Southern Pimento Cheese Dip | Quick and easy dip recipe (2024)

ByDavidDecember 29, 2014December 5, 2019

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 kissbrings 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 atraditional 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! Pimentosare 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, butyou 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!

Looking for more tasty appetizer recipes? Check out these other favorites, too:

Garlic Parmesan Baked Potato Wedges

Cheesy Stuffed Pretzel Bites

Rosemary Focaccia