Last Updated on February 21, 2022 by Anne-Marie

There’s nothing better than a Ham & Pimento Cheese Sandwich featuring green heirloom tomatoes. You can find these at the store or your farmer’s market.

Pimento cheese sandwiches are a classic

The first time I had pimento cheese was on a squished, day-old white bread sandwich that my husband brought home from the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia.

It was a joke gift, since I could care less about the golf goodies Paul brought home for the kids.

Yet one bite and I was hooked, which is why I created my Ham & Pimento Cheese Sandwich recipe with green heirloom tomatoes. Any excuse to eat pimento cheese!

Since then, I notice that pimento cheese is always on the menu no matter where I’ve traveled around the South.

I’ve dined at the upscale One Flew South at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, the funky Green Truck Pub in Savannah, and the downhome Oakwood Café in Dalton, Georgia.

What did they all have in common? Pimento cheese was being served!

Making a better pimento cheese sandwich

Eating a pimento cheese sandwich is fine if you’re on vacation or at the Masters, but not as an every day event.

Make your own pimento cheese spread: The problem with pimento cheese spread is that it’s high in calories. So I’ve created a “lite” Pimento Cheese Recipe, which uses low fat cream cheese.

It’s delicious and easy to make. You can use it as a sandwich spread. Or on crackers as a party appetizer.

I made the Pimento Cheese Spread Recipe into a Pumpkin for fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving parties.

Or buy it at the store: However, you may be able to find lite pimento cheese spread at your supermarket if you live in the South.

If you’re in other parts of the county, it’s probably harder to find though you never know since Southern foods are trendy these days.

My husband told me he saw pimento cheese, fried chicken on waffles, and other Southern classics on a brew pub menu in Colorado just a few months ago.

Make a healthier pimento cheese sandwich recipe

Even using a lite pimento cheese spread, you should still treat it as a condiment and use just enough to barely cover the bread.

In addition, I’ve lighten up the Ham & Pimento Cheese Sandwich with Green Heirloom Tomatoes recipe by using lean ham and heirloom tomatoes and whole grain bread instead of white.

Tomatoes: If you can’t find a green heirloom tomato, any type of tomato will do.

To keep your sandwich from getting soggy, make sure to blot your tomato slices with a paper towel before adding them to your sandwich.

Can you make this gluten free?

If you’re gluten free, use your favorite gluten free bread instead of whole grain bread. Toast the bread if you wish.

How much pimento spread?

Also, the amount of ham and pimento cheese shown in the pictures is exaggerated to make the sandwich look more beautiful. (They were originally shot for a paid assignment and not used.)

If you used as much ham and cheese in the pictures, you could probably only eat 1/3 of the sandwich. (That’s about all I could manage!)

The recipe below makes a proper and satisfying portion, so don’t worry if your Ham & Pimento Cheese Sandwich with Green Heirloom Tomatoes doesn’t look like the pictures.

More delicious sandwich recipes

This Pumpkin Dip Recipe for Sandwiches is perfect for Halloween or fall parties.

Make this Easy Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe for lunch or a quick snack.

Love bagels? Try this Ultimate Breakfast Bagel Sandwich recipe.

Got meatloaf? Make this Leftover Meatloaf Sandwiches Recipe.

This Easy Chicken Salad Recipe makes awesome sandwiches.

What’s a Croque Monsieurs? It’s a fancy grilled ham and cheese sandwich.

Another wonderful grilled sandwich is this Easy Cuban Panini.

Originally published July 2015. Updated with new information and pictures.