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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Party food ยป Easy Cheddar Beer Cheese Dip for Pretzels

    Easy Cheddar Beer Cheese Dip for Pretzels

    Published: Jan 26, 2021 ยท Modified: Jul 22, 2024 by Jenna Passaro ยท This post may contain affiliate links.

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    This easy cheddar beer cheese dip, made in just 20 minutes, pairs perfectly with warm, soft pretzels. Grating cheddar cheese straight from the block is the secret that makes this beer cheese dip super melty and dangerously addictive. Sure to be a crowd pleaser at your next tailgate, game day, Superbowl party, or movie night, this beer cheese dip tastes great with any number of your favorite, dippable snacks.

    cheese dip being poured from pot into small white bowl on green leafed trivet

    Best Beers for This Cheese Dip Recipe

    Here are some of the best options for the cheddar beer cheese dip:

    • German beer โ€“ Try a mild Pilsner
    • Lager beer โ€“ Pretty standard
    • IPA beer โ€“ Using IPA beer for beer cheese will add a strong beer flavor, so you should also add 2 tbsp of sugar to offset the bitter hoppy flavor.
    block of grated cheddar cheese on a cutting board

    Ingredients for Beer Cheese Dip

    You will need to decide what type of beer you’re using for your cheese dip first — either IPA, lager or a German beer.

    Then, of course, you need plenty of freshly grated cheddar cheese! In addition to the beer and cheese, you’ll need butter, flour, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and parsley to finish off your delicious cheddar beer cheese dip.

    Finally, all you need to prep your pretzels is a batch of store-bought or homemade soft pretzels with butter and salt.

    hand dipping soft pretzel in cheddar beer cheese made from scratch with real ingredients

    How to Make Cheddar Beer Cheese Dip

    It’s ridiculously easy to make cheddar beer cheese dip from scratch!

    Step 1. First, grate a fresh block of cheddar cheese. If you prefer a short cut, you can thinly slice the cheddar cheese instead.

    grating a block of cheddar cheese

    Step 2. Next, set a large pot on a burner at medium heat, and add in the butter and flour. Stir the mixture for about 30 seconds to form a roux.

    NOTE: 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.

    top shot of IPA beer mixed with roux and seasonings in a large pot on the stove

    Step 3. Once the roux is ready, add in garlic powder, fresh parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir the seasonings for about 2 minutes.

    top shot of whisk in roux

    Step 4. Slowly pour the beer into the roux mixture and whisk until it thickens. After about 5 minutes of whisking, add in the grated cheddar cheese.

    top shot of cheddar cheese melting in roux with beer

    Step 5. Continue to whisk the mixture until the cheese melts completely, then remove the cheddar beer cheese dip from heat — if you do not remove from heat, the dip will continue to thicken.

    hand dipping a soft pretzel in cheese dip

    FAQs

    What is the best type of cheddar to use for this 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 pre shredded cheeses will work. You can also use a white cheddar for beer cheese with a more mild flavor.

    What extra seasonings can I use?

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

    What if the beer cheese dip is too thin?

    If the cheddar beer cheese is too thin, you can thicken the beer cheese with an extra tablespoon of flour or cornstarch. Add flour or cornstarch to a separate bowl and mix with ยผ 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.

    Check out these other crowd pleasing party foods.

    large soft pretzel on a baking sheet

    Soft Pretzels and Cheddar Beer Cheese Dip – A Perfect Duo

    Bacon, jalapeรฑos, 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.

    Another perfect pairing for this dip can be made in the air fryer. When youโ€™re craving wings, but want to keep it healthyโ€ฆ. Thatโ€™s when you need to try using your air fryer. My methods produce the most crispy air fryer wings ever, and thereโ€™s no oil in the recipe! I love this recipe because it is so easy to scale— If Iโ€™m making a meal for two adults and a toddler, itโ€™ll be one pound, but if I plan to serve these as a party appetizer Iโ€™ll do two.

    Dipping a soft pretzel in dip party appetizer

    Tasty Tips

    • Perfect Pairings: This recipe can be used to dip more than just soft pretzels. Make beer cheese sauce for brats, hard pretzels, tortilla chips, loaded fries, potatoes, and for dipping thick crusty bread.
    • Soft Pretzels: Find soft pretzels in the bakery section or frozen food section of the grocery store. You can also make your own pretzels, fast, with this mix. Mix it up and try using soft pretzel bites.
    • All the Cheese: Shred your own cheese from a block, instead of using pre shredded cheeses, because it will melt better and create a super smooth texture.
    • Make Ahead: This easy cheddar beer cheese dip can be made a day ahead and keeps in the fridge for a couple of days. But, if youโ€™re anything like me, hubs and our friends, this delicious beer cheese dip wonโ€™t last longer than a football game at your house.
    top shot of dip being poured into white bowl

    Try an easy steak recipe from Sip Bite Goโ€ฆ

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    Pro tip: One of my go-to tricks for perfectly cooked food every time is using the right BBQ meat thermometers.

    Are you a foodie, too?

    Let me know when you make this cheddar beer cheese dip. I also recommend this green onion dip.

    When you make it, find me @sipbitego on Instagram to share your dish. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Sip Bite Go channel.

    showing how to thicken Cheddar beer cheese dip for pretzels recipe_9087

    Cheddar Beer Cheese Dip Recipe (Sip Bite Go)

    Forget store-bought! This easy cheddar beer cheese dip for pretzels is a popular app that can be made with a lager, German beer, or as an IPA beer cheese dip.
    4.91 from 11 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: beer cheese dip, cheddar beer cheese dip, cheddar cheese dip, cheese dip
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 207kcal
    Author: Jenna Passaro

    Video

    Ingredients

    Cheese dip

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

    Pretzels

    • soft pretzels
    • butter melted
    • salt

    Instructions

    • 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 from heat or it will continue to thicken.
    • To heat soft pretzels, preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat soft pretzels with melted butter and salt. Bake for ~10 minutes.

    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.ย 
    • Grate cheddar cheese from a block, instead of using shredded cheese, because it will melt better and create a super smooth texture.ย 
    • 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 youโ€™re anything like me, hubs and our friends, this delicious beer cheese dip wonโ€™t last longer than a football game at your house.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 207kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 520mg | Potassium: 52mg | Vitamin A: 540IU | Vitamin C: 1.2mg | Calcium: 204mg | Iron: 0.4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @SipBiteGo or tag #sipbitego!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. David Elliott says

      May 23, 2019 at 8:30 am

      This looks so delicious. I would love the cheese dip here. I know I have tried one before but you really need the right kind of beer. Get the wrong beer and it just doesn’t taste right.

      Reply
    2. bee says

      May 22, 2019 at 10:06 pm

      I’ve always found beer as an ingredient so interesting. I have to try this.

      Reply
    3. sabrina barbante says

      May 22, 2019 at 10:24 am

      And now, thank to you, I have an idea for my happy hour tonight! I’m already starving and now I’ll give a try to this recipe ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Reply
    4. ramil says

      May 22, 2019 at 10:06 am

      i a beer-lover and love this kind of recipe. I will defintely try this just to find out how beer-based dips taste.

      Reply
    5. ramil says

      May 22, 2019 at 10:03 am

      I love food and will definitely try this recipe. While I may not find all the ingredients in my country, I will find alternatives. Kudoss to you.

      Reply
    6. Geraline Batarra says

      May 22, 2019 at 8:00 am

      Wow, this is so unique. I haven’t tried something like this yet. I think it has a light bitterness that will make it so delicious.5 stars

      Reply
    7. Anagha says

      May 22, 2019 at 7:24 am

      Why do you make so tasty recipe? I love it seeing these pics itself. I can’t wait to try this one in the coming weekend ๐Ÿ˜€

      Reply
    8. Samantha Donnelly says

      May 22, 2019 at 5:44 am

      This sounds amazing, we love our dips so am definitely going to be trying this x

      Reply
    9. Annemarie LeBlanc says

      May 22, 2019 at 4:23 am

      This is a must try for me! I will make this for my family when we do our movie nights. It is going to be another favorite I am sure of that.5 stars

      Reply
    10. Gervin Khan says

      May 22, 2019 at 4:03 am

      I have never tried to make a dip like this and this dip recipe of yours looks really good and tasty! I will definitely try this for my friends.4 stars

      Reply
    11. Bindu Thomas says

      May 22, 2019 at 1:24 am

      This looks really delicious. I don’t think you’ll ever find enough leftover to put in the fridge lol

      Reply
    12. Michael says

      May 21, 2019 at 8:59 pm

      Not a beer person but years back I tasted a beer sauce too and it tastes great lol. I was worried I might have hang over after since I ate a number of chips with it.

      Reply
    13. Djebe Laws says

      May 21, 2019 at 7:43 pm

      Looks so yummy..adding to my list of must tries

      Reply
    14. John Sallie says

      May 21, 2019 at 4:39 pm

      Looks awesome. I’m afraid I’d eat the whole bowl.

      Reply
    15. Talamay says

      May 20, 2019 at 10:13 pm

      This is great. My boyfriend orders beer-cheese dip anytime it is one a menu where we are. This will be great to surprise him with.

      Reply
    16. Dannii says

      January 25, 2019 at 1:11 am

      This dip looks incredible. This would be perfect for the superbowl party we are throwing next week.5 stars

      Reply
    17. Amanda Wren-Grimwood says

      January 24, 2019 at 11:57 pm

      I’ve never had a beer dip but it sounds delicious!5 stars

      Reply
    18. Adriana Lopez Martin says

      January 24, 2019 at 11:51 pm

      Og goodness this cheddar beer cheese dip is amazingly perfect for the BIG game day party or any time. I need to prepare it this weekend, looks so good!5 stars

      Reply
    19. Monica says

      January 24, 2019 at 11:00 pm

      Oh my word, this looks amazing! I’m not sure I care much about the Super Bowl this year, but this dip could get me pretty excited, haha! I especially love the sound of it with an IPA, and adding a bit of sugar is a great tip!5 stars

      Reply
    20. Tilly says

      January 24, 2019 at 11:21 pm

      I just want to drink this!5 stars

      Reply
    Newer Comments »
    4.91 from 11 votes (1 rating without comment)

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