Irish Nachos and Beer Cheese Sauce Makes Game Day Delish

Sharing is caring!

Why choose between nachos or cheese fries when you can have both with Irish Nachos and Beer Cheese Sauce? Mind blown.

 

There are hundreds of cheeses in the world. HUNDREDS! I haven’t even touched the iceberg in tasting cheese. However, I feel like I’ve had a few more types of cheese this past year than in years past. I’ve tasted stilton and manchego. There’s been a delicious creamy blue cheese or blue cheese brie that I have recently fallen in love with. And then there’s muenster.

 

Hands down, muenster is my all-time favorite cheese. There’s just something about it’s creamy, slightly tangy flavor that I love. Especially when it’s super fresh. I fell in love with muenster in Rochester at the public market there in upstate New York. Fresh, it is a completely different flavor than one that’s prepackaged in slices.

 

 

What are Irish nachos?

 

Irish nachos are a delightful twist on traditional nachos. Instead of tortilla chips, crispy potato slices are the base for a glorious mountain of toppings. The combination of hearty potatoes with gooey beer cheese sauce and savory extras creates a flavor explosion that is perfect for game day snacking. These Irish nachos also boast a hearty topping of corned beef and Irish cheddar cheese. These layers of flavor will make you the star of game day!

Who invented beer cheese?

 

I know we have had a beer cheese recipe in the family for a while, but I always wonder where the food we make comes from. It makes me wonder who thought to combine cheese with beer and stir in some garlic and onion for a creamy spread. Not to mention who turned this beer cheese idea into the rich and creamy sauce that takes these nachos to the next level.

 

 

Beer cheese originated in Kentucky, where it has become a beloved staple in local cuisine. This explains why my family has a recipe for it and has eaten it as long as I can remember. While the exact origins are unclear, it is believed that beer cheese was created in the 1940s by a chef named Joe Allman at a local tavern in Clark County. Allman reportedly mixed sharp cheddar cheese with beer, garlic, and spices to create a smooth and flavorful sauce that quickly gained popularity among patrons.

 

Today, beer cheese has evolved into a versatile condiment that can be found in various forms across the globe. From creamy dips to tangy spreads and even a burger topping, beer cheese adds a unique twist to dishes like pretzels, burgers, and of course, Irish nachos. Its rich flavor and creamy texture make it a perfect companion to a wide range of snacks and appetizers.

 

 

What is beer cheese made of?

 

Beer cheese is a simple dip or spread made with simple ingredients. It typically consists of a combination of sharp cheddar cheese, beer, garlic, and a variety of seasonings. The cheese provides a creamy base, while the beer adds depth of flavor and a slight tang. Garlic and spices help to enhance the overall taste profile, creating a savory and aromatic sauce that pairs perfectly with a variety of foods.

 

The amount of beer you add will alter the consistency, of course. More beer makes it creamier and less beer makes it more like a spreadable cheese similar to port cheese or pub cheese. Creamier beer cheese makes the delicious sauce for these Irish nachos, but a thicker cheese is deliciously melted into macaroni for beer and brats mac and cheese.

 

 

What type of beer is best for beer cheese?

 

The best beer is the beer that you enjoy drinking. Like cooking with wine, you don’t want to use a beer that you wouldn’t drink. The type of beer you use can greatly impact the flavor profile of your cheese sauce. Some popular options include pale ales, lagers, stouts, or even a flavorful IPA.

 

The key is to select a beer that complements the sharpness of the cheddar and enhances the overall taste of the sauce. I opted for Guinness which is a full-bodied stout beer. I thought it would pair well with the corned beef and potatoes in these Irish nachos. Pale ale also makes a good beer cheese sauce, too. They taste completely different, but both are delicious!

 

 

Is beer cheese the same as pub cheese?

 

Beer cheese and pub cheese do share some similarities, but they are not exactly the same. Pub cheese typically refers to a spreadable cheese dip that may or may not contain beer as an ingredient. On the other hand, beer cheese specifically incorporates beer into the cheese sauce to add a unique depth of flavor. This distinction is important to keep in mind as you prepare your Irish Nachos with Beer Cheese Sauce.

 

What ingredients do you need for this nacho recipe?

 

You will need potatoes, obviously. For the cheese sauce, you will need Irish cheddar. That’s a nice sharp cheddar with delicious flavor. Don’t frown, but to make this melty and delicious I’ve included some Velveeta in my sauce. There’s just 3 ounces of it to really make this a creamy sauce that pours well over the potatoes. Of course, there’s beer in the sauce and a slurry made with milk and flour. Finally, there’s garlic salt, thyme, and rosemary in the sauce and chopped corned beef for the toppings.

 

 

How do you make Irish nachos with beer cheese sauce?

 

To make these delicious Irish Nachos with a Twist of Beer Cheese Sauce, start by preheating your oven to 400 F and thinly slicing your potatoes. Sprinkle the potatoes with salt and pepper and bake the potato slices on a single layer in a baking sheet lined with foil for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden. Then flip the potatoes over and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the second side is crispy.

 

While the potatoes are baking, start the beer cheese sauce by combining the beer, milk, and flour in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently until the sauce begins to thicken and then stir constantly until it’s thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove the sauce from the heat and add in 2/3 of the Irish cheddar, the Velveeta, and the spices stirring until the cheese melt.

 

 

Place a layer of potatoes in the bottom of a cast iron skillet and top with half of the chopped corned beef and half the remaining cheddar cheese. Pour 1/3 of the beer cheese sauce over the top and repeat with the remaining potatoes, cheese, corned beef, and 1/3 of the beer cheese sauce. Keep the remaining beer cheese sauce in a bowl for dipping. Finally, broil the nachos on high until the cheese melts and the cheese sauce is bubbly and brown. Serve with the remaining beer cheese sauce.

 

What does Irish nachos with beer cheese sauce taste like?

 

When you think if nachos I think of cheesy, messy, delicious goodness. And now I think of corned beef, potatoes, and beer sauce goodness. And now you will, too! The beer combined with the Irish cheddar in the cheese sauce and on the nachos make for rich and delicious cheese experience.

 

The potatoes are baked super crispy ahead of time. They stand up to loads of toppings they will carry to your mouth. That includes rich and delicious corned beef, sharp Irish cheddar, and creamy beer cheese sauce. The flavorful corned beef paired with the beer cheese sauce made with Irish stout and the Irish cheddar on top are a total game day nacho goodness your guests will love.

Cooking with Beer

• Beer Battered Shrimp from Art of Natural Living
• Beer Cheese Fondue from Jen Around the World
• Beer Mustard from That Recipe
• Cheddar Beer Bread from Hezzi-D’s Recipe Box
• Irish Nachos with Beer Cheese Sauce from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Sourdough Beer Bread from Karen’s Kitchen Stories

We share Recipes From Our Dinner Table! Join our group and share your recipes, too! While you’re at it, join our Pinterest board, too!