Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon Recipe
This rich and creamy Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon combines savory cheddar cheeses, crispy bacon, and a hint of lager beer for a flavorful appetizer that’s perfect for game days or casual gatherings. Served warm with soft pretzels, sturdy corn chips, and grilled kielbasa sausage, it’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
- Author: Grace
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 4 cups (serves 8-10 people as an appetizer) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Sauté and Simmer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Meat and Dairy
- 3 pieces bacon, diced into small cubes
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese (about 8 oz)
- 1 cup shredded sharp yellow cheddar (about 4 oz)
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup whole milk
Dry Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour (1:1 gluten free flour works as well)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Liquids & Condiments
- 1 cup lager beer
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Herbs & Garnish
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped chives
For Serving
- Soft pretzels or soft pretzel bites
- Kielbasa sausage, grilled and sliced into ½ inch pieces
- Sturdy corn chips
- Baguette slices
- Crisp Up Bacon: In a medium-sized cast iron pan over medium heat, add the diced bacon pieces. Stir occasionally until bacon is crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside on paper towels. Discard the bacon fat from the pan.
- Make the Roux: Using the same pan over medium heat, add the unsalted butter and let it melt. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk continuously. Continue stirring frequently for three minutes to cook the flour and activate the roux, which will thicken the dip later.
- Add Liquids: Slowly pour in the lager beer while whisking to combine. Allow the beer to simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly, stirring often. Then add the whole milk, continuing to simmer for another 2 minutes while stirring frequently.
- Add Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and add the cream cheese along with shredded white and sharp yellow cheddar cheeses. Stir continuously. After about 2 minutes, the cheeses will be melted and smoothly incorporated into the sauce.
- Season the Dip: Stir in the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, and freshly chopped chives. Mix well to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Serve: Transfer the cheese dip to a serving dish or fondue pot. Sprinkle the reserved crispy bacon on top. Serve immediately with soft pretzels, grilled kielbasa slices, sturdy corn chips, and baguette slices for dipping.
Notes
- Use a lager beer you enjoy drinking as it influences the flavor of the dip.
- To keep the dip warm for longer periods, transfer it to a fondue pot or slow cooker on low heat.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten free flour blend and serve with gluten-free dippers.
- Chopped fresh chives add a mild onion flavor and a pop of color but can be omitted if unavailable.
- If the dip becomes too thick after cooling, stir in a splash of milk when reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup (about 60g)
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 1.5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.5g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: beer cheese dip, bacon cheese dip, cheesy dip, appetizer, game day recipes, cheddar cheese dip, pretzel dip, kielbasa dip