Description
This Bacon and Beer Cheese Soup is a rich and comforting dish combining crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a splash of lager beer for a flavorful twist. Perfect for cozy dinners, this creamy soup boasts a hearty texture and a blend of savory ingredients that will warm you up on chilly days.
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% fat)
- 8 ounce lager
- 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. Remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same Dutch oven with the 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 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Flour: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the onion mixture and stir well. Cook for about 3 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, milk, and lager beer. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer until the soup thickens, about 20 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Bacon: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and continue simmering for another 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the cheese is melted and the soup is creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add most of the cooked bacon to the soup and stir to combine.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with the remaining bacon and chopped parsley. Serve warm.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
- This soup can be frozen for up to 3 months; however, cheese soup may separate upon thawing.
- To avoid separation after freezing, omit the cheese when freezing and add it fresh when reheating before serving.
- Use low sodium or no sodium chicken broth to control salt levels.
- You can substitute lager beer with a non-alcoholic beer or additional broth if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
