This post was last updated on August 30, 2014 to include new images and a recipe video.
Dustin and I have quickly fallen in love with this restaurant in Southwest Austin called Jack Allen’s Kitchen.
They have an awesome restaurant design, menu and concept and their food is really great. They also have a Sunday buffet every week that is just amazing.
But I digress.
Our favorite appetizer at Jack Allen’s is their Homemade Pimento Cheese Spread with Crackers. It’s really tasty.
And, when I say it’s our favorite appetizer, I mean it’s the only appetizer we’ve ever ordered there because we like it so much.
I’ll admit, at first, I was skeptical to order anything pimento-related. Truth be told, it weirded me out a little.
But, once I tried it, I was in love. I mean, c’mon: It’s a cheese spread, right?
We decided it would be neat to make our own pimento cheese spread at home. Turns out it’s ridiculously easy.
Awesome.
I also made some Olive Oil and Herb Crackers to go with it!
Watch me make this super easy and addicting cheese spread in the video below:
Homemade Pimento Cheese Spread
- 4 oz cream cheese 1/2 package, softened
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar
- 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 1/2 tablespoons pimentos chopped
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/8 tsp garlic powder
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In the bowl of a stand mixer (or by hand, electric mixer or food processor), beat the cream cheese until smooth.
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Add the remaining ingredients and continue to mix on medium speed until well combined.
Recipe Video
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links for the kitchen item(s) I use 🙂
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Ellen says
October 5, 2018 at 12:19 pmWow! I’ve searched for pimento cheese recipes before, but yours hasn’t come up. Jack Allen’s was the site for our son’s rehearsal dinner, and this was on the tables for our gathering time — delicious!
It looks like it’s been several years since the original post — if you are still stuck on the cheese spread, you really should break away just once to try their guac — a stand out in a town that provides many excellent guacs!
Susy Knight says
January 30, 2018 at 11:35 amWe made this today very easy recipe and love the flavor.
Geneva says
January 5, 2018 at 3:45 amI tried it, except I swapped the cheese for a cheddar bacon cheese and added horseradish for a kick. the dip is great on pork rinds.
Barbara says
May 18, 2017 at 10:26 amLove the pimento cheese spread! I know the recipe states it makes 6 servings n=but could you tell me what the serving size is? Thanks!
Doober says
April 15, 2017 at 7:58 pmI will have to try this with vegan mayo, I have an egg allergy.
Brenda Lee says
September 26, 2015 at 1:24 pmI love the recipe! I followed the recipe as indicated…but I wanted to taste more pimento, so I used the full 4oz. Jar of pimentos I had bought, and added another 1/8 tsp of garlic salt. Perfect!
Lacey Baier says
September 28, 2015 at 11:22 amThis sounds so good! Thanks for sharing your tweaks – glad you enjoyed it!
Bonnie Beenblossom says
August 30, 2015 at 12:02 amLacey,
I have found soooo many yummy recipes on your website. Thank you for being out there. I have one request. Would it be possible to
put the nutrition information after the recipe. Being diabetic and overweight I really need to know my numbers (i.e. carbs, fiber,etc.) If
not that’s okay. I can tell by the ingredients which ones are okay. Thanks again.
Bonnie
Lacey Baier says
August 30, 2015 at 6:58 pmHi Bonnie! I’m so glad you have enjoyed multiple recipes from my site 🙂
I’m definitely wanting to go back into all the old posts and add in the nutrition information, but that will take longer. I currently include the information in all my new posts, though 🙂
Beverly says
November 21, 2014 at 2:15 pmI’ve been looking for the easiest yet best pimento cheese spread! Your recipe looks simple (just like I need them to be). Not too many ingredients & mix then serve, just my way;)
I do have a simple question please & super, pretty please help me out with this? I bought the diced pimentos, mayo, cream cheese but I didn’t grab monterrey jack cheeses or garlic powder:( I can run get any seasons I need but do I need to add monterrey jack or could I only use the extra sharp cheddar cheese I’ve already purchased? I’ll wait for your reply before I run back to the store:) thanks in advance (esp if you please can help) & I hope your holidays are wonderful☆☆☆☆ We love pimento cheese 🙂 well 3 of us out of 6 lol! Can’t wait to hear back!!! I’ll keep checking back or I’m on Pinterest also is totally up to you I totally appreciate you! Thanks & cannot wait, I wanna pimento cheese sandwich right now yummy!!!! Thanks a bunch! Beverly Patterson is my name on Pinterest, Facebook & Gmail is beverlykims@gmail.com thanks again! I wanna make this today if u have time. I’ll run to the store to get the garlic powder & maybe onion powder in a couple mins. Thanks a 3rd time, lol!
Lacey Baier says
November 21, 2014 at 9:19 pmHi Beverly! The truth is that I’ve never tried this recipe with cheddar cheese. Being a sharp cheddar, I’d imagine it would take over a lot of the flavor, whereas the jack lays low. If you’re able to run to the store, the recipe as written is really the best. That being said, it’ll prob still be good with what you’re asking about, just not as good. Hope that helps!
Beverly says
November 21, 2014 at 10:08 pmI’m at the store now & I’ll be purchasing the Monterey Jack cheese 🙂 thank you very much, I’ll let you know as soon as we try eat although I know it’ll be wonderful! I love pimento cheese thanks again!
Lacey Baier says
November 22, 2014 at 10:15 pmYay! I hope you love it, Beverly! 🙂
Cherry says
March 28, 2013 at 8:18 pmGreat recipe. Came home wanting really good pimento cheese. This is really good.
Deanna says
December 31, 2012 at 2:03 pmI love Jack Allen’s! And just like you was skeptical and LOVE the cheese spread. Went searching and found this http://www.twinliquors.com/whats_poppin/central-texas-chefs-corner-1 a profile of the chef and THE RECIPE!!
I have made it several times. It makes ALOT! And odd- no pimentos. It uses red bell peppers. I just call it cheese spread because so many folks instantly turned up their noses at “pimento cheese”.
Lane says
October 4, 2012 at 11:00 amI’ve eaten at that restaurant and yes it is delish!! Can’t wait to try this recipe!!
Sonia says
September 6, 2012 at 1:09 pmI made this today!!
I added a couple of dashes of hot sauce, and it was AWESOME! Thank you!!
jc says
July 28, 2012 at 12:16 pmI made this today and – YUMMY! I added a little garlic powder and my family loves it! For myself I added red pepper flakes!
Theresa says
July 2, 2012 at 6:24 pmAll I can say is . . . . . YUM! It is sooo good!
Cheryl says
December 12, 2011 at 8:24 amThanks for this recipe–HEB also has a pimento spread that we enjoy, but I add chopped jalenpoes to give it a little dash of spice.
Now, I can make our own spicy spread! This will be perfect for those holiday parties coming up this week.
lacey - a sweet pea chef says
December 20, 2011 at 3:07 pmHappy to help — what a fun thing to have at a holiday party! 🙂