Beer And Cheese Soup
A rich, creamy beer and cheese soup with savory vegetables and mushrooms, perfect for comforting gatherings or a satisfying weeknight meal with bold flavors.
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil ⓘ
- 1/3 c. sweet onion
- 1/3 c. leeks ⓘ
- 1/3 c. carrots ⓘ
- 1/3 c. celery ⓘ
- 1/4 c. green bell pepper
- 1/4 c. red bell pepper ⓘ
- 6 Tbsp. flour ⓘ
- 3 1/2 c. chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard ⓘ
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. Tabasco sauce ⓘ
- 3 c. portabello mushrooms, diced
- 2 c. Sargento homestyle cheese ⓘ
- 2 c. Sargento Southwest style cheese ⓘ
- 1 c. heavy cream ⓘ
- 1/2 c. St. James pale ale
Instructions
- Finely chop the sweet onion, leeks, carrots, celery, green and red bell peppers.
- In an 8-quart stockpot, sauté the onions, leeks, carrots, celery, green and red peppers in butter and olive oil until vegetables are softened.
- Gradually mix in enough of the flour to absorb the buttery oil.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil over moderate heat, whisking constantly until the soup thickens slightly.
- Add the mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, and diced portabello mushrooms.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Whisk in the cheese, a handful at a time, until it dissolves.
- Add the heavy cream, ale, and Old Bay seasoning.
- Bring almost to a boil and serve (do not boil).
Tips & Substitutions
For a thicker soup, add more flour gradually until reaching your desired consistency. You can substitute the Sargento cheeses with any mild melting cheese like cheddar or Gruyère. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth and skip the Worcestershire sauce, or use a vegetarian version. This soup can also be enhanced with spices like smoked paprika for added depth.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh herbs or croutons for added texture. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. For a fun twist, try serving it alongside Betsy'S Hot Chicken Pasta Salad for a delightful contrast of flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the soup gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If it thickens too much, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore its creamy texture before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Beer And Cheese Soup contains roughly 1682 calories, with 18g protein, 118g carbohydrates, and 127g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (59% of the Daily Value), iron (47% of the Daily Value), and protein (35% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 562mg per serving (24% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the soup a day in advance. Just follow the recipe up to adding the cream and beer. When ready to serve, reheat gently and stir in the cream and beer just before serving to maintain the best flavor and texture.
Can I freeze beer and cheese soup?
Freezing this soup is not recommended due to the cheese and cream, which may separate upon thawing. However, you can freeze the base (without cream and beer) and add these ingredients when reheating for a fresher taste.
What beer works best in this recipe?
A pale ale, like the St. James pale ale mentioned in the recipe, works well due to its balanced flavor. However, you can also use any light beer or lager. Avoid dark beers as they can overpower the flavor of the cheese and vegetables.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).