7 Ways With Beer

Baking with Brewski

Believe it or not, there are other ways to enjoy an ice cold beer than simply popping the top and tossing it back. Use it in main dishes, desserts, breads, dips, and even chili to add a range of flavors, depending on the type of ale you pick. These game-day favorites are sure to satisfy any crowd.

Beer-Can Chicken

Beside adding extra moisture and keeping the bird tender, this recipe looks amazing while it cooks. Wow your backyard guests with the delicately-spiced main dish. Prepare the rub and coat the chicken the night before to let it absorb the flavors of ground cumin, oregano, cinnamon, and a hint of sugar. The result is a delicious, fall-off-the-bone bird with a lightly crisped skin.

Recipe: Beer-Can Chicken

Gingerbread Cake with Stout Buttercream

Not just any beer will work in this German-inspired cake. Use a stout–The bold flavor of the beer complements the spices in the gingerbread cake mix. Spread a simple buttercream icing over the cake and garnish with toasted pecans. Look forward to leftovers–Our online reviewers said the cake tasted even better then next day after the flavors had time to blend.

Recipe: Gingerbread Cake with Stout Buttercream

Beer-Cheese Spread

Trademark this game-day recipe and make it your signature spread. It can be made ahead and frozen so you're always ready when the next party invitation arises. Serve the spicy spread, flavored with hot sauce and ground red pepper, over fries, hot dogs, or chili, or with a simple side of pita wedges for dipping.

Recipe: Beer-Cheese Spread

Sweet Beer Bread

Make the world's easiest bread recipe using your favorite beer. The four-ingredient loaf calls for flour, sugar, beer, and butter or margarine. Simple stir the flour, sugar, and beer together and bake, then drizzle with melted butter and bake for a few more minutes to let the top brown. Experiment with this recipe and make it your own by adding cheeses, chives, or other fresh ingredients to flavor the bread.

Recipe: Sweet Beer Bread

Beer 'Garitas

Bring summer's best drink into fall with tasty and refreshing Beer 'Garita. This top-rated recipe calls for frozen limeade, beer, ice, tequila, and orange liqueur. It's the perfect drink to serve during the big game, so make a few extra batches and keep them in the fridge or freezer until ready to drink.

Recipe: Beer 'Garitas

Beef and Beer Chili

Make this hearty chili at home, then take it to the neighborhood tailgate in a slow-cooker to keep it warm. Usually chili needs to simmer for an hour or so to let the flavors really meld, but this one needs only about 15 minutes. Add lime juice at the end for a bright Tex-Mex punch of flavor.

Recipe: Beef and Beer Chili

Beer-and-Cheddar Fondue

Add a cup of beer to this crowd-pleasing fondue, make with sausage, Cheddar, green chiles, and a little ground red pepper for extra heat. Serve it with cubed bread or pear slices. The beer adds flavor and keeps the creamy concoction smooth while you dip.

Recipe: Beer-and-Cheddar Fondue

More 7 Ways With...

Beat the weeknight "What's for dinner?" crunch. Browse a few of our favorite quick-cooking entrées and pick one that makes your mouth water.

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• 7 Ways With French Bread
• 7 Ways With Tilapia
• 7 Ways With Fresh Shrimp
• 7 Ways With Rotisserie Chicken