I've partnered with my friends at OhioPork.org to create this delicious recipe and blog post for you. All opinions are my own.
Beer Cheese Dip and pretzels is one of those restaurant appetizers that always grabs my hubby's attention. I have to admit, mine too. We love the cheesy, tangy beer infused flavor on salty pretzels. But I've never attempted to make beer cheese at home.
That is, until now!
It is so easy, I don't know why I waited so long. And...since I was recently given the chance to tour Fresh Mark's Sugardale bacon plant here in Northeast Ohio through the Ohio Pork Council and find out exactly how bacon is made, I've been wanting to add bacon to just about EVERYTHING! (Seriously, I mean everything!) So why not jazz up beer cheese dip with bacon?
Fresh Mark is the parent company to both Sugardale and Superior's brand. Collectively, they have been in the business of producing quality pork products such as ham, hot dogs, and bacon for nearly 100 years! They are a family owned and operated company that takes great pride and care in what they produce for their consumers.
How is bacon made?
I found the bacon plant tour fascinating! I admit, I had absolutely no idea what went into making a pound of bacon. The plant I toured made A LOT of bacon...which is understandable because Americans love bacon. This facility alone makes enough bacon to feed about 650 million people breakfast a year!
At this plant, raw pork bellies are received and inspected for quality, then begin their journey to become bacon. They are infused with in a special blend of sugar and spices. It's these seasonings that give Sugardale bacon it's signature flavor.
Once the flavor has infused, the bellies are hung on metal trees and travel to the smokehouse. This Sugardale bacon facility was very clean and cold! Which is just how these soon to be bacon pork bellies like it!
The pork bellies are smoked with natural hickory hardwood chips, where the internal temperature is brought up to 120 degrees F then the bellies are sent to chillers to bring the temperature down quickly. So your the Sugardale bacon you buy in the store is raw, but not completely raw. This was something I didn't know!
It smelled AHmazing in the smoking area of the plant!
Once the temperature of the smoked pork bellies is brought down to where it needs to be, the bellies get compressed and are sent to be sliced.
One thing I absolutely appreciate about Sugardale Natural Hickory Smoked Bacon is that the slices are always uniform. That makes this foodie happy, because that means my bacon will cook evenly.
Once sliced, the bacon is put into its packaging and sent out for purchase at your retailer!
I was shocked at the manpower it takes to turn pork bellies into bacon! It truly is a labor of love.
As far as I'm concerned, cheese and bacon are natural partners in life. I love the salty pop of bacon in this Bacon Pineapple Jalapeno Cheese Ball and bacon is an awesome addition to these Chipotle Ranch Bacon Cheddar Nachos. And, the addition of bacon in this Beer Cheese Dip recipe is perfection!
How to make Beer Cheese
It's super easy to make beer cheese! (and Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon!) Chopped bacon is browned up in a saucepan, where the drippings are reserved. A little more fat is added in the form of butter, and then a roux is made with a little bit of flour. Half and half or milk is carefully whisked into the roux along with a cup of your favorite beer and some seasonings and, of course, cheese..and voila! Beer Cheese!
I like to use a combination of cheddar and monterey jack cheese in this beer cheese dip because I think it makes the cheese dip smoother and less stringy. If you can't find the cheese packaged as a combination, just use half shredded cheddar cheese and half shredded jack cheese in this recipe.
Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon is definitely better served warm, so popping it into a small slow cooker turned to warm is a great idea when serving it at parties or tailgating!
Yep...I said tailgating because we are just slowly getting away from the holidays and slipping into that time of year when there's plenty of championship games that can't be missed. And, where there's a big game, there's some serious tailgate snacking! Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon would make a great addition to your party!
What Beer to use in Beer Cheese Dip?
I say, use what you like to drink. First off...I am not a beer expert by any stretch of the imagination. I couldn't tell you the difference between a pale ale or an IPA, but I do know what I like to drink by taste. I love a good wheat beer and that's what I've used in this recipe. I loved a bit of tang it added t to the cheese dip. But, there are so many great microbrews out there now, the choices are almost endless!
Yield: 10 servings
Bacon and Beer Cheese Dip
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 10 MinTotal time: 15 Min
Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon is an easy to make traditional beer cheese dip with the addition of crispy bacon. Great party dip for pretzels, crackers. or celery sticks.
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon, chopped (regular or thick cut)
- 1 - 2 TBSP butter
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup half and half or whole milk
- 1 cup of your favorite beer (I used a wheat beer)
- 1 TBSP Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
- 2 cups shredded cheddar jack blend
- Kosher salt, to taste
Instructions
- In large saucepan, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain and set aside. Reserve bacon drippings in pan.
- Add the 1 or 2 TBSP butter to the reserved bacon drippings and allow to melt over med heat. Whisk in the flour. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes.
- Slowly add in the half and half, stirring while you add. Add in the beer and the Dijon mustard. Stir well. Allow mixture to come to a boil, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon.
- Take off heat and whisk in the cheddar cheese blend and the paprika. Taste for salt and add as needed.
- Stir in reserved bacon. Serve with pretzels, crackers, and raw veggies.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
216.95Fat (grams)
17.52 gSat. Fat (grams)
8.89 gCholesterol (grams)
44.36 mgCarbs (grams)
5.12 gFiber (grams)
0.18 gSugar (grams)
1.11 gNet carbs
4.93 gProtein (grams)
8.22 gSodium (milligrams)
300.59 mgNutritional information is only provided as a courtesy and is an estimate.
Copyright © 2018 Renee's Kitchen Adventures
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Bacon is probably my most favorite treat of all time. Love how you added this into the cheese dip. Perfect for New Year's Eve!
ReplyDeleteHI Shelby! I agree...everything is better with bacon! Thanks for stopping by!
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