Jalapeno Pimento Cheese

Jalapeño Pimento Cheese is high in protein with no mayo or yogurt. Spicy pimento cheese recipe made with jalapenos and cottage cheese.

About Jalapeño Pimento Cheese

Pimento cheese is a cheesy spread or dip that's made with pimentos (or pimientos) and shredded cheese.

Typically, mayo holds the mixture together. However, cottage cheese binds together this no mayo pimento cheese.

It takes an extra step of blending the cottage cheese with onion and a little liquid, but it's worth it to get a creamy and flavorful sauce.

Plus, it boosts the protein in this spicy jalapeno pimento cheese.

Ingredients

Cheese: Cheddar is typically used for pimento cheese. Monterey Jack, Pepperjack, Colby, and mozzarella (from a block, not from the fresh ball of mozzarella) are alternative options.

Cottage Cheese: Blended cottage cheese binds the jalapeno pimento cheese recipe together. It is used in place of mayo typically used for pimento cheese.

Liquid: To help thin the sauce just a little bit, you'll add liquid. You can use water, milk, or the liquid in the pimento jar. That being said, be sure to drain the pimentos well so the pimento cheese isn't runny.

Jalapeño: For a spicy pimento cheese, add jalapeno. Any spicy pepper will also work well.

Onion: A little bit of grated or diced onion is added to give it flavor. It's important to measure the onion because too much will overpower the other flavors. Because you add the onion to the food processor, you'll be able to blend it into the sauce to prevent big onion chunks in your pimento cheese spread.

Cayenne Pepper: If the jalapeno isn't very spicy, you can add a little cayenne pepper for more heat. However, it's optional.

Pimentos: Diced or sliced pimentos can be used for this healthy pimento cheese. You can find them in the canned veggie aisle of the store, near the jarred olives.

Pimento Cheese Price

• Cheese 16 ounces: $3.98
• Cottage cheese 6 ounces: $0.65
• Jalapeno 1 medium: $0.14
• Onion 3 tablespoons: $0.12
• Cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon: $0.01
• Pimentos 4-ounce jar: $1.78

TOTAL COST: $6.68 or $0.42/serving (Based on San Diego grocery stores 2023)

Note that this is not the recipe; it's simply to show the cost breakdown of ingredients. Scroll down to the full recipe to see the specific ingredients and directions.

How to Make Pimento Cheese

Recipe Tips

Variations

Ingredient Options

Cheese: In place of cheddar, use Monterey Jack, Pepperjack, Colby, or mozzarella (in a block, not fresh form).

Flavor Substitutions

To decrease spiciness: Use less jalapenos or omit them. Also, skip the additional cayenne pepper.

Alternative Prep & Cooking

If you don't have a food processor or blender, you can mash the cottage cheese with a fork and mince the onion. Then stir everything together.

The texture might be a little chunkier, but it will still be tasty.

How to Make Allergy-Friendly

This pimento cheese with jalapeno recipe is naturally gluten-free, egg-free, soy-free, and nut-free.

Pimento cheese usually has mayo so it is not egg-free. But thanks to the cottage cheese, this no mayo pimento cheese recipe is egg-free.

It obviously has a lot of dairy, but if you can find a good dairy-free alternative for cottage cheese and shredded cheese, you can try it. However, I have not found any suitable options to recommend.

How to Fix a Mistake

Too runny: Add a little extra cottage cheese to the sauce, and blend. This should thicken it. However, if you have already stirred together everything, you can add some more grated cheese or blot it dry with a towel.

Too thick: Add a splash of water and stir well.

Make-Ahead Ideas

Jalapeño Pimento Cheese is best made ahead of time, so the jalapeno and onion flavors have time to infuse the cheese.

Storage Suggestions

Store in glass or plastic air-tight containers in the fridge for up to 7-10 days.

Freezing pimento cheese is not recommended as the texture will change undesirably when it defrosts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nutrition Benefits

What to Serve with Pimento Cheese

Final thoughts:

MORE PIMENTO CHEESE RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE:

• Pimento Cheese Cucumber Bites
• Loaded Pimento Cheese
• Pimento Cheese Boats
• Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich
• Pimento Cheese Chicken Salad

Meme

This post was originally published on September 4, 2012. Text, recipe, and photos have been updated.

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Pimento Cheese Nutrition Facts

Carbs in Pimento Cheese

There are 2 grams of carbohydrates in this Jalapeno Pimento Cheese recipe.

Pimento Cheese Calories

In ¼ cup of No Mayo Pimento Cheese, there are 126 calories.