Craft Beer and Cheese Fondue with Michigan Mustard

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich, melted cheese fondue using Michigan craft beer and a hint of tangy Michigan mustard, perfect for dipping crusty bread and veggies. This american-inspired snacks ready in about 22 minutes turns shredded gruyere cheese, shredded sharp white cheddar cheese, Michigan craft beer (pale ale) into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 6 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rub the inside of a medium saucepan with 1 halved garlic clove, then discard garlic.
  2. Step 2: Pour 1 1/2 cups Michigan craft beer and 1 tbsp lemon juice into saucepan and heat over medium until hot but not boiling.
  3. Step 3: In a bowl, toss 8 oz shredded gruyere and 8 oz shredded sharp white cheddar with 1 tbsp cornstarch to coat.
  4. Step 4: Gradually add the cheese to the hot beer mixture, stirring constantly until melted and smooth.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1 tbsp Michigan stone-ground mustard and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Keep warm on low heat.
  6. Step 6: Serve immediately with 1 baguette cut into cubes, 1 cup blanched broccoli florets, and 1 cup baby carrots for dipping.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Craft Beer and Cheese Fondue with Michigan Mustard take to make?

Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Craft Beer and Cheese Fondue with Michigan Mustard?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Craft Beer and Cheese Fondue with Michigan Mustard?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Craft Beer and Cheese Fondue with Michigan Mustard for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Craft Beer and Cheese Fondue with Michigan Mustard?

American snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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