UPDATED with new photos, 6/18/2018. Hi, friends! We’re vacationing on the Outer Banks this week, but I’m still thinking of you! I even wrote up this pimento cheese recipe. It was a big hit on vacation, and I hope you enjoy it too!

The Beloved and I are staying in Duck, NC this week, and we are thoroughly enjoying every moment. Yesterday, we spent a few hours at the Wright Brothers Memorial, which is only about 15 minutes from the house we’re renting. 

Pimento Cheese Recipe

Even though there really is no one way to make pimento cheese spread, I think this version is pretty excellent. But there are tons of ways to vary this recipe to suit your own tastes.

What Else Can I Put in My Pimento Cheese?

I’m glad you asked. Here are some ideas for you.

• Crumbled bacon
• Prepared horseradish
• Celery seed (one of my favorite additions)
• Cream cheese (mixed with some mayonnaise for a super creamy version)
• Mustard powder (just a touch for me, but you do you)
• Spice blends such as Old Bay or Tony Chachere’s
• Hot sauce (Tabasco, sriracha, etc)
• Garlic powder, onion powder, etc.
• Sweet pickle juice or a little bit of sugar

Add everything to taste. The beauty of this traditional Southern specialty is that you can add everything to taste. Don’t like an ingredient? Leave it out. Really like an ingredient? Add extra.

What is the best mayonnaise for making Pimento Cheese?

This might be a controversial response to this question, but use your favorite mayonnaise. If you’re vegan, use vegan cheese and Just Mayo, which is made without eggs. If you grew up on Duke’s, use it. Ditto for Hellman’s. Use your favorite. Personally, I’m on Team Duke’s but I won’t fight you over the type of mayo you use.

This time, I decided to spice and smoke things up a bit, so this recipe for pimento cheese is actually a smoky, spicy pimento cheese.

So far, we’ve enjoyed it alone on crackers and then as a topping for a fried egg on one of my whole wheat English Muffins. Both ways? Excellent! Do give this spicy, smoky twist on pimento cheese a try. I think you’ll enjoy it as much as we did!

Southern Pimento Cheese Recipe (with a Spicy Kick)

Yield: 16 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

This pimento cheese recipe puts a zingy twist on a southern classic. If you're looking for a pimento cheese recipe with a bit of a kick, you've found it here!

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Ingredients

• 1 pound sharp or extra sharp cheddar cheese, , shredded
• 1/2 pound pepper jack cheese, , shredded
• 2 cups Mayonnaise, (preferably Duke's)
• 1/2 cup diced red pimento, (jarred is fine)
• 1/2 cup spicy pepper relish, (such as Get Me a Switch)
• 1/4 cup diced pickled jalapeno peppers, (or to taste)
• 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar or liquid from the jalapeno pepper jar
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients and stir well until completely combined.
2. You can eat it immediately, but it is better if you let it sit in the fridge for at least a few hours to let the flavors blend.
3. Enjoy!

Notes

Nutritional information is based on 16 servings of about 2 ounces. Know that I can easily eat four times that much without blinking. Use your power wisely!

Nutrition Information:

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 372 Saturated Fat: 11g Cholesterol: 54mg Sodium: 656mg Carbohydrates: 4g Sugar: 3g Protein: 10g

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I’m keeping this short and sweet today, because I must get back to vacation, but I wanted to make sure I shared this recipe with you.

Enjoy the spicy smoked pimento cheese and the rest of your week, and I’ll see you soon.

Have a lovely day.