Ingredients Checklist

• Aromatics & Fat: 1/2 lb chopped bacon, 1 medium yellow onion (finely chopped), 3 celery ribs (finely chopped), 2 cloves minced garlic, and 4 tbsp butter.
• The Roux: 1 cup all-purpose flour.
• The Liquid Base: 3 cups chicken stock and 4 cups whole milk.
• The Cheese: 1 lb high-quality sharp cheddar cheese, grated.
• The Seasoning: 1 tbsp Tabasco sauce, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, Kosher salt, and black pepper.
• The Signature Finish: 1/2 cup pale or golden lager (preferably Canadian) and chopped chives for garnish.

Methods and Instructions

This recipe uses the Roux-Thickening Method, a classic French technique that ensures a perfectly creamy consistency without separation.

1. Render the Bacon: In a Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until browned (approx. 5 mins). This provides the flavor base.
2. Sauté: Add butter, onion, celery, and garlic. Cook until softened.
3. Build the Roux: Stir in the flour. Cook for 4 minutes until it smells nutty. This “toasts” the flour to remove the raw taste.
4. Simmer: Whisk in chicken stock, boil for 1 minute, then simmer for 15 minutes. Add milk and simmer for another 15 minutes. Note: Do not let the milk boil, or it may curdle.
5. Emulsify: Remove from heat. Stir in the cheese until melted. Add Tabasco and Worcestershire. Use an immersion blender to process until smooth.
6. Deglaze/Finish: Stir in the beer last. The alcohol provides a bright, acidic finish that cuts through the richness of the cheese.

Chemical Formation: Why It Works

The soup’s formation relies on a stable emulsion. The flour in the roux acts as a stabilizer, holding the fats from the bacon and cheese together with the liquids (stock and milk). The addition of beer at the very end provides carbonation and acidity, which helps lighten the “mouthfeel” of what would otherwise be a very heavy dish.

History & Heritage

While cheddar cheese soup is a staple in Canadian home cooking—particularly in Ontario and Quebec—Disney’s version was popularized in the late 1990s at Epcot’s Canada Pavilion. It was designed to celebrate the agricultural roots of Canada, specifically its world-renowned cheddar production and its long-standing brewing traditions. It has since become the most requested recipe in Disney’s culinary archives.

Benefits

• High Caloric Comfort: Ideal for cold weather, providing immediate warmth and satiety.
• Bone Health: Significant calcium content from the 1 lb of cheese and 4 cups of milk.
• Culinary Skill Building: A perfect recipe for home cooks to practice making a roux and using an immersion blender.

For the Disney Lovers

This recipe is for the Nostalgia Seekers and Disney Adults. If you’ve ever stood in line at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival just for a small cup of this liquid gold, this recipe is for you. It serves as a delicious “souvenir” that can be recreated whenever you miss the magic of the parks.