Miracle Whip adds tang and just a touch of sweetness to this five-cheese version of the classic Southern spread, while traditional mayonnaise gives it balance and richness.

Recipe information

Total Time
15 minutes
Yield
Makes about 3 1/2 cups

Ingredients

3/4 cup jarred whole or chopped pimento peppers (about 10 1/2 ounces)

1/2 small shallot, grated

2 ounces cream cheese, softened

6 tablespoons Hellmann's mayonnaise

6 tablespoons Miracle Whip

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

3–5 dashes hot sauce

6 ounces mild cheddar, shredded

6 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded

3 ounces Parmesan, shredded

3 ounces pepper Jack cheese, shredded

Crackers (for serving)

Preparation

Step 1
Drain peppers, reserving liquid, then finely chop if whole.
Step 2
Process shallot, cream cheese, mayonnaise, Miracle Whip, Worcestershire, salt, hot sauce, and 2 Tbsp. pepper liquid in a food processor until very smooth. Add cheeses and pulse until just combined. Add peppers and pulse until just combined. Serve with crackers alongside.
Do Ahead
Step 3
Pimento cheese can be made 5 days ahead; cover with plastic, pressing onto surface, and chill.

Cooks' Note

Best if made at least 1 day in advance.

Leave a Review

Reviews (13)

This is a blasphemy on pimento cheese. Miracle whip has no place in, our even near, pimento cheese. I don't know why people insist on trying to make pimento cheese sweet. And why the cream cheese? You are already mixing shredded cheese and mayo. Why would it need to be any creamier? What makes pimento cheese so incredible is the simple list of ingredients that goes into it: sharp cheddar, mayo (if you can't do homemade, Dukes is the only way to go), pimentos or red peppers and cayenne. If you are going to mess with a Southern classic, at least elevate the ingredients instead of adding in over processed, filler foods.
- victoriabott
- Virginia
- 2/5/2017
Delicious! I added a little extra hot sauce-- will definitely make again.
- kellycorl
- Illinois
- 2/5/2017
If this is blasphemy...it is pretty delicious blasphemy! Just a different way to go, and damn good at that!
- alphanunu
- Austin, TX
- 2/5/2017
Well, I'm from deeper South than Virginia, and I can tell you that, while Miracle Whip may be blasphemy, a touch of sweetness is not considered one--and is usually gained by a pinch of sugar. But then the classic recipe that I know has grated onion as well. And not Dukes--Hellmann's! No cream cheese, however.
- Vicki6
- 2/6/2017
Really good stuff.
- joe_sevier2086
- Tennessee
- 2/6/2017
I'm a huge fan of Pimento cheese ..Sean Brock's included! I was skeptical after reading the reviews and I was afraid of the Miracle Whip!! Yuck!! However, I plunged ahead and I personally think it was great! I probably added a tad more juice and cayenne pepper, but otherwise followed it exactly. I would make it again!
- nanasara2
- Huntingdon, PA
- 2/18/2017
I thought it was tasty...and so did my guests.
- geminisinger
- Mobile, AL
- 10/26/2018