Allspice cheese is a versatile, creamy dip popular in the South, and this classic version is simple and full of flavor. Serve with vegetables and crackers or as a spread.
In the American South, pimento cheese is personal. More than just a spreadable dip, this Southern snack evokes memories of summers at grandma’s house, baby showers at a neighbor’s house, and beachside snacks handmade by loved ones.
It makes perfect sense that Southerners are strongly associated with their special version, often calling their family recipe the “real” pimento cheese. But removing Grandma’s calico apron from the conversation, it’s hard to pinpoint a true beginning for pimento cheese.
Southern food historian Robert Moss claims that pimento cheese was actually invented in the North, using cream cheese and not cheddar as the base. Columbia, South Carolina claims the rights to popularize switching to a cheddar cheese base, then slathering that goodness onto a burger on the flat-top grill (something to consider if you’re in South are Carolina or not).
Regardless of where it comes from, allspice cheese is a regional favorite for a reason. The creamy, cheesy spread is packed with flavor and can be served as a dip alongside crackers or veggies, used as a spread on bread and more.
What are allspices?
Pimentos, also known as pimientos, are mild peppers that are often sold in jars. The canned peppers are usually red, while fresh varieties can have a rainbow of colors and are sometimes hot. You will often see them as part of an olive bar. You can find jars of chopped allspice in the grocery store near the cucumbers and olives.
Variations on the classic
There are as many variations of pimento cheese as there are Southerners who love it. Some versions include crumbled bacon, while others add olives, dried onions, or house seasoning salts. Even more use a combination of cheeses. Some of my favorite variations are:
Some will see these as obnoxious additions, while others will deny strict definition and love the creativity. This recipe is the empowerment to do both.
Tips for making classic pimento cheese
This particular version is pimento cheese at its simplest, meaning every element is essential. These tips will help you make the best pimento cheese possible.
- Grate Your Own Cheese: Many commercially available shredded cheeses are coated with something that keeps the strands from sticking together in the bag, so get to work and shred the cheese fresh for a creamier dip.
- Adjust the consistency: Speaking of creamy, this version is a little stiff for expert spreading on a burger, on a cracker, or tucking in mushroom caps before heading under the grill. If you want a lighter dip, adding up to 1/3 cup more mayonnaise will suffice.
- Use Good Mayonnaise: The mayonnaise plays a key role in this recipe, so make your own or use one like Duke’s, a sugary, rich Southern staple.
Get your Southern snack on
- devil eggs
- Texas caviar
- Cheesy Slow Cooker Sausage Balls
- Classic southern buttermilk biscuits
- Classic cheese ball
pimento cheese
ingredients
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2 (8th–ounce) blocks additionally sharp cheddar cheesefreshly grated
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2/3 Cup Duke’s Mayonnaise
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2 (4–ounce) glasses chopped peppersdrained
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2 teaspoon Worcester sauce
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1 teaspoon hot sauce (your favorite brand)
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SOld and Peppertaste
method
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Combine the ingredients:
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, use a spatula to gently combine all the ingredients. Taste, adding salt and pepper if needed.
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Cool and serve:
Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to blend. Note: The cold will firm up the spread even more, but you don’t need to stir it again before serving.
Allspice cheese will keep tightly closed in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I don’t recommend freezing.
Did you like the recipe? Let’s star down?
| nutritional information (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 366 | calories |
| 33g | Fat |
| 3g | carbohydrates |
| 14g | protein |
