This beer cheese dip recipe is the perfect appetizer for any gathering! It’s easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
The creamy cheese and the hoppy beer create a unique and delicious flavor that everyone will love.
Serve it with crackers, pretzels, or bread chunks for a delicious and easy snack.
Beer cheese dip is a popular appetizer in the United States, especially in the Midwest.
The combination of creamy cheese and the hoppy flavor of beer creates a unique and layered flavor.
Different types of beer can be used to highlight different flavors in the dip, such as a lager for a milder taste or an IPA for a more hoppy taste.
The origins of beer cheese dip are somewhat disputed, but it is thought to have originated in Kentucky in the 1940s.
It quickly became popular in the region and has since spread to other parts of the country.
Beer cheese dip is relatively easy to make at home, with just a few simple ingredients like cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and beer.
It can be made on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, and can be customized with various spices and vegetables to suit your taste.
In addition to being a tasty appetizer, beer cheese dip is also a great conversation starter at parties, game day, and gatherings of all kinds.
Who doesn’t love hot, gooey, creamy cheese?
Its unique flavor and fun origins make it a memorable and enjoyable appetizer to share with friends and family.
There are lots of recipes out there for beer cheese dip, but this one is mine and I’m pretty proud of it.
I like to keep my beer cheese dip recipe pretty smooth, but if you like yours chunky with pepper and onion, I offer options with that variation as well.
Remember not to overheat your cheese or it will seize up (just like chocolate, weird, huh).
Low and slow is the key!
It’s typically served with crackers, soft or hard pretzels or bread chunks and holds up perfectly as the base for fondue, or used as a topping for burgers, sandwiches, or nachos.
Keep reading to see our long list of what to serve with beer cheese dip.
- Use freshly shredded cheddar cheese. The blocks are generally cheaper per ounce than the shredded anyway, and you’ll probably find it tastes fresher. Pre-shredded cheese has a bit of anticoagulant in the mix to keep the cheese separated and often causes hot dips to have a bit of a dusty mouthfeel.
- To give you more control over heating the cheese, I recommend starting out melding all the ingredients together on low in a saucepan on the stove, then move it to a slow cooker where you can keep it on the Warm setting for serving.
- It may seem too thick at first, but keep stirring over low heat with a heat-safe spatula or wooden spoon.
- Cheese dip needs constant but very low warmth to stay smooth, creamy and dippable. This makes the Warm setting on crockpots very popular and helpful.
What to serve with beer cheese dip
There are so many delicious dippers and sides that go perfectly with this beer cheese dip recipe.
Offer one or two of these at your next party:
- Soft pretzel pieces
- Hard pretzel nuggets
- Pretzel sticks
- Sourdough bread chunks
- Apple slices (granny apple and fuji)
- Warmed and rolled up flour tortillas
- Sliced baguettes or bagel chips
- Pita chips (Stacy’s is my fave brand of pita chip)
- Corn tortilla chips (spoon over and serve as nachos!)
- Hot wings! Nothing like a little beer cheese dip on the side of a platter of chicken wings
- Make it a lighter snack with cut veggies: Sliced bell pepper, cucumber, carrot sticks, celery sticks, raw broccoli, raw cauliflower florets.
- Anything your imagination can dream up!
Supplies to gather
Tools
- Bottle opener (if using bottled beer)
- Measuring spoon
- Medium saucepan or slow cooker
- Wooden spoon
- Knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 c shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 c beer (any variety will work)
- 1/4 c diced onion, or 1 t of onion powder
- 2 cloves garlic, minced, or 1 t of garlic powder
- ½ t black pepper
- ½ t salt
- 1 t your choice of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to taste
Optional:
- 1/4 cup diced bell pepper
- 2 tablespoons diced jalapeño pepper
- 2 tablespoons diced tomato
Instructions:
- Cut the softened cream cheese into six pieces. Add to saucepan.
- Shred a block of cheddar and measure out a full cup of cheese shreds, then add to saucepan.
- Add beer. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Add the onion, garlic, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Stir to combine. If adding optional ingredients, add them now.)
- Taste and add more seasoning, if desired.
- Transfer the dip to a serving dish and serve warm with dippers and sides (see above for ideas).
- To store this beer cheese dip, cool to room temperature, transfer to an airtight container and it will stay fresh for about a week. After a week, it may start to separate. Only reheat once.
Note: You can also make this recipe in a slow cooker by combining all the ingredients in the slow cooker and cooking on low heat for 2-3 hours. Stir occasionally and serve warm.
The bottom line
Beer cheese dip is a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer that is perfect for game day or any gathering.
It’s made with just a few simple ingredients, like cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and beer, and it can be customized to your taste.
Plus, it’s a great conversation starter!
So next time you’re looking for a tasty and festive dish to serve, be sure to give beer cheese dip a try.
Easy Beer Cheese Dip
This beer cheese dip recipe is the perfect appetizer for any gathering! It's easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. The creamy cheese and the hoppy beer create a unique and delicious flavor that everyone will love. Serve it with crackers, pretzels, or bread chunks for a delicious and easy snack.
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 c shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 c beer (any variety will work)
- 1/4 c diced onion, or 1 t of onion powder
- 2 cloves garlic, minced, or 1 t of garlic powder
- ½ t black pepper
- ½ t salt
- 1 t your choice of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut the softened cream cheese into six pieces. Add to saucepan.
- Shred a block of cheddar and measure out a full cup of cheese shreds, then add to saucepan.
- Add beer. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Add the onion, garlic, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Stir to combine. If adding optional ingredients, add them now.)
- Taste and add more seasoning, if desired.
- Transfer the dip to a serving dish and serve warm with dippers and sides (see above for ideas). Enjoy!
Notes
You can also make this recipe in a slow cooker by combining all the ingredients in the slow cooker and cooking on low heat for 2-3 hours. Stir occasionally and serve warm.