Cheese Curds Recipe

Dry and dust

Pat cheese curds dry on paper towels to remove excess moisture. Toss curds lightly with the 1 tbs flour so each curd has a light dusting; this helps batter adhere.

Combine berries, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, salt, and lemon juice in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Bring to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until berries break down and sauce thickens slightly, about 6–8 minutes.

Remove from heat and cool slightly. For a smooth ketchup, purée with an immersion blender or in a blender until smooth. Taste and adjust salt, sugar, or vinegar as needed. Chill while preparing curds.

In a bowl whisk together 1 cup flour, cornstarch, baking powder, 3 tsp salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until evenly combined.

Gradually whisk in cold beer until batter is smooth and thick enough to coat a spoon. If batter seems too thick, whisk in up to 2 tbs ice water until it reaches a pancake-batter consistency (thick but pourable). Keep batter cold until ready to fry.

Pour oil into a heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer so it is about 2–3 inches deep. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). If you don't have a thermometer, test with a small drop of batter: it should sizzle and rise to the surface.

Working in small batches (6–8 curds at a time), dip each floured curd into the beer batter, allowing excess to drip off briefly, then carefully lower into the hot oil using a slotted spoon or tongs.

Fry, turning as needed, until golden brown and crisp, about 1.5–2.5 minutes per batch. Avoid overcrowding the oil — do not let temperature drop below 325°F (160°C).

Use a slotted spoon to transfer fried curds to a wire rack set over a baking sheet or to paper towels to drain for a minute. Keep warm in a 200°F (95°C) oven on the rack while you finish remaining batches to keep them crisp.

Serve beer-battered cheese curds immediately while hot and melty with the chilled berry ketchup on the side for dipping. Garnish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or chopped fresh chives if desired.