Today I’m sharing a new naturally gluten-free recipe, Pimento Cheese Spread. Pimento Cheese Spread—or you can simply call it Pimento Cheese—is a truly wonderful Southern recipe. It can be served on gluten-free crackers, with celery sticks, on gluten-free toast points, on gluten-free bagels, and more.
Back during the holidays, I hosted a tea for my girlfriends in lieu of giving Christmas presents. (I’m all about experiences versus “things” these days.) The tea was a totally delicious event as well as a grand time!
My friend Veronica brought her homemade Pimento Cheese Spread. Everyone agreed that it was an excellent recipe. It was also a welcome savory offering as tea events always tend to be a bit heavy on the sweets.
There are quite a few “worthy” gluten-free crackers on the market now. That is a wonderful thing! I remember when I first went gluten free and there were very few gluten-free crackers, none of which were available at my local grocery store.
One brand had been recommended to me. In fact, I’d read raves online.
We had a local health food store at the time and I ordered a case of these highly-acclaimed crackers through them. When I was told the order was in, I hurried down to the store and picked up my case of crackers and a few more items.
Once home, I excitedly opened one of the packs of crackers. Hmm, they didn’t look anything like the gluten-full crackers that I’d enjoyed in the past. In fact, they looked like birdseed that had been pressed into crackers.
One bite told me they also tasted like birdseed that had been pressed into crackers. I was not impressed. In fact, I spit out the cracker.
I lamented to my friend who happened to be an employee at the store that I had been overzealous in my purchase. She told me that they had enough customers that did enjoy that brand of crackers and they’d be happy to buy the unopened boxes to sell.
Whew! I was so relieved! If you’ve ever purchased a gluten-free product that you detested from the first bite and had to chuck and then were so sorry you’d wasted your money, you know the situation I had just gotten out of.
I was always super cautious about purchasing gluten-free crackers after that. But, again, we have many good gluten-free cracker options now. Thankfully.
Pimento Cheese Spread—A Delicious Easy-to-Make Appetizer That Works for All Events
Veronica started out with a recipe from Southern Living, modifying it to her tastes and preferences. I modified her recipe a bit further, adjusting the ingredient amounts to my own liking.
This is a simple recipe that’s so easy to make, but one which will impress family and guests with both its appearance and flavor. I even used some of this spread as part of the filling in my taco the other night. Yum!
The recipe below is enough to serve a group, but I halved the recipe when I served it as an “everyday” appetizer for the two of us. This Pimento Cheese Spread will work for a variety of events.
For example, I think it would be ideal for serving on Christmas morning while presents are opened. We all need something to eat on that often hectic and exciting morning, but we don’t want to stuff ourselves if there’s turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and pies coming up that afternoon.
And if you’re invited to a Memorial Day event or summer picnic, this Pimento Cheese Spread and gluten-free crackers combo would also be welcomed, because as you can see, this spread and crackers makes a great presentation. And I promise you that it tastes even better!
Pimento Cheese Spread Recipe
A classic Southern appetizer recipe that serves one to many and works for events year round.
Ingredients
- 10 ounces good quality extra sharp cheddar cheese. (I used Cracker Barrel per Veronica’s guidance), coarsely grated
- one 4 oz. jar of diced pimentos (see notes regarding draining)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp onion powder (or about 1 tbsp finely chopped onion)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Freshly ground black pepper (several turns of the grinder, to taste)
Instructions
- Combine all in a bowl, mixing well. Serve.
Notes
Remove the pimentos from the jar with a spoon so that you get a little of the liquid to add to the flavor and consistency of the spread.
Refrigerate if not serving immediately and refrigerate any leftovers.
Originally published May 25, 2015; updated June 4, 2018.
Ina Gawne says
Shirley you recipe for pimento cheese spread sound delicious! A must try for sure. We heard about Bretons Gluten Free Crackers 2 years ago….they are still not in Canada…at least not in my neck of the woods! Can’t wait till they arrive. Thanks for sharing and for the review. I will be first in line to buy them when they reach us! 🙂
Shirley says
Hi Ina–I’m going to reply to both your comments here. Dare Foods is actually in Canada (Ontario) so I was initially baffled that these Breton crackers weren’t in your stores! So glad you found them and I really hope you all love them as much as I do. 🙂 I hope you love my Pimento Cheese Spread, too, of course! I do plan to add a note to the recipe that says if you’re making it ahead or will be eating it over several days, that you might want to add a wee bit more mayo and/or pimento juice. It does thicken up over time. It was chunky but fine for me on Day 4, but others might like a thinner spread. 😉
Shirley
Ina Gawne says
Hi Shirley. Apparently there are only a few select stores where I live that carry Bretons…so glad we found them.
At some point I will make your recipe with a link back to you….thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
Shirley says
Ina–I think that’s true here as well. Please no worries on making my recipe and linking back. Just enjoy both, dear! 🙂
Johnna says
I really enjoy pimento cheese on anything, but will definitely be having it on top of the Breton crackers. I haven’t spotted either of the bean varieties in my area. Will have to keep an eye out!
Shirley says
Johnna–I was just eating a few of the white bean crackers sans topping. Such a yummy snack! I always *think* the black bean ones are my faves (the flavor and crispness seems like perfection), but then I’ll sample another flavor and I start doubting myself. 😉 They’re all so good! Hope you find the bean ones to try! Yeah … pimento cheese … a classic that’s full of flavor! 🙂
Shirley
Susan says
Thanks Shirley. I have been eyeing the new Breton GF crackers at the store, and will now try them. The pimento cheese spread sounds delicious — I have pinned it for later!
Shirley says
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Susan. The difficulty with these crackers is deciding which flavor you like best. You have to keep sampling! 😉 Thanks so much for the share via pin–it’s appreciated. I really hope you like this combo when you give it a try!
Shirley
Linda says
My mom often has pimento cheese in her frig (as did her mom), and the last time I was there I was missing that fact that I couldn’t eat any because of the dairy. Yours looks delicious. I know I would love it!
Shirley says
Linda–Thanks! This is another one of those recipes that I think there should be an easy dairy-free version for … not one that would be exactly the same, but one that would make us all happy while being dairy free. The new version might taste even better! I am not thinking about using Daiya, but perhaps something like the Majestic Garlic Spread AND Cashew Cream. Maybe we can do a quick experiment in August? 😉
Shirley
Ina Gawne says
Shirley…ohhh joy! My dtr just discovered a store 10 miles away that sells GF Bretons! She is picking some up to-nite….can’t wait to try them with your pimento cheese spread!
Audrey @ Unconventional Baker says
I buy Breton crackers for my husband sometimes — it’s really a great brand ♥ I’m sure the pimento cheese spread is a lovely accompaniment!
Shirley says
Thanks for commenting, Audrey. I’m glad you agree with my assessment of these crackers and thanks for the kind words on the pimento cheese spread. 🙂 I see a vegan version in my future. 😉
Shirley