This garlicky beer cheese recipe is perfectly melty for dipping with soft pretzels, sliced apples or even veggies. Ready in just 15 minutes, this no-fuss recipe is decadently creamy and smooth without having to shred your own cheese!
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Why You’ll Love This Beer Cheese Recipe
This simple recipe will improve any gathering or game-night!
- Quick: This easy appetizer is ready in only 15 minutes.
- Easy: Since we use a jar of refrigerated spreadable sharp cheddar cheese, you don’t have to shred your own cheese. If you can stir ingredients together and use the stove, you can make this easy beer cheese dip recipe!
- Homemade: Stop serving store-bought cheese dips with loads of salt and strange ingredients. You know exactly what’s in this homemade version and it’s way better!
- Great for gatherings: Pour it into a slow cooker to keep it warm and melty all night long. Everyone will be dipping away!
- Versatile: Add sausages, swap the cheese, or add more spices to make this recipe your own!
If you enjoy this robust cheese dip, make sure to also check out my favorite taco beer cheese dip!
What Is Beer Cheese Dip?
Beer cheese, also called beer cheese dip or beer cheese sauce, is a popular, savory American dip. As the name states, the main ingredients are beer and cheese. They’re mixed together and seasoned with garlic, salt and black pepper until nice and melty. The type of beer and cheese used can be changed depending on the flavor profile you’re after.
Homemade soft pretzel, any soft bread, green apples, grapes, carrot sticks, broccoli florets or even tortilla chips are all great for dipping on game day. We also really enjoy drizzling is over cooked vegetables like asparagus and oven roasted potatoes.
Recipe Ingredients
The secret to an ultra creamy, cheesy and smooth dip is spreadable cheese. For full ingredient amounts and directions, scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Butter
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is best. Don’t use garlic powder as it can make your dip grainy.
- Cheddar Spreadable Cheese: Found in the refrigerated cheese section in a little tub, with a blue or black lid usually. I prefer Kaukauna brand extra sharp or regular sharp cheddar.
- Beer: Any medium bodied, or even light beer will work great. I do not recommend using a strong kind of beer, like hoppy ipas, instead try something like an ale or lager. You can also use non-alcoholic beer!
- Water
- Cornstarch
- Salt and Pepper: Use kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
How to Make Beer Cheese
Stir the ingredients until you get a nice cheesy mixture perfect for dipping. That’s it! Check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for more detailed instructions.
- Whisk: In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water and set aside.
- Sauté: Add the butter and garlic to a sauce pan and sauté.
- Combine: Add cheese and beer and break up the cheese and stir until the cheese melts completely.
- Thicken: Pour the cornstarch mixture into the cheese mixture, mixing until well combined. Continue cooking, stirring often, until dip has thickened.
- Serve: Add salt and pepper, to taste. Pour it into a bowl and serve immediately.
Tips and Variations
While I think this beer cheese recipe is perfect as is, here are a few ways to change it up:
- Spicy: Mix in 1 to 2 tablespoons of diced jalapeños or serrano peppers when you add the garlic for a kick of heat.
- Add protein: Cook up some spicy ground sausage or chorizo, drain any excess grease and then mix it into the dip.
- Swap the cheese: As long as it’s spreadable, you can try this recipe with Gouda, pepper jack, smoky cheddar, bacon cheddar, etc.
- Add toppings: Cooked and crumbled bacon, fresh pico de dallo, or a scoop of guacamole will add lots of texture or flavor.
- Keep it warm: To keep it warm for a party, pour the dip it into a crockpot or fondue pot. Keep the heat on LOW and stir it occasionally. You can easily triple this recipe and fit it in a 6 quart crockpot to serve a crowd.
Storage
Once fully cooled, refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. To reheat, add 1 teaspoon of milk and then pop it into the microwave for 20 seconds at a time, stirring often. You can also reheat it in a small pot over medium-low heat, until warmed through.
More Dip Recipes to Try
- Crockpot Jalapeño Corn Dip
- Hot Spinach Dip
- Best Restaurant Style Salsa
- Queso Fundido
- Frijoles Puercos (Mexican Bean Dip)
Beer Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (11.3 oz) container Kaukauna Extra Sharp Cheddar Spreadable Cheese
- ¾ cup beer
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
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Instructions
- Whisk the cornstarch and water in a small bowl until well combined. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the cheese and pour in the beer. Use a spatula to break up the cheese and continue stirring until it melts completely.
- Re-whisk the cornstarch and water and then pour it into the cheese mixture and mix well. Cook it for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the mixture thickens.
- Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve!
Notes
Nutrition
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I added a dash or 2 of Worcestershire sauce, and a dash of cayenne pepper.
I made this for my family and it is their new favorite! So easy to make and so yummy. Thanks for sharing.
Very easy and so yummy! This was a big hit with my family over Christmas that they requested it again for New Year’s!
I’m going to try and make this over the weekend! What kind of beer do you like to use?
Whatever kind I have on hand. Usually shiner!
Delicious and super easy! As I assembled my ingredients, I realized that the container my store sells is the 7.2 ounce size. I just used 2/3 of everything else and it turned out great. Next time I am going to serve it with cubed pretzel rolls in addition to sliced baguette.
Thank you SO much for following up! Will check this week to make for my girl’s night this weekend! 🙂
Thank you so much! Unfortunately where I am in MD there are no stores found 🙁 bummer!!!
Hey Katie! So I was at walmart over the weekend and swung by the cheese section. They have the exact same kind of cheese – just a different brand. It’s called Merkts Cheese Spread – Sharp Cheddar. It’s in a tub just like the other one. Maybe you could find this one to use instead!
Jessica, this is great! A good beer cheese dip is always wonderful to have in the arsenal! My husband and I often talk about “football watching food” & this totally falls into that category. Not sure if there’s a better description for it. 🙂 Delish!
This looks AMAZING!! Where do I find that cheese? Any normal grocery store? And what section? 🙂 Thank you!!
Update: I just googled and they have a product locator – http://kaukaunacheese.com/Stores.aspx
Just search for the 12.6oz extra sharp cheddar cheese cup!
I buy it at Publix! It’s next to the cheeses in the deli there. This is the same brand that makes the cheeseballs. It’s so good in this!
I feel like a lot of the alcohol in the beer must get cooked off anyway…at least that’s what I’ll tell myself. 😛 SO CHEESY AND FABULOUS.