Cornstarch, which can be used to thicken beer cheese soup.
Beer Cheese Soup is a creamy soup that is ideal served with crusty bread for a warm meal or as a quick snack alongside fresh popcorn. While there are many different recipes for beer and cheese soup, the most popular versions originate from the Great Lakes and the heart of the American Midwest. Although the soup requires several ingredients, the preparation time is relatively short and it is sure to please just about anyone.
Cheddar cheese is traditionally used to make beer cheese soup.
At the heart of almost every beer cheese soup recipe is beer. For a basic recipe, the equivalent of two cans of beer is usually enough. The beer is combined with a little chicken broth to form the base liquid for the recipe. The coarsely grated cheddar cheese, along with the fresh cream, will help thicken the liquid and give the basic texture to the soup.
Any type of beer can be used in beer cheese soup, but a malted beer is often recommended.
From here, the options are diverse when it comes to ingredients for the beer cheese soup. Many recipes call for frying several slices of bacon and then crumbling the bacon into the liquid or cutting the slices into larger pieces. Vegetables like celery, onions, and carrots are diced or chopped and added to the mix. For a little more color, adding chopped bell peppers in shades of green, yellow, and red will give the soup a more festive look. A pinch of cayenne pepper can also be added if the cook wishes to heat the soup a bit more.
Many beer cheese soup recipes include bacon.
For many, the combination of broth, cream, and cheese makes the soup thick enough for their tastes. However, if you prefer a thicker consistency, you can add a small amount of flour or cornstarch while the soup is simmering. By adding salt and pepper to taste, the beer cheese soup is ready to serve.
While technically any type of cheese can be used, many people prefer a sharp cheddar cheese made in Wisconsin. However, it is possible to make the recipe from a blend of cheeses such as mozzarella, cheddar, and Swiss. If cream is not available, you can also use half and half in the recipe.
Red bell peppers make beer cheese soup more festive.
Serving beer cheese soup can also be a lot of fun. Creating bread bowls with large, crispy buns works great. The soup can also be served in regular soup bowls along with pieces of bread. When preparing the bread, make sure the loaves are broken into large chunks rather than being cut into even slices. This will make the bread pieces ideal for dipping in the soup.