Cheese Pimiento Recipe (2024)

Published: by Nora Reyes · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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Cheese Pimiento is a delicious spread with savory cheese, sweet pimientos, and mayonnaise for extra creaminess. It's incredibly easy to prepare, requiring just 10 minutes of your time!

Cheese Pimiento Recipe (1)
Jump to:
  • What is Cheese Pimiento?
  • Ingredients you'll need
  • Notes and substitutions
  • How to make this recipe
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Filipino spreads (Palaman)
  • Other appetizers and sides you may like
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

What is Cheese Pimiento?

Cheese Pimiento is a spread or filling for sandwiches or bread like the traditional Filipino pandesal. It is made with a blend mayonnaise, pimiento (a type of sweet red pepper), and grated cheese, often processed cheese with a creamy texture and mild, slightly salty flavor.

Queso de Bola, a type of Edam cheese that's especially popular during the holidays, is a preferred choice, known for its nutty flavor and slightly firmer texture.

Ingredients you'll need

Cheese Pimiento Recipe (2)

Notes and substitutions

  • Cheese: Processed cheese is typically used for its creamy and slightly salty taste, or Queso de Bola (Edam cheese), a semi-hard, yellow cheese popular during Christmas in the Philippines. If needed, substitute with cheddar cheese for a sharper flavor or American cheese, another processed type. You can also mix in Gouda or Colby for variety.
  • Pimiento: I use jarred pimientos with their bright red color and mild, sweet flavor. You can also use roasted red bell peppers or sweet peppers, which can be roasted and peeled to mimic the texture and taste of pimientos.

How to make this recipe

Step 1: Chop the pimientos

Begin by finely chopping the pimientos.

Cheese Pimiento Recipe (3)

Step 2: Grate the cheese

Finely grate the cheese for a more uniform texture.

Cheese Pimiento Recipe (4)

Step 3: Combine the ingredients

In a mixing bowl, combine the grated cheese, chopped pimientos, and mayonnaise. Mix well to ensure the ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Cheese Pimiento Recipe (5)

Step 4: Taste and Adjust

Add honey or sugar to balance the flavors. If the mixture is too thick, you can thin it out with a little more mayonnaise. If it’s too thin, add more grated cheese to achieve the desired consistency.

You can also add a pinch of salt, pepper, or a dash of paprika for an extra hint of flavor. Some like adding finely chopped pineapple for a sweet and tangy touch.

Cheese Pimiento Recipe (6)

Enjoy your homemade Cheese Pimiento spread with freshly baked pandesal for a classic Filipino treat! For any leftovers, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It's perfect for sandwiches, snacks, or as a delicious dip.

Cheese Pimiento Recipe (7)

Recipe FAQs

Can I make Cheese Pimiento without mayonnaise?

Yes, you can substitute mayonnaise with cream cheese or Greek yogurt for a thicker texture and a tangy flavor.

What is Pimiento?

Pimiento, also known as pimento or cherry pepper, is a type of sweet pepper with a bright red color and mild, sweet flavor. It's often used in Spanish and Mediterranean cuisines. Pimientos are typically found jarred in supermarkets, either whole or diced, and are commonly used to stuff olives or in dishes like Cheese Pimiento.

How long does homemade Cheese Pimiento last?

Homemade Cheese Pimiento Spread can last up to one week in the fridge if stored in an airtight container. To extend its shelf life, avoid cross-contamination by using a clean spoon each time you serve it.

Can Cheese Pimiento Spread be frozen?

Freezing is not recommended as it can alter the texture and consistency of the spread.

More Filipino spreads (Palaman)

  • Ube Halaya: A sweet and creamy spread made from ube or purple yam with a distinct purple color and a rich, buttery flavor.
  • Mango Jam: A sweet, fruity spread made from ripe mangoes.
  • Corned Beef: Canned corned beef sautéed with onions, used as a filling for sandwiches.
  • Liver Spread with Mayonnaise: A savory, creamy mixture of liver spread and mayonnaise often used as a spread in Filipino sandwiches.
  • Chicken Spread: A creamy spread typically made with shredded chicken, mayonnaise, and seasonings, similar to chicken salad in Western cuisine.
  • Tuna Spread: A spread made from canned tuna mixed with mayonnaise and various seasonings, often enjoyed in sandwiches or as a cracker topping.
  • Egg Salad Spread - Made with hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, and seasonings, this creamy spread is a classic choice for sandwiches and snacks.

Other appetizers and sides you may like

  • Cheese Lumpia Recipe
  • Lumpiang Labong Recipe
  • Ampalaya Atchara Recipe
  • Salt and Pepper Squid Recipe
Cheese Pimiento Recipe (12)

Did you make this recipe? I would love to know! Your feedback helps me make better recipes. Please rate, review, or comment below. Questions about this recipe are welcome, too!

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📖 Recipe

Cheese Pimiento Recipe (13)

Cheese Pimiento Recipe

A delicious spread with savory cheese, sweet pimientos, and mayonnaise for extra creaminess.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Spread

Cuisine: Filipino

Diet: Gluten Free

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 16

Calories: 163kcal

Author: Nora Rey

Cost: $4-$6

Equipment

  • Grater

Ingredients

  • 2 cups grated cheese (about 6 ounces) see note
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup chopped pimiento see note
  • Honey or sugar to taste

Instructions

  • Chop the pimientos: Begin by finely chopping the pimientos.

  • Grate the cheese: Finely grate the cheese for a more uniform texture.

  • Mix the ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the grated cheese, chopped pimientos, and mayonnaise. Mix well to ensure the ingredients are thoroughly combined.

  • Taste and Adjust: Add honey or sugar to balance the flavors. If the mixture is too thick, you can thin it out with a little more mayonnaise. If it’s too thin, add more grated cheese to achieve the desired consistency.

    You can also add a pinch of salt, pepper, or a dash of paprika for an extra hint of flavor. Some like adding finely chopped pineapple for a sweet and tangy touch.

Notes

  • Cheese: Processed cheese is typically used for its creamy and slightly salty taste, or Queso de Bola (Edam cheese), a semi-hard, yellow cheese popular during Christmas in the Philippines. If needed, substitute with cheddar cheese for a sharper flavor or American cheese, another processed type. You can also mix in Gouda or Colby for variety.
  • Pimiento: I use jarred pimientos with their bright red color and mild, sweet flavor. You can also use roasted red bell peppers or sweet peppers, which can be roasted and peeled to mimic the texture and taste of pimientos.

Nutrition

Calories: 163kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 3gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 382mgPotassium: 37mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 334IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 184mgIron: 0.3mg

Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided here is solely for informational purposes. I am not a certified nutritionist, and this data hasn't been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration or any other authority. It shouldn't be seen as health or nutrition advice. The figures are estimates calculated from various food composition databases and might vary based on product types, brands, natural variations in produce, and ingredient processing methods. Individual results may differ.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kris

    Cheese Pimiento Recipe (18)
    So easy to make and deliciousn thank you!

    Reply

    • Nora Reyes

      Hi Kris! Thank you! =)

      Reply

Thanks for coming! Let me know what you think:

Cheese Pimiento Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why does my pimento cheese taste bitter? ›

The sharply acid and bitter flavor, commonly found in old pimento cheese of the Neufchatel type, is due to the action of an orgA:nlsm resembling Clostridium butyricum, which may act in association with the Streptococcus lactis of the starter.

How long to keep homemade pimento cheese? ›

Place the cheese in a clean container and seal it so that it is airtight. Whereas pre-packaged pimento cheese can last up to four weeks in the fridge, the homemade version will not last quite as long due to the lack of stabilizers and preservatives — it will only last for about one week.

What is a pimento made of? ›

Pimentos, also referred to as pimientos, are a type of pepper with a sweet flavor and very little heat. This nightshade is also known as a cherry pepper because of its red color and round, heart-shaped fruit. They usually measure about 3 to 4 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide, with a short, thick green stem.

What are the 3 main ingredients in cheese? ›

Production. There are three main components for making cheese: the milk, a coagulant, and bacterial cultures. Cheese is made mostly of milk, whether from cows, sheep, goats, buffalo or a blend of these milks.

Does pimento cheese contain mayo? ›

Let's cut to the chase - pimento cheese is shredded cheese, bits of pimento and a generous dollop of mayonnaise all mixed up and used as a sandwich spread or dip.

Can pimento cheese go bad? ›

How long is pimento cheese good after opening? Enjoy all this goodness within four weeks, whether you've opened the package or not, or check the expiration date on the container.

Why does cheese suddenly taste bad? ›

Dysgeusia (pronounced “dis-gyoo-zee-uh”) is a disorder that distorts your sense of taste. People with this condition often say that anything they eat tastes like metal, rancid or bitter. Dysgeusia isn't a serious medical condition. But it can affect your appetite and quality of life.

What's the difference between pimento and pimento cheese? ›

Palmetto Cheese is a trademark for a brand of pimento cheese from Pawleys Island Specialty Foods, a division of Get Carried Away, based in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. It is manufactured and packaged at Duke Sandwich Productions located in Easley, South Carolina.

Can I freeze homemade pimento cheese? ›

If you would like to extend the shelf life of your homemade pimento cheese beyond one week, the best option will be to freeze it. Simply store the leftover cheese in an airtight container and place it in the freezer, where it will last for up to six months.

What is the best cracker for pimento cheese? ›

The best cracker for pimento cheese is a water cracker or a rustic whole wheat flatbread dipped in herbs and flaky salt. Additionally, buttery Club crackers and pita chips are also good options due to their neutral flavors.

What goes well with pimento cheese? ›

The best side dishes to serve with pimento cheese are ranch crackers, Korean corn dog, fried pickles, tomato tortellini soup, deviled eggs, shrimp louie salad, asparagus soup, sweet potato fries, pulled pork sandwich, grilled asparagus, sausage and peppers, cucumber salad, stuffed mushrooms, biscuits, and hush puppies.

What does pimento do to your body? ›

The antioxidants present in pimento also have anti-inflammatory qualities that may ease cramps and aid digestion. Pimento also has anesthetic and analgesic properties that helps to relieve pain and relax muscles. It can be used also as a poultice made from the spice or as an essential oil.

What is the difference between pimento and pimiento? ›

Spelling and culinary variations abound: certain places may refer to it as pimento cheese, pimiento cheese, or even by the brand name of companies that produce it. Most of the peppers are derived from the Spanish pimiento, but pimento is the more common English word for the peppers used in the cheese.

What does pimiento mean in English? ›

pimiento. noun. pi·​mien·​to pə-ˈment-ō pəm-ˈyent- plural pimientos. : any of various sweet peppers that have thick flesh and a mild flavor and are used especially as a stuffing for olives and as a source of paprika.

What are the ingredients in palmetto cheese pimento cheese? ›

Palmetto Cheese is gluten free, made with Wisconsin sharp cheddar, cream cheese, mayonnaise and chopped pimentos along with other quality ingredients. Our pimento cheese has the taste and texture of homemade and is currently available in over 10,000 locations in 45 states and Washington D.C.

What are the ingredients in Happy Farms pimento cheese? ›

Cheddar cheese (cultured milk, salt, enzymes), pimentos, water, soybean oil, high fructose corn syrup, cream, milk protein concentrate, whey, skim milk, distilled vinegar, modified corn starch, potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate (preservatives), sodium phosphate, egg yolk, salt, guar, xanthan, and locust bean gum, ...

What are the ingredients in prices pimento cheese? ›

Reduced-Fat Cheese Blend (Reduced-Fat Cheddar Cheese [Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk, Salt, Cultures, Enzymes], Whey, Soybean Oil and Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Sodium Citrate, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Potassium Sorbate [Preservative], Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Locust Bean Gum, Paprika and Annatto [Color]), Dressing (Water, ...

What does pimento cheese come from? ›

Ingredients and preparation

Regional ingredients include horseradish, cream cheese, salt and pepper, Louisiana-style hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, paprika, jalapeños, onions, garlic, and dill pickles. Family recipes often vary the ingredients.

References

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