Easy Cheddar Beer Cheese Dip for Pretzels

Last updated on July 6, 2019

This easy cheddar beer cheese dip for pretzels is made in about twenty minutes. Grating cheddar cheese straight from the block makes this cheddar cheese dip super melty and addictive. This beer cheese dip tastes great with salty soft pretzels.

Best beers for cheddar cheese beer dip

Here are options for the best beer for beer cheese:

• German beer (try a mild Pilsner)
• Lager beer
• IPA beer (using IPA beer for beer cheese will add a strong beer flavor, although you should also add 2 tbsp of sugar to offset the bitter hoppy flavor)

Best cheddar for beer cheese dip

This recipe used a yellow sharp cheddar cheese from Tillamook. Grating fresh cheddar cheese is preferred for this recipe because it melts better. But in a rush, using already shredded cheddar cheese will work. You can also use a white cheddar for beer cheese with a more mild flavor.

Options for seasonings for beer cheese dip

Add more flavor to cheddar beer cheese with a little dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, Cajun spice blends, or diced jalapeños. I always keep frozen jalapeños in the freezer to use on the fly in recipes like this.

How to make cheddar beer cheese dip for pretzels – step by step

First, start with a fresh block of cheddar and grate it. For a short cut, thinly slice the cheddar cheese.

Put a large pot on a burner set to medium heat, and add butter and flour. Stir for 30 seconds to form a roux. For newbies to cooking: a roux is a thick paste-like mixture of butter and flour. It’s “done” when the mixture is lightly browned and it sticks to the back of the spoon.

Once the roux is ready, add in garlic powder, fresh parsley, salt, and pepper.

Stir seasonings for two minutes.

Slowly pour the beer into the roux mixture.

Whisk until it thickens, about five minutes, then add grated cheese.

Whisk until cheese melts completely.

Remove the cheddar beer cheese from heat, or it will continue to thicken.

Thickening beer cheese

If the cheddar beer cheese is too thin, you can thicken the beer cheese with an extra tablespoon of flour or cornstarch. Mix the flour or cornstarch in a separate bowl with 1/4 cup of the thin beer cheese sauce. Slowly add the new thick sauce back in to the beer cheese recipe. The beer cheese will also thicken as it sits.

Beer cheese dip toppings

Bacon, jalapeños, and fresh herbs, like the parsley used in this recipe, are great choices for toppings when serving beer cheese for a party.

How to heat soft pretzels for beer cheese

Soft pretzels can be found in the frozen section of most grocery stores. In my local store, I found fresh baked soft pretzels. To reheat soft pretzels, coat them with butter and salt and bake in the oven for about 10 minutes at 400 degrees.

Looking for another crowd pleasing appetizer? Check out this Mexican salad. It’s a great make-ahead salad you can also use as a dip. 

Tasty tips and notes for making this easy cheddar beer cheese

• This recipe can be used to dip more than just soft pretzels. Make beer cheese sauce for brats, hard pretzels, loaded fries, potatoes, and for dipping thick crusty bread.
• Find soft pretzels in the bakery section or frozen food section of the grocery store.
• Grate cheddar cheese from a block, instead of using shredded cheese, because it will melt better and create a super smooth texture.
• Make your own pretzels, fast, with this mix.
• This easy cheddar beer cheese dip can be made a day ahead and keeps in the fridge for a couple of days. But, if you’re anything like me, hubs and our friends, this delicious beer cheese dip won’t last longer than a football game at your house.

For a different spin on a cheese dip, try this Mexican cheese dip by food blogger Jen Around The World.

More recipes with cheese you might like…

• How to make pizza at home with store bought dough
• 50+ gourmet grilled cheese ideas
• Sous vide chicken wings with bleu cheese dressing
• Make ahead Mexican salad

Let me know when you make this cheddar beer cheese dip. Be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe. It means so much to hear from Sip Bite Go readers and I love seeing photos of your food! Don’t forget to tag me @sipbitego on Instagram so I can see how the recipe turned out. And sign up for the Sip Bite Go newsletter.

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Cheddar Beer Cheese Dip Recipe (Sip Bite Go)

This easy cheddar beer cheese dip for pretzels is made in about twenty minutes. Grating cheddar cheese straight from the block makes this cheddar cheese dip super melty and addictive. This beer cheese dip tastes great with salty soft pretzels.

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 4 people

Calories 207 kcal

Author Jenna Passaro

Ingredients

Cheese dip

• 2 tbsp butter unsalted
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp parsley fresh
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 cup beer IPA, lager, or German
• 1 cup cheddar cheese grated

Pretzels

• soft pretzels
• butter melted
• salt

Instructions

1. Put a large pot on a burner set to medium heat, and add butter and flour. Stir for 30 seconds to form a roux. For newbies to cooking: a roux is a thick paste-like mixture of butter and flour. It's "done" when the mixture is lightly browned and it sticks to the back of the spoon. Once the roux is ready, add in garlic powder, fresh parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir seasonings for two minutes.

2. Slowly pour the beer into the roux mixture. Whisk until it thickens, about five minutes, then add grated cheese. Whisk until cheese melts completely. Remove from heat or it will continue to thicken.

3. To heat soft pretzels, preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat soft pretzels with melted butter and salt. Bake for ~10 minutes.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

• This recipe can be used to dip more than just soft pretzels. Make beer cheese sauce for brats, hard pretzels, loaded fries, potatoes, and for dipping thick crusty bread.
• Find soft pretzels in the bakery section or frozen food section of the grocery store. 
• Grate cheddar cheese from a block, instead of using shredded cheese, because it will melt better and create a super smooth texture. 
• Make your own pretzels, fast, with this mix.
• This easy cheddar beer cheese dip can be made a day ahead and keeps in the fridge for a couple of days. But, if you’re anything like me, hubs and our friends, this delicious beer cheese dip won’t last longer than a football game at your house.

Nutrition Facts

Cheddar Beer Cheese Dip Recipe (Sip Bite Go)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 207 Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 15g 23%

Saturated Fat 9g 45%

Cholesterol 44mg 15%

Sodium 520mg 22%

Potassium 52mg 1%

Total Carbohydrates 6g 2%

Protein 7g 14%

Vitamin A 10.8%

Vitamin C 1.5%

Calcium 20.4%

Iron 2.4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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