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Cheese Fondue with Beer

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If you’re a fan of creamy, savory dips, this Cheese Fondue with Beer recipe is sure to hit the spot.

We’ll be using two classic cheeses – Gruyère and Emmental – along with a light beer to create a rich and savory combination of flavors, creating the ultimate comfort food that is perfect for sharing or a cozy date night at home!

Looking for more melty cheese delights? Make sure to try my recipes for Shrimp Scampi Grilled CheeseBrats and Beer Cheese Chowder, and Instant Pot Cheddar-Ale Soup.

Cheese fondue with beer in a fondue pot surrounded by bowls of bread cubes and cut vegetables.

This classic Swiss fondue is perfect for dipping bread, steak, vegetables, or anything else your heart desires.

What you’ll need

Fondue ingredients

  • shredded Gruyère cheese and Emmental cheese – You can substitute Swiss cheese and sharp cheddar cheese if you prefer.
  • cornstarch as a thickening agent
  • lager beer or pale ale
  • Dijon mustard, fresh garlic, and a pinch of cayenne pepper round out the flavors.
Cheese Fondue with Beer lager cookingwithcurls.com

Things to dip in the cheese fondue

  • grilled zucchini and carrots
  • steamed broccoli and cauliflower
  • French bread cubes
  • fresh tomatoes and mushrooms
  • sliced filet or sirloin, cooked medium-rare
  • chunks of bacon

Check out the printable recipe card below for the complete recipe and detailed instructions.

Tools used

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How to make Cheese Fondue with Beer:

Grate your cheese and toss with the cornstarch to thoroughly coat.

Cheese Fondue cornstarch cookingwithcurls.com

Add the shredded cheese, beer, Dijon mustard, and pressed garlic clove to a medium saucepan.

Cheese Fondue melt cookingwithcurls.com

Heat your mixture over MEDIUM LOW heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until melted and combined. Stir in the cayenne pepper and pour into a fondue pot.

At one point I was starting to think that it would never combine into a smooth, delicious gooey cheese concoction but then it magically melted.

Steamed cauliflower floret on a fondue fork dipped into cheese fondue.

I served my fondue with steamed broccoli and cauliflower florets, and Sautéed Zucchini and Carrots.

Cheese Fondue with Beer served with grilled and steamed vegetables cookingwithcurls.com

I was going for a large variety of dipping foods! I also served fresh cherry tomatoes and button mushrooms (yes, that is chunks of bacon in the corner).

Cheese Fondue with Beer served with fresh vegetables cookingwithcurls.com

Then I chopped up a French baguette and pretzel roll to create cheese fondue dipped bacon cheeseburgers.

Bread cube with bacon and steak on a fondue fork dipped into cheese fondue.

Oh ya baby, I grilled up a filet and sliced it nice and thin.

Medium-rare slices of steak in a small bowl.

Then stacked a slice of beef, a chunk of bacon, and a chunk of pretzel roll and dunked it into the yummy fondue…..heaven!!

And of course more veggies dipped into this gooey, cheesy fondue pot of gold.

Steamed broccoli floret on a fondue fork dipped into cheese fondue with beer.

All this gooey, melted cheese makes a big ‘ol mess if you’re not careful.

Cheese Fondue with Beer| cookingwithcurls.com

So gather your friends or family around the dinner table for a delicious appetizer that’s a great way to celebrate on game day, New Year’s Eve, or pretty much any holiday.

How about Dark Chocolate Fondue with Cabernet for dessert on your next date night?

FAQ’s

What is the best beer for easy cheese fondue?

Feel free to experiment with different beers, but it’s best to use a lighter beer, such as a lager or ale, to avoid overpowering the cheese flavors. You can also substitute your favorite white wine for the beer for a completely different flavor profile.

What types of cheese work best for beer cheese fondue?

Gruyère and Emmental are classic choices, but you can also use gouda, Swiss, cheddar, fontina, or a combination of good melting cheeses.

Can I make cheese fondue without alcohol?

Yes, you can substitute non-alcoholic alternatives like broth, apple cider, or non-alcoholic beer. But keep in mind, the alcohol does add a unique flavor to the fondue.

How do I prevent the cheese from clumping in the fondue?

​Coating the grated cheese with cornstarch before adding it to the pot helps prevent clumping. Also, make sure to gradually add the cheese while stirring continuously.

How do you store leftover cheese fondue?

Allow the leftover cheese fondue to cool to room temperature, transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. 

Can I reheat leftover cheese fondue?

Yes, reheat leftover fondue on the stovetop over low heat, stirring constantly. Add a bit of wine or beer if needed to maintain the right consistency.

How can I fix the fondue’s consistency if it’s too thick or thin?

If it’s too thick, add a bit more wine or beer. If it’s too thin, mix a small amount of cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the fondue.

What are your favorite dippers for beer cheese fondue?

Some delicious options include bite-sized cubes of crusty bread, soft pretzels, hard pretzels, tortilla chips, boiled potatoes, vegetables like broccoli florets, carrots, brussels sprouts, cauliflower florets, strips of seared steak, chunks of bacon, and apple slices.

More cheesy dip recipes

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to see it!
Tag @cookingwithcurls on Instagram & Facebook and leave a ⭐️⭐⭐⭐⭐ review below!

Enjoy!!

Cheese fondue in a fondue pot with fondue forks resting against the edge.

Cheese Fondue with Beer

If you're a fan of creamy, savory dips, this Cheese Fondue with Beer recipe with Gruyère and Emmental cheese and light beer is a winner for game day and cozy date nights.
5 from 1 vote
Print Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American, Swiss
Keyword: cheese, fondue, appetizer, beer, recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 239kcal
Author: Lisa Johnson

Equipment

Ingredients

Cheese Fondue

  • 8 ounces grated Emmental cheese or cheddar cheese
  • 8 ounces grated Gruyère cheese or Swiss cheese
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 cup lager beer or pale ale or white wine
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 large clove garlic pressed or finely minced
  • pinch teaspoon cayenne pepper one-sixteenth teaspoon

Things to Dip in Cheese Fondue

  • grilled zucchini and carrots
  • steamed broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts
  • bread cubes French baguette, pretzel rolls, sourdough
  • fresh tomatoes and mushrooms
  • sliced filet or sirloin, cooked medium-rare
  • chunks of bacon

Instructions

  • Thoroughly mix together grated cheeses with cornstarch.
  • Place cheeses, beer, mustard, garlic in a medium saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until melted.
  • Stir in cayenne and pour cheese fondue into a fondue pot with a heat source. (sterno/gas or electric)
  • Serve immediately with a selection of bite-sized pieces of crusty bread or soft pretzels, steamed, or grilled vegetables, grilled beef, and bacon pieces.

Notes

  • Nutrition facts are for the Cheese Fondue only.
  • You can also use gouda, Swiss, cheddar, fontina, or a combination of good melting cheeses.
  • Yes, you can substitute non-alcoholic alternatives like broth, apple cider, or non-alcoholic beer. But keep in mind, the alcohol does add a unique flavor to the fondue.
  • Allow the leftover cheese fondue to cool to room temperature, transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. 
  • Reheat leftover fondue on the stovetop over low heat, stirring constantly. Add a bit of wine or beer if needed to maintain the right consistency.
  • If it’s too thick, add a bit more wine or beer. If it’s too thin, mix a small amount of cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the fondue.

Nutrition

Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 238mg | Potassium: 57mg | Vitamin A: 525IU | Calcium: 429mg | Iron: 0.3mg

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10 Comments

  1. Oh Lisa, this sounds so delicious. I must confess I have never made fondue at home, but after reading your post and your delicious recipe it’s now on my “must make” list for sure. Thanks so much for sharing with Foodie Friends Friday party this weekend. Pinning and sharing.

    We look forward to seeing you again soon with another delicious recipe.

    Joanne

  2. I have had beer cheese soup before, but never thought about it as a fondue. This sounds perfectly amazing! I am pinning this to my party foods board and would be so honored if you would come by and share it at my link party on Sunday, Celebrate it Sunday.

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