Pimiento BLTs

By joanmarie

Use a very sharp cheddar to make this—it’s the difference between pimiento cheese and cheesy mayonnaise.

Ingredients

• 1 pound thick-cut bacon (about 8 slices)
• 6 ounces sharp cheddar, grated (about 2 cups)
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons chopped roasted red pepper from a jar
• 2 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapeños
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 24 slices soft white sandwich bread, crusts removed, halved
• 3 plum tomatoes, sliced 1/4” thick
• 3 cups mixed greens or trimmed arugula

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400°. Bake bacon on 2 foil-lined rimmed baking sheets, rotating halfway through, until bacon is brown and crisp, 18–20 minutes; drain on paper towels.
Meanwhile, mix cheese, mayonnaise, red pepper, and jalapeños in a medium bowl; season pimiento cheese with salt and pepper.
Spread half of bread slices with pimiento cheese. Build sandwiches with bacon, tomatoes, mixed greens, and remaining bread slices.
Do Ahead: Pimiento cheese can be made 2 days ahead; cover and chill. Sandwiches can be assembled 3 hours ahead; wrap tightly and chill.