Friends - I'm in the middle of my sports era and the Masters were last week, the Derby is right around the corner and we need some Homemade Pimento Cheese Dip to celebrate. Let's do this!
Homemade pimento cheese dip is one of those recipes that sounds incredibly simple, and it is, but the result is so much better than anything you could ever buy at the store that once you make it you will never go back. We are talking extra-sharp cheddar, cream cheese, mayo, diced pimentos, a little jalapeño heat, garlic, onion powder, and red pepper flakes all mixed together into the most creamy, tangy, slightly spicy, completely addictive spread you have ever put on a chip. If you are building out a full dip spread right now, my Cheesy Artichoke Dip, my Roasted Onion Dip, and my Classic Spinach Dip are all waiting for you.
Homemade Pimento Cheese Dip at a Glance
- 🕒 Total Time: ~10 minutes
- 👪 Servings: 6–8 people
- 🍝 Cuisine Type: Southern / American classic
- 🧂 Flavor Profile: Creamy, tangy, salty, slightly spicy with a mild peppery kick
- 📖 Dietary Info: Gluten-free; vegetarian
- 📦 Storage Notes: Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 1 week
- ⭐ Why You’ll Love It: A no-cook, crowd-favorite dip made with sharp cheddar, creamy mayo, and pimentos—perfect for game day, sandwiches, or snacking straight from the bowl
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Why I Love This Recipe
Ok, real talk. If you missed my current obsession with all things golf and F1, let me get you fully up to speed. A few months back I watched a golf docuseries and somehow, over the course of a few episodes, became a full-blown die hard golf fan. I genuinely cannot explain how it happened.
I used to judge Thomas so hard when he would go hit a bucket, or four, of balls at the range or drive all over Southern California to play various courses. And now here I am, completely invested in every player, every tournament, and every leaderboard. Not sure I'm proud of it, but I am absolutely not ashamed either. So to answer your question, yes I watched the Masters and I have no idea who I am anymore.
Enter this Homemade Pimento Cheese Dip, which is truly spectacular and could not be more fitting for that occasion and the upcoming Derby. Pimento cheese is a Southern staple and I am fully into it.
It is loaded with freshly shredded extra-sharp cheddar, cream cheese, mayo, and those little diced pimentos that make the whole thing so perfectly tangy and creamy and completely addictive. Serve it on chips, crackers, in a sandwich, honestly on anything you can get your hands on. And if you really want to go all in on the dip situation, pair this with my Roasted Onion Dip and my Buffalo Chicken Dip for a game day spread that will have everyone completely forgetting there is even a tournament on.
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Ingredients
Substitutions & Swaps
🧀 Cheese Base
- Sharp cheddar — Classic and bold; the backbone of the dip
- Mild cheddar — Softer flavor, more kid-friendly
- Pepper jack — Adds built-in spice
- Colby or Monterey Jack — Creamier, less sharp profile
🥄 Creaminess
- Mayonnaise — Traditional, rich base
- Greek yogurt — Lighter, tangier swap
- Sour cream — Slightly thinner, more tang
- Extra cream cheese — Richer and thicker texture
🌶 Heat & Flavor
- Jalapeño — Fresh, bright heat (optional)
- Red pepper flakes — Easy pantry heat
- Hot sauce — Adds both acid and spice
- Smoked paprika — Subtle smoky depth
🧅 Add-Ins
- Green onions — Fresh bite and color
- Pickle relish — Sweet-tangy contrast
- Garlic powder — Boosts savory flavor
- Onion powder — Classic background note
🥖 Serving Options
- Potato chips — Classic pairing
- Corn chips — Salty, ultra-crunchy, and sturdy
- Crackers — Easy and sturdy
- Toasted bread — Great for sandwiches
- Veggies — Celery, carrots, or peppers for a lighter option
How to Make Homemade Pimento Cheese Dip
Step 1: Place Cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, pimento, minced jalapeño, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and onion powder in a large bowl.
Step 2: Mix until thoroughly combined. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Serve with potato chips.
Tips & Tricks for the Best Homemade Pimento Cheese Dip
- Shred your own cheese — Pre-shredded cheese won’t melt or blend as smoothly
- Soften the cream cheese — Ensures a smooth, spreadable texture
- Mix thoroughly — You want everything evenly distributed, not clumpy
- Taste and adjust — Salt, pepper, and spice levels vary based on your cheese and jalapeño
- Make ahead — Flavor improves after a few hours in the fridge
- Serve at cool room temp — Slightly softened dip is more spreadable and flavorful
FAQ's
Can I make homemade Pimento Cheese ahead of time?
Yes and you absolutely should. It keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days and the flavor gets better the longer it sits. Pull it out about 20 minutes before serving to let it soften slightly.
What do I serve with Pimento Cheese?
Potato chips are the classic and perfect pairing. Ritz crackers, celery sticks, sliced bell peppers, toasted baguette slices, and pita chips are all incredible options too. For a Southern-inspired spread, serve it alongside crackers and sliced pickles.
What is pimento cheese called in the South?
Pimento cheese is sometimes referred to as "southern pate." It's been a staple in the south for decades.
Can I make Pimento Cheese more or less spicy?
Absolutely. Add more red pepper flakes, increase the jalapeño, or stir in a dash of hot sauce if you want more heat. You can also use pepper jack instead of plain cheddar for an extra layer of heat. Or reduce those things for less heat.
Can I use this as a spread instead of a dip?
One hundred percent yes. Pimento cheese is iconic as a sandwich spread and absolutely incredible on toast, grilled cheese, burgers, and crackers. It is one of the most versatile things you will have in your fridge.
Pimento Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 4-ounce jar diced pimentos drained
- 1 jalapeño pepper seeded and minced (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- Potato chips for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded cheddar, softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, drained pimentos, minced jalapeño, granulated garlic, red pepper flakes, and onion powder. Mix until thoroughly combined and creamy.
- Season generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. For best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Bring to cool room temperature before serving. Serve with potato chips, crackers, or crudités for dipping.
Notes
- Shred your own cheese — Pre-shredded cheese won’t melt or blend as smoothly
- Soften the cream cheese — Ensures a smooth, spreadable texture
- Mix thoroughly — You want everything evenly distributed, not clumpy
- Taste and adjust — Salt, pepper, and spice levels vary based on your cheese and jalapeño
- Make ahead — Flavor improves after a few hours in the fridge
- Serve at cool room temp — Slightly softened dip is more spreadable and flavorful
I can always get behind a great dip!!!
Yum! Raised with a southern mom in California, I grew up eating pimento cheese in our household. I never got a chance to ask my mom how she makes hers, so this recipe was a pleasant discovery because I never made a bad WGC recipe! We are a Tillamook cheese household, too, so this was something we wanted to try! 10/10 recommend … so good. Thanks, Gaby!
10000/10! Best dip ever. Nobody could stop eating this at our Masters party. Perfection!
This was fantastic! Nobody could stay out of it. 10/10 across the board. (I subbed Greek yogurt for the mayo due to an egg allergy, then whipped it together with the cream cheese with a hand mixer.)
This looks and sounds fantastic. Adding the ingredients to the grocery list. Yum!
Perfection!
Is it red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper? Will either work?
either works!!
So so so delish !!! Gaby, you nailed this one
Are you posting an egg salad recipe? They go hand in hand with the Masters!
I'm not bc I secretly hate egg salad LOL - anything hard boiled egg related and I have a very tense relationship
It’s the absolute best as another layer on pulled pork bbq sandwiches.
okay, okay, okay. I will be making this over the weekend, and I will start F 1, to see what it is all about!!!