There are plenty of things about Disney that are magical, but one of the best is their food offerings. A visit to Epcot Center lets you try dozens of countries’ food in a single visit and it seems like each thing is more delicious than the last. This Canadian Cheese Soup is one of the standouts! Served at the Le Cellier steakhouse in Epcot, it’s the kind of thing you think about long after you’ve tasted it and has developed somewhat of a cult following. But since a Disney visit isn’t always in the cards, it’s great news that you can make it right in your home kitchen with this official Disney recipe.
What Ingredients Do You Need for Canadian Cheese Soup?
It’s a delicious soup made up of simple ingredients. You’ll need:
- Sharp cheddar cheese. Le Cellier uses white cheddar.
- Bacon.
- Some aromatics: onion, garlic, celery.
- Butter and flour for a roux.
- Chicken stock.
- Milk.
- Tobasco and Worcestershire.
- A Canadian pale or golden lager.
How do you Make Canadian Cheese Soup?
It’s not complicated. You want to start by browning the bacon in a bit pot just until it’s lightly browned. You’ll then add the onion, celery, and garlic to it (along with some butter) so you don’t want to take it all the way to crispy as it will continue cooking with the veggies.
Once the vegetables are soft, you’ll stir in the flour, which you want to cook until it starts to turn golden and smells nutty. This is called a blond roux and it brings a little more flavor to things like cheese soup. It should take four minutes or so.
The stock goes in next, which you’ll want to let simmer for 15 minutes. Then, you’ll add the milk and simmer for 15 more minutes. I’m not entirely sure why, but that’s what Disney says to do! Just make sure not to boil your milk or it might split.
Off the heat, stir in all that cheese, the Tabasco, the Worcestershire sauce, and some salt and pepper, and then take an immersion blender to it until it’s mostly smooth. Once the consistency is to your liking, stir in that beer and it’s time to tuck into a cheesy, comforting, delicious bowl of soup! (This is an excellent occasion for a bread bowl.)
Canadian Cheese Soup
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb bacon, chopped
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 celery ribs, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 4 cups milk
- 1 lb sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup pale or golden lager, preferably Canadian
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Chopped green onion or chives, for serving (optional)
Preparation
- In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
- Add onion, celery, garlic, and butter and cook until onion has softened, about 5 minutes more.
- Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, until it starts to turn golden and smell nutty, about 4 minutes.
- Whisk in chicken stock and bring to a boil. Let boil 1 minute, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add milk and continue simmering for 15 minutes. Make sure not to boil once milk is added.
- Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Using an immersion blender, blend until soup is mostly smooth.
- Stir in beer and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve garnished with green onion.
Recipe adapted from Disney Parks Blog.