Beer Cheese Dip has been around for ages but this 4-ingredient recipe is our absolute favorite! This dip is made with just beer, shredded cheese, and spicy diced tomatoes, making it a recipe you will make again and again. Game Day has never been more delicious (or easier)!
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Why We Love This Beer Cheese Recipe
This Beer Cheese Dip Recipe has made it to every tailgating party I’ve attended since I first started making it. That’s a lot of happy cheese lovers!
- Easy. With just 4 ingredients, this is my easiest queso recipe yet!
- Creamy. This dip has cream cheese to keep it soft even as it cools!
- Flavorful. It’s amazing how much a can of Rotel and a light beer does for the flavor of this dip!
Variations on Beer Cheese Dip for Pretzels
I recommend using a light beer in this recipe for the best taste. I used Coors Light, but Bud also works well. For a light-tasting regular beer, a wheat beer, pilsner, or pale lager works well. You could get creative and add more ingredients such as crumbled chorizo or ground beef, but I prefer my recipes with just 4 ingredients when possible.
How to Store and Reheat
If you have any leftover beer cheese dip, pour it into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, add a splash of milk and heat in the microwave in 15-30 second increments, stirring between each increment to make sure it’s fully heated through.
I do not recommend freezing this dip because it will be too grainy when thawed and reheated.
How to Keep Warm
To keep this dip warm throughout the day, pour it into a slow cooker, and set it to WARM. This will keep it hot, smooth, and creamy throughout the whole party.
Serving Suggestions
Of course, this dip and soft pretzels are a match made in heaven. Pretzel dogs? Even better! But it’s also great with tortilla chips, chicken nachos, or baked tacos. Wash it down with a beer or beergaritas!
More Beer Cheese Recipes To Try
- Beer Cheese Spread
- Corn and Bacon Beer Cheese Dip
- 15 Minute Beer Cheese Soup
- Beer Cheese Soup with Bacon
5-Star Review
“Made this with Miller lite and it turned out great! We used Rotel with habaneros for spicineness.” -Gabby
Beer Cheese Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounces light beer (1 bottle)
- 8 ounces cream cheese (1 brick)
- 4 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese divided
- 14.5 ounces Rotel Tomatoes undrained (1 can)
Instructions
- Heat a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Pour in the beer and allow it to come to a boil. It may foam a bit. While waiting to boil, cut your cream cheese into 1-inch chunks.12 ounces light beer
- Once boiling, add the cream cheese to the beer. Use a whisk to stir until fully melted and combined.8 ounces cream cheese
- Once creamy and fully melted, add in your shredded cheese, about ½ cup at a time, stirring with the whisk until melted before adding more. Stop when the queso is to your desired consistency. For me, this was 4 cups but I REALLY like cheese. 3-4 cups should be perfect.4 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
- Once the cheese is fully melted, stir in the Rotel. Serve immediately with your fave chips14.5 ounces Rotel Tomatoes
Video
Becky’s Tips
- Use freshly-shredded cheese for the best results. Pre-shredded could create a gritty texture.
- Keep the temperature low when adding the cheese to prevent it from seizing.
- If your dip does turn gritty, fix it by mixing a small amount of the dip with a tablespoon of lemon juice or white wine, whisk vigorously, and add back to the pot.
- Keep warm using the “warm” setting on a crockpot.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Beer Cheese Step by Step
Boil the Beer: Heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Pour in 12 ounces (1 bottle) of light beer and allow it to come to a boil. It may foam a bit. While waiting to boil, cut 8 ounces (1 brick) of cream cheese into 1-inch chunks.
Add the Cream Cheese: Once boiling, add the cream cheese chunks to the beer. Use a whisk to stir until fully melted and combined.
Add the Cheese: Once creamy and fully melted, add 4 cups of shredded Mexican blend cheese, about ½ cup at a time, stirring with the whisk until melted before adding more. Stop when the queso is to your desired consistency. For me, this was 4 cups but I REALLY like cheese. 3-4 cups should be perfect.
Stir in the Rotel: Once the cheese is fully melted, stir in 14.5 ounces (1 can) of Rotel. Serve immediately with your fave chips.
It was good, just seemed to be missing something
Turned out tasty, just a teeny bit gritty…. probably because of the different cheeses I used …. I used 4 kinds
Thanks for sharing, Suzy!
Made this it was great tasting and smooth when freshly made. Got gritty as someone said the when I kept warm in crockpot.
Thanks for sharing, Jay!
Made this for super bowl Sunday and it had a very gritty texture and taste… I followed the recipe exactly? I did use bagged shredded cheese would that be the reason?
I would make sure to only add a little at a time and be sure its all melted before adding in more shredded cheese, it shouldn’t matter if it’s store bought :)
Can this be made the day ahead & then warmed up on the stove or microwave?
Absolutely!! :)
Fantastic recipes. I love this site
Why thank you, Joe!
Sounds great but my kids and I can’t take spice and don’t like cumin lol. If I add regular diced tomatoes, what spice would you suggest?
The taste could have been from the type of beer you used. If its a bitter beer at all, that would cause a bitter cheese dip. Cooking longer can thicken or you can add a bit of cornstarch. Thanks for your comment!
I only Rotel with diced green chilies in them…. will that suffice?
Yep that’s perfect!
Could I use a hard cider instead of beer? We are gluten free and I don’t necessarily want to make a trip out for a gluten free beer today! Thx
You could but it might give it a fruity taste. If you try it please let me know!