Homemade pimento cheese with a smoky twist and a spicy kick is perfect for snacks and sandwiches on its own. Use it in any recipe that calls for pimento cheese as an ingredient, and take your dish up a notch or two.
Homemade pimento cheese was a staple in our house when I was growing up – especially in the summertime. Mama made the traditional type with just a little mayo, salt and pepper, and a good dash of apple cider vinegar.
Over the years when I’ve heard people say they don’t like pimento cheese I could never understand. But then, one day I got a taste of that stuff in a tub that was sold in groceries back in the 60’s and 70’s. That’s when I got it. If that’s all you’ve ever had, do yourself a favor and try the real thing.
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Simply spread it on a cracker or a crostini and you’ve got the snack perfect to go with a cold beer or a tall glass of iced tea. Add it to a buffet in an elegant dish surrounded with vegetables and water biscuits and our Spicy Pimento Cheese is special enough for any occasion.
Pimento Cheese as an ingredient in other recipes
We have several recipes right here on Biscuits and Burlap that call for pimento cheese. If there’s no time to make homemade we do love small batch Proper Pepper made right here in Georgia, but sold all over. If you don’t find it in your local store, ask for it!
But, when we have just the few minutes it takes we do love to make it at home. Make a double batch to snack on and then use the rest in recipes like Burger Sliders Stuffed With Pimento Cheese or our Pimento Cheese Ball.
These little appetizers in phyllo shells have a sprinkle of bacon on top and they will be the first to go at any party.
For the best of Southern flavors in one delicious warm-from-the-oven bite you’ll want to make Pimento Cheese Biscuits.
And best of all is our sandwich, The Spicy Southerner! It combines our Fried Green Tomatoes, Bacon Jam and Pimento Cheese for a little bit of heaven on two slices of bread!
It also makes a natural addition to our Southern Style Grazing Board.
The spiciness can be toned down a bit
I know what some of you are thinking…. I just can’t take it that spicy. Now you know that here at B&B we love spicy foods. And, this pimento cheese packs a pretty good punch.
If you like a kick, but not too much, here are a couple of suggestions: Leave out the additional diced pickled jalapeno peppers. If you do that, add an extra teaspoon of cider vinegar. You could also leave out the cayenne pepper, but we do think cheddar and cayenne are a magical combination.
Have you ever had cheese straws and loved them? They almost always have a tad of cayenne, and our recipe is no exception. You can get to it here.
Rotisserie Chicken Salad Buffalo Style is another recipe that can be made spicy or not. Add just enough hot sauce to make it interesting, or add a lot to kick it up!
Don’t leave out the smoky Tabasco, because that’s a key ingredient in giving our pimento cheese it’s smokiness (alternatively you could add a drop or two of liquid smoke). The same goes for the smoked paprika, and it doesn’t add any heat anyway.
It goes without saying that Pimento Cheese is the ultimate southern recipe. If that rings true with you, you’ll have an interest in Southern Food Then and Now.
This recipe made the suggested list for the Backyard BBQ Menu Ideas. You’ll want to visit for lots of other recipes as well as tips, tricks and planning help for your cookout.
Spicy & Smoky Pimento Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 ounces freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces freshly grated Pepper Jack cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup mayonaisse
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- 6-8 slices pickled jalapeno slices diced finely (optional)
- 2 ounce jar diced pimentos
- ½-1 teaspoon Tabasco Chipotle Pepper Sauce could substitute 1-2 drops liquid smoke
Instructions
- Stir all ingredients together except jalapeno slices and pimentoes until well blended.
- Add jalapeno slices and pimentoes and stir gently.
- Refrigerate at least 2 hours and preferably overnight to blend flavors.
We just know y’all are going to love this recipe as much as we do. Be sure to tag us on Instagram or Facebook when you make it. That makes our day! Heck, it makes our week!
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A few more Southern Recipes You’ll Want to Try!
Southern Appetizer Board 
Grilled Chicken Wings: Cajun Style 
Grilled Fish Tacos with Baja Sauce 
Strawberry Shortcake Mini’s 
Goat Cheese Appetizers with Roasted Tomatoes 
Bourbon Peppercorn Sauce for Steaks
Angela says
I just LOVE Pimento Cheese! This turned out absolutely divine and will my go-to recipe in the future… I loved all of the flavors! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
Pam says
Oh, thank you so much, Angela! I’m positive you’re going to love it!
Kelly Anthony says
I recently discovered homemade pimento cheese and I also wonder why people ever buy it in the store because it taste so different. Excited to try your smoky pimento cheese recipe.
Pam says
Thanks, Kelly. Hope you enjoy!
Jen says
Where has this been all of my life?! I love all things spicy and this looks like perfection.
Pam says
Awwww, thanks Jen! We love it too.
Demeter says
This is a huge hit at parties! Always the first appetizer to go. Everyone loves it.
Pam says
Wait until you try our spicy, smoky version! It will go even faster!
Rosa says
Mmm love that you combined 3 different cheeses (my weakness!). Sounds amazing. Will definitely try this one.
Pam says
It’s a good one. Hope you love it, Rosa!
Doris says
I first tried Pimento cheese when I had it atop a hamburger in a little store front restaurant in Virginia . It was love at first bite to say the least! When I saw all the preservatives in store bought I knew I had to make my own. I concocted my own recipe and will try yours … love the idea of the smoked paprika and pepper jack cheese.. Mine is somewhat different in texture as I have not added cream cheese but certainly not opposed to that addition. I grate white and extra sharp yellow cheddar plus my secret ingredient which I make everyone guess what it is. By the way.. I grew up in Brooklyn NY and we Yankees can certainly enjoy Southern recipes which I love !! Thanks for a different twist on a great recipe. My Pimento cheese deprivation is finally over!
Pam says
Your message made me smile, Doris. There are certainly lots of good versions of pimento cheese out there, and yours sounds wonderful too. I have a dear friend here in Georgia who grew up in the Bronx and she has become quite the pimento cheese lover herself.
Doris says
Hi Pam!
I got my cheeses today and will make over the weekend. Hope you and yours have a great weekend and I will surely let you know how it turns out. Blessings.
Pam says
Hi Doris, I bet your pimento cheese tured out to be great. Hope everyone loved it.
Kevin says
I want to grab this from my screen and have it for snack today! I love a good dip for snack!
Pam says
haha… me, too! Thanks, Kevin
Kushigalu says
Love this smoky twist and what a great recipe. Looks amazibgly delicious.
Pam says
Thanks so much, Kushigalu!
Jessica Formicola says
This is the best pimento cheese recipe ever! We make it often and always get asked for the recipe!
Pam says
That’s awesome to hear. Thanks, Jessica!
Gail Montero says
How deliciously good! I can imagine so many uses for this tasty spread!
Pam says
Thank you, Gail!
Abigail Raines says
Love the spicy and smoky flavors here! What a versatile and tasty spread indeed!
Pam says
Thanks, Abigail!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
I haven’t had pimento cheese in soooo long. This sounds super delicious and I am tempted to put together some right now. Perfect for summer.
Pam says
Do it! You won’t be sorry….
Margi says
Hi, wanted to make this soon and when I went to the farmer’s market he had home grown pimento. Had never seen one before so bought it and now it’s kinda what do I do now? If I dice this like the jars of pimento do I cook them and then use it in the cheese or do I leave it raw. Cook them in water or skillet with butter. Haven’t cut into it yet and am really antsy to make your pimento cheese. Help, hoping you have some answers.
Pam says
Hi Margi, I would not leave the pmento pepper raw. The ones you get in a jar are pickled, so if you have a few days I would dice your pepper and then pour hot vinegar over it and allow it to sit for a while. Otherwise, just cook gently in a little water until they’re tender.
Devy says
This is surely our new sandwich filling. So creamy and cheesy with the spicy kick that makes it moreish. Perfect for me who loves chillies. Thank you for sharing.
Pam says
If you like a spicy kick you’ll love it.
Claudia Lamascolo says
3 different cheeses? Sign me up as a taste tester 🙂 ..making this for Easter
Pam says
haha…. hope y’all enjoy!
Biana says
This pimento cheese looks perfect! Such a great party appetizer.
Pam says
Thank you, Biana.
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
I love this pimento cheese! My mom used to make this in the 60s for parties! It’s great inside sandwiches too…not just for parties! Thanks for sharing.
Pam says
Kind of a throwback, huh? My mom always made it when we were growing up too!
veenaazmanov says
This is so very interesting. Perfect party type dish. Cheesy options are my favorite. I love it.
Pam says
Thanks so much, Veena!
Stephanie says
What do you usually serve this with? I’m attending a “Southern party” and I think this is what I’m going to bring! Can’t wait!
Pam says
Hi Stephanie, Celery sticks and some type of crackers are traditional, but you can let your imagination go wild. Pimento cheese makes everything better!
Nancy says
WOW – is this pimento cheese good and addictive too. We love the spice and I made it just as directed. This pimento cheese will be our go-to recipe from now on. Served along with crackers and it made a wonderful appetizer for our 4th of July feast. .
Pam says
Yay! Thanks so much for letting us know Nancy. We really appreciate it when readers come back to leave a star rating and a review!