Make Ahead

Pimento Cheese {Slightly Lower in Calories}

October  4, 2022
4
2 Ratings
Photo by Ellie | fit for the soul
  • Makes about 2 cups
Author Notes

Instead of the nearly 1 cup of mayo variety, why not try pimento cheese that tastes just as good but is lower in calories? Give it a go with toasted rye bread, cayenne pepper, and a slice of tomato. It is life changing. —Ellie Betzen

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups sharp shredded cheddar
  • 1/4 cup pieced or chopped havarti cheese
  • 1 ounce jar diced pimientos, reserve water
  • 1/4 cup mayo (I love Kewpie)
  • 3 tablespoons reserved pimiento water
  • pinch salt and pepper
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika
  • sprinkle cayenne pepper (optional)
  • toasted rye bread slices (or veggies for dipping)
  • sliced tomato (optional)
Directions
  1. Mix the cheddar shreds, pieces of havarti, pimiento, and mayo. Mix vigorously with a wooden spoon or spatula so as to get the flavors melding thoroughly. In a separate cup, mix dry milk powder with the 3 tbsp of water from the pimiento jar and dissolve.
  2. Add liquified milk powder into the cheese mixture, sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper, lemon juice, garlic powder, paprika, and mix until creamy and it resembles a dip. Spread on toast, sprinkle with a bit of cayenne if you like the spicy kick followed by a slice of tomato, or pair with cruciferous vegetables, celery, or carrot sticks. Pimento cheese can even be added into cold sandwiches or as the sole ingredient in grilled cheese!

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Anne Camp
    Anne Camp
  • Ellie Betzen
    Ellie Betzen

2 Reviews

Anne C. August 18, 2017
What "weight" cheese (8 oz? 16?)
How much milk powder?
:-(
 
Ellie B. August 18, 2017
I am so sorry Anne! I'll have to fix that! On my blog I wrote it correctly but here I forgot to say it's 1/4 c dry milk powder. And I'm not too good with weight measurements but....I think it would be abooooout 6-7 oz cheddar and 1 oz havarti? :) hank you and hope you love it!!!!!