Hot Pimento Cheese Dip

This Hot Pimento Cheese Dip recipe is a loaded version of classic Southern pimento cheese, featuring green onions and smoky bacon. Serve it warm with crackers, chips, or Fritos for an easy crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Easy Hot Pimento Cheese Dip Recipe

Pimento cheese is an iconic Southern staple with a long, somewhat debated history. While its exact origins are unclear, the mayonnaise-based pimento cheese we know and love has been a staple in Southern kitchens for more than 100 years. Growing up, there was always a tub of homemade pimento cheese in our refrigerator, ready for sandwiches or spread on crisp celery for snacking.

This pimento cheese dip is a twist that takes the classic Southern favorite in a bolder direction. It’s packed with extra flavor thanks to a blend of seasonings, sliced green onions, and crumbled bacon, turning traditional pimento cheese into a crave-worthy dip. Enjoy it for holiday gatherings, as a starter for a dinner party and game day snacking, for entertaining or everyday snacking.

Checkout this quick list of key ingredients you’ll need to make Hot Pimento Cheese Dip: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card)

• Pimentos – One jar of diced pimentos give this dip its signature flavor.
• Cheese – A combination of shredded pepper jack cheese and shredded sharp cheddar cheese for a little spice.
• Cream Cheese – Cream cheese adds a creamy texture to the dip.
• Mayonnaise – Real mayonnaise works best for this recipe, skip the Miracle Whip.
• Sour Cream – Sour cream gives the filling a tangy flavor.
• Hot Sauce – A few dashes of hot sauce amp up the flavor. This is optional.
• Spices – Garlic salt, onion powder, dry mustard.
• Onion – Fresh green onions for a mild onion flavor. You can also garnish with additional green onions after baking.
• Bacon – Crispy bacon for a smoky flavor.

How to Make the BEST Hot Pimento Cheese Dip Recipe

• Combine Mayo and Sour Cream Filling – Whip together the mayonnaise, cream cheese, sour cream, reserved pimento juice, garlic salt, onion powder, dry mustard and hot sauce for 1-2 minutes until smooth.
• Cheese – Stir in the shredded pepper jack cheese and cheddar cheese by hand.
• Mix-Ins – Fold in diced pimentos, green onions and crumbled bacon.
• Transfer to Prepared Dish – Pour pimento cheese mixture into the dish and sprinkle the top with the remaining shredded cheese.
• Oven – Bake in a preheated oven per the baking time in the recipe cheese has melted and bubbly.
• Serve – Serve immediately with fresh vegetables, crackers, chips, pretzels, corn chips or garlic bread for dipping.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Hot Pimento Cheese Dip

• Large bowl or medium bowl.
• Cheese grater.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• 1 1/2 quart baking dish or 10-inch cast iron skillet.
• Hand mixer and rubber spatula.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Pimento Peppers – You’ll see the spelling as both pimentos and pimientos they’re used interchangeably. Pimientos, are a mild Spanish red bell pepper that gives Southern pimento cheese it’s classic flavor profile. In a pinch, you could use roasted red peppers.
• Cheese – Pimento cheese is typically made using cheddar. You can use a blend of sharp cheddar cheese, colby jack cheese, mild cheddar cheese, gouda cheese or any variety of cheese that you enjoy.
• Grate Your Own Cheese – Use freshly grated cheese and not bags of pre-shredded cheese for the best flavor.
• Spices – You could add black pepper or use plain salt and granulated garlic in place of garlic salt.
• Hot Sauce – You can replace the hot sauce with paprika for a milder smoky flavor or add one teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, instead.
• Serving Options – While classic pimento cheese is typically served chilled you can enjoy this pimento cheese dip fresh from the oven with crackers, tortilla chips, veggies, pita chips, garlic bread, crackers, pretzels or corn chips for dipping.

Storage and Leftovers

• Make-Ahead Tip – You can fully assemble this warm pimento cheese dip then cover it with plastic wrap store chilled in the refrigerator one day in advance. Give it 15 or 20 minutes on the counter, then bake it just before serving.
• Leftovers – Store baked Pimento Cheese Dip covered with foil or plastic wrap, chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating – Reheat in a preheated 350°F oven or in individual servings in the microwave.
• Freezer – Freeze leftover pimento cheese dip for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.

More Southern Style Pimento Cheese Recipes Make

• A fan favorite for over a decade is this recipe for Three Cheese Pimento Cheese.
• Spanish Olive Pimento Cheese Spread takes classic southern style pimento cheese in another direction wit the addition of olives.
• Pimento Cheese BLT Wrap is ideal for packing lunches and picnics.
• Pimento Cheese Beer Bread makes a spectacular grilled cheese sandwich or stuffed with shaved ham, chicken or turkey.
• You may also enjoy this Pimento Cheese Biscuits from White Lily.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Set
• Kitchen Utensils
• Mixer