My sister begs me to bring

 

This southern 3-ingredient pimento cheese is the dish my sister begs me to bring to every spring gathering. It’s creamy, sharp, and a little nostalgic—exactly what you want next to a bowl of crackers on a picnic table. Classic pimento cheese comes from the American South, but this version is stripped down to just three everyday ingredients so it fits right into a busy week. No fancy equipment, no extra chopping beyond opening a jar, and it still tastes like something you’d find at a church potluck or family reunion.

Serve this pimento cheese in a pretty glass bowl surrounded by buttery crackers, celery sticks, and sliced cucumbers. It’s also perfect spread thick on soft white bread for simple tea sandwiches, or scooped onto toasted baguette slices. For something a little more substantial, tuck it into a grilled cheese or melt a spoonful on top of a hot burger. I like to keep a batch in the fridge during spring for easy snacking, quick lunches, and last-minute entertaining.

Southern 3-Ingredient Pimento Cheese

Servings: 8

Ingredients

8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded

1 cup mayonnaise

1 (4 oz) jar diced pimentos, well drained

Directions

Place the freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese in a medium mixing bowl. Shredding your own cheese helps it blend more smoothly with the mayonnaise.

Add the mayonnaise to the bowl with the cheddar. Start with about 3/4 cup if you like a thicker spread, then add the remaining mayonnaise as needed to reach your preferred creaminess.

Drain the diced pimentos very well, pressing gently with a spoon to remove excess liquid so the spread doesn’t get watery. Add the pimentos to the bowl.

Stir everything together with a spatula or spoon until the cheddar is evenly coated in mayonnaise and the pimentos are well distributed. The mixture should look creamy with bright orange cheese and pops of red pimentos throughout.

Taste and, if desired, adjust the texture by adding a spoonful more mayonnaise for a looser dip-like consistency or a bit more shredded cheddar for a thicker spread.

Transfer the pimento cheese to a vintage-style glass serving bowl, smoothing the top. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld and the mixture firm up slightly.

Serve chilled or just slightly cool from the fridge, surrounded by your favorite crackers and veggies. Stir briefly before serving if it has been sitting in the refrigerator for a while.

Variations & Tips

If you have a few extra minutes, you can tweak this basic 3-ingredient version without really complicating it. For a little kick, stir in a pinch of cayenne or a dash of hot sauce. Swap part of the sharp cheddar for extra-sharp or white cheddar for a deeper, tangier flavor. If you prefer a chunkier texture, use a coarse shred on the cheese or fold in a small handful of additional shredded cheddar at the end. To lighten it up slightly, replace a few tablespoons of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt while keeping the total creamy component to about 1 cup. For make-ahead prep, mix this the night before; it actually tastes better the next day after the flavors have time to blend. Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, making it an easy spread for quick weekday lunches or snacks.