Description
This rich and comforting Bacon and Beer Cheese Soup combines crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a smooth lager beer base for an indulgent yet easy-to-make meal. Perfect for chilly days, this creamy soup is simmered to perfection with onions, garlic, and a hint of parsley.
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 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. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same Dutch oven with the bacon fat, add the chopped onion and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Flour: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the onions and garlic. Stir continuously and cook for about 3 minutes to create a roux that will thicken the soup.
- 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 it thickens, approximately 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 and stir it in.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with the remaining crispy bacon and chopped parsley. Serve warm.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- For longer storage, freeze the soup for up to 3 months.
- To prevent separation when freezing, do not add cheese until you are ready to serve the soup.
- You can substitute lager beer with another light beer or non-alcoholic beer if preferred.
- Use low sodium chicken broth to better control the saltiness of the soup.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
