Best Irish Beer Cheese Soup (Recipe) - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

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Our creamy irresistibleIrish Beer Cheese Soup Recipeis perfect to serve onSaint Patrick’s Daywith a tall frothy pint! Or serve Beer Cheese Soupany nightof the week.

Best Irish Beer Cheese Soup (Recipe) - A Spicy Perspective (1)

Beer Cheese Soup Recipe

Cheese. Soup.

Were there ever two words more perfect for each other?

The only thing I can think of to improve upon such an alluring combo would be beer.

Beer. Cheese. Soup.

Nowthatis a winning love-fest of flavors.

And if the cheese isIrish, and the beer is fromIreland(or someplace close to Ireland), well now, that would be a Saint Paddy’s Day dish I wouldn’t be able to resist.

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Best Cheese Soup

This rich and creamy Irish Beer Cheese Soup recipe is a favorite in both my family and my neighborhood.

I recently served it to several friends on one of our recent snow days and theyimmediatelyfelt as captivated by the Irish beer-cheese duo as I do.

This cheese soup recipe is thick and flavorful with an ultra-silky texture and robustpub cheesetaste!

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What Ingredients You Will Need

  • Large Onionpeeled and chopped
  • Minced Garlic Cloves
  • Unsalted Butteror bacon grease
  • Harp Irish Style Lager
  • Chicken Broth
  • Irish Cheeseshredded (Dubliner, Irish Cheddar, Skellig, etc.)
  • Low-Fat Cream Cheesecut into cubes
  • Cornstarchor arrowroot powder
  • Dijon Mustard
  • Garnishes: Crumbled Bacon and Chives
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How To Make Beer Cheese Soup

Irish Beer Cheese Soup is a new Saint Patrick’s Day tradition in our house. In just 20 minutes, you too will fall in love with this creamy dreamy wonder. Great for any main course or starter to any meal.

Instructions

  1. Set a large sauce pot (or dutch oven) over medium heat. Add the butter, onions, and garlic, and sauté for 3-5 minutes.
  2. Scoop the softened onions into the food processor (or blender) and add one cup chicken broth. Puree the onions and broth until completely smooth.
  3. Pour the onion mixture back into the sauce pot, and add the remaining broth and both bottles of beer.
  4. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat. Toss the shredded Irish cheese with cornstarch. Add the shredded cheese, cream cheese, and Dijon mustard to the broth.
  5. Whisk to melt the cheese and break up the cream cheese cubes. Whisk until the soup is completely smooth and slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. (Do not boil the cheese! Lower the heat if needed.)
  6. Taste, then salt and pepper as needed. Serve as-is, or garnish with bacon and chives if desired.

Notes

The beer broth will foam up quite a bit when boiling. Make sure to use a large saucepan so it doesn’t boil over.

Get The Full (Printable) Best Beer Cheese Soup Recipe Below. Enjoy!

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Best Beer Cheese Soup Tips

The key to making a killerIrish Beer Cheese Soupis to use a light crisp Irish-style beer like Harp. The beer gives the soup a slight twang without overpowering it.

Then whisk in shredded Irish cheese and cream cheese.

MostIrish cheeseshave a very distinct nutty essence. The Irish cheese gives the soup an intense cheesy flavor, while the cream cheese makes the soup extra silky smooth.

I like to use low-fat cream cheese to take the fat and calories down a notch, but go full-fat if you want to! Sometimes you want taste over nutrition.

Once the Irish Beer Cheese Soup gets to a simmer and thickens, ladle it into bowls and garnish with bacon and chive, and go crazy with croutons.

Or if you’ve been gawking atthe bread bowlsin this post, and you are not afraid of some carbohydrates, bake your own. They are really easy to make!

You can even try a softpretzels bowlfrom The Spruce Eats that would pair so well with this beer soup.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does This Soup Last In The Fridge?

The soup leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for 4-5 days.

Where Did Beer Cheese Soup Come From?

Beer Cheese soup is considered a German (or Eastern European) recipe and was brought to the United States by German immigrants. The beer and cheeses used have morphed over the years, based on what’s available regionally. However, since we are using Irish cheese, we feel this is a great recipe for Saint Patrick’s Day!

What Cheeses Are Good For Beer Cheese Soup?

Gruyere is a traditional choice. However, any cheese that is a smooth melting cheese can be used in Beer Cheese Soup. In today’s recipe, we’re using hard Irish cheese with a bold nutty flavor, and cream cheese for thickening.

Cheddar cheese, Monterey jack cheese, and gouda are also great options.

If you prefer the cheddar beer soup flavor, then sharp cheddar cheese will give you that extra level of flavor because of the sharp, zippy, and salty properties of the cheese.

Why Is My Beer Cheese Soup Grainy?

You boiled the soup and the cheese curdled into little clumps. When making any cheese soup recipe, make sure to keep theheat lowonce you add in the cheese.

Can You Freeze Cheese Soup?

Yes. As long as you reheat it on very low heat, so it doesn’t boil and separate, cheese soup can be frozen and reheated. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Can I Use Any Kind Of Beer?

Some people might have a hard time finding a Swiss light lager, so feel free to use whatever beer you enjoy drinking, lager, ale, or pale ale! Although it would no longer be a full Swiss beer cheese soup.

Could I Use An Immersion Blender?

Of course, you can use an immersion blender to blend this Irish cheese soup instead – Just make sure that you thoroughly stir that blender through the pot to get every morsel. I like to use a food processor to make sure it is very well blended.

Can I Add Vegetables?

Yes, you can. Although it will no longer be a smooth soup. Yet if you love creamy soups with chunky goodness, feel free to add in celery and carrots.

Corn Starch vs. Flour?

Corn starch is sometimes used over flour because it is a pure starch so it thickens recipes more than flour, which is only partly starch. I also like to use cornstarch because it is gluten-free! (If you select a GF beer, the soup will be as well.)

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More Irish Favorites

MORE EASY SOUP RECIPES

Check the printable recipe card below for nutrition information including calories, carbohydrates, cholesterol, and fiber percentages. You can also find the prep time and total time below.

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Print Recipe

4.97 stars (33 reviews)

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Irish Beer Cheese Soup Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Creamy Irish Beer Cheese Soup for Saint Patrick’s Day! This easy beer cheese soup recipe is rich and alluring, with only a handful of necessary ingredients.

Servings: 10

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

  • 1 large onion, peeled and chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon butter, or bacon grease
  • 2 bottles Harp Irish Style Lager (12-ounce bottles)
  • 32 ounce chicken broth
  • 14 ounces Irish cheese, shredded (Dubliner, Irish Cheddar, Skellig, etc.)
  • 14 ounces low-fat cream cheese, cut into cubes
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch, or arrowroot powder
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • Garnishes: crumbled bacon, and chives

Instructions

  • Set a large sauce pot over medium heat. Add the butter, onions, and garlic, and sauté for 3-5 minutes. Scoop the softened onions into the food processor(or blender) and add one cup chicken broth. Puree the onions and broth until completely smooth.

  • Pour the onion mixture back into the sauce pot, and add the remaining broth and both bottles of beer. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat.

  • Toss the shredded Irish cheese with cornstarch.Add the shredded cheese, cream cheese, and Dijon mustard to the broth. Whisk to melt the cheese and break up the cream cheese cubes. Whisk until the soup is completely smooth and slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. (Do not boil the cheese! Lower the heat if needed.)

  • Taste, then salt and pepper as needed. Serve as-is, or garnish with bacon and chives if desired.

Video

Notes

The beer broth will foam up quite a bit when boiling. Make sure to use a large pot so it doesn’t boil over.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 287kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Cholesterol: 74mg, Sodium: 970mg, Potassium: 225mg, Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 650IU, Vitamin C: 7.3mg, Calcium: 355mg, Iron: 0.6mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Irish

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

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Best Irish Beer Cheese Soup (Recipe) - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

FAQs

Why is my beer cheese soup grainy? ›

Why did my beer cheese soup curdle? This happens when the proteins separate and bind together. Your soup is no longer smooth and creamy; it's grainy and unpleasant. If your soup has reached this state, take your soup off the heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded Velveeta cheese.

How do you make beer soup less bitter? ›

I regularly make beer cheese soup with IPAs and IIPAs. The trick that I have noticed is using very sharp cheddar to balance out the bitterness of the hops. I also use IIPAs to marinate chicken/seafood and they come out great too. You have to make sure the flavors in the recipe compliment and work with the hops.

How to add cheese to hot soup? ›

Keep the heat very low, and make sure the cheese is one of the last things added to the soup. Whisk very quickly but add the cheese in gradually, one cup at a time, to make sure it melts before adding the next cup.

What makes cheese curdle in soup? ›

Science Notes remarks that this happens because the heat causes the proteins and the water in the dairy products to separate, with the proteins lumping together, watering down your soup and creating unwanted lumps.

How do you keep beer cheese from getting grainy? ›

take the pot OFF the heat. The more your heat your cheese sauce, the more it will get gritty. if possible, mix with a good melting cheese -- to make my cheddar sauce, I use 1 part moteray jack (which has no taste (IMHO) but is a really good melting cheese) to 1 part sharp or extra sharp cheddar cheese.

What beer is best for beer cheese? ›

In general, when making beer cheese, choose a brew with a light body and subtle flavor profile. Beers in the pilsner, blonde ale, and lager families would all be good options. For pilsners, stick to American styles as they are less hoppy, milder, and far less bitter than their European counterparts.

What is the best way to counteract bitter taste? ›

Sweetness: From sugar, honey, fruits or otherwise, sweetness will counteract bitter and sour flavours. It can also be used to cut down the heat of a particularly spicy meal. Saltiness: Salt plays two very important roles in flavouring a dish. Firstly, it balances against bitterness.

How do you tone down bitterness in soup? ›

Sweetness can help balance bitterness, so consider adding ingredients like carrots, onions, or a small amount of sugar or honey. Acidic ingredients like tomatoes or a splash of vinegar can also help balance flavors.

How do you fix bad taste in soup? ›

Things you can add to soup to enhance its flavor:
  1. Lemon juice.
  2. Hot sauce.
  3. Vegetable base.
  4. Salt and pepper.
  5. Worcestershire sauce.
  6. Fish sauce.
  7. MSGeeeeeeeeee!
Oct 29, 2021

Will cream cheese make soup less spicy? ›

Dairy products interfere with some spices reaching the taste receptors in our bodies, decreasing the spicy sensation. Adding a little heavy cream, plain yogurt, buttermilk, or milk to a dish, when appropriate (not in your gumbo), will serve the same purpose and add creaminess. Coconut milk works in the same way.

What is the best cheese for melting in soup? ›

Mild cheddar, Colby, Monterey jack, mozzarella, Swiss and queso blanco can all work well. “The best cheeses to melt into soups are cheeses that are higher in moisture and have a lower melting point,” says Bauer. In addition to cheddar and Monterey jack, he recommends Fontina and Gruyère.

How do you thicken cheese soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

Why won't the cheese melt in my soup? ›

Add the cheese at the right time: Timing is crucial when it comes to melting cheese in soup. Wait until the soup is almost done cooking before adding the cheese. If you add the cheese too early, it may become grainy or separate. Gradually sprinkle in the grated cheese and stir gently until it melts completely.

How do you add cheese to soup without curdling it? ›

If you are adding cheese to hot liquid, it can become stringy or seizes. If you are adding any cheese to hot liquid, my best tip is to use the finest shreds you can and let the cheese come to room temperature and take the soup off any heat when you stir in the cheese.

Why does cheese soup get grainy? ›

Your soup may become grainy if the cheese or dairy curdles. With a recipe like the one that follow you shouldn't have trouble because the cheese is added as a finishing component, off heat. But to avoid “breaking” the dairy while reheating (or with other dairy-rich soups), take it low and slow.

How to fix grainy cheese soup? ›

Basically the proteins in the cheese tighten up and squeeze out the fat. You end up with a grainy, curdled consistency. Unfortunately there is no way to fix it once it's happened, so just be really careful to keep this soup on a very low flame once the dairy has gone in.

How do I fix grainy cheese sauce? ›

All you have to do is cool the broken sauce, add a tablespoon of lemon juice (or white wine, if you don't mind the flavor), and whisk vigorously. This trick works best if you haven't already added acid to the sauce. Add too much acidity, and you might get the opposite effect of further breakage — balance is the key.

Why did my soup turn out grainy? ›

Too high a temperature can cause the dairy to curdle, creating a lumpy texture that will send you back to square one.

How do you smooth out grainy soup? ›

To achieve a silky-smooth texture, keep the blender running for at least 1 to 2 minutes in order to fully break down the solids. A common mistake is to not run the blender long enough. This results in a grainy-textured soup. The soup should be blended long enough to create a silky-smooth texture.

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