Description
This hearty Bacon and Beer Cheese Soup combines crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and a rich lager beer to create a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for chilly days or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon (chopped)
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium or no sodium added)
- 1 cup milk (2%)
- 8 ounce lager beer
- 12 ounce cheddar cheese (sharp or mild, shredded)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: Cook the chopped bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same Dutch oven with bacon fat, add the chopped onion and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Add Flour and Liquids: Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir constantly for about 3 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Slowly add the chicken broth, milk, and lager beer while whisking to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes until thickened.
- Incorporate Cheese and Bacon: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and continue simmering for another 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the cheese melts and the soup is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add most of the cooked bacon into the soup and stir well.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with the remaining crispy bacon and chopped parsley for a fresh touch.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- This soup can be frozen for up to 3 months. To avoid separation, omit adding cheese before freezing and add it fresh when reheating.
- For a thicker soup, you can increase the flour by 1 tablespoon.
- Use a sharp cheddar for a more pronounced cheese flavor or mild for a creamier taste.
- Low sodium chicken broth is recommended to control the salt level.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
