Southern Spicy Pimento Cheese is a Buttered Home favorite. We take a southern favorite and heat it up a bit. Adding Pepper Jack cheese and a touch of cayenne, it will knock your socks off!

Where does Pimento Cheese Come From?
Southern Spicy Pimento Cheese is a real Southern classic. Some of the best cooking comes from right here in the South. When folks travel to all points south, they look for the food first!
Good old Fried chicken, Collard greens, I could go on and on! Here in the South, food just tastes better. This Pimento cheese is no exception!
We take spicy pepper jack cheese and cream cheese and make a combo so amazing you won't be able to stop eating it!
Pimento cheese dates as far back as the late 1800's and early 1900's. It actually was born out of the creation of cream cheese.
This traditional ingredient is why we use it in our pimento cheese recipe. We zip it on up with some spicy ingredients to make a fun and pleasing appetizer!
How to make Spicy Pimento Cheese, Southern Style
When you see what all is in it you might think, wow! I have never tasted all of this before! This recipe is truly a result of a combination of different flavors, hot, sweet, spicy and cool. It takes them all to make a beautiful Southern Pimento cheese.
~ Ingredients ~
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 12 oz pepper jack cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Mayo
- ½ cup diced pimentos, drained
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temp
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- pinch of smoked paprika
~ Method ~
- In a large bowl, mix cheeses, cream cheese and Mayo. Mix well to combine. Add in ACV, salt, brown sugar and cayenne. Mix well.
- Fold in Pimentos. Chill for at least one hour. Serve. Garnish with lovely Smoked Paprika for a pop of color! Enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
How long will it last?
Pimento cheese is popular in the South because it doesn't generally spoil when left out on the counter. You can serve it room temperature or cold out of the fridge. We do suggest storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. There it should last up to 2 weeks.
Does it have to be spicy?
No, simply omit the cayenne and substitute the pepper jack for any other cheese you like. Great recipes are born from experimentation and that is what we want you to do here.
How to serve Pimento Cheese
The possibilities are endless. We like it on a cracker or a chip, even raw veggies are good with it. Most folks serve it like a dip but it is also really good on top of a burger in place of regular cheese and macaroni and cheese.
It also makes a mean grilled cheese sandwich. And my childhood favorite, just spread between two pieces of bread AS a sandwich is so perfect. Get creative!
Spicy Pimento Cheese a Southern Staple
We loooove this pimento cheese on a sandwich, a cracker and even a stalk of celery. It can be a fancy appetizer or a meal in and of itself.
When you need something to take to a gathering or give as a food gift, you cannot go wrong with this Pimento cheese. It also is so perfect that you can take out the spicy elements and substitute the pepper jack with mild cheddar.
You can also turn it into a really good Fried appetizer as well. Be sure you check out our post on FRIED PIMENTO CHEESE. You will be glad you did!
No matter how you make it or where you take it, it will surely be a hit. Have a little bit of Southern perfection at your next party!
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Stuff We Used!
Spicy Pimento Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 12 oz pepper jack cheese shredded
- 1 cup Mayo
- ½ cup diced pimentos drained
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 8 oz cream cheese room temp
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Pinch of Smoked paprika
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix cheeses, cream cheese and Mayo. Mix well to combine. Add in ACV, salt, brown sugar and cayenne. Mix well.
- Fold in Pimentos. Chill for at least one hour. Serve. Enjoy! Garnish with a pinch of smoked paprika for a pop of color!
Nina
Brooke that spicy pimento cheese sounds so good. Thank you for such a delicious recipe.😊
Brooke Burks
Thank you Nina!!
Becki
Best pimento cheese I ever ate! Easy and delicious.
Brooke Burks
YES!!! Thank you!!!