Best Jalapeno Pimento Cheese Recipe
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The Best Jalapeno Pimento Cheese, also known as the Caviar of the South, is a Southern staple and is delicious served spread on saltine crackers, celery sticks, and even pork rinds. The basic recipe for traditional pimento cheese has 2 kinds of cheeses, full-fat mayonnaise, seasonings, and those red little darling jarred pimento peppers. Adding the fresh jalapenos gives it an extra special spicy kick! Bring recipe cards because everyone will be asking for the recipe.
Why You’ll Love Homemade Pimento Cheese Spread
This crowd pleasing, classic southern recipe with jalapenos is so easy to mix together and will keep for a long time. It’s perfect for school or work lunches and a party appetizer because its best when served at room temperature.
Adding chopped up fresh jalapenos to this easy Homemade Pimento Cheese recipe adds a little kick that instigates big smiles from your people. It’s an easy appetizer and one of my favorite things to serve or contribute to a backyard cookout or family get together.
What You’ll Need:
Ingredients
- Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese and Monterey Jack Cheese
- Full-fat Mayo
- Pimento peppers or roasted red bell peppers
- Fresh Jalapeno peppers
- Onion
- Cilantro (optional)
- garlic powder
- Chili Powder
- Mexican Tex-Mex Spice Blend Seasoning
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Salt and Pepper
How to Make Jalapeno Pimento Cheese
Pimento Cheese Steps
Step 1: Start off by grating the block cheeses; I prefer using a box grater…the pre-shredded cheese that comes in a package is less moist and flavorful because of the added gluten-based fillers.
Step 2: Chop the onion, fresh jalapenos, and drained roasted red peppers. Note: If using jarred pimentos, drain them first.
Step 3: Mix the mayo, Worcestershire Sauce, homemade Mexican spice seasoning, and garlic powder in a large mixing bowl.
Step 4: Add the chopped veggies to the large mixing bowl and stir until all the veggies are coated with the mayo sauce.
Step 5: Finally, add the grated cheeses to the large bowl and gently mix. Make sure not to over-mix.
Refrigerate for at least a couple of hours for the flavors to meld together…this is key.
Recipe Options
Add a few extra ingredients to make it really interesting. Include green or black olives, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, green chilis, or roasted jalapenos.
Use a little chili sauce or hot sauce to the mayo dressing for an extra spicy kick.
Add more full-fat mayo for creamy pimento cheese.
Add a tablespoon of Dijon mustard to make it a tangy, savory spread.
Top Tips
Use a large mixing bowl so you’ll have plenty of room to mix.
Also, use a rubber spatula instead of a metal or wooden spoon. The rubber ensures you’ll get every piece of grated cheese and mayo dressing incorporated.
Grate the block cheese when it’s cold for easier grating.
How to Serve Pimento Cheese
Some of my favorite ways to serve this delicious pimento cheese recipe.
- Traditional pimento cheese sandwiches on good old white bread.
- Smeared on saltine crackers, Ritz crackers, or any kind of cracker.
- As a sandwich with fried bologna…OMG!
- Use it as the cheese in a grilled cheese sandwich.
- Use it in a turkey, ham, or roast beef sandwich.
- Spread it on the top of a burger for a pimento cheeseburger.
- Use it as a condiment with this Drip Beef Sandwich.
- Mix it in grits or mashed potatoes.
- Use it as a baked potato topper.
- On toasted bread with homegrown tomatoes.
- Use it as a filling for grilled pimento cheese jalapeno poppers.
- Heat it up in the microwave and serve as a jalapeno pimento cheese dip with tortilla chips or fritos…trust me on this!
- Or eat it as finger food, Lol!
Occasions to Make Pimento Cheese
Jalapeno Pimento Cheese is a classic southern staple that’s good anytime and is perfect for a large potluck soiree!
- backyard barbeque
- funerals
- church gathering
- school functions
- picnics
- holiday gifts
How to Store Homemade Pimento Cheese
Store jalapeno pimento cheese in a glass or plastic tub with a tight-fitting lid.
It will keep in the refrigerator for at least 2 weeks.
Do not freeze!
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Best Jalapeno Pimento Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 24 oz sharp cheddar cheese grated
- 8 oz monteray jack cheese or pepper jack cheese grated
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped red, yellow, white or combo
- 2 large fresh jalapenos, finely chopped more or less to taste
- 6 oz pimentos, drained or .5 cup of jarred roasted red peppers, diced up or more to taste
- 1 cup real mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp mexican seasoning more or less to taste
- 1/4 cup snipped cilantro (optional) fresh if possible
Instructions
- Grate both cheeses.
- Chop jalapenos and onions.
- Mix Mayo, garlic paste, seasonings, pimentos together.
- Add everything together and mix but be careful not to over mix. You want to recognize the shreds of cheese. Sprinkle chili powder on top.
- Place in fridge until chilled and flavors have melded together.
- Serve with crackers or celery. Enjoy!!!
Notes
Nutrition
