Southern Style Jalapeño Pimento Cheese
A recipe for jalapeño pimento cheese, a spicy twist on a southern classic. You can leave out the jalapeños for a classic version of this tasty spread.
Servings 12
Calories 166kcal
Ingredients
- 8 oz freshly shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese use the block cheese and shred it, not the already shredded cheese, it makes a difference in the texture
- 8 oz freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- ½ cup mayonnaise I use an olive oil blend but Duke's is a traditional southern staple
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp ground cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ cup diced jalapenos thoroughly drained (in the jar- these have a great flavor and softer texture than fresh)
- 4 oz jar diced pimento, drained well
- sea salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place all ingredients, except salt and pepper, in the bowl of an electric mixer and blend at medium speed until well combined.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve.
- Store leftover spread in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Notes
- I cannot encourage you enough to shred your own cheese. The flavor and texture are so much better with freshly shredded cheddar.
- Be sure to drain the jalapeños and pimentos well. If there's any excess liquid, it may make your pimento cheese watery and unpleasant.
- Not a huge fan of spicy food? That's okay. Omit the jalapeños and cayenne to tone down the heat a bit. Add fresh chopped herbs instead like parsley and chives.
Nutrition
Calories: 166kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 249mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 738IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 154mg | Iron: 1mg