Beer Cheese Soup Recipe with Bacon

Looking for the perfect fall soup to make when the nights turn chilly?  You need to try our beer cheese soup with bacon. 

It's creamy, smoky, and packed with cheese.  Dunk in a chunk of our German pretzel buns, and you'll be asking for seconds.  It's that good.

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• Questions
• How to Make
• Variations
• Pro Tips
• Recommended Tools
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Questions

Is this safe to for children and pregnant ladies to eat?

The good news is yes, if it meets the following requirements.  The recipe should have 12 ounces of beer or less in an 8-cup pot of soup, and the beer must be brought to a boil, then simmered.  These two steps will ensure that the alcohol content will be cooked off.

Why is my soup grainy?

• If you add too much cheese too quickly, it will clump.  Instead, add a small amount at a time, stir until melted, then repeat until all of it is added.
• Overheating the cheese will curdle it.
• Undercooking the roux (butter/flour mixture) will make the it grainy.
• Don't use pre-grated cheese.  It's coated with cellulose.
• Use all-purpose flour for the roux.  Whole wheat won't make a perfectly smooth roux.
• Use 100% real cheese and not processed.
• Add cheese after the sauce has thickened, and isn't bubbling or boiling.
• Have a certain fat content in your cheese and milk.  Skim milk is not a good choice here.
• Toss the freshly grated cheese with cornstarch to reduce clumping.
• Room temperature cheese will melt better.

How can you thicken this recipe?

• Use a roux. Use equal amounts of melted butter and all-purpose flour.  Cook for at least two minutes, while constantly stirring. 
• Use a slurry.  Mix water or broth with cornstarch in a separate bowl to prevent clumping, then add to the pot.

How many calories are in one serving?

A serving size of 1 ¼ cup will have 448 calories.  This does include the bacon, which is a key ingredient.  One bowl has only 17.4g carbs and has 55% of your daily calcium thanks to the whole milk and the cheese.  For the complete nutritional information, scroll to the bottom of the recipe card at the end of this post.

What do you serve with this recipe?

If you want a German touch, serve it with soft large pretzels or homemade pretzel buns.  They are wonderful to dunk into this recipe, and your guests will rave about it!  Want something different?  Try a Wisconsin twist and garnish it with popcorn.

Can you make it ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time.  For best results, add the milk and cheese the same day you plan to serve it.  Follow the instructions below to make it ahead.

• Let it cool completely.  Do not add the milk or cheese yet.
• Cover and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
• Finish this recipe the day you plan to serve it by completing steps 7-9.

How long does it last in the fridge?

If you have allowed it to cool completely and have stored it in an airtight container, it should keep for 3 or 4 days.

Can you reheat this recipe?

Yes, you can, but take caution not heat it so much that it boils, or it will separate.  It's best to reheat it in a saucepan over medium heat until it's to your liking.

Can you freeze this?

It isn't a good idea to freeze this recipe because it has dairy in it.  Once it is thawed and reheated, you'll find the texture will be quite different and not so creamy.

How to Make

Gather all the ingredients.  Grate the cheddar and smoked Gouda on a box grater.  Chop up the onion, celery, carrot, and garlic, then measure out the spices and the chicken broth.

Melt the 4 tablespoons of butter in a large Dutch oven over medium high heat.

Over medium high heat, sauté the onions, celery, and carrots for roughly 7 minutes, then add the garlic and cook until fragrant.

Sprinkle the flour over the cooked vegetables (called the mirepoix).

To make the roux, use a wooden turner to mix the flour in with the mirepoix.  Cook the flour for two minutes, stirring constantly, to get the raw taste out of it.

Pour in the beer to deglaze the bottom of the Dutch oven, and use the wooden turner to scrape the brown bits (fond) off the bottom.  Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes to help further soften the mirepoix.

While it is simmering, cook the bacon.  Blot off any excess grease with a paper towel.  Allow to cool and cut into ½ inch pieces.  Set aside to use as a garnish. 

Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, salt, and white pepper. 

Pour in the chicken stock and mix well with a large wooden spoon. 

Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.  Before you puree it in a blender, remove the Dutch oven from the heat and allow it to cool for 5 minutes.

Carefully ladle the hot liquid into the blender, 2 cups at a time.  Blend in small batches, as you don't want it to overflow when it's pureeing. 

As an extra safety precaution, remove the circular plastic from the lid to allow the steam to escape.  Place the lid on the blender and cover with an old kitchen towel.  Pour the pureed soup into a large bowl.

Once all of it has been pureed, pour it back into the Dutch oven, then whisk in the whole milk.

Remove the Dutch oven from the heat and add the extra sharp cheddar in batches.  Whisk it in to ensure a smooth texture.

Repeat the same procedure for the smoked Gouda.

Stir in the hot sauce and more white pepper.  Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary.

Garnish with bacon pieces, fresh chives, and a dollop of sour cream.  Serve with our soft German pretzel rolls.

Variations

• Want it spicy?  Try adding fresh jalapeños or poblanos, or add red pepper flakes.
• Want to impress your guests?  Serve the it in individual bread bowls.
• Want to make it more creamy?  Add some cream cheese.
• Want other vegetables?  Try a red bell pepper, potatoes, broccoli, or cauliflower.
• Want other spices?  Try smoked paprika or ground mustard seed.
• Want other cheeses?  Try American, Gruyère, pepper jack, or young cheddar.
• Don't want bacon?  Try brats, ham, kielbasa, or andouille sausage.

Pro Tips

• Looking for serving suggestions?  Try big soft pretzels, crusty bread, or garlic toast.
• Want other garnishes?  Try popcorn, spicy Chex mix, fresh thyme, or goat cheese.
• Don't boil it after adding the cheese, as this will make the soup separate.

Recommended Tools

• Emeril Lagasse Dutch Oven: this heavy-bottomed pot is perfect for making soup.
• OXO Wooden Turner: this sturdy wooden spoon is our favorite tool for stirring veggies.
• Cuisinart Box Grater: this sharp grater will help you grate cheese quickly.
• Set of 3 Stainless Whisks: get a beautifully smooth beer cheese soup with these whisks.

Warm up from the inside out with these other cozy soup recipes.

• Smoky Ham and Potato Soup
• Roasted Cauliflower Soup

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