Hot Sausage Beer Cheese Dip makes a great appetizer! The perfect dip for race day or any party.
I grew up in a small town just outside of Bristol, Tennessee. Bristol is famous for being the home of the fastest half mile track in car racing. Our small tri-cites area swells in population on race weekends. All of the excitement and energy surrounding race weekend always brings out the best tailgating recipes in our family.
Living so close to the race track, many of my friends and family are race fans but one of the biggest fans I know is my grandfather, or Poppy as we call him. If there is a race on TV, Poppy is watching and rooting for one of his favorite drivers — #95 Ty Dillon. We try and visit my family a few times each year and I like to time these visits around a race weekend so that we can watch a race with Poppy. Of course, when we visit I like to cook for everyone and today I want to share one of our new favorite appetizers.
There’s something about sporting events that make appetizers seem like the perfect food. One of my new favorites is this hot sausage beer cheese dip. My husband and I love spicy food! Unfortunately, as we’ve gotten older we’ve found spicy foods can sometimes give us heartburn. That uncomfortable feeling puts the party in pit row immediately. Luckily we discovered Nexium 24HR caplets and the new easy to swallow tablets. This helps get our heartburn under control and we can indulge in this tasty dip until the checkered flag waves. Hopefully, with Ty Dillon crossing the finish line first!
This dip has quickly become a family favorite. How could it not? Beer, cheese, and sausage, a trio of awesomeness. With only 6 ingredients this dip is quick and easy to make.
How to make Hot Sausage Beer Cheese Dip
- The first step is to add sharp cheddar cheese, cream cheese, garlic powder and BEER to a food processor
or blender. The great thing about beer is it makes a wonderful ingredient and an even better beverage while you are cooking.
or blender. The great thing about beer is it makes a wonderful ingredient and an even better beverage while you are cooking. 
- Next step, process until your ingredients are well combined.
- Now it is time to take the mixture and pour it into a large bowl. Mix in the leftover cheese and cooked sausage.
- Put it all in an oven safe dish and bake for 15-20 minutes. After you take it out of the oven, sprinkle on the green onion. It adds nice color to the dip.
I like to use corn chips or tortilla chips for dipping to get as much dip in my mouth as possible. Vegetables are also acceptable…or a spoon, whatever works for you. 🙂
The next time the racers start to rev their engines, rev up your party with this hot sausage beer cheese dip.
Other Appetizers You Might Enjoy
Hot Sausage Beer Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 1 16 oz roll hot breakfast sausage
- 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup beer (I use a local IPA but you can use what you have on hand.)
- 2 8 oz low fat cream cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup diced green onion
- chips , bread or vegetables for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook sausage until browned and no longer pink. While cooking, break the sausage up into crumbles.
- Place 2 cups cheddar cheese, cream cheese, garlic powder and beer in a food processor or blender. Mix until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into a large bowl and add cooked sausage and the remaining 2 cups of cheddar cheese. Mix until combined.
- Place mixture into an oven safe dish and bake for 15-20 minutes.
- Remove from oven, Sprinkle with diced green onion and serve with chips, bread or vegetables.
Nutrition
Can you make this the night before and the heat it all up when you’re ready to eat?
Yes, you could make the night before and bake when ready to eat.
Does this reheat well?
Yes, you can reheat in the oven or on the stove.
Very good. I cut in half for my initial try. Added a little sriracha because we like things a little spicier. Very good. Don’t skip the green onion. Adds a lot to the dish
I made this using a double IPA and extra sharp cheddar cheese. Holy heck, was it strong! I’m hoping some of the IPA flavor will bake off a little bit so it’s not as strong….
Can you make it without beer?
You sure can! I would replace the beer with 1/2 – 3/4 cup milk.
I am confused about the amount of cream cheese. Is that 16 total ounces (2 x 8) or 8 total ounces (2 four ounce bricks)? Sorry to be so dense. Can’t wait to try this. It sounds delicious.
Hi Linda, It is 2 8oz blocks of cream cheese so a total of 16oz. Hope you enjoy!
I would love to make this. I am just not sure on what would be the best type of beer to use.
You can use whatever beer you have on hand but I would recommend an IPA or light or dark ale.
Any chance this dip could be made in a crockpot?
Yes, I think it would do great in a crockpot. I would cook it on low for 2-3 hours in the crockpot and then keep it on warm if you are serving it at a party.
Can you avoid the food processor step and just throw everything in the crockpot? Of course cook the meat first.
I think that would work great. Putting it in the blender or food processor just helps make sure the ingredients are evenly distributed when you put it in the baking dish.
As soon as my husband saw there was beer in this dip, he wanted it 😉 Made it yesterday for game day, quite yummy and addicting. I used sausage with hatch chilis, because that’s what I had on hand. Will do this again, but next time might add a bit more seasoning.
My husband was the same way when I told him there was beer in the dip 🙂 I bet the sausage with hatch chilis was delicious! So happy you guys enjoyed the dip.
My cousin made this for a party tonight and I want to eat it all the time.
I am so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
This looks SOOO good for game days! Pinning it now!
Thanks Heather! Yes, it is a great game day food. I am ready for football season!
I’m going to mix this with pasta, bake it and enjoy it for dinner! Thanks for the inspiration!
What a great idea! That sounds amazing! Let me know how it works.
This really looks like it is going to be a tasty dish. I know my husband is going to want me to recreate it stat! #client
Thank you! Yes my husband loves this appetizer. I usually have to push him out of the way so I can get some 🙂