Southern Pimento Cheese Dip
I’ve partnered with Town House and Collective Bias to create this Southern Pimento Cheese Dip. This quick and tasty dip is perfect for New Year’s Eve celebrations!
#WaysToWow #CollectiveBias
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Ok, so we all know about the traditional smooch at midnight on New Year’s Eve. According to legend, that kiss brings good luck and happiness to the couple for the coming year. But did you know about all of the other New Year’s superstitions? What? There’s more to New Year’s Eve than champagne and smooching? Yup!
In the South, it’s customary to eat black eyed peas and pork on New Year’s Day. It’s all about setting the stage for wealth and happiness in the coming year. As a kid, I can vividly remember my grandfather explaining why we eat pork on New Year’s Day. Chickens scratch backwards. Cows just stand there looking at you. But pigs…well, pigs root forwards. Therefore, eating pork on New Year’s Day means you will move forward in the coming year. Sure, the logic might be a little weak…but the tradition still stands. So if you want a little luck this coming year, eat some pork on New Year’s Day!
Another of my favorite New Year’s superstitions is to make as much noise as possible at the stroke of midnight. According to legend, the Devil and other evil spirits are afraid of loud noises. Therefore, you should make as large a ruckus as possible at midnight. I’m talking confetti poppers and party horns. I’m talking whoopin’ and hollerin’. I’m talking banging pots and pans while marching around the house. Heck, forget the superstition…that just sounds like fun to me! So while the lovebirds are smooching in the corner, I’m planning on making noise. A lot of noise. Care to join me? (You know it sounds like fun!)
But before we get to midnight and all of the New Year’s Day superstitions, we need to celebrate New Year’s Eve. We need delicious party food, champagne and appetizers! We need Southern Pimento Cheese Dip! While pimento peppers might not be a traditional New Year’s Eve dish, they are still a traditional Southern food. This Southern Pimento Cheese Dip made many appearances at family gatherings and holidays when I was a kid. Since my wife and I now live in upstate New York, I don’t get to snack on this dip nearly as often as I would like. That’s why I decided to whip up a batch for New Year’s Eve this year.
This Southern Pimento Cheese Dip is a quick and easy appetizer. You can seriously have this on the table in 5 minutes or less. Worried that all of those peppers will make the dip too spicy? Don’t be. Have you ever wondered what the red center is in olives? It’s a pimento pepper! Pimentos are sweeter peppers…somewhat similar to red bell peppers. And the jalapenos? I used pickled jalapeno peppers in this dip to bring flavor without the heat. I did add a splash of hot sauce to help balance the sweetness, but you can certainly use more or less hot sauce depending on your preference. In short, this dip is quick and easy to make, and it’s packed with flavor. It’s the perfect way to celebrate New Year’s Eve!
Did you make a batch of this Southern Pimento Cheese Dip at home? Leave a comment, or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog). I’d love to see your version!
Southern Pimento Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 8 ounces sharp white Cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 4-oz. jar diced pimento peppers (undrained)
- 3 Tbsp pickled jalapeno peppers diced
- ½ tsp hot sauce
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Using a microwave-safe bowl, add the cream cheese, mayonnaise and mustard. Whisk together until well blended.
- Add the shredded cheese to the bowl; stir until well combined.
- Microwave for 15 seconds. Stir and microwave for 15 more seconds.
- Add the pimiento peppers, jalapeno peppers, hot sauce, salt and pepper; stir until well combined.
- Serve either warm or chilled. (Note: I personally prefer this dip chilled, but I've seen it served both ways.)
Looking for more tasty appetizer recipes? Check out these other favorites, too:
This looks great David! Definitely considering for New Year’s!
Thank you so much, Tori! This is one of my go-to party dips because it’s so quick and easy. Happy (early) New Year!!
I’ve recently acquired a love for pimento cheese. I’ve never made it from scratch, but will keep your recipe handy for when I decide to make it!
I’ve never heard of eating pork as a Southern New Year’s tradition, but I definitely know about eating black eyed peas. We eat peas for pennies and collards for dollar bills or money in general. 🙂 Don’t you just love Southern traditions?!
Southern traditions are the best, Tamara! I totally miss them, too. Actually, I think I just miss sitting around and hearing my grandfather explain all of these crazy traditions. Either way, I hope your holiday season has been awesome so far. And happy (early) New Year!!
You know I have never had pimento cheese dip, but this sounds like a winner to me. I for one came from the home of make as much noise as possible at midnight family. Parties were always fun with the family and friends over. I can totally see using your Olive and Roasted Red Pepper Crackers with this, too. No offense Town House Pretzel Thins! #WolfpackEats
Oh, I hadn’t even thought about this dip with those crackers, Kevin! Now that might need to happen…as long as I can march around at midnight and make enough noise to wake the entire neighborhood! Happy (early) New Year!!
You know you had me at CHEESE, right? The fact that you’re dippin’ with those delicious crackers just makes me feel all swoon-y and giddy.
Wanna trade? I’ve some hot clam dip over at my house!
I would trade with you, Becca…but I already ate all of mine. Sorry! (Actually, not sorry…it was delicious!) But, you are welcome to send me some hot clam dip still…I would never say no to your cookin’! 🙂
My heart is dancing at the fact that you guys have dips made of cheese. Here, we have Philadelphia cream cheese and that’s it.
Okay, I lied. We also have light Philadelphia and extra light too.
Hahaha…well, I know you have cheese down there, right? Can you imagine the looks on your friend’s faces when you show up with dips made of cheese? I think that would mean that you would win at New Year’s. Arman: 1; 2014: 0.
Dude that is one legit dip you’ve got there. I was planning on making a cheese ball for tomorrow evening but now this dip…maybe I should make this bad boy instead!
#WolfpackEat
Cheeseballs are so 2013, Mike! Pimento Cheese Dip is where the party is at for 2014…at least for one night. 🙂
This looks Great David! and so easy…. you can’t beat that!
This is totally one of my go-to party dips, Rachael! It’s quick and easy, and it’s unique. 🙂 Happy (early) New Year to you and the entire Cabot family!!
Oh cheese dip is definitely my weakness. I could eat the whole thing.
Happy 2015! I hope it is an amazing one for you!
Me, too, Dannii…me, too! Thank you so much, and I hope you have an awesome 2015!!
When my daughter was younger we spent many an afternoon “banging pots and pans while marching around the house” – I gotta tell her about your post, David, – I am thinking we need to incorporate this ritual into our NY’sE tradition too! O course, we might be visiting my mom who lives in a senior apartment complex and I don’t think they might appreciate the clanging as much as my daughter and I would…or would they?….. hmmm…only one way to find out…. 🙂
I haven’t had pimento cheese dip since I had it at a friends place while I was in college – now thanks to you, I can try making my own! Those Pretzel Thins would be ah-mazing with your dip! YUM!
Yes! I totally vote that you bang some pots and pans at midnight tonight! Actually, maybe just do it around 7:00pm and tell all the old folks that it’s midnight. They’ll be so impressed with the fact that they made it until midnight that it’ll become a yearly tradition. Hehe…just kidding!
Pimento Cheese Dip is one of my go-to party snacks…it’s easy and unique so it always starts a good conversation! Happy New Year’s Eve, Shashi!
Gosh! Next time make the ruckus just a bit quieter. I could hear you all the way over in MN!:) What a yummy looking dip! #client
Haha…what can I say, Ali? I have a knack for making a ruckus! It’s really fun…go ahead, I dare you. It’s ok that it’s not January 1. Just bang a bunch of pots and pans together at midnight tonight. It will bring good luck and fortune for the coming year…I promise! 🙂
The dip looks delicious! Love all the traditions! As long as I have tasty dips and crackers, I am set 🙂 #client
Haha…thanks, Samantha! I gotta say that this dip is one of my favorites. It’s easy and unique…so it makes for a great party snack. Here’s to 2015! Cheers!
I love me some pimento cheese dip. I bet yours is pretty much The.Best.Ever! And I didn’t know half of those NYE superstitions. And pretty much the only one we did was eating pork on new years day…so, oops. Wishing you a fabulous 2015!
Here’s to an awesome 2015, Lindsey! And I sure hope you made a whole lot of noise at midnight back on New Year’s Eve…it’s good luck, ya know! 🙂
Hi David! Just saw this as a trailer to today’s post. Pimento cheese is one of a number of things I discovered after moving to the South and I’m addicted to the stuff! Have you ever made a grilled cheese sandwich with it? If not, you really should! 🙂 And YES to pretzel thins!
Oh man, I missed the connection there, Dorothy! Pimento cheese would indeed have been a great incorporation into today’s (well, yesterday’s now) post. Guess I’ll just have to hang on to that idea…thanks for making the link! 🙂 And I have dipped all sorts of things into pimento cheese, but I don’t recall ever using it in a grilled cheese sandwich. That needs to happen ASAP! You’re full of great (and tasty) ideas! 🙂