Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon

Warm, cheesy, and packed with flavor, this Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon is the recipe you’ll want on repeat all season long. Made in a slow cooker, it’s a hands-off appetizer that’s ready when you are, and it stays perfectly creamy for hours. Whether you’re serving it for football Sunday or a holiday party, it’s guaranteed to be the hit of the table.

When the air starts to cool and weekends are filled with football games, I find myself craving all the cozy comfort foods. That’s where this Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon comes in. It’s warm, rich, and practically begs to be the centerpiece of your next gathering. The best part is that it all comes together in the slow cooker, which means you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the fun.

This isn’t just your average cheese dip either. It’s packed with layers of flavor from sharp cheddar, a splash of beer, and plenty of smoky bacon. Whether you’re hosting friends, heading to a potluck, or just want a hearty snack to enjoy at home, this dip fits the bill. It’s easy to make, always a hit, and one of those recipes that makes any get-together feel extra special.

If you’ve never tasted a beer cheese dip, I heartily recommend trying it. When I was growing up, my mom made one with Old English cheese that she served with cubed bread. Our family loved it.

This recipe reminds me a lot of that dip, but the deliciousness has been taken to a new level with thick-cut bacon, freshly grated cheddar cheese, and several other savory ingredients.

Served warm, this dip is great for the cool weather that comes with fall. It’s one of those dishes that will warm you from the inside out. And, as I mentioned above, it tastes so-o-o good!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s made in the slow cooker, which means minimal effort with maximum reward. You simply toss everything in, let it melt together, and come back to a bubbling pot of cheesy deliciousness.
• This dip is perfect for gatherings of all kinds, from football watch parties to cozy evenings at home. You can even leave it in the slow cooker on warm so guests can help themselves throughout the night.
• Bacon takes this dip to the next level. That smoky, savory crunch folded into creamy cheese makes every bite feel like something special.
• It’s endlessly dippable and versatile. Pretzel bites are a classic pairing, but you can also serve it with bread cubes, crackers, or even fresh veggies to balance the richness.

Looking for more tasty and cozy fall appetizer recipes? You got it! I have a blog post dedicated to my favorite fall snack and bites. I also have a blog post dedicated to all my favorite easy dip recipes if you’re a fan of dips like me.

Ingredients

Before I can walk you through the recipe for this Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon, we’ll need to gather all the ingredients.  

• Cream cheese – Creates a creamy base that makes the dip smooth and indulgent.
• Sour cream – Adds a tangy note that balances the richness of the cheese.
• Dijon mustard – Gives a subtle sharpness and depth that enhances the other flavors.
• Garlic powder – A simple way to bring a savory, aromatic kick to the mix.
• Beer (amber or lager) – Infuses the dip with malty flavor and helps keep it silky smooth.
• Cheddar cheese – Freshly shredded cheddar melts beautifully and gives the dip its bold, cheesy taste.
• Bacon – Thick-cut, crispy bacon adds smokiness, saltiness, and crunch.
• Heavy whipping cream – Stirred in at the end, it makes the dip even more velvety and rich.
• Green onions – Sprinkled on top for a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color.
• Soft pretzel bites or cubed challah bread – The perfect dippers to scoop up every last bit of warm, cheesy goodness.

How to Make

And with all of our ingredients assembled, I think we’re ready to whip up this unique appetizer dip recipe! I’ll walk you through the steps below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and instructions in the printable recipe card below.

1. To a greased 3-qt slow cooker, add the cream cheese, sour cream, dijon, garlic powder, beer, cheese, and about 1/4 cup of the bacon.

2. Stirring occasionally, cook covered on slow, for 3-4 hours or until the mixture is smooth and heated through. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the heavy cream.
3. When ready to serve, top with the onion and remaining bacon. Serve with pretzel bites or cubed bread.”

When you’re ready to serve, top the cheesy goodness with more bacon and chopped green onions. Perfection! You can leave your Beer Cheese Dip in the slow cooker, but I chose to serve mine in a fancy bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions

What beer is best for beer cheese dip?

For the beer, I recommend using an amber or a lager. I used Yuengling since I had some on hand following my dad’s visit. I would avoid anything that has an added flavor to it like pumpkin, citrus, etc. You could also use a non-alcoholic beer if needed or desired.

I can’t find the pretzel bites, what else can I use?

Try sliced bratwurst or kielbasa, toasted baguette coins, roasted potato wedges, or soft bread sticks. You can also ladle the dip into a small bread bowl and keep the rest warm in the slow cooker for easy refills.

Can I adjust the thickness or flavor profile?

To thicken, add more freshly shredded cheddar or let it sit uncovered for a few minutes. To thin, stir in a tablespoon or two of milk or beer until it reaches your ideal scoopable texture. For flavor, a few dashes of Worcestershire or hot sauce, a pinch of smoked paprika, or extra Dijon can nudge it savory, smoky, or zesty.

More Delicious Dips You’ll Love

• Really Good Jalapeño Dip
• The Ultimate Sausage Pizza Dip
• Out-of-this-World Corn Dip
• Really Good Veggie Dip
• BLT Dip
• Roasted Red Pepper Dip

No matter how you serve it, this Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon is certain to be a new fall favorite! Once you make it, I’d love to know what you think. Pleasestop back and leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. 

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Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon

With fall in the air and football season well underway, it’s the perfect time for this Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon. Made in a slow cooker, this dip is rich with flavor and likely to become your new favorite appetizer recipe.

5 from 8 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: appetizer, bacon, beer cheese dip, beer dip, cheese, fall recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours hours

Total Time: 3 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 10

Calories: 566kcal

Ingredients

• 20 ounces cream cheese
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup beer amber or lager
• 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 pound bacon cooked and chopped
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 green onions chopped
• Soft pretzel bites or cubed challah bread

Instructions

• To a greased 3-qt slow cooker, add the cream cheese, sour cream, dijon, garlic powder, beer, cheese, and about 1/4 cup of the bacon.
• Stirring occasionally, cook covered on slow, for 3-4 hours or until the mixture is smooth and heated through.
• About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the heavy cream.
• When ready to serve, top with the onion and remaining bacon. Serve with pretzel bites or cubed bread.

Nutrition

Calories: 566kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 26g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 736mg | Potassium: 235mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1265IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 316mg | Iron: 1mg

Edited to add: A big shout-out to Ashley of Cheese Curd in Paradise for this recipe. A friend of mine shared this recipe with me and I wasn’t aware of it’s original source. Thankfully, Ashley reached out to let me know it was hers. Credit to her for the inspiration. Be sure to visit Cheese Curds in Paradise for more delicious recipes!