Pimento cheese spread is one of the pride and joys of Southern cooking. You can use it on just about anything — on crackers, toasts, stuffed into celery sticks (classic), or served with crudite/raw veggies. Try it as a sandwich spread or on a homemade biscuit. Add it on top of Buffalo Turkey Burger Sliders or use it to spice up your Classic Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich.

Pimento cheese is often called the “House Pate” of the South (isn’t that terrific?). It is also known as “the caviar of the South” and “Carolina Caviar.” This Southern staple is usually made of a combo of roasted peppers (piquillo, red bell, or pimento peppers) with mayonnaise (Duke mayo is the official mayo of the South) and cheddar cheese…and sometimes it stops right there. Many Southern cooks add other ingredients, such as different cheeses, spices like hot peppers or paprika, Worcestershire, lemon juice, or some member of the onion family. I use fresh onion, but onion powder and garlic powder are popular options.

People who hail from the South know a thing or two about some foods that the rest of us may have missed out on. No matter how late in the game we are introduced to these foods, we should do our very best to make up for lost time. Once you discover these foods, you won’t need much urging.

Ingredients

• Mayonnaise – For a silky texture.
• Cream cheese – For a slight tang.
• Red onion – For a bit of a crunch and slightly sharp spicy flavor.
• Worcestershire sauce – For deep umami flavors and a great balance of sweetness, savoriness, and spiciness.
• Bourbon – My friend, talented Southern chef Griff Day of the much-missed Back in the Day Bakery in Savannah, told me he uses a splash of bourbon in his pimento cheese, and that little trick really seems to add some depth and extra flavor to my version as well. 
• Sriracha or other hot sauce – For a slight kick.
• Smoked paprika and cayenne pepper – These spices provide a great smoky flavor.
• Sharp cheddar cheese – Extra-sharp cheddar cheese really allows the cheddar flavor to shine through.
• Pimentos – I use jarred pimentos, a sweet, mild, and aromatic bell pepper.

How to Make Pimento Cheese

1. Mix everything together: Combine the mayonnaise, cream cheese, onion, Worcestershire sauce, Sriracha, smoked paprika, and cayenne. Stir in the cheese and pimentos and season with salt to taste. Chill.

Tips

• Don’t use pre-grated cheese for this Pimento Cheese Spread — freshly grated cheese makes the mixture taste amazing — and adhere together better.
• Make the pimento cheese at least one day ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld. Serve leftovers with crackers.

Storage

Pack into a container and refrigerate for at least 1 day and up to 7 days. Bring pimento cheese to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.

What to Serve With Pimento Cheese Spread

Chipotle Beef Burgers

The Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Biscuits

More Homemade Sauce Recipes

• Blue Cheese Dip
• Tartar Sauce
• Roasted Red Pepper Basil Mayonnaise
• Remoulade Sauce