Bacon Beer Cheese Dip

Beer cheese dip has long been a staple for get-togethers, whether that’s watching the big game on TV at home or enjoying a swinging backyard barbecue. Add bacon and throw it in a slow cooker, and you have an effortless and super dippable game-day snack and pub-style appetizer for any crowd. Creamy, cheesy and just the right amount of hoppy, bacon beer cheese dip pairs perfectly with soft pretzel bites warm from the oven, but it can also be served alongside fresh veggies, crackers or crusty bread. However you choose to serve it, it will be gone in a flash—so you might want to double up the recipe.

Ingredients for Bacon Beer Cheese Dip

• Cream cheese: Plain cream cheese adds its signature tangy flavor to the dip and contributes to its thick texture. For easy mixing, be sure to soften the cream cheese at room temperature before using it.
• Sour cream: Sour cream adds extra richness and tanginess to the dip.
• Dijon mustard: This French mustard adds a bit of acid and peppery bite to the dip. Use your favorite brand or homemade Dijon mustard—it’s surprisingly easy to make from scratch!
• Garlic powder: Garlic powder is an essential spice you should always have on hand. It is made from ground dehydrated garlic cloves. Avoid using garlic salt, which, as its name suggests, has added salt.
• Beer: The malty, toasty and caramel flavors of an amber beer work well in this beer cheese dip. You could also use an ale or lager if you prefer. Or, choose a nonalcoholic beer such as Athletic Brewing Company’s Atlética.
• Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar will add the most flavor to this dip. Shred the cheese yourself for the best meltability.
• Bacon: Crumbled bacon adds a savory and salty flavor to the dip; reserve some crumbles for a garnish. Use any top bacon brand, thick or thin-cut both work. The most hands-off way to cook bacon is in the oven.
• Heavy whipping cream: Heavy whipping cream makes this dip extra smooth.
• Green onion: Toss thinly sliced green onions to garnish the dip.
• Soft pretzel bites: What’s a dip without something to dip in it? Salt-covered pretzel bites are perfect for dipping into this rich and cheesy dip.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the dip

In a greased 3-quart slow cooker, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, mustard and garlic powder until they’re smooth. Stir in the beer, cheese and all but 2 tablespoons of the crumbled bacon. Cover the beer cheese and cook it on low, stirring occasionally, until it’s heated through, three to four hours. In the last 30 minutes, stir in the heavy cream.

Step 2: Garnish and serve

Top the bacon beer cheese with sliced green onion and the remaining bacon. Serve it with soft pretzel bites.

Editor’s Tip: To keep the dip warm, you can serve it straight from the slow cooker, set to the warm setting.

Bacon Beer Cheese Dip Variations

• Give it some heat: If you like things spicy, stir in up to 1 tablespoon of crushed red pepper flakes or smoked paprika, and top the dip with thinly sliced jalapeno peppers.
• Lighten it up: For a lighter version of this hearty bacon beer cheese dip recipe, use reduced-fat cream cheese, light sour cream, half-and-half cream and reduced-fat shredded cheese. Reduce the amount of bacon to 3/4 pound.

How to Store Bacon Beer Cheese Dip

If you have any leftover bacon beer cheese dip, first allow it to cool completely. Then transfer the dip to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will last for up to four days.

How should you reheat bacon beer cheese dip?

You can easily reheat leftover bacon beer dip in the slow cooker on the low setting or warm it in the microwave, stirring every few minutes until it’s evenly heated through.

Bacon Beer Cheese Dip Tips

Can you make bacon beer cheese dip on the stovetop?

You can make this recipe more quickly on the stovetop. In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the cream cheese and beer and stir them until they’re smooth. Add the sour cream, mustard and garlic powder, and whisk to combine them. Add the shredded cheddar, one handful at a time, whisking between additions until it’s melted. Stir in the bacon and simmer until it’s heated through. Remove the dip from the heat and transfer it to a serving dish. Garnish it with bacon and green onions and serve it.

What can you serve with bacon beer cheese dip?

Although soft pretzel bites are a classic dipper for this bacon beer cheese dip recipe, you have many other options. Crusty bread, tortilla chips, hearty potato chips or hard pretzels are all tasty choices. Or go heavy on the veggies! Sliced bell peppers, baby carrots, broccoli florets or celery would all be delicious dippers.