Brenda Gantt Pimento Cheese Recipe

I love pimento cheese because it works both as a dip and a spread. I have tried many recipes, but the Brenda Gantt’s Pimento Cheese is my top pick.

Her recipe has a special touch that makes it creamy, flavorful, and just right every time.

Millions of people search for Brenda Gantt’s pimento cheese because her recipes are trusted and bring authentic Southern flavor.

Today, I’m going to show you exactly how to recreate Brenda Gantt’s Pimento Cheese Recipe so you can have a true Southern classic on your table.

Choosing the Right Pimentos for Southern-Style Pimento Cheese

Pimentos are just red peppers that have been roasted and packed in jars. You want to look for the diced kind in the grocery store. They come in small seven-ounce jars and are easy to find in the canned vegetable section.

Make sure you drain them well before using them so your pimento cheese does not get too wet.

Roasted red peppers are different from regular pimentos. They are larger, sometimes in strips, and have a richer taste. Both work great, but using both together gives you the best flavor.

This is why Brenda’s recipe uses two jars of pimentos and one jar of roasted red peppers. This combination is what makes it taste so good.

Brenda Gantt’s Pimento Cheese Ingredients

Cheese and Dairy Base

• 16 oz block of sharp cheddar cheese – Sharp cheddar gives the recipe its strong, bold taste. You can get this from the deli section of your grocery store.
• 8 oz block of mild cheddar cheese – The mild cheddar balances out the sharp cheese and makes the flavor smoother. It adds creaminess without being too strong. If you cannot find mild cheddar, you can use an extra eight ounces of sharp cheddar, but the flavor will be stronger.
• 8 oz block of cream cheese, room temperature – Room temperature cream cheese is the key here. You can skip the cream cheese if you do not have it, but your pimento cheese will be less creamy. Add a little more mayonnaise instead.

Peppers and Flavor Ingredients

• Two 7 oz jars of diced pimentos – These are red peppers that come already diced and packed in brine. You need to drain them very well before mixing. You can use roasted red peppers from a jar instead, but you will need to drain and chop them into smaller pieces.
• One 12 oz jar of roasted red peppers – Roasted red peppers come in larger pieces than pimentos. They have a deeper, richer taste. Substitute with pimentos if you cannot find roasted red peppers, but your cheese will not have as rich a flavor.

Seasonings and Binding Ingredients

• 1/4 cup of mayonnaise – Mayonnaise helps everything stick together and adds creaminess. Do not use too much, or the mayonnaise flavor will be too strong. Use Greek yogurt for a lighter version, but it will have a different taste.
• 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce – This brown sauce adds a tangy, savory flavor that makes everything taste better. Hot sauce also works if you like spicy food, but use less of it.
• Dash of black pepper – Freshly ground black pepper adds a small bite to the flavor. You do not need much. Skip the black pepper if you do not like it, but your pimento cheese might taste a little flat.

Kitchen Equipment Needed for this Recipe

1. Large mixing bowl – plenty of space for mixing.
2. Food processor – for grating cheese quickly.
3. Cheese grater – alternative to food processor.
4. Measuring cups and spoons – precise measurements.
5. Spatula or wooden spoon – for mixing ingredients.
6. Knife and cutting board – for chopping roasted red peppers.
7. Tea strainer or colander – for draining pimentos and peppers.

How to Make Brenda Gantt’s Pimento Cheese

Step 1 | Grate the Cheese

Grate the sixteen-ounce block of sharp cheddar and the eight-ounce block of mild cheddar using the large holes of a box grater or a food processor with a grating attachment. Place all the shredded cheese into a large mixing bowl.

Step 2 | Add the Cream Cheese

Let the eight-ounce block of cream cheese sit out for about three hours until fully room temperature. Add it on top of the shredded cheese but do not mix yet.

Step 3 | Drain the Pimentos

Drain both seven-ounce jars of diced pimentos using a strainer. Press gently with the back of a spoon to remove all excess liquid. Add the drained pimentos to the cheese mixture.

Step 4 | Chop the Roasted Red Peppers

Drain the twelve-ounce jar of roasted red peppers well. Chop them into small dime-sized pieces and add them to the mixing bowl.

Step 5 | Add Mayo and Worcestershire Sauce

Add one-quarter cup mayonnaise and two tablespoons Worcestershire sauce to the bowl.

Step 6 | Add Black Pepper

Add about one-quarter teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste.

Step 7 | Mix Everything Together

Gently mix all ingredients using a large spoon or clean hands. Toss until the cream cheese is fully blended and the mixture looks evenly combined with visible red pepper pieces.

Step 8 | Refrigerate Before Serving

Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. For best flavor, chill overnight.

Pro Tips for Creamy Southern-Style Pimento Cheese

1. Hand Mixing Works Best: Your hands blend the cream cheese better than a spoon without mashing the cheese into a paste.
2. Drain Everything Well: Any liquid left in your pimentos or roasted peppers will make your cheese watery and thin. Take time to drain everything until it is dry before adding to your cheese.
3. Start Light on Mayo: You can always add more mayo, but you cannot take it out. Add the 1/4 cup first and taste before you add more so you do not overdo it.
4. Adjust the Creaminess: If it seems too thick after resting, stir in a tiny splash of mayo or milk to loosen it up.

What to Serve with Pimento Cheese

There are so many ways to use pimento cheese once you make it. Set out a bowl with crackers and watch people come back for more. You can bring it to parties, picnics, tailgate parties, or just serve it at home for snacks and appetizers.

• Saltine Crackers or Club Crackers – The simple, salty cracker is the most classic choice. These do not get in the way of the cheese flavor and hold it perfect on your tongue.
• Wheat Crackers or Rye Crackers – These bring a different taste that goes nice with the cheese. The nutty grain flavor matches the sharpness of the cheddar in a way that makes sense.
• Celery Sticks and Carrot Sticks – Fresh vegetables give you a light, clean crunch that does not fill you up. Pimento cheese is creamy so raw veggies balance it out with crunch and freshness.
• Pita Chips or Tortilla Chips – These chips bring a salty crunch that goes great with cheese. The texture is crisp and strong enough to hold up all that creamy goodness.
• Cucumber Slices – Cool, light cucumber works nice with rich cheese. Just spread a little bit on each slice and you have got a light appetizer or side.

Storage and Food Safety Guide

How To Store Pimento Cheese: Put your pimento cheese in a container with a tight lid. Keep it in the fridge. It stays good for 2 weeks. Always use clean spoons when scooping out some to eat.

Freezing Option: You can freeze pimento cheese, but the texture changes some. Put it in a freezer-safe bag and squeeze out air. It keeps for 3 months in the freezer. Thaw it overnight in the fridge. Stir well before serving because it might separate a little.

When It Goes Bad: Look for mold on top. That means toss it. Smell it too. If it smells sour or off, do not eat it. Watery liquid on top is normal, just stir it in. But if the liquid smells bad, throw the cheese away.

Brenda Gantt Pimento Cheese Recipe FAQs

1. Is this recipe gluten-free?

The cheese mixture itself does not contain gluten ingredients. However, always check labels on Worcestershire sauce and mayonnaise to confirm.

Serve with gluten-free crackers or vegetables for a fully gluten-free option. Ingredient labels may vary by brand.

2. Why is it called Southern “Caviar”?

The name reflects its special place in Southern food culture. While simple and affordable, it is treated as a prized dish at many tables.

It appears at picnics, church suppers, and holiday meals. The nickname highlights its importance and popularity in the South.

3. How can I fix pimento cheese that is too thick?

A small spoonful of mayonnaise can loosen thick pimento cheese. Stir gently and add only a little at a time.

Avoid adding too much, which may thin it excessively. Properly softened cream cheese also helps maintain a smooth, spreadable texture.

4. Can I double the Brenda Gantt Pimento Cheese Recipe?

Double works great for crowds. Use bigger bowl to mix. Grate in batches. Stores same way. Share jars with neighbors—Brenda style.

5. Is this recipe spicy?

No, the base version stays mild with just a dash of black pepper and Worcestershire tang. Add hot sauce, cayenne, or red pepper flakes after mixing if you want heat.

Start small and taste as you go so it fits your liking without changing the classic Southern feel.

Continue to Content

Brenda Gantt Pimento Cheese Recipe

Yield: About 12 servings (2 tbsp each)

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Additional Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Brenda Gantt Pimento Cheese Recipe delivers the ultimate creamy, cheesy Southern classic everyone will love at any gathering.

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Ingredients

Cheese & Dairy

• 16 oz sharp cheddar cheese, block
• 8 oz mild cheddar cheese, block
• 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature

Peppers & Flavor

• 2 jars (7 oz each) diced pimentos, drained
• 1 jar (12 oz) roasted red peppers, drained and chopped

Seasonings & Binding

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• Dash (≈1/4 tsp) black pepper, freshly ground

Instructions

1. Grate the sixteen-ounce block of sharp cheddar and the eight-ounce block of mild cheddar using the large holes of a box grater or a food processor with a grating attachment. Place all the shredded cheese into a large mixing bowl.
2. Let the eight-ounce block of cream cheese sit out for about three hours until fully room temperature. Add it on top of the shredded cheese but do not mix yet.
3. Drain both seven-ounce jars of diced pimentos using a strainer. Press gently with the back of a spoon to remove all excess liquid. Add the drained pimentos to the cheese mixture.
4. Drain the twelve-ounce jar of roasted red peppers well. Chop them into small dime-sized pieces and add them to the mixing bowl.
5. Add one-quarter cup mayonnaise and two tablespoons Worcestershire sauce to the bowl.
6. Add about one-quarter teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste.
7. Gently mix all ingredients using a large spoon or clean hands. Toss until the cream cheese is fully blended and the mixture looks evenly combined with visible red pepper pieces.
8. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. For best flavor, chill overnight.
   

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size: (per 2 tbsp serving)
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 110Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 9gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 200mgCarbohydrates: 1gSugar: .5gProtein: 5g

Brenda Gantt Pimento Cheese Recipe brings bold cheddar flavor, creamy texture, and true Southern charm. It is simple to prepare and rich in cultural pride.

This classic spread carries tradition in every bite. Try it at home and share it with the people you love.