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This image shows a warm bowl of beer cheese soup, garnished with crispy bacon and green onions, giving it a rich and savory appearance, perfect for a cozy meal.

Beer Cheese Soup Recipe

This cozy, easy-to-make Beer Cheese Soup is perfect for chilly days. With caramelized onions and a blend of cheeses and beer, this soup brings restaurant-quality comfort to your home.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 5
Calories 324 kcal

Ingredients
  

Soup

  • 4-6 slices Thick-cut bacon
  • 3 tbsp Salted butter
  • 1 large Yellow onion diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Hot sauce e.g., Frank’s hot sauce
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 5 tbsp Flour
  • 12 oz. Beer see notes
  • 2 cups Chicken broth
  • 2 cups Half-and-half half milk/half cream
  • 1 Bay leaf
  • 2 ½ cups Shredded cheddar cheese see notes
  • 2 Green onions diced

Seasonings

  • 1 tsp Mustard powder
  • ½ tsp Each: dried thyme smoked paprika
  • ¼ tsp Each: salt pepper
  • 1 pinch Cayenne optional

Instructions
 

Prep Work:

  • Cook the bacon slowly over low heat in a 3.5-quart soup pot. Cut the bacon in half for easier cooking. Once crispy, set aside on a paper towel-lined plate and chop once cooled. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings.
    This image shows thick-cut bacon slices cooking in a soup pot, turning crispy as they release flavorful drippings for the beer cheese soup.
  • Wipe any dark spots from the pot but leave bacon remnants for flavor.

Make the Soup:

  • Add reserved bacon drippings and butter to the pot over medium heat. Use a silicone spatula to scrape the bottom and sides of the pot.
  • Add diced onions and cook for 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until they begin to brown and caramelize.
    This image shows diced yellow onions slowly cooking in the reserved bacon drippings, beginning to turn golden brown as they caramelize for the soup base.
  • Add garlic, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings. Stir well. Add flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring continuously.
    This image shows minced garlic and seasonings, including hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce, being stirred into the caramelized onions, infusing the soup with rich flavors.
  • Gradually add beer, stirring continuously. Follow with chicken broth and half-and-half. (Optionally, use an immersion blender to blend the onions into the broth.)
    This image shows flour being sprinkled over the caramelized onions and garlic, then cooked to form a roux that will thicken the beer cheese soup.
  • Add the bay leaf, bring to a gentle bubble, and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    This image shows beer being poured into the pot over the roux, creating the base for the beer cheese soup and adding depth of flavor.
  • Reduce heat to low. Remove the bay leaf. Gradually add shredded cheese, stirring continuously to ensure a smooth consistency.
    garnishing beer cheese soup with crispy bacon pieces and diced green onions

Garnish & Serve:

  • Garnish with bacon and green onions before serving.
    This image shows a bowl of creamy beer cheese soup, topped with crispy bacon and fresh green onions, ready to be served and enjoyed.

Notes

  • Cheese: Cracker Barrel Sharp Yellow Cheese adds great color and flavor. For added depth, consider mixing in Cabot Hot Habanero Cheese or Gouda.
  • Cheese Preparation: Shred cheese from a block for better melting and flavor compared to pre-shredded cheese.