Description
Ina Garten’s spicy pimento cheese spread blends sharp cheddar, creamy mayo, and jalapeños for a Southern-style appetizer. Guests will devour this zesty dip with crackers or crudités, making party snacking deliciously simple.
Ingredients
Scale
- 400 g (10 oz) sharp white cheddar cheese, grated, such as 2-year aged Grafton
- 225 g (8 oz) cream cheese, room temperature
- 180 ml (¾ cup) mayonnaise, such as Hellmann’s
- 120 ml (¾ cup) pickled jalapeño peppers, drained and chopped
- 120 g (½ cup) roasted red peppers, drained, chopped (4 oz)
- 75 g (½ cup) scallions, white and green parts, chopped (3 to 4 scallions)
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) Sriracha
- 1.5 tsp granulated onion (not onion powder)
- 2 large garlic cloves, grated
- 1 tsp whole celery seed
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ritz crackers, corn chips, and/or crudités, for serving
Instructions
- Cream Base: Blend softened cream cheese and mayonnaise until achieving a smooth, luxurious consistency in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Seasoning Infusion: Integrate granulated onion, freshly grated garlic, ground celery seed, chopped pickled jalapeños, and thinly sliced scallions, stirring thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
- Pepper Incorporation: Fold in diced roasted red peppers and grated sharp white Cheddar cheese, creating a rich, complex flavor profile with vibrant color and tangy undertones.
- Heat Enhancement: Drizzle Sriracha sauce and season with salt, carefully adjusting to balance and elevate the spread’s overall taste experience.
- Serving Preparation: Transfer the finished spread to a serving dish, presenting alongside Ritz crackers, corn chips, or fresh vegetable crudités for an inviting and versatile appetizer.
Notes
- Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate the spread for 30 minutes before serving to allow seasonings to meld and intensify the taste profile.
- Cheese Selection Matters: Use high-quality sharp white Cheddar for maximum tanginess and depth of flavor.
- Heat Control Tip: Start with minimal Sriracha and gradually increase to personalize spice level without overwhelming the spread.
- Storage Strategy: Keeps fresh in an airtight container for up to 5 days, making it perfect for advance party preparation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg