This Low Fat Pimento Cheese recipe is made with Greek yogurt instead of mayo. This 4 Ingredient, lightened-up, healthy twist on this classic southern dip or spread is perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or makes a delicious party dip.
Love swapping geek yogurt for mayo? Also try my Greek Yogurt Tuna Salad, Greek Yogurt Egg Salad, and Healthy Potato Salad with Greek Yogurt.
Low Fat Pimento Cheese Recipe with Greek Yogurt
This Low Fat Pimento Cheese recipe with Greek yogurt is downright delightful. It's just like your favorite Pimento Cheese dip or spread but made with a big healthy swap that keeps the calories down. If you aren't a fan of mayo, you will love this too because it leaves it out.
As a Southern girl, I've had a long-standing love affair with Pimento Cheese. My Grandmother always kept some in the fridge, serving it as part of the snack plate for lunch like shown in these photos, or a sandwich with a big slice of garden-grown tomatoes.
My Bea always used Duke's mayo to make Homemade Pimento Cheese, but as I started to want to eat healthier I started to swap out the traditional mayonnaise with Greek yogurt. The result is my tried and true Light Low Fat Pimento Cheese recipe. I've been making this recipe for years. It's way better than any you will buy at the store.
What is Pimento Cheese?
Pimento Cheese is a wonderful creamy, peppery spread of dip. For those of you not from the South or unfamiliar with this delicacy, it's shredded sharp cheddar cheese with added pimento peppers from the jar. The little red bits are the pimento peppers. It's traditionally held together and made creamy with mayonnaise... but this version is healthier swapping out Greek yogurt for mayo. You can make your own, or buy it pre-made in the grocery store like this.
It's a versatile dish that can be served as a dip for crackers and veggies, spread, in a sandwich, or as a topping for burgers.
Low Fat Pimento Cheese recipe with Greek Yogurt Share on X
Why You'll Love this Light Low Fat Pimento Cheese Recipe...
- You will love this Low Fat Pimo Cheese recipe because it's lower calorie than traditional Pimento Cheese.
- One serving is 125 calories and has 17 grams of protein.
- It's only 4 ingreidients!
- This recipe is easy to make and can be served in so many ways including as part of a sandwich or a dip.
- It tastes so delish, you will never miss the mayo.
- It's a crowd-pleasing recipe that everyone will love.
Ingredients:
Here's an overview of what you'll need to make this Light Low Fat Pimento Cheese recipe, but keep scrolling for the full recipe amounts.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: You will need 2 cups of extra-sharp cheddar cheese. I like to use reduced fat, but you can buy whatever type fits your dietary preferences. For the smoothest cheese, shred your own cheese by hand but It also works with pre-shredded cheese if you don't want to mess with it.
- Greek Yogurt: Look for thick, creamy plain Greek yogurt for the best results. Full fat works best, but I have made it with low fat too and it's also tasty,
- Pimento Peppers: Pimento Peppers (also called Pimiento) are small red peppers that are not spicy. They are sold already diced in jars in the grocery store, usually near where pickles and olives are sold.
- Garlic Powder: A touch of garlic powder makes the flavors richer.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper
Instructions:
This is an overview of the instructions to make this Light Low Fat Pimento Cheese recipe, but the full detailed printable recipe is below in the recipe card.
- In a medium bowl, add the sharp cheddar cheese, greek yogurt, pimento peppers, and garlic powder.
- Carefully mix until smooth and well combined. For a more processed spread, you can also use a hand mixer to get it smoother.
- Chill before serving.
- Serve with crackers, veggies, or as a spread in a sandwich.
Variations
I love this Low Fat Pimento Cheese recipe as written, but here are some fun variations.
- Make it Spicy: The Pimento peppers in this are not spicy. If you want a spicy Pimento Cheese, add a touch of cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or fresh jalapeno.
- More Add-Ins: This is a basic recipe but other delicious add-ins include chives, lemon juice, diced onion, dijon mustard, or diced bell pepper.
- Make it with Cream Cheese: You can also add cream cheese.
FAQ
Storage & Leftovers
Store any leftovers of the Low Fat Pimento Cheese in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. I do not recommend freezing this as it would thaw out mushy.
Low Fat Pimento Cheese is So Good!
I just love this updated Low Fat Pimento Cheese recipe which keeps tradition alive, in a healthy package. It's so delicious and such a fun Southern dish to share with friends.
Serve my light Pimento Cheese at a party with vegetables and crackers like shown or use it to make a sandwich. It's also a brilliant topping on a homemade veggie burger. Or you can keep it super southern and copy my grandmother's grilled cheese and tomato idea. It's downright delicious!
I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.
How to Serve:
- Pimento Cheese Sandwiches with Tomato
- Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich
- As a Dip or Spread - with veggies, celery sticks, carrots & crackers
- Pimento Cheese Black Bean Burger
- Baked Pimento Cheese Dip
- Pimento Cheese Appetizer Bites
- With Crock Pot Tomato Soup
Low Fat Pimento Cheese recipe with Greek Yogurt Share on X
More Healthy Southern Favorites:
- Greek Yogurt Tuna Salad
- Greek Yogurt Deviled Eggs
- Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
- Healthy Macaroni Salad
- Greek Yogurt Egg Salad
- Healthy Potato Salad with Greek Yogurt
- Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad
If you make this Low Fat Pimento Cheese recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!
Low Fat Pimento Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup plain 0% greek yogurt *
- 4 ounce jar chopped pimentos, drained
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add the sharp cheddar cheese, greek yogurt, pimento peppers, and garlic powder.
- Carefully mix together until smooth and well combined. For a more processed spread, you can also use a hand mixer to get it smoother.
- Serve with crackers, veggies, or as a spread in a sandwich.
Notes
Nutrition
Pin for Later:
Patty says
My husband and I both enjoyed this pimento cheese! Great flavor and texture!
Miz Helen says
We are a Pimento Cheese family and always have a homemade Pimento Cheese Spread in the refrigerator. Your recipe looks awesome and I will sure give it a try for a lighter spread. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday,we are so happy to have you join us. Have a wonderful week and come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen
Marina @ Happy Healing says
AH this looks sooo yummy! Thanks for sharing - definitely need to try this!
Emily @ Pizza & Pull-Ups says
I haven't had pimiento cheese in ages. This looks perfect to make for my next book club though. Thanks for sharing.
Maureen @ Maureen Gets Real says
I love having grilled cheese and this would definitely make it a little healthier! Thank you for sharing!
Lean Lena says
That looks super yummy! I have never had pimento cheese ever in my life 🙂 I will have to try this!
Thanks so much for linking up with Tasty Tuesday 🙂
JulieWunder says
I think you will like it!
Tina Muir says
Looks like we were both thinking about comfort foods today. This sounds delicious Julie! Yum! You should be proud of where you come from, and good for you for sharing 🙂 Thanks for joining us, I always love seeing your smiling face online 🙂
Farrah says
I don't think I've ever tried pimento cheese! :O I'm not generally a fan of mayo, but this looks like it'd be awesome as a dip for vegetable chips! 😀
JulieWunder says
Yes! It's not very mayo-y at all. It is one of my favorites.
Cassandra @PoweredByBling says
I have always loved pimento cheese, but never made it myself. I'm going to try this recipe for some pre-made snacks next week.
JulieWunder says
This one is soooo good! Way better than those containers in the deli isle.
Heather @Fit n Cookies says
Mmm! I only ever had this for the first time last year. I missed out for so many years! I love this is lightened up, but I have never seen pimentos in the store. I"ll have to look for them.
Jessie says
I've actually never tried Southern Pimento Cheese before. Kind of shocking considering a good portion of my family lives in the South.
Emilie says
I have never had pimento cheese! It looks really good so I'm saving this to make for my boyfriend & sister's combined birthday party next month! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Elaine Orr says
Sounds sooo good and the mater makes it better I bet. I look forward to your post everyday and am excited about this one. Glad you are well and happy. Lived near you at the Forest when you were just getting started and girl look at you now. You go girl
Jessica @Myhealthypassion.com says
YUM! I def try this at my next party!!! 🙂
Jaime says
I had to smile at your reference to skinny and southern. 🙂 I need to try this recipe!
Chaitali says
Yum, this sounds great! I love pimento cheese but never made it at home because I assumed it had to be pretty unhealthy. Nice to know that's not true.
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
I have been waiting for this recipe!! : ) I cannot wait to try it. I love some good pimento cheese!
JulieWunder says
Me too!!!! It is my favorite.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
I've never had anything like this! Looks intriguing
JulieWunder says
Hahaaa!!!! I forget just how southern pimento cheese is. Pimentos are basically peppers. They are found with the jarred stuff like roasted red peppers. In my store it is near the canned vegetables.
They are already chopped and add a lot of flavor.
Unless you HATE mayo, I think you will like it... especially since I made this one with only half mayo.
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says
I'm not sure I even know what a pimento is?!
JulieWunder says
They are basically peppers in a jar. They had a lot of flavor to the cheese mix. They are near the jarred stuff like roasted red peppers. In my store it is near the canned vegetables. Southern grocery stores sell a premixed version of this in the deli, but the homemade is in a different class.
As I told Deborah, unless you hate mayo.... you will like this 🙂
Paula says
Cant wait to try this one of my favorite sandwiches!!
Thanks fir sharing your recipes & adventures!
Still miss you on the news & weather on WLOS
but so glad you are still here im WNC!
Blessings to you
JulieWunder says
Thanks Paula! I am so glad I am here too 🙂 I love it here. God bless!
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
AND I love you. When we were in Charleston we went to Husk's bar and got their pimento cheese crostinis. DIE.
JulieWunder says
I knew my former Atlanta girl would be all about this!!! Husk is amazing!
Blane Sherer says
I have always enjoyed my mom's homemade pimento cheese.I have never particularly liked any store bought brand or any restaurant version of pimento cheese. Your's seems like it would be worth a try.
JulieWunder says
Homemade is much better than the store stuff