German Beer Cheese Soup with Pretzels
A rich, creamy soup infused with German beer and tangy sauerkraut, served with crispy pretzels for a satisfying crunch. This German-inspired soup recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs German beer (e.g., Pilsner), Sharp cheddar cheese, Sauerkraut for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.
Ingredients
- 12 fl oz German beer (e.g., Pilsner)
- 4 oz, grated Sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup, drained Sauerkraut
- 12 pretzels, baked until golden Pretzels
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1/2 medium, diced Onion
- 2 cloves, minced Garlic
- 4 cups Chicken broth
- 1/2 cup Heavy cream
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Equipment for this recipe
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Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 1/2 onion and 2 cloves garlic, sauté for 5 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 2: Pour in 4 cups chicken broth and 12 fl oz beer, bringing to a gentle simmer. Stir in 1 cup sauerkraut and cook for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Whisk in 4 oz grated cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Add 1/2 cup heavy cream, stirring until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 4: Divide soup into bowls, top with 12 pretzels, and garnish with additional cheese.
