Creamy, cheesy, and just the right amount of kick. This Jalapeño Pimento Cheese is a Southern inspired twist on the classic spread. It's rich with sharp cheddar and cream cheese, balanced by sweet pimentos and a bit of heat from fresh jalapeño.

Close-up side view of jalapeno pimento cheese in a white ceramic bowl with blue floral patterns, showing the creamy texture with visible bits of shredded cheddar, red pimentos, and green jalapenos.

Growing up in Northern New York, I only knew pimento cheese from a jar, and I'll be honest, I wasn't a fan. But once I moved south and started making it fresh from scratch, everything changed.

This spicy version came to life while making my favorite Pimento Cheese Tea Sandwiches and quickly became my family's new go to!

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Why You'll Love this Jalapeño Pimento Cheese
Key Ingredients
Substitutions
Variations to Try
Top Tips
How to Store
Serving Suggestions
Related Recipes
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Why You'll Love this Jalapeño Pimento Cheese

Rich and creamy texture: thanks to the combo of cheddar, cream cheese, and mayo.

Bold flavors: with real ingredients, no processed jars here!

Great for entertaining: serve as a dip, sandwich spread, or stuffed in deviled eggs.

Key Ingredients

Assorted ingredients in a variety of bowls arranged on a dark countertop, including a bowl of shredded cheddar cheese, a small bowl of chopped green jalapenos, a jar of diced pimentos, a measuring cup filled with mayonnaise, a small dish of minced garlic, and another bowl containing chopped onions.

Sharp Yellow Cheddar Cheese: bold, tangy, and the base flavor of the spread. Always shred it fresh for best texture.

Cream Cheese: adds smoothness and helps bind everything together.

Mayonnaise: for moisture and that classic Southern flavor.

Diced Pimentos: mildly sweet peppers that give this spread its signature taste.

Fresh Jalapeño: brings a gentle heat that lifts the flavor without overpowering.

Garlic and Onion: finely minced to infuse bold flavor throughout the spread.

Substitutions

Use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar for extra kick.
Swap diced roasted red peppers in place of pimentos.
Try Greek yogurt instead of mayo for a taniger, lighter version.

Variations to Try

Add chipotle powder or smoked paprika for depth and a touch of smoke.
Mix in chopped green olives for a briny, zesty twist.
Blend with cream-style cottage cheese for a higher protein, chunkier dip.

Top Tips

Finely mince your jalapeño, onion, and garlic to help the flavors distribute evenly.
Drain your pimentos well. Excess liquid will thin out the spread.
Let the cheese spread chill at least 1 hour before serving for best flavor.

Top down view of bowl filled with jalapeno pimento cheese spread, showing a creamy mixture of shredded cheddar, diced pimentos, and green jalapenos blended with mayonnaise and cream cheese in a blue rimmed bowl.

How to Store

Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 week. It usually disappears long before then!

Serving Suggestions

Slather on a Pimento Cheeseburger for game day.
Spread in Breakfast Quesadillas with scrambled eggs and bacon.
Serve on the side of Fried Green Tomato Eggs Benedict.
Serve alongside Buttery Bread Chips or fresh veggies as a dip.

When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!

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