Southern Pimento Cheese

This Southern Pimento Cheese is creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor from sharp cheddar, pimentos, and caramelized green onions. Perfect as a spread, dip, sandwich filling, or appetizer for parties, game days, and backyard gatherings.

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Jump to:

• Pull Up A Chair & Let's Chat!
• What You'll Need & Why
• The Recipe Rundown
• Swaps & Variations
• Tips For The Best Southern Pimento Cheese
• Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe
• What To Serve With Southern Pimento Cheese
• Storage
• You Asked, I Answered
• Who’s Stirring the Pot?

this recipe

Pull Up A Chair & Let's Chat!

A good Southern Pimento Cheese should be creamy, cheesy, tangy, and just a little addictive. This version keeps everything you love about the classic while adding caramelized green onions for a rich, savory depth that sets it apart from the rest.

Whether you're spreading it on crackers, piling it onto sandwiches, topping burgers, or adding it to a snack board, this easy homemade pimento cheese is always a crowd-pleaser. It's simple to make, packed with flavor, and one of those recipes you'll find yourself coming back to again and again.

Why You'll Love This Southern Pimento Cheese

• Caramelized green onions: Add a mellow, savory flavor that makes this recipe stand out.
• Sharp cheddar cheese: Delivers the bold, classic flavor every good pimento cheese needs.
• Creamy and spreadable: Cream cheese and mayonnaise create the perfect texture.
• Easy to make: Simple ingredients and minimal prep make this a go-to appetizer.
• Perfect for entertaining: Great for sandwiches, burgers, crackers, vegetables, and snack boards.

What You'll Need & Why

• Sharp cheddar cheese: Freshly grated for the best texture and bold, classic pimento cheese flavor.
• Green onions: Caramelized until soft and golden for a rich, savory depth that sets this recipe apart.
• Cream cheese and mayonnaise: Create a creamy, spreadable texture that's perfect for crackers, sandwiches, and burgers.
• Pimentos: Add the signature sweetness and color every Southern pimento cheese needs.
• Worcestershire sauce, granulated garlic, and granulated onion: Bring savory flavor and balance to the sharp cheddar.
• Smoked paprika: Adds subtle warmth, color, and a hint of smokiness.

The Recipe Rundown

1. Caramelize the green onions: Cook the green onions until soft, golden, and deeply flavorful. This simple step is what makes this Southern Pimento Cheese stand out.
2. Build the base: Add the cooled onions, cream cheese, mayonnaise, pimentos, and seasonings to a food processor.
3. Pulse until creamy: Blend until smooth and spreadable, adjusting the texture to your preference.
4. Fold in the cheddar: Stir in the remaining shredded cheddar for extra texture and cheesy goodness.
5. Chill or serve: Enjoy immediately or refrigerate for an hour or two to let the flavors come together.

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Swaps & Variations

This Southern Pimento Cheese is easy to customize while still keeping that classic flavor.

• Turn up the heat: Add diced jalapeños, hot sauce, or a pinch of cayenne for extra kick.
• Switch the cheese: Sharp cheddar is traditional, but Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, or Colby are all delicious options. Freshly grated cheese is always best.
• Add extra tang: A splash of pickle juice or a squeeze of lemon brightens the spread beautifully.
• Make it more spreadable: Stir in a little extra mayonnaise if you plan to use it for sandwiches, burgers, or wraps.

Tips For The Best Southern Pimento Cheese

A few simple tips will help your homemade Southern Pimento Cheese turn out creamy, flavorful, and perfectly spreadable.

• Soften the cream cheese: It blends more smoothly and creates a creamier texture.
• Shred your own cheese: Freshly grated cheddar gives the best flavor and texture.
• Take your time with the green onions: Slow caramelization develops the savory depth that makes this recipe special.
• Drain the pimentos well: Excess liquid can make the spread too loose.
• Adjust the texture: Add a little extra mayonnaise for a softer spread or more cheddar for a thicker consistency.
• Let it chill: A short rest in the refrigerator helps the flavors meld and deepen.

What To Serve With Southern Pimento Cheese

Southern Pimento Cheese is one of the most versatile spreads around. Serve it as an appetizer, snack, sandwich spread, or party dip.

• Beer Bread: Warm slices of beer bread and pimento cheese are a match made in heaven.
• Cornbread: Spread a little pimento cheese on warm cornbread for a Southern-inspired treat.
• Deviled Eggs: Add pimento cheese to a snack board alongside deviled eggs for easy entertaining.
• Pickled Jalapeños: The tangy heat balances the rich, creamy cheese perfectly.
• Burgers: Skip the sliced cheese and add a generous scoop of pimento cheese instead.
• Crackers and fresh vegetables: A classic option for parties, game days, and holiday gatherings.
• Sandwiches and wraps: Use it as a spread for turkey, ham, roast beef, or pulled pork sandwiches.

Storage

• Store in an airtight container: Southern Pimento Cheese will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Let it soften slightly: For the best flavor and spreadability, let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving.
• Freshen it up if needed: If the mixture feels too thick after chilling, stir in a small spoonful of mayonnaise until it reaches your desired consistency.

You Asked, I Answered

Who’s Stirring the Pot?

Hi, I’m Ruth—recipe developer, comfort-food creator, and the voice behind Rufus For Real. I specialize in cozy, doable, flavor-packed meals for real-life kitchens, and I’m a firm believer that breakfast, dinner, and everything in between should be simple, satisfying, and impossible to mess up.

You’ll find me sharing even more comfort-food goodness, kitchen tips, and behind-the-scenes chaos over on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube (@rufusforreal everywhere).

If you love approachable recipes with a whole lot of personality, pull up a chair—there’s always room at this table.

Happy Cooking!

-Ruth aka Rufus