Description
Warm Irish Beer Cheese Soup delivers hearty comfort straight from Dublin’s culinary heart. Creamy, rich flavors blend smooth beer notes with sharp cheddar, inviting you to savor Ireland’s delicious culinary tradition in one satisfying bowl.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese and Dairy:
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
Proteins and Vegetables:
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1 cup potato, diced
Liquid and Dry Ingredients:
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup Irish beer (such as stout or pale ale)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Garnish:
- Chopped chives
- Bread bowls (optional)
Instructions
- Render bacon in a large pot over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally. Transfer bacon to a separate plate, reserving the rendered drippings for subsequent cooking.
- Sauté onions, garlic, carrots, and celery in the bacon drippings for 5-7 minutes until vegetables soften and become aromatic, developing a rich flavor foundation.
- Incorporate diced potatoes into the vegetable mixture, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes to initiate softening and enhance flavor integration.
- Dust flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring thoroughly to coat evenly. Toast the flour for 1-2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste and prepare for thickening.
- Slowly introduce chicken broth and Irish beer, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil, releasing the beer’s distinctive aroma.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, allowing potatoes to tenderize completely. Test potato doneness by piercing with a fork.
- Blend in heavy cream, cheddar cheese, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Maintain low heat, stirring periodically until cheese melts and soup achieves a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Ladle into serving bowls, garnishing with reserved crispy bacon and fresh chives for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- Swap bacon for smoky tempeh or coconut bacon to create a vegetarian version that maintains the rich, savory flavor profile.
- Select a mild Irish stout or ale to prevent overpowering the delicate cheese and vegetable notes in the soup.
- Reduce calories by using half-and-half instead of heavy cream and choosing a low-fat cheddar cheese without compromising texture.
- Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3 days, gently reheating on the stovetop to preserve the creamy consistency and prevent cheese separation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 75mg