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    White Cheddar Beer Cheese Dip

    March 9, 2022

    Made with two kinds of cheese and hearty IPA, this rich and creamy beer-cheese dip is delicious slathered on crisp apples, spicy Kielbasa sausage or even soft doughy pretzels.

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    White cheddar beer cheese dip in a bowl next to soft pretzels and sausage slices

    Beer Cheese Dip—A Winning Recipe for Game Day

    Beer cheese dip is typically accompanied by hoots, hollars and cheers as a rousing game of football plays out on TV, but really, it’ll be a hit whenever you decide to serve it. Made with two kinds of cheese, this rich and creamy dip recipe is super easy. Try it slathered on crisp apples, or with spicy Kielbasa sausage and soft doughy pretzels.

    Best served hot, we suggest you dish up this easy beer cheese dip recipe from the Crock-Pot set on the warm setting so it stays cheesy and dippably delicious even after the last touchdown is scored.

    hand dipping a soft pretzel into a bowl of white cheddar beer cheese

    What Is Beer Cheese Dip?

    No two beer cheese dip recipes are alike. Some are made with cream cheese, or even mozzarella, but we decided to combine sharp white cheddar, and mild, regular yellow cheddar to make a classic dip that plays off the citrusy notes of our favorite beer—a good pilsner. Heavy cream rounds out the dip so it stays velvety smooth and ready to serve whenever your guests get peckish.

    What Is the Best Beer for Beer Cheese Dip?

    Here in the Pacific Northwest, craft-brewed beer reigns supreme giving us a large selection from hoppy IPA's to Pilsner. Of them all the smooth pilsner is our favorite. That said, almost any beer that’s light in color will work—most lagers make fine swaps, if that’s what you have on hand.

    flour, onion and butter in a small pot
    flour and butter clumped together in a small pot to make a roux
    hands pouring a whisking beer into a small bot with roux base
    creamy beer based roux for white cheddar beer cheese dip
    White Chedder Beer Cheese Dip 6
    Which Chedder Beer Cheese Dip 7

    How To Make Beer Cheese

    Making this indulgent and cheesy appetizer is way easier than scoring a three-yard touchdown pass. As long as you have a whisk handy and a bit of patience, you’ll be richly rewarded.

    1. Our first trick is to grate—not chop, grate!—a whole onion so it melts seamlessly into the beer and cheese mixture. Then, sauté that grated onion in some butter to form the base of the beer cheese dip.
    2. Next up, making the roux. If looking at that word makes your head spin, never fear! A roux is simply a flour-y slurry that serves to thicken the white cheddar beer dip. All you do is add flour and mustard to the buttery grated onions, and let it cook to thicken.
    3. Next, slowly (and we mean s-l-o-w-l-y) pour in the beer, then heavy cream.
    4. Elbow-grease time! Whisk whisk whisk until the mixture reaches the right thickness. When it’s thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, it’s cheese time!
    5. Stir in both cheese until they melt, then season to taste and serve!

    (Full recipe below.)

    large plate with white cheddar beer cheese dip in small bowl next to soft pretzels and sausage slices

    Does Beer Cheese Have Alcohol?

    You might be asking yourself if you should be worried about serving this beer cheese when there are kiddos around. Most of the alcohol is evaporated off during the cooking process and what’s left is minuscule. You will not get drunk off this recipe. With that said, if you still don’t feel comfortable reserve this appetizer to the adult's table and serve your kids something else you know they’ll love—like our Swedish Meatballs.

    soft pretzel being dipped into white cheddar beer cheese

    Tools You’ll Need:

    Dips for Every Occasion

    If you live by the rule that one dip recipe is never enough—as we do—we’ve got you covered. Here are four dip recipes that we make all the time:

    Beer Cheese Is as Lucky as Your Favorite Jersey

    Score your own three-yard touchdown pass with this easy beer cheese dip recipe. Once you’re done soaking in the praise, snap a pic and post it to Instagram tagging @themodernproper and #themodernproper so we can cheer you on. Happy eating!

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    White Cheddar Beer Cheese Dip

    Updated on March 9, 2022

    • Serves:  8
    • Prep Time:  10 min
    • Cook Time:  10 min
    • Calories:  272
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    Ingredients

    • 4 Tbsp (1/2 stick) salted butter
    • 1/4 cup grated white onion (about 1/2 medium onion)
    • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • 2 teaspoons ground mustard
    • 1 cup beer, such as an IPA, at room temperature
    • 1 cup whole milk or heavy cream, at room temperature
    • 1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
    • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
    • 1 to 2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce

    For Serving

    • Apple slices
    • Soft pretzels
    • Kielbasa sausage

    Method

    1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the grated onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent, about 3 minutes.

    2. Add the flour and mustard and cook, whisking constantly, until a bubbly, thick roux forms, about 2 minutes. Continuing to whisk constantly, slowly pour in the beer. Slowly pour in the cream and whisk until the sauce thickens a bit further, about 5 minutes.

    3. Add both cheeses and whisk until melted and smooth. Stir in the salt, pepper, and Tabasco. Taste and adjust the seasonings as desired.

    4. Serve with apples, soft pretzels, and/or kielbasa alongside.

    Nutrition Info

    • Per Serving
    • Amount
    • Calories 272
    • Protein 11 g
    • Carbohydrates 8 g
    • Total Fat 21 g
    • Dietary Fiber 1 g
    • Cholesterol 61 mg
    • sodium 465 mg
    • Total Sugars 2 g

    White Cheddar Beer Cheese Dip

    Questions & Reviews

    Join the discussion below.

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    • Michael

      How do you make the pretzels and what kind of kielbasa?

      We don't have a recipe for soft pretzels, you can just use store bought. Any Kielbasa would be great, we really like the brand Boar's Head.

    • Deanna

      what does the beer add to the recipe

      Flavor. Hope you enjoy Deanna!

    • Angela

      Can this be made and put in a crock pot to keep warm?

      You bet!

    • debbie

      can this recipe be made ahead of time?

      Yes! Just reheat on low, stirring constantly.

    • Meagan

      So good! This is an excellent base recipe for the best texture and flavor. I like to amp it up a bit by adding garlic powder or grated garlic, smoked paprika, and cayenne.

      Thanks so much, we are so happy you loved it Meagan!

    • Jenn

      To say this is loved in my house would be an understatement, it's definitely a favorite! We usually serve it with chicken sausage and sour dough.

      This is so great to hear, thanks Jenn!