This Beer Cheese Soup recipe is so delicious and made in just 15 minutes! This creamy comfort food is the perfect winter dinner recipe. If you love cheese and beer (what could be better?), this easy beer cheese soup is just for you.
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What’s in Beer Cheese Soup?
You had us at beer and cheese! Two of our favorite favorite things combined into one super easy soup. You won’t have to worry about what to cook for dinner when you can whip this up in a flash as soon as you get home from work.
- Butter + Flour: We use a roux for this soup, which creates that thick and creamy texture we love. Simmer it as long as you need to get your desired consistency.
- Onion: Use yellow onion, chopped finely.
- Vegetable Stock: You can substitute chicken stock if you prefer!
- Milk: Adds creaminess and richness to the soup. Make sure it’s room temperature.
- Salt + Pepper: Add to taste.
- Cheese: Sharp cheddar is ideal for this recipe because it’s intensely flavorful, and just balances well with the beer. Shredded cheese works best because it will melt quickly and evenly.
- Beer: We use a pale ale for this beer cheese soup recipe. It’s malty, hoppy, not too dark, and not too light. It adds a nice flavor and isn’t too bitter!
Notes from the Test Kitchen
- Cook the onions they are just until translucent– it only takes a few minutes.
- Serve the soup hot or keep it warm before serving for the best texture. It will begin to thicken up significantly as it cools.
Variations on Beer and Cheese Soup
This soup is delicious with any kind of cheddar cheese, or try pepper jack if you like spice. For the beer, a fruity wheat can be fun! Or make the bacon beer cheese soup recipe.
15 Minute Beer Cheese Soup Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons salted butter (¼ stick)
- 1 onion finely chopped
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 1¾ cups low-sodium vegetable stock
- 1 cup milk room temperature
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 15 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 6 ounces pale ale beer (½ bottle)
- Crumbled feta cheese optional, for garnish
- Crusty bread optional, for serving
Instructions
- Heat a 4-quart saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt.2 tablespoons salted butter
- Cook the onion in the butter until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.1 onion
- Stir in the flour, vegetable stock, milk, and salt and pepper, stirring to combine.⅓ cup all-purpose flour, 1¾ cups low-sodium vegetable stock, 1 cup milk, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Allow to simmer until thickened to your liking, about 8 minutes.
- Add in the cheddar and beer and stir to combine. The cheese should melt almost immediately. Cook to heat through about 2 more minutes.15 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, 6 ounces pale ale beer
- Serve immediately topped with crumbled feta. Serve with crusty bread. Enjoy!Crumbled feta cheese, Crusty bread
Video
Becky’s Tips
- Cook the onions until just translucent.
- Serve hot for the best texture.
- Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
Serving Suggestions
We love a good (and easy) bread recipe to serve as a side for this beer cheese soup recipe. Some of our faves include this Homemade French Bread, our Beer Bread Muffins (the more beer the better, right?), or this Rosemary Bread. We’ve got you covered! We love to dip crusty bread in this cheesy soup. One of life’s simple pleasures.
How to Make Beer Cheese Soup Step by Step
Cook the Onion: Heat a 4-quart saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the 2 tablespoons of salted butter and allow it to melt. Cook 1 finely chopped onion in the butter until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Make the Soup Base: Stir in ⅓ cup of flour, 1¾ cups of vegetable stock, 1 cup of milk, and salt and pepper to taste, stirring to combine. Allow to simmer until thickened to your liking, about 8 minutes.
Add the Cheese and Beer: Add in 15 ounces of shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 6 ounces of pale beer and stir to combine. The cheese should melt almost immediately. Cook to heat through about 2 more minutes.
Garnish and Serve: Serve immediately topped with crumbled feta. Serve with crusty bread.
How to Store and Reheat
You can store leftover beer cheese soup in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pot set over medium-low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. We do not recommend freezing this soup.
This soup shouldn’t taste overwhelmingly of beer. It should just enhance the flavor fo the cheese and add depth of flavor. If you find your soup tastes too strongly of beer, try using a lighter, less hoppy beer.
If you do not warm the milk to room temperature before adding it, it can curdle in the soup. We recommend ensuring everything is at room temperature for the best results.
Firstly, we recommend using a lower-hop beer. You can add a bit of sharp cheddar to help counteract any bitterness, or stir in a tablespoon of honey or cream.
I really liked how quick this was to make. My only thing is the pale ale I purchased was really strong and tangy and overpowered every other nuance in the soup. Not being YOUR fault, I didn’t ding the stars because that was what I bought. I would make this again with a less strong beer and make sure I use sweeter onions too- but otherwise it was quick and easy and should be delicious with the right beer.
We hope you’ll try it again, Ruthi!
Sounds yummy! Can you substitute another beer for pale ale?
I haven’t tried this, but you can give it a shot!
Stella Artois. Made it twice now. More beer second time. Had to cook it a bit longer to thicken up after adding more beer. Feel it added more flavor and worth the time.
Thanks so much for sharing what worked for you, Tony!
This soup was tasty and easy to make. For my taste, I would cut back on the onion and use a small onion. Make sure you finely dice it. I made the soup with the beer bread muffin. It was a good combination.
Thanks for sharing, Sonja!
Easy and good!!! I do like the green onion garnish with it. Going to try it with a red beer next. Very good!
So happy to hear you loved it!
Gave me gas
So sorry to hear that! :/
!5 minutes? Sign me up!
This sounds so good! I love soups also because they are typically so quick and easy to make, and I don’t always have a lot of time. Not sure why I never thought of making this before. Thanks for the reminder!
Replaced feta with diced ham, and used giant soft pretzels in place of crusty bread. BAM!!
ooo this sounds tasty! My husband is from KY and they actually make a “beer cheese” for this soup, but I can’t always find it! This could be a nice alternative, thanks! (plus it’s gorgeous)
Everything about this cozy soup is ah-mazing.. quick and easy! Not to mention, the ingredients… to die for!