Lake House Pimento Cheese Recipe for Picnics and Parties

Bringing The South To The Lake House

Lake House Pickle Pimento Cheese is creamy, sharp, and tangy, built around Merkts cheddar, freshly shredded extra-sharp cheddar, chopped dill pickles, and sweet pimentos. A touch of prepared horseradish gives it a bright, savory kick. The result is a bold, pickle-forward spread that’s perfect on crackers, burgers, sandwiches, or as the centerpiece of a lake-side snack board.

I have a long-standing love for pimento cheese and plan to spend a weekend in Savannah next week sampling local versions. I’m fascinated by the small pimento sandwiches sold at the Masters and want to try as many styles as I can. But rather than chase a particular “authentic” Southern version, I leaned into my Northwoods lake house and Wisconsin supper club roots to create this twist on pimento cheese.

This Lake House Pickle Pimiento Cheese reflects that background: sharp, bold, and a little unexpected. The horseradish gives it a distinctive Midwestern zing that sets it apart from a classic Southern pimento spread.

A Merkts Description For Those Not From Wisconsin

Merkts Sharp Cheddar Cheese Spread is a cold-pack cheese spread from Little Chute, Wisconsin, with a long regional history. It’s rich, creamy, and bold, made with real Grade A Wisconsin cheddar, and works well for spreading, dipping, or melting into recipes like this one. If you can find it at your local grocery deli or specialty cheese section, it’s a great shortcut for a robust, cheesy base.

If Merkts isn’t available, similar Wisconsin spreads such as Pine River Sharp Cheddar Snack Spread or Merkts Beer Cheese Spread offer different but compatible flavor profiles. A ready-made pimento spread like Cabot Creamery Pimento Cheese can give a more traditional pimiento flavor, while plant-based options exist for dairy-free needs—though this recipe shines with real cheese.

Clear Out Your Sinuses

The recipe suggests one teaspoon of prepared horseradish, but that’s just a starting point. If you enjoy bold horseradish heat, add it incrementally and taste as you go until you reach the level of zing you want. I kept adding spoonfuls until the mix had that unmistakable Wisconsin supper club bite—sharp and exhilarating. Start small, but don’t be afraid to go bigger if you love horseradish.

Other Flavors To Add

For small tweaks that deepen the flavor, try a pinch of celery salt for a classic deli note or a pinch of Worcestershire powder for umami without thinning the spread. Worcestershire powder adds savory complexity—anchovy-like depth and tang—that helps the cheddar taste even sharper. A little dried dill also complements the pickles nicely. These additions are optional but can lift the spread from great to memorable.

If you like subtle complexity without changing texture, opt for powdered or dried seasonings rather than liquid sauces. They preserve the spread’s scoopable consistency while layering in flavor.

How To Serve

I love this pimento cheese with pretzel thins—the salty crunch pairs perfectly with the creamy, sharp cheese. It’s also fantastic piled on toasted sourdough, served with tiny cornichons on the side, or scooped onto saltine crackers. Try it melted between bread slices for a bold, pickle-forward grilled cheese.

Give It Time

The spread is tasty right after mixing, but it improves after resting. Refrigerate it at least an hour, and preferably overnight, to let the flavors meld and for the Merkts cheddar to firm up. Chilling yields a thicker, more scoopable texture and a more integrated flavor profile.

The New Viral Snack Sensation

Pickle dips have been trending online, and while the viral dill-pickle-only dip looks delicious, this pimento cheese version offers a sharper, more layered alternative. It blends the brightness of pickles with aged cheddar and horseradish for a spread that feels both familiar and refreshingly different.

Yield: 8 to 10 Appetizer Servings

Lake House Pickle Pimiento Cheese

This Lake House Pickle Pimento Cheese is creamy, sharp, and unapologetically pickle-forward, made with Merkts cheddar, extra-sharp shredded cheddar, and a little horseradish for that Midwestern zing. It’s perfect for crackers, burgers, sandwiches, or spoon-to-mouth snacking.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces Merkts Sharp Cheddar Spread
• 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup freshly shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese, more or less to taste
• 1 jar (4 ounces) diced pimentos, drained very well
• ½ cup finely chopped dill pickles
• 1 to 2 tablespoons pickle juice
• 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish, well drained (add more to taste)
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
• Fresh cracked black pepper to taste
• Pinch of cayenne, optional
• Optional: dried dill, Worcestershire powder, celery salt

Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until completely smooth.
2. Add the Merkts spread and mix until fluffy and fully combined. (Let Merkts sit at room temperature for about an hour to soften if possible.)
3. Stir in the shredded extra-sharp cheddar. Start with about ¾ cup and add more to reach your desired thickness and sharpness.
4. Fold in the drained pimentos and chopped dill pickles.
5. Add the horseradish, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and cayenne if using.
6. Start with 1 tablespoon of pickle juice, mix well, and add more if you prefer a tangier or slightly looser texture.
7. Taste and adjust. Aim for sharp cheddar first, pickle notes second, and a gentle horseradish zing in the background.
8. Fold in fresh dill if using.
9. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour before serving; overnight is best so the flavors fully develop.