5.0 from 45 votes
Jalapeño Pimento Cheese
This fast and flavorful Jalapeño Pimento Cheese is a fun and fiery twist on the classic! It's a delicious make-ahead snack that always vanishes fast!
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 85 kcal
Course:
Appetizer , Snacks
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1-2 Jalapeno peppers (I always add two!)
- 4 oz plain cream cheese (½ a block) softened
- ¼ cup quality mayo
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp ground cayenne pepper
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 3-4 TBSP jarred diced pimentos
- 5 oz sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- First off, decide how spicy you'd like your pimento cheese. The cayenne pepper will determine the spice as well as how many jalapeños you add and you add any jalapeño seeds to the dip. I always add 2 medium jalapenos to mine (most of the seeds removed) as well as 1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne for some extra kick. For a more mild dip you can use sweet paprika in place of cayenne.
- Remove stems from jalapeños and cut in half. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Finely dice or mince.
- Soften cream cheese and combine with mayo, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt. Whip using an electric hand mixer (my method of choice) or mash well with a fork until well blended.
- Add diced/minced jalapeño and diced pimentos. Freshly grate sharp cheddar cheese and add to the bowl. Blend with a hand mixer on lowest setting or mix well with a fork.
- Allow to chill in the fridge until ready to dive in. It's great the first day and fantastic the next!
- Serve with an assortment of crackers and veggies. It's also amazing as a sandwich spread, stuffed into sweet mini peppers, in grilled cheese, and melted on burgers/veggie burgers too!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Jarred diced pickled jalapeños will also work great here. You can use them for a swap for the fresh jalapeños if needed *or* use the pickled jalapeño peppers in place of the pimentos for an extra jalapeño-y spread. It's delicious every which way!
- Recipe yields approx. 2 cups of pimento cheese dip/spread or 16 servings at 2 TBSP each.
- Nutrition Facts below are estimated using an online recipe nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Calories
85kcal
(4%)
Carbohydrates
1g
(0%)
Protein
3g
(6%)
Fat
8g
(12%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
19mg
(6%)
Sodium
119mg
(5%)
Potassium
28mg
(1%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
283IU
(6%)
Vitamin C
3mg
(3%)
Calcium
72mg
(7%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 16servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 85
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 85kcal | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 0% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 19mg | 6% |
| Sodium | 119mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 28mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 283IU | 6% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 72mg | 7% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.