Beer Cheddar Sauce For Pretzels And Other Carbs
November 10, 2017 by joythebaker
Ill tell you what, there arent many problems that cant be solved with a hearty bowl of warm cheese sauce. At least thats what Im telling myself lately.
I made this cheese sauce for a big ol pretzel party I held at The Bakehouse a few weeks back. We went through it. I cant be sure some people didnt double dip but really, could you blame them?
The pretzels you might recognize from these Sourdough Everything Pretzel. Its by go-to recipe but thats mostly because I try to keep a sourdough starter in my fridge. If you want to get at some soft pretzel action, heres another recipe that doesnt require a starter.
Whatever you do cheese sauce. Mmmmkay, lets play.
Ok heres what youll need:
- lots of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- butter and flour, for a thickening roux
- whole milk
- and beer! It is beer sauce, afterall. A light beer will be best, a pilsner.
- whole grain mustard and Worcestershire sauce
- salt and coarse black pepper + chili powder and garlic powder.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter until it spits and crackles just a bit.
Whisk in the flour and cook it down, escaping some of the flour taste. The mixture will be thick, quick thick.
To the thick flour and butter, we slowly pour in the milk, whisking ferociously.
With the milk whisked well, well add the beer.
Its frothy and satisfying. Get it in there.
Flavor, too! Mustard first.
Worcestershire is important for that deep umami flavor.
I dip, you dip, we dip!
How To Make Beer Cheese Dip
This cheesy appetizer is as easy as 1, 2, 3 and will probably be enjoyed just as quickly! This starts with a roux to make a thick sauce.
Tip: Shred your own cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheeses have additives that keeps it from sticking in the bag so it may not melt nicely.
Easy Steps On How To Make Your Own Beer Cheese
One of the best parts about drinking beer is the snacks that go along with it. Beer is amazing on its own, but its even better when drunk alongside food that accentuates the flavors of your chosen brew.
People associate many traditional snacks and foods with beer pretzels, burgers, and almost anything barbeque will almost always hit the spot. However, there is one snack that not only goes with beer well its even made of it.
Beer cheese is possibly the best snack to enjoy alongside beer, and it elevates your drinking experience to new heights.
Here is what beer cheese is, why its so incredible, and how you can make your own from scratch. Its a simple process, and youll have a hard time stopping yourself from making it each time you sit back with a bottle.
Also Check: Ragu Traditional Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
Tips For Making Soft Pretzel Dip Sauce:
- This cheese sauce uses flour to thicken, keep the temp lower and stir often so it doesnt get grainy.
- I suggest a lager, but a light beer, a stout beer, an Ale Beer or an IPA beer will work. The lighter beers go great with vegetables and mild breads. If you use a stout or dark beer they pair really well with the strong flavors of the pretzel and more filling breads like rye bread.
- Make this pretzel sauce ahead of time, it keeps in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 5 days and just warm it up to save even more time.
- Serve this with homemade pretzels, crackers, soft pretzels, tortilla chips, vegetables or as a sandwich spread.
- This pretzel dip doesnt freeze well, the texture changes too much and it becomes clumpy and grainy.
- Having a party and want to keep it warm. Use a mini crock pot like the ones I use here to serve directly from so it keeps it warm for a long time!
Beer Cheese Dip Ingredients:
Alright, first, lets talk ingredients. To make this beer cheese dip recipe, you will need:
- Butter + flour: To form a roux, which will thicken the sauce.
- Beer: I used an IPA, which gave the dip a delicious hoppy vibe. But feel free to use whatever kind of beer you love best.
- Milk: I recommend using whole milk to make this dip nice and creamy. But any type of milk or half and half will do.
- Shredded cheese: I used 50/50 mix of smoked gouda and sharp cheddar, which I loved. But feel free to use any kind of melting cheese that you love most . And as always when making a melted cheese dip, be sure to purchase a block of cheese and grate it yourself just before using so that the cheese will melt smoothly into the sauce.
- Dijon + Worcershire sauce: Traditional ingredients used to amp up the flavor in beer cheese dip.
- Smoked paprika: If you would like to add a touch of extra smoky flavor to the dip.
- Salt and pepper: To season, as always.
Read Also: Rufus Teague Smoky Apple Bbq Sauce
Pretzel Cheese Dip For Pretzels
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Beer Cheese dip is great for pretzels, dipping bread into or slathered over a hot sandwich. Easy to make, super quick with pantry ingredients, this pretzel sauce is perfect for parties for a crowd or an easy cocktail appetizer!
We love to use this pretzel sauce with our Spicy Brisket Sliders and subbing in a pretzel bun for watching all the football games!
Pretzel cheese dip or in this case Beer Cheese sauce is velvety, rich with hints of spices in each bite. With football season just around the corner, this dip will be perfect for game-day snacking!
Sometimes you need a cheesy dip not made with the tried and true cream cheese. This beer cheese dip is my go-to for a rich velvety cheese dip that you can make in about 15 minutes.
Beer cheese is something I had when we were in Germany. It was often served at the local pubs alongside German Pretzels.
When I made the super fast version of soft pretzels bites this pretzel dipping sauce is what I made with them! Both done in less than 30 minutes!
My favorite part about this beer cheese dip is that it doesnt have to be warm to be one of those dips that you cant get enough of! While the texture changes a little bit, it works just as well served cold out of the fridge if you want to make it ahead and serve it with vegetables!
Not only does this soft pretzel sauce work for pretzels, but it is amazing over hot sandwiches but it also works for dipping bread into on cold winter nights.
Oven Baked Soft Pretzels
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Homemade soft pretzels are salted on the outside and soft on the inside.
Ive shared my best tips below to make sure these come out perfect every time!An easy from-scratch dough is folded into pretzels, boiled, and brushed with an egg wash before being baked.
Read Also: Chicken Alfredo With Prego Alfredo Sauce
Choosing The Best Cheese
There are about as many types of cheese in the world as there are cheese lovers lots of them.
And the great thing about this recipe is that you can choose whatever type is your favorite.
EXPERT TIP: You will want to choose a cheese that has a nice melting capability. Our favorite is mild cheddar cheese. If you prefer sharp cheddar or extra-sharp cheddar, go with that! A combination of cheddar with Monterrey Jack, mozzarella, or smoked Gouda are all wonderful choices. Remember that a smoked cheese is wonderful, but will impart a strong smokey taste to the sauce. NOTE: We highly recommend grating a block of cheese on a box grater or with a shredder on your food processor. Bagged pre-shredded cheese is drier, and wont produce as a creamy of a sauce that were looking for.
Once youve got your cheese shredded, its time to bring the sauce together.
In a medium-sized saucepan, we need to create a roux.
Simply heat two tablespoons of unsalted butter and then add 3 tablespoons of flour.
EXPERT TIP: Again, this is the simple process for creating a roux, which will help to thicken the sauce. Once the flour and butter have been mixed, it will resemble coarse, wet sand. Be sure to let the roux cook for a couple of minutes because you need to cook out the raw flour taste.
Beer Cheese Dip For Pretzels
Homemade pretzels are incomplete without a pub-style cheese dip to dunk into. This beer cheese dip is so creamy and delicious that it will make every bite of homemade soft pretzels even more delicious.
I know you saw a glimpse of this cheese dip yesterday when I shared Soft Pretzels recipe. I decided to share Cheese Dip in separate post because this dip can also be served without pretzels. You can serve it baked soft potato wedges, tortilla chips, or add it over a rustic spinach artichoke pizza.
So I thought, for the versatility of this cheesy dip…. it sure needed a separate spot in my recipe cabinet. What do you say?
That being said, beer Cheese Sauce or dip is a classic pub-style accompaniment to soft pretzels.
What I like the best? How easy it is to make Beer Cheese Sauce. It may sound complicated but really it is 10 minute recipe. Super easy!
I told you yesterday, pretzels take 10 minutes to bake in oven.. remember? My friends, by the time pretzels are out of the oven, the bubbling hot cheese sauce is ready to serve.
Honestly, it can’t get easier than this. You can make cheese sauce up-to a day in advance too. It will still need 1-2 minute to dilute before serving as it gets thicker as it sits in refrigerator. What I suggest? Make fresh, you guys! Just 10 minutes is all it needs.
If you don’t like beer, this cheese dip tastes good even without it. If not adding beer, add some extra liquid to adjust the thickness of sauce.
You May Like: Herr’s Hot Sauce Chips
Other Ways To Flavor Your Sauce
My mustard/white pepper/ground mustard flavoring is pretty much a German flavor profile, even though the cheese I used is Italian.
There are many ways to change up this sauce, though.
- Make it French with herbs like tarragon or Herbs de Provence and cheeses like Comte and Gruyere
- Do a Mexican twist with chipotle powder or minced chipotle, Dos Equis dark, and pepper jack
- Make an Italian-inspired sauce with basil, roasted red peppers, some fennel seed, and Taleggio and/or Gorgonzola
You can even decide to add cooked ground meats and/or sausage to the mix. Use this recipe as a base for your sauce and then take it in any flavor direction you choose!
Variations On Beer Cheese Dip Recipe
Our motto is Make it Yours want to make this spicer, add more cayenne, change the flavor by changing the cheese.
- SpicyBeer Cheese Dip | Increase Cayenne pepper up to ¼ teaspoon toss in a 4 oz can of green chilis or canned jalapeños. Stir in a little Sriracha sauce at the very end.
- Gourmet Beer Cheese Dip | Use smoked gouda or gruyere cheeses along with the cream cheese, yummy!
Read Also: Alabama White Bbq Sauce Recipe
This Beer Cheese Dip Recipe Is Perfect For Snacking Made With Just 5 Ingredients In 10 Minutes Or Less A Real Crowd
Hey, hey, were winding down towards the end of January, and that can only mean one thing: Superbowl Recipes!
I have said it before and Ill say it again: I may not be a fan of football, but Im DEFINITELY a fan of football food.
And Im especially a fan of this mouthwatering beer cheese recipe!
Im used to seeing plenty of pizza, nachos, and buffalo wings at the superbowl parties Ive been to, but I honestly havent seen beer cheese on the table much!
I think I may have to introduce this to my friends! It could be the next top favorite!
I wouldnt be surprised if it was. After all, its a real flavor bomb. Sharp, tangy cheddar cheese blended with a robust brew and the perfect blend of hearty seasonings whats not to love?
Stovetop Or Oven Variation
Maybe like the first time I made this, the wind whipped up and it just wasnt enjoyable to make outside, so instead, move inside just as easily.
- Stovetop | Add all ingredients to cast-iron or other heavy bottomed pan and cover, heating over medium-low heat until hot, bubbly and cheeses are melted. Stir occasionally to combine.
- Oven | Place all ingredients in cast-iron skillet or other oven safe pan or dish, cover with foil and bake at 400 for 10-15 minutes until melted and bubbly. Stir until smooth.
TFC PRO TIP | If Golden top on cheese is desired place under broiler for a few seconds to a minute, watching closely. I like to put mine a little lower and stand and watch it, it can go from golden to burnt in seconds!
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Ingredients In Beer Cheese Pasta Sauce:
- Half & Half
Okay I know, I know. Cheez Whiz some of you will say gross. But it was in every single recipe I found that claimed to taste like Spaghetti Works Beer Cheese Pasta Sauce. I decided to give it a go, and guess what? It tasted just right!
I used a light beer, because as much as I enjoy an ice cold beer, beer flavored foods are not always my favorite. If you would prefer a more intense beer flavor, use a darker beer. The recipe I mimicked called for whole milk, but I always buy skim, so I went full fat and used half & half. When it comes to cheese why not?
Everyone suggested serving with crumbled bacon. I never remember that being a thing at Spaghetti Works, but I tried it both ways and I definitely preferred it with bacon. I will say that this beer cheese sauce is pretty mellow. There arent any spices whatsoever. We also topped with with red pepper flakes to give it some umph.
How To Serve It
My favorite way to serve this is as a warm dip, along with homemade soft pretzels. I like to make my soft pretzels with beer in the dough, so pairing them with beer cheese dip is really a match made in heaven!
Heres a link to my recipe, if you want to give it a try: Homemade Soft Pretzel Recipe.
This also works great chilled as a spread. You can spread it on hard pretzels or on a hearty, crunchy cracker- maybe something whole grain would be good.
Ive also used this as a topping for cooked veggies, a crudite dip, or as a sauce on cooked macaroni.
You could even dilute it with chicken or vegetable stock and serve it as a soup!
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How To Make Beer Horseradish Cheese Sauce
Store this sauce in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week.
This weekend, I used the leftover sauce to add macaroni noodles for a quick and easy mac and cheese. It was velvety smooth and wow, THE FLAVOR!
The possibilities of this beer horseradish cheese sauce are deliciously endless.
Try this cheese sauce while watching the upcoming Big Game.
Will you drench on something or dip into it?
Beer Infused Meat Sauces
Ground Beef Pasta Sauce with Stout a wonderful marriage between umami of the beef and roasty notes of the stout. The tomatoes acidity is countered with a bit of brown sugar and the sauce is finished with heavy cream. Recipe here.
90 Shilling Lamb Bolognese Sauce we call it 90 Shilling because we love to make it with this epic ale, but you can use your favorite brown or amber ales. Recipe here.
Pumpkin Ale Meat Sauce pumpkin ale makes the flavors sing . If not in season, use an amber ale or lager. Recipe here.
Read Also: Gluten Free Vegetarian Oyster Sauce
How To Make Beer Cheese Soup
Beer Cheese Soup is so easy to prepare!
Ladle soup into bowls , garnish with bacon crumbles, extra shredded cheese, and serve with cheesy toast.
