Smashed Pimento Chickpea Sandwiches (vegan pimento cheese) are hearty, flavor-packed and reminiscent of pimento cheese. Fresh or jarred roasted red peppers and smoky paprika combine with chickpeas, a little nutritional yeast, onions, with a touch of sugar and a few shakes of Tabasco for a classic turned plant based! This smash up comes together in ten minutes (with a little advance prep) then share it as a spread, or as a sandwich!
Vegan Pimento Cheese
Y’all know the sandwich. The classic pimento cheese.
It’s big in Texas, at least where I grew up, and is familiar as apple pie…
…and big hair.
This Recipe Is
- made with homemade roasted red bell pepper or store bought
- loaded with flavor
- a little spicy, with a touch of sweet
This vegan pimento sandwich offers similar taste and texture sans cheese for a delicious dairy free option!
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How to Make Vegan Pimento Cheese Chickpea Smash
step by step
Trying Something New with Chickpeas
Since making my first smash-up, the Smashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich, I knew I wanted to create a new favorite inspired by an old recipe. Oh what chickpeas can do!
Although I started making this recipe years ago, it was a visit from my pimento cheese lovin’ Ma that helped me taste test this one since she’s a big fan of the classic. I wanted her to give it a go before I shared it on the blog since, after-all, she is a pimento cheese expert.
With the help of nutritional yeast, paprika, red bell peppers and some good mayo, I’m completely smitten with this version of vegan pimento cheese. I even impressed my pimento cheese expert Ma who lovingly hesitated and looked at me as if I’d lost it. Whaaa… no cheese?
“My mouth still waters for pimento cheese although it has been years since I have had it. Traci, I hit the jackpot when I discovered this recipe. It is absolutely delicious and has become a favorite ‘go to’ sandwich.”
Susan
If you need a quick fix, whole roasted red bell peppers are available in a jar. They’re expensive, and not quite as flavorful as if you roast your own, but I use them in a pinch. Also, bell peppers can be roasted head of when needed, at least two days. They freeze beautifully too!
Traci’s Tips
- Enjoy this scrumptious spread for game day eats, picnics, on crackers, with celery, stuffed in pita bread, or simply on Multigrain Sourdough Bread.
- Spice it Up! Douse with a few shakes of Tabasco, and top with Pickled Banana Peppers for an added kick!
- Prep Ahead: Find whole roasted red bell peppers packed in water (not oil), in jars. Or, roast and peel the red peppers up to two days in advance.
Vegan Smashed Pimento Chickpea Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups (280 grams) Chickpeas, cooked, drained and rinsed (one can) or home cooked chickpeas
- 1 tablespoon Onion, minced
- 1/2 Lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons Nutritional Yeast
- 1 teaspoon Fine Sea Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Organic Cane Sugar, (optional or to taste as mayo brands vary in their sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 3-4 tablespoons Vegan Mayonaise, I like Vegenaise
- 2 Roasted Red Bell Peppers, patted dry and diced small (about 1 cup / 200 grams diced) prepared or roasted at home*
- Fresh Ground Pepper
- Pickled Banana Peppers, (optional) for an little kick!
- A few shakes of Tabasco
Instructions
- After draining the chickpeas, put them on a kitchen towel and pat dry. In a large mixing bowl add the chickpeas, onions, lemon, yeast, salt, sugar (optional – but for that authentic flavor!), paprika, and mayo.
- Use a potato masher to rough-mash the mixture until most is smashed but there are still some whole chickpeas left. Stir in the diced roasted bell peppers, add a few grinds of fresh pepper and shakes of Tabasco. Taste for seasoning adjustment.
- Store in a lidded container, in the refrigerator, for up to three days.
- Serving Suggestions: Use this pimento chickpea as a spread on toast, crackers or sandwiches. Use it as a dip with sliced veggies – celery and cucumber are quite tasty.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. If this information is important to you, please have it verified independently.
Made it? Leave a comment below!
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Best pimento and no cheese I’ve ever had! You need a cookbook! I’d buy it and tell everyone I know to buy it!
Hiii Stasey! Yay!! Thank you for your note and enthusiasm. I appreciate you!
My mouth still waters for pimento cheese although it has been years since I have had it. Traci, I hit the jackpot when I discovered this recipe. It is absolutely delicious and has become a favorite ‘go to’ sandwich. Thank you so much.
Hiii Susan! Oh my gosh, thank you for sending a smile and giving the recipe a try! I grew up on Pimento Cheese, and like you, the flavors are super familiar. SO happy you’re enjoying this version of it!
I forgot to rate the recipe with 5 stars
Hooray! Thank you, Susan :D