Hot Pimento Cheese Dip

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A southern staple now served warm, this Hot Pimento Cheese Dip must be kept in your recipe box under delicious appetizer cuisine. After the first bite, the creamy texture of this cheese dip will have you marking it as one of your new favorite recipes.

If you love cheesy easy recipes, then give our Chorizo Cheese Dip and Cheesy Roasted Red Pepper Dip a try!

Freshly baked pimento cheese dip still in the skillet with baguette slices around it.

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What are pimento peppers?
Is pimento cheese served hot or cold?
Recipe ingredients
How to make warm pimento cheese dip
How to serve hot pimento cheese dip
Recipe FAQs
Other Delicious Dip Recipes
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What are pimento peppers?

Pimento peppers or pimiento (cherry peppers) are large, mild, slightly sweet, heart shaped red peppers. There are a few pimiento varieties that are spicy.

They could be used in place of bell peppers, but they're not as readily available in your average grocery store as their bell-shaped cousin. If your market has an olive bar, you might find them there pickled.

If you've ever seen something red stuffed inside green olives, it was more than likely a pimento pepper. Pimento cheese and pimento loaf (think bologna studded with the peppers) are probably the most common way they're used. We love adding then to our macaroni, potato, and pasta salads too.

Is pimento cheese served hot or cold?

Yes! To both! You're going to love pimento cheese dip either way.

Our version is baked and meant to be served warm. However, eating it cold, freshly mixed together is absolutely wonderful too. You can't go wrong when serving this homemade pimento cheese dip recipe.

Oh, and the leftovers are divine.

Three baguette pieces slathered with pimento cheese dip on a blue plate.

Recipe ingredients

Ingredients to make pimento cheese dip: cream cheese, worcestershire sauce, green onions, monterey jack cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, mayonnaise, onion, roasted red peppers, ground mustard, pimentos, salt, black pepper, granulated garlic, and sweet paprika.

Cheeses — Cream cheese-at room temperature. We used a even mixture of extra sharp cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese. You could use any cheddar cheese, Colby Jack, and/or pepper Jack cheese for a little spice. (We don't recommend using pre-shredded cheese. For best results, grate your own cheese freshly; a food processor will make quick work of it.)
Onions — both green and a yellow onion. Finely mince the yellow onion and finely dice the green onions, reserving a bit of the green part as a final garnish. Onion powder could be substituted for minced yellow onion.
Peppers — Jarred pimento peppers and a jar roasted red peppers. Drain both thoroughly, patting them dry. Roughly chop the red peppers. The pimento peppers should already be diced.
Bacon — Because bacon makes everything better. Cooked and crumbled.
Mayonnaise — Duke's mayo is what we used; it's a southern favorite and this is southern pimento cheese. Hellman's/Best Foods will be great too. We don't recommend Miracle Whip for this recipe.
Seasonings — Worcestershire sauce, ground mustard (not prepared), salt, black pepper, granulated garlic (garlic powder is ok, but not garlic salt), and sweet paprika. For a little extra kick, use hot paprika or ground cayenne pepper powder or a dash or two of your favorite hot sauce.

How to make warm pimento cheese dip

Seasonings, mayo, worcestershire sauce, and cream cheese added to a stainless steel mixing bowl. — **Step 1** — Preheat oven to 375°F. Add the mayonnaise, softened cream cheese, and all the seasonings to a large bowl.

Cream cheese, seasonings, mayonnaise, and worcestershire sauce creamed together in a mixing bowl. — **Step 2** — Use a stand or hand mixer and combine cream cheese and everything together until smooth and creamy.

Bacon, green onions, yellow onion, roasted red pepper, and pimentos added to the creamy mixture. — **Step 3** — Fold in the crumbled bacon, sliced green onions (reserving some green parts for garnish), diced pimentos, minced onion, and chopped roasted red peppers by hand using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon.

Both cheeses being stirred into the creamy pepper mixture. — **Step 4** —Stir in the shredded cheeses by the handful to the creamy pepper mixture. Do not add it all at once, as it could clump.

Dip fully mixed in a stainless steel bowl ready to be baked. — **Step 5** — Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

The dip added to a square cast iron skillet and topped with green onions ready to be baked. — **Step 6** — Add the cheese mixture to the cast iron skillet, garnish with reserved green onions, and bake for 15-20 minutes. For extra golden brown top, once baked, place under the broiler for a minute or two.

How to serve hot pimento cheese dip

Crackers — Ritz crackers are a classic but any of your favorites will be delicious.
Bread — Sliced baguette (toasted or not) or any sturdy, crusty bread pieces.
Vegetables — Carrots, celery, and bell peppers are all excellent options.
Chips — Tortilla chips and pita chips are great options.

Two spoons resting in the pimento cheese dip in the skillet.

Recipe FAQs

How to use up leftover pimento cheese dip?

Make a regular or grilled pimento cheese sandwich. Use it as a topping on pulled pork or a baked potato.

Can I eat leftover baked pimento cheese dip cold?

Yes, it is absolutely amazing.

How long will the leftovers last?

Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

How to rewarm pimento cheese dip?

Add it to a skillet or baking dish and bake it at 375°F for about 10 minutes, but the exact time will be determined by how much is being reheated. It can also be reheated in the microwave.