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    Beer Cheese Dip Recipe

    Published November 12, 2019. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    This Beer Cheese Dip Recipe is loaded up with 3 different kinds of cheeses, homemade salsa and a brown ale beer for the perfect appetizer.  If you can’t enough of dip appetizers then definitely check out my Loaded Cowboy Queso Dip and my Smoked Cheese Bean Dip!

    beer cheese dip recipe in a bowl served with chips and soft pretzels

    This recipe, much like my Grilled Chicken Wings, is one of those appetizers that I am often asked to make. After a culinary degree and 15 years in the restaurant industry I never thought I’d be known for a beer cheese dip haha.

    With that being said, this  dip is incredibly addictive and so perfect for any family or friend get together

    Does It Have Beer in It

    It definitely has beer in it.  A sharp cheddar is often the cheese used in beer cheese along with garlic, pepper and beer and takes about 15 or so minutes to make. This is customizable and can have a variety of ingredients such as:

    • Stout
    • Pilsner
    • Herbs
    • Onions
    • Roasted Garlic
    • Crisp Cooked Bacon

    Beer cheese is not limited to these ingredients to feel free to get creative.

    Dip Prep

    One of the things that really stresses me out when I have a bunch of people over is the clean-up and making this for parties or get-togethers. It’s hard because I want to enjoy myself and the company of friends but it’s constantly in the back of my head to clean up the mess I made from making the dip.

    I mean this, thank gosh for the Franke Chef Center.  My studio has become a man hangout so sports watching is at an all-time high in this place, and I could not be more thankful that it’s equipped with the Chef Center.

    I use the colander and cutting board accessories on a daily basis to prep up food and it really came through for me when making this recipe.  I washed off my produce, chopped it up, and when I was done, I sprayed off everything with my Franke Chef Center faucet.  It’s seriously such a time saver and cleaning up could not be easier.

    How to Make It

    I’ve made a bunch of dips in my day, like this Homemade Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe, but for some reason, this one really sticks with the folks that eat it.

    The best part about this is that it could not be easier to make.

    1. Start by cooking off some bacon in a slow cooker until it is crispy.  Make sure your slow cooker has a saute function on it.

    cooking the ground beef in a slow cooker for beer cheese dip

    2. Add in the ground meat and cook until it is cooked through and no more pink is visible.

    3. Next, simply add in the pasteurized cheese, shredded cheddar, diced tomatoes, jalapeño, and red onion, and cook on low heat until all the ingredients are melted together, which takes about 30 minutes.  This recipe definitely works best in a slow cooker because it will stop it from burning and you can constantly keep hot and melted.

    4. Finish it off with a brown ale beer, sliced green onions, crisp-cooked bacon, and chopped cilantro.

    beer cheese pretzel dip recipe board

    How Do You Thicken It

    This dip is plenty thick, but if you are looking to thicken it up even more, simply whisk together 3 tablespoons of corn starch with 2 tablespoons of water until combined to make a slurry.

    Pour the slurry mixture into the slow cooker and stir on hi heat until it becomes thick.

    How Long Does It Last in the Fridge

    The dip will hold in the refrigerator covered in plastic wrap or in a plastic container for up to 4 days.  See the bottom of this post for reheating instructions.

    Spicy Beer Cheese Dip

    In case you wanted to make this spicy, it’s incredibly easy to do so.  Simply sprinkle in the desired amount of cayenne pepper until it is to your liking.

    Remember season once and taste twice so be sure to taste it, add some cayenne, then taste it again to see if it needs more spice.  Be careful when adding cayenne as it can intensify in spice quickly.

    dip recipe topped off with herbs and served with dippers

    What Does It Go Well With

    When it comes to serving this up, soft pretzels go the best.  I like to take it a step further by serving it up with:

    • Tortilla Chips
    • Carrots
    • Celery
    • Toasted Sliced Baguettes
    • Radishes
    • Brocolli
    • Cauliflower

    I always believe that options are best when serving the masses, but don’t you worry because anything goes amazing with this dip and there is no doubt your friends will love it.

    Another dip you may like is my BLT Stuffed Bread Bowl with also would be amazing for any sporting event get together.

    Reheat and Storage

    How To Reheat: To reheat it simply add it back to the slow cooker on low heat until it is melted and hot.  You can also add it to a microwave-safe bowl and cook it in the microwave until melted and hot.

    Storing and Freezing: Cover it and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.  To freeze, cover with plastic wrap or place in a plastic container and keep it in the freezer for up to 2 months.  To reheat, simply add it right to your slow cooker.

    More Amazing Appetizer Recipes

    Here are some more great appetizer recipes to serve up to your guests:

    Be sure to follow me on FacebookYouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest and if you’ve had a chance to make this then definitely drop me a comment and a rating below!

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    Let's Cook - Chef Billy Parisi

    Beer Cheese Dip Recipe

    5 from 1 vote
    This Beer Cheese Dip Recipe is loaded up with 3 different types of cheeses, homemade salsa and a brown ale beer for the perfect appetizer recipe.
    Servings: 12
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour

    Ingredients 

    For the Dip:

    • 8 strips of sliced bacon strips
    • 1 pound of ground beef
    • 2 pounds of pasteurized prepared cheese product
    • 8 ounces of cream cheese
    • 8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese
    • 2 cups of diced tomatoes
    • 1 seeded and small diced jalapeño
    • ½ peeled and small diced red onion
    • 1 cup brown ale beer
    • 1 cup of sliced green onions
    • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

    For the Dippers:

    • soft pretzels
    • tortilla chips
    • carrot sticks
    • celery sticks

    Instructions

    • Set your slow cooker to sear and once hot add in the bacon and cook until brown and crispy, about 10 minutes.
    • Remove the bacon from the slow cooker and in the beef and cook the ground beef until browned and cooked throughout.
    • Add the bacon back in along with the cheeses, tomatoes, jalapeños, and onions and set the slow cooker to high heat and cook until the cheese is completely melted.
    • Finish the dip by stirring in the beer, green onions, and cilantro.
    • Serve the dip hot in the slow cooker with assorted pretzels and dippers.

    Notes

    Chef Notes:
    • How To Reheat: To reheat it simply add it back to the slow cooker on low heat until it is melted and hot.  You can also add it to a microwave-safe bowl and cook it in the microwave until melted and hot.
     
    • Storing and Freezing: Cover it and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.  To freeze, cover with plastic wrap or place in a plastic container and keep it in the freezer for up to 2 months.  To reheat, simply add it right to your slow cooker.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 484kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 30gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 109mgSodium: 1503mgPotassium: 530mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1516IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 605mgIron: 1mg
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American