Vegan Pimento Cheese is a rich, creamy spread made with plant-based cream cheese, cheddar, tangy pimento peppers, and a touch of jalapeño heat. It’s everything you love about the classic Southern staple, completely plant-based and ready in minutes.
A Childhood Classic
Pimento cheese will forever remind me of childhood summers in the South. My grandparents had a pool, and my dad and I took full advantage of it. I would swim and play all day, only stopping long enough to scarf down lunch — and lunch was always the same.
Pimento cheese sandwiches were the standard midday fare, served alongside an icy cold can of Tab. This was so routine that my dad and I used to joke about going to Nana’s house exclusively for those sandwiches. And while we’re there, maybe we’ll jump in the pool.
What made it funny was that the sandwiches weren’t even very good. My grandmother relied heavily on the prepackaged section of the supermarket, which didn’t offer anywhere near the quality of foods back in the 70s and 80s that it does today. A large plastic tub of mushy, chemical-laden grocery store pimento cheese was a refrigerator staple in her house. It was bad — but we ate it up, and that’s exactly what made the joke so funny.
This homemade vegan version, however, is truly delicious. Creamy and chunky, rich, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. My dad would be proud.
How to Serve Vegan Pimento Cheese
This beloved Southern classic is wonderfully versatile. Serve it as a dip with celery and crackers, smear it on a warm biscuit, or use it as a cold sandwich filling on soft white bread. Pimento grilled cheese is absolutely wonderful, and if you’ve never tried pimento cheese on a burger, you are missing out, my friend!
Ingredients for Vegan Pimento Cheese
Here’s what you will need. Exact amounts are listed in the recipe card below.
- Vegan Cream Cheese – The creamy base of the spread. Make sure it’s softened before mixing for the smoothest result.
- Vegan Mayonnaise – Adds richness and classic consistency.
- Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Cayenne, and Ground Black Pepper – This simple spice blend is what gives Southern pimento cheese its signature flavor. Adjust the cayenne to your heat preference.
- Vegan Cheddar Cheese – Grate it fresh for the best texture. Pre-shredded varieties work, but freshly grated incorporates more smoothly.
- Jalapeño Pepper – Seeded and finely minced for a gentle kick. Leave the seeds in if you like more heat.
- Diced Pimento Peppers – The star of the show! Make sure to drain them well before adding so the spread doesn’t get watery.
How to Make Vegan Pimento Cheese
STEP ONE: Cream the Base. Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, cream together the vegan cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, cayenne, onion powder, and black pepper until smooth.
STEP TWO: Add the Mix-Ins. Add the grated vegan cheddar, minced jalapeño, and drained pimento peppers. Mix on low speed just until incorporated.
STEP Chill and Serve. Adjust seasoning to taste. For the best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight before serving. The flavors develop beautifully with a little time.
Can I make this without a mixer?
- Yes! A hand mixer works great, but in a pinch, you can mix it by hand with a fork or wooden spoon. The texture will be a little chunkier, which some people actually prefer.
Tips for the Best Vegan Pimento Cheese
- Grate your own cheese. Freshly grated vegan cheddar gives you the best texture and flavor.
- Don’t skip the chill time. Like most chilled dips and spreads, pimento cheese is significantly better after the flavors have had time to come together. An hour is good, overnight is even better.
- Drain the pimentos well. Excess liquid from the pimento peppers can make the spread watery. A quick press with a paper towel after draining does the trick.
Storage
- Vegan pimento cheese keeps well in an airtight container for several days. Give it a good stir before serving if it’s been sitting for a day or two.
- Freezing is not recommended as the texture of the cream cheese and mayonnaise can become grainy after thawing.
More Southern Vegan Recipes
- Fried Green Tomatoes
- Yellow Squash Casserole
- Baked Black-Eyed Pea Dip
- Benedictine Spread
- Red Velvet Cake
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Vegan Pimento Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces vegan cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups vegan cheddar cheese grated
- 1 jalapeno pepper seeded and finely minced
- 4 ounces diced pimento peppers drained
Instructions
- Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, cream together the vegan cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, cayenne, onion powder, and black pepper until smooth.
- Add the grated vegan cheddar, minced jalapeño, and drained pimento peppers. Mix on low speed just until incorporated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. For the best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight before serving. The flavors develop beautifully with a little time.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was updated February 23, 2026.
Jacqui
Thank you so much for sharing, this is such a great flavoring!
Cindy
A childhood favorite made healthier- love it!
Kelly
Just made this as written, and it’s fabulous! I never had the real deal, but my husband has and said it’s very similar.
thiswifecooks
Hi Kelly ~ I love that! Thank you so much for your review!