Hot Pimento Cheese Dip
A melted blend of savory cheeses, a few spices, sliced pimentos, and mild crackers for dipping make this Kentucky Derby appetizer a crowd-pleasing favorite.
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Table of Contents
About Hot Pimento Cheese Dip
There are few things in this world better than a cheesy dip… well, except for maybe pimento cheese dip.
Aside from the fact that warm, bubbly cheese is always a hit (because it totally is), this Kentucky Derby favorite also hits two key flavor profiles:
A touch of heat, thanks to the hot sauce.
And a dash of savory-sweet, thanks to the sliced pimentos.
They both come together to create an appetizer that’s bound to be gone before the first race starts.
What can you serve with a savory party dip?
I tend to like this dip with mild crackers (like Ritz crackers) but there are plenty of other options that would go perfectly with a cheese dip like this.
Try any (or many) of the options below and see which you like best:
- Celery
- Cucumbers
- Tortilla chips
- Pretzels
- Saltine crackers
- Wheat thins
How long can you leave out a party dip?
Whenever you serve a dip for your guests to enjoy, you should always keep track of how long it sits at room temperature.
For most foods, the general rule of thumb is that a perishable item should not be in the “danger zone” for more than two hours. And by “danger zone”, this is usually at or just above room temperature.
Since this dip will be served warm, that should give you another 30-60 minutes before needing to keep track of the dip. So, in total, this dip can be left out for an absolute maximum of three hours, depending on the temperature of the room. However, be sure to still check the dip every now and then and use your best judgment.
Once you pass the recommended time, you can heat it up in the oven again or you can store it in the refrigerator.
For best results, I’d recommend using a warming tray so that the dip stays warm and above the “danger zone” temperature.
Can you make this cheese dip in advance?
Yes, you can whip up this dip in advance and store it in the refrigerator until it’s ready to be baked.
Once assembled, this dip can be stored in the refrigerator for three to five days, depending on the freshness of the onions used. When ready to bake, let the dip warm up on the counter for about 30 minutes, then bake per the recipe instructions.
Once the dip is baked, it’s best to consume it all on the same day and toss out any excess. However, if you do want to save the leftovers, it can be stored in the refrigerator for two or three days.
More savory party dips
How do you make pimento cheese dip?
This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.
Step 1 – Using a stand mixer (or a hand mixer + large bowl), whip together the following ingredients: mayonnaise, cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, ground mustard, salt, and pepper to taste for about three to five minutes. The mixture doesn’t need to be totally smooth; a few clumps of cream cheese are okay.
Step 2 – Remove bowl from mixer and add pepper jack cheese, cheddar cheese, sliced pimentos, and green onion. Use a spatula to gently fold all of the ingredients together.
Step 3 – Spoon the prepared cheese dip into a shallow baking dish, making sure to smooth the top flat.
Step 4 – Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 15-20 minutes.
Step 5 – Serve and enjoy!
Hot Pimento Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounce cream cheese, softened
- 2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup green onion, chopped
- crackers or veggies, for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a shallow baking dish with cooking spray, then set aside.
- Using a stand mixer (or a hand mixer + large bowl), beat mayonnaise, cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, ground mustard, salt, and pepper on medium-high speed until mostly smooth, about 3-5 minutes.
- Remove bowl from mixer and add cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, pimentos, and green onion to bowl. Use a spatula to gently fold all the ingredients together until thoroughly mixed.
- Pour cheese mixture into prepared baking dish and gently smooth out the top so that it’s flat.
- Bake dip for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve dip immediately with crackers or veggies for dipping.
Nutrition
I do my best to provide nutrition information, but please keep in mind that I’m not a certified nutritionist. Any nutritional information discussed or disclosed in this post should only be seen as my best amateur estimates of the correct values.
