve, transfer to a serving bowl, topping with chopped chives and a crank of black pepper. This dip stores in the fridge for up to 5 days. 

Serving Recommendations

If you’re looking for some ideas to serve with this pimento dip recipe, we’ve got you covered! 

pimento dip with chives on a platter with crackers

Pimento Cheese Dip FAQs

What are pimento peppers? 

Pimento peppers are red, heart-shaped peppers. They are smaller than regular bell peppers, and let off a nice sweet flavor. They are not hot peppers, but add a nice mild and sweet flavor, and when softened in a jar (what we are using here), add silkiness and smokiness.

Where is pimento cheese dip from?

This dip originated in NYC in the 1800s but has since been popularized in the South, and is a Southern staple. Pimento peppers originated from Spain.

How do you eat pimento cheese?

You can serve this dip with crackers, chips, or any of your favorite vegetables. It is also common to serve in a sandwich. 

What is the best cracker to serve with pimento cheese?

Our favorite is to serve this dip with a Ritz-style cracker or Saltines, but anything that is your favorite and that you have available to you will work just fine! 

More Appetizer Recipes

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Creamy pimento cheese dip garnished with herbs, served with round crackers on a plate.
5 from 1 vote

Spicy Pimento Cheese Dip

This Spicy Pimento Cheese Dip is a creamy and easy dip to make for game day. This recipe is also a special dish to make for a dinner party!
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 6

Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese, 8 ounces
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 4 ounce jar of pimentos, drained and finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Pinch of smoked paprika
  • 2 to 3 sliced hot pickled cherry peppers or 1 large cherry pepper, finely chopped, adjust with more or less to preference, plus 1 tablespoon brine
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives, for garnish

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, add your cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayo, pimentos, garlic powder, paprika, hot pickled cherry peppers, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good toss until completely incorporated.
  • Adjust with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Serve right away with your favorite crackers, or vegetables such as cut-up celery, carrots, radish, or cucumbers.
  • For the best flavor, store in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow all the flavors to meld together, bringing up to room temperature when ready to serve.
  • When ready to serve, transfer to a serving bowl, topping with chopped chives and a crank of black pepper. This dip stores in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Notes

Substitutions
  • Sharp White Cheddar Cheese: Use any shreddable cheese for a sub, such as mozzarella, yellow cheddar cheese, or Monterey Jack.
  • Mayo: To sub out mayo, adjust with Greek yogurt or sour cream.
  • Pickled Cherry Peppers: For a similar heat, sub with pickled jalapeno peppers, or pepperoncini. 
  • Cream Cheese: While you really want the tangy and thick consistency of cream cheese, you can substitute it with Greek yogurt or sour cream.
 
Storing: Store in the fridge for 4 to 5 days, bringing up to room temperature before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 197kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 42mg, Sodium: 178mg, Potassium: 55mg, Fiber: 0.02g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 514IU, Vitamin C: 0.003mg, Calcium: 38mg, Iron: 0.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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5 from 1 vote

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1 Comment

  1. 5 stars
    I hope you love this pimento dip! I love to prep it ahead of time when I’m having people over. A perfect appetizer for game day and beyond! Enjoy!