Ina Garten’s Zesty Pimento Cheese Spread Recipe for Beginners

Pimento cheese spread sparks excitement among Southern-style appetizer enthusiasts, promising a zesty culinary adventure.

Creamy textures blend seamlessly with bold, tangy ingredients that dance across your palate.

Homemade spreads like these transform ordinary gatherings into memorable social experiences.

Vibrant flavors emerge from carefully selected components that complement each other perfectly.

Crafting this delectable mixture requires minimal kitchen expertise and maximum flavor potential.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this spread elevates simple crackers or vegetables into something extraordinary.

Prepare to impress friends and family with a recipe that celebrates regional comfort food: savor every delicious bite!

Why You’ll Crave the Spicy Pimento Cheese Spread

• Kick Up the Heat: This pimento cheese spread delivers a spicy punch with jalapeños and Sriracha, creating a zesty flavor explosion that'll wake up your taste buds and keep you coming back for more.
• Creamy Texture Triumph: The combination of cream cheese and mayonnaise creates an ultra-smooth, luxurious spread that glides effortlessly on crackers or vegetables, making every bite silky and indulgent.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser Perfection: This no-cook recipe comes together in just minutes, making it an ideal last-minute appetizer for game days, parties, or unexpected guests that'll impress without stressing you out.

All the Ingredients for Spicy Pimento Cheese Spread

Main Ingredients:

Cheese Base: – Sharp White Cheddar, Cream Cheese: Creamy white cheddar provides sharp tang, while cream cheese creates smooth, rich base for the spread.

Spicy Elements: – Pickled Jalapeños, Sriracha: Fresh jalapeños add bright heat, and Sriracha sauce brings deep, complex spiciness to the spread.

Supporting Ingredients:

Aromatics: – Scallions, Roasted Red Peppers: Green onions contribute mild onion flavor, while roasted peppers offer sweet, smoky undertones.

Seasoning Blend: – Granulated Onion, Grated Garlic, Celery Seed, Salt: Powdered onion and fresh garlic create depth, celery seed adds subtle earthiness, and salt enhances overall flavor.

Binding Ingredients: – Mayonnaise: Creamy mayonnaise helps blend ingredients and provides smooth, rich texture to the cheese spread.

How to Make Ina Garten’s Pimento Cheese Spread

Step 1: Gather Your Cheese Spread Companions

• Cream cheese
• Mayonnaise
• Granulated onion
• Grated garlic
• Celery seed
• Salt
• Pickled jalapeños
• Scallions
• Roasted red peppers
• Sharp white Cheddar cheese
• Sriracha sauce

Make sure everything is fresh and ready to transform into a delicious spread.

Step 2: Create A Creamy Foundation

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, mayonnaise, granulated onion, grated garlic, celery seed, and salt. Use a wooden spoon to combine ingredients until they form a silky, smooth mixture. Mix thoroughly to ensure no lumps remain.

Step 3: Introduce Bold Flavor Builders

Fold in chopped pickled jalapeños, sliced scallions, diced roasted red peppers, grated sharp white Cheddar, and a splash of Sriracha. Stir everything together until ingredients are evenly distributed, creating a vibrant and zesty spread.

Step 4: Taste And Elevate

Sample your dish and adjust seasonings as needed. Add extra salt, Sriracha, or herbs to enhance the flavor profile. Trust your taste buds to guide you.

Step 5: Serve With Excitement

Present your spicy pimento cheese spread alongside crispy Ritz crackers, crunchy corn chips, or fresh vegetable crudités. Watch as friends and family dive into this irresistible appetizer.

Tips for the Best Spicy Pimento Cheese Spread

• Soften Cream Cheese Perfectly: Let cream cheese sit out for 30-45 minutes to reach room temperature, making it easier to blend and creating a silky smooth texture.
• Grate Garlic Like a Pro: Use a microplane or fine grater to turn garlic into a fine paste, ensuring it distributes evenly and doesn't create harsh chunks in the spread.
• Customize Your Spice Level: Control the heat by gradually adding jalapeños and Sriracha, tasting as you go to find your perfect spicy balance.
• Blend with Purpose: Use a hand mixer or wooden spoon to combine ingredients thoroughly, scraping down the sides to ensure no ingredient gets left behind.
• Develop Deeper Flavors: Refrigerate the spread for at least an hour before serving, allowing the ingredients to meld and intensify the overall taste profile.

Storing the Pimento Cheese Spread the Right Way

• Vacuum Seal: Lock freshness by transferring spread into vacuum-sealed bags, removing all air to prevent oxidation and maintain optimal texture. Compress the spread gently to eliminate air pockets, ensuring maximum preservation for up to 2 weeks.
• Portion Control: Divide spread into smaller serving-sized containers before refrigerating. Use clean, portion-specific glass jars with tight-sealing lids, which help minimize bacterial contamination and make grab-and-go snacking easier.
• Temperature Management: Keep spread consistently cold at 40°F or below to prevent bacterial growth. Position container in the coldest part of refrigerator, typically the back shelf away from door, where temperature fluctuations are minimal. Check container's seal regularly to maintain quality and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.

Flavor Variations for Spicy Pimento Cheese Spread

• Smoky Chipotle Cheese Spread: Replace Sriracha with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a deep, smoky heat that adds rich complexity to the original recipe.
• Mediterranean Herb Cheese Dip: Swap jalapeños with sun-dried tomatoes, add fresh chopped basil and oregano, and use feta cheese instead of Cheddar for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Bacon and Ranch Cheese Blend: Incorporate crispy crumbled bacon bits and a packet of ranch seasoning mix to transform the spread into a protein-packed, zesty appetizer that brings extra crunch and tangy flavor.
• Blue Cheese Kick Spread: Blend in crumbled blue cheese for a bold, tangy profile, and replace scallions with chives to complement the intense cheese flavor and create a more sophisticated dip option.

Pimento Cheese Spread Recap You’ll Appreciate

Pimento cheese spread emerges as Southern comfort with Ina Garten’s spicy twist.

Her signature recipe transforms classic ingredients into a zesty companion for crackers and chips.

Sharp cheddar melds with creamy cheese, creating complex layers of flavor.

Pickled jalapeños provide unexpected heat that dances across palates.

Roasted red peppers add smoky undertones to this irresistible spread.

Scallions bring fresh, crisp notes that complete this culinary experience.

You’ll find this recipe impossible to resist – grab ingredients, mix with abandon, and share the deliciousness that sparks conversation, invites connection, and begs for social media celebration.

Ina Garten Spicy Pimento Cheese Spread Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s spicy pimento cheese spread brings Southern comfort to your table with bold cheddar and zesty peppers. Creamy, tangy, and perfectly spiced, this classic appetizer delivers irresistible flavor you’ll crave at every gathering.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 400 grams (10 ounces) grated sharp white Cheddar, such as 2-year aged Grafton
• 225 grams (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 180 milliliters (¾ cup) good mayonnaise, such as Hellmann’s

Supporting Ingredients:

• 120 milliliters (¾ cup) canned pickled jalapeño peppers, drained and chopped
• 120 grams (½ cup) chopped roasted red peppers, drained (4 ounces)
• 75 grams (½ cup) chopped scallions, white and green parts (3 to 4 scallions)

Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:

• 15 milliliters (1 tablespoon) Sriracha
• 1½ teaspoons granulated onion (not onion powder)
• 2 large garlic cloves, grated
• 1 teaspoon whole celery seed
• Kosher salt, to taste

Serving Suggestions:

• Ritz crackers, corn chips, and/or crudités, for serving

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Instructions

1. Place softened cream cheese in a spacious mixing vessel, blending thoroughly with mayonnaise to create a uniform, silky foundation.
2. Incorporate granulated onion, freshly grated garlic, and ground celery seed, stirring consistently to distribute seasonings evenly throughout the mixture.
3. Introduce finely chopped pickled jalapeños, providing a vibrant and zesty kick to the creamy base.
4. Gently fold in thinly sliced scallions, adding a crisp, sharp green onion dimension to the spread.
5. Carefully mix in diced roasted red peppers, enhancing the mixture with a subtle smoky sweetness and vibrant color.
6. Sprinkle grated sharp white Cheddar cheese, stirring until the cheese is completely integrated and creates a rich, tangy flavor profile.
7. Drizzle Sriracha sauce, adjusting the quantity to achieve the desired level of heat and complexity.
8. Season with additional salt (approximately ½ teaspoon) to balance and amplify the overall taste.
9. Taste and fine-tune seasonings, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors.
10. Transfer to a serving dish and accompany with Ritz crackers, corn chips, or fresh vegetable crudités for dipping.

Notes

• Smooth cream cheese requires sitting at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to prevent unwanted lumps.
• Grating garlic releases more intense flavor and creates a smoother, more even texture throughout the spread.
• Customize heat levels by reducing jalapeños or adjusting Sriracha quantity according to personal spice preferences.
• Vigorous mixing ensures all ingredients blend completely, distributing flavors and spices evenly.
• Refrigerating for one hour before serving allows ingredients to meld together, intensifying overall taste profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/8 of the recipe (about ¼ cup)
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 3 grams
• Sodium: 710 milligrams
• Fat: 27 grams
• Saturated Fat: 12 grams
• Carbohydrates: 7 grams
• Fiber: 1 gram
• Protein: 15 grams
• Cholesterol: 75 milligrams