Hatch chile pimento cheese swaps sweet red hatch chiles for pimentos to create a variation on the classic pimento cheese recipe.
Hatch Chile Pimento Cheese
Cheese spreads are a marvelous invention. They’re perfect for parties, snacks, and sandwiches—you name it, a cheese spread can do it. I’ve relied on the same cheese ball recipe for years.
Lately I’ve been tinkering with pimento cheese recipes. Pimento cheese is pretty simple. It’s just cheese, mayo, peppers, and a bit of sugar to smooth out the flavor.
The fun comes in making variations. You can use sharp cheddar, extra sharp cheddar, or even white cheddar. You can add an extra mix-in, like chopped jalapenos. Or you can go completely wild and swap out the pimentos for something else.
In this case, hatch chiles.
What are hatch chiles? Hatch chiles are a New Mexican pepper with a uniquely rich and earthy flavor. They can be mild or hot, used fresh or roasted, and can even be aged from their typical green color to a deep red color.
This recipe uses red hatch chiles to replace the pimento peppers. You can find chopped red hatch chiles in the Mexican, Latin, or Hispanic food aisle of your grocery store, typically in a glass jar or a small can.
Hatch Chile Pimento Cheese
Hatch chile pimento cheese swaps sweet red hatch chiles for pimentos to create a variation on the classic pimento cheese recipe.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese block, not pre-shredded
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons jarred or canned chopped red hatch chiles
- 1 pinch granulated sugar
Instructions
Cut the cheese into 8 pieces and place in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.
Add the chopped cheese, mayonnaise, hatch chiles, and sugar to a mixing bowl. Mix until thoroughly combined. The mixture should take on an orange hue from the color of the cheese and the chiles.
Pack the pimento cheese into a container and seal airtight. Refrigerate for one hour to allow the flavors to develop. Serve.
Terri Steffes
I would love this and I think my son-in-law would too. He’d want the more spicy peppers though.
Jeanette
This is something I will send to my friend she LOVES this cheese! Great way to update this cheese!
Michelle Cantu
Pass the veggie tray! This pimento cheese looks incredible. My mom’s friend used to bring her version over with celery sticks and I would devour it. She moved away and they lost touch, we have never been able to perfect it. Gotta try this one.
Mitch Chaitin
This is a great recipe. I was recently introduced to store bought pub cheese, and found some with spicy additions. Now, thanks to you, I can make my own!
Amber Myers
I know i’d love this. I am all about spicy food. And cheese. So I’d eat so much of this, which probably isn’t a good thing, but eh!
Beth
I was always afraid of pimento cheese when I was a kid, but I think I would like it now. I need to make this for my mom, she will love it!
Marcie W.
I love hatch chiles! They provide so much intense flavor. I have never tried pimento cheese but this looks too good to pass up.
Tasheena
WOW! This looks really yummy. I would love to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Lynndee
I haven’t had pimento cheese in such a long time.The ones at the store doesn’t appeal to me either. Thanks for the recipe. Will try that.
Victoria
This looks really delicious. I had no idea about the peppers, but my family does tend to like food that is on the spicer side.
Melanie Walsh
You must be the hostess with the mostest. This looks amazing! Thankfully my friends are pretty close and pop over spur of the moment. I’m totally going to blow them away next time with this.
rika
That looks good! I love anything spicy, can’t wait to try this.
Amy H
I’ve never tried Pimento Cheese – much less Hatch Chile Pimento Cheese! I didn’t even know where to get Hatch Chile Peppers.