When the weather gets cold, I like to get my stockpot hot! Few homemade soup recipes are cozier than beer cheese potato soup. A popular dish in Wisconsin brewpubs, this hearty soup features beer as a starring ingredient. Much like wine, beer adds an acidity that balances the savory richness of a soup.
The beer flavor is balanced by starchy potatoes and salty, creamy cheese. It’s really one of the best potato recipes and cheese recipes, all in one! Enjoy deep bowls of beer cheese potato soup with soft pretzels, crackers or any favorite bread for dipping. You’ll want to sop up every last drop.
Ingredients for Beer Cheese Potato Soup
- Potatoes: Hearty potatoes add heft to this rib-sticking soup. Since you’re blending the potatoes as a soup base, the best type of potato to use is Yukon Gold, which will add good texture to the finished soup.
- Beer: When cooking with beer, choosing the right style depends on the dish and your flavor preferences. Light and pale ales will taste mild, while hoppier IPAs may become ultra-bitter with cooking. You can also use chicken or veggie stock instead of beer.
- Milk: In addition to beer and water, this soup calls for milk. Like cream, milk makes soup pleasantly creamy and rich.
- Cheddar cheese: Along with the milk, cheese gives soup a thick, unctuous texture and wonderfully salty flavor. This recipe calls for cheddar, but you can use any melty cheese you like. Pepper jack will add heat, while mozzarella is a milder option.
Directions
Step 1: Boil the potatoes
Place the potatoes, onion and water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife. Don’t drain them! Just remove from heat, and allow them to cool slightly.
Step 2: Blend the potatoes
Working in batches, process the cooked potato, onion and cooking liquid mixture in a blender until the mixture is smooth. Return the pureed mixture to the pan, and heat through.
Editor’s Tip: If you have an immersion blender, it can be used to blend the potato mixture right in the pan. Here’s an immersion blender buying guide to help you decide which one is right for you.
Step 3: Add remaining soup ingredients
Stir in the milk, beer, Worcestershire sauce, bouillon, salt, mustard and white pepper. Stir continually until heated through. Add the cheese, and stir until just melted. If desired, top bowls of soup with croutons, bacon, chives and pepper.
Recipe Variations
- Make it nonalcoholic: Sub in your favorite nonalcoholic beer to make this soup delicious for anyone. You can also omit the beer (swap in water, broth or even apple cider!) for a kid-friendly cheesy soup.
- Make it gluten free: Use a gluten-free beer or ale to make this a tasty gluten-free soup. Just make sure that your broth, bouillon and any other packaged ingredients are also labeled gluten free.
- Add sausage: Cook crumbled sausage in a skillet. Drain it, then add it to the soup along with the seasonings in Step 3.
How to Store Beer Cheese Potato Soup
Let the soup cool, then cover tightly or transfer to an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to five days. It may thicken over time. Simply stir in extra water or broth as needed when you reheat it until the texture loosens.
How to Freeze Beer Cheese Potato Soup
Beer cheese potato soup freezes well. Let the soup cool completely before freezing. Transfer the soup to a freezer-safe container, and store tightly covered. To save space, ladle soup into freezer-safe resealable bags; fill them only about two-thirds full since the liquid will expand when frozen. Lay the bags flat on a baking sheet, and allow them to freeze solid. Then you can easily stack them. Store the soup in the freezer for up to three months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator, then reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Beer Cheese Potato Soup Tips
What kind of cheddar tastes best in beer cheese potato soup?
Many kinds of cheese will work in this recipe, but we love using a sharp cheddar. It’s so much more flavorful than mild cheddar, and the sharp bite mellows as it melts into the potato-packed soup. Here are our Test Kitchen’s picks for best cheddar cheese brands.
What should I serve with beer cheese potato soup?
This hearty soup feels like a complete meal, especially at lunchtime. However, it also tastes great with a slice of homemade crusty bread on the side. It’s a great game day potluck recipe alongside other favorite comfort foods like pigs in a blanket and chicken wings. Bowls of potato cheese soup also make a hearty appetizer course with other cozy winter comfort food recipes, such as brisket, ham and roast chicken.
