Indulge in Delicious Beer Cheese Dip
Updated: February 6, 2023
Why This Recipe Shines
The combination of Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and a dash of hot sauce enhances the savory sharpness of cheddar cheese while balancing the mild bitterness from the beer. The addition of cornstarch ensures a smooth and glossy emulsion that won’t separate.
During my recent visit to Houston, I had the pleasure of enjoying one of the best cocktails ever—Pliney’s Tonic—crafted with gin, lime, cucumber, mint, and habañero. After indulging in a few too many drinks, I craved something hearty and ordered a massive pretzel paired with their delectable beer cheese. Whether it was the cocktails or just pure bliss at that moment, I found myself utterly captivated by how amazing that beer cheese tasted. One plate led to another drink and soon enough—I was ordering yet another pretzel with cheese!
That memorable night ignited my passion for recreating this delightful beer cheese dip at home. I began by following Kenji’s method for making cheese sauce using cornstarch-coated sharp cheddar combined with evaporated milk. To infuse rich flavor rather than just volume into my dip, I opted for a nutty brown ale as its base ingredient. However, something still felt missing; so I enhanced it further with Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and a hint of Texas Pete hot sauce until it reached perfection—a flavor reminiscent of that unforgettable evening.
The sharpness from the cheddar beautifully complemented the slight bitterness from the brown ale creating an extraordinary taste profile. While freshly baked soft pretzels are an ideal match for this dip; feel free to experiment—anything you choose to dunk will be delicious!
Homemade Beer Cheese Recipe
Cook Mode: (Keep screen awake)
Ingredients:
- 12 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 (12-ounce) bottle beer (preferably brown ale)
- 5 ounces evaporated milk
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- Kosher salt (to taste)
Instructions:
-
In a medium bowl, toss shredded cheddar with cornstarch; set aside.
-
In a medium saucepan over medium heat whisk together beer, evaporated milk, Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce until gently steaming—whisk frequently to avoid scorching.
-
Once warm add in your prepared cheese mixture stirring continuously until fully melted and slightly bubbling thickens up nicely.
-
Stir in hot sauce then season with salt according to your preference; serve immediately.
Special Equipment Needed:
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
Nutritional Information (per serving):
Servings: 12
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 152 |
| Total Fat | 11g |
| Saturated Fat | 6g |
| Cholesterol | 32mg |
| Sodium | 289mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 4g |
| Protein | 8g |
Note: The % Daily Value is based on a diet consisting of approximately 2,000 calories per day.
This nutritional information is calculated using an ingredient database; actual values may vary based on specific ingredients used.
Now grab your favorite dippables—whether it’s soft pretzels or veggies—and dive into this creamy delight!