Welsh Rarebit Recipe · i am a food blog (2024)

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Welsh Rarebit Recipe · i am a food blog (1)

Yesterday Mike and I had a little midnight snack! We aren’t really midnight snackers, but I had just finished watching Blue is the Warmest Color and was feeling peckish – there are a lot of spaghetti shots in the movie. Which is very long and very French and very much full of sexy lesbian scenes. It won a Palme D’or in 2013 and is very highly regarded, except on Netflix, where it has a rating of one star. When Mike suggested it I was a little skeptical but was very quickly drawn in. Mike not so much because he fell asleep. The acting was excellent so I recommend it if you like foreignfilms about the exquisite ecstasy of falling in and out of love.

Welsh Rarebit Recipe · i am a food blog (2)

Anyway,when I finished the movie and woke Mike up, we decided we’d have a little bit of fun and shoot a post, casual style. I’ve always wanted to make Welsh rarebit and we magically had all of the ingredients in the fridge, so we went for it! Welsh rarebit, or rabbit, as it’s called sometime, is a classic British dish of melty beer-y cheese on toast. It sounds pretty simple but like most simple things in life, it is absolutely bomb, especially at 2 in the morning. Welsh rarebit is so much more than cheese on toast, especially whenyou use quality ingredients. You need good bread and you defintely need aged cheddar.

Cheesy toast forever!
xoxo steph

Welsh Rarebit Recipe · i am a food blog (3)

Welsh Rarebit Recipe
makes enough sauce for at least 4 slices of toast


  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1/2 cup IPA beer
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon dijon
  • 1 1/2 cups grated aged cheddar
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 4 slices lightly buttered sourdough toast, or toast of chioce

slightly adapted fromepicurious

In a small sauce pan, melt the butter over medium heat. When melted, stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, until completely smooth and incorporated. Whisk together the IPA, milk, and dijon in a liquid measuring cup and slowly incorporate in a thin stream, whisking constantly. Whisk occasionally until the sauce thickens and comes to a gentle simmer. Stir in the cheese until melted and then remove from the heat and whisk in the egg yolk. Taste and season. Pour or spread onto lightly buttered toast of choice. Enjoy immediately!

Notes: We only had IPA in the fridge so we used that – traditionally porter or ale is used. We liked the slight bitterness that the IPA brought to the party. Also, classically dry mustard is used, as well as a bit of Worcestershire. If, like us, you aren’t going to finish all the sauce, pop it in the fridge and later on, when you’re hungry, either heat it up over low heat or spread it on toast and then broil it for extra delicious rarebit!

19 Comments

  1. Sammie says:

    April 12, 2017 at 1:49 am

    I feel ashamed, in that I’m British and I love Welsh Rarebit. Yet, I haven’t ever made it! I’ll blame my grill and the fact that it is broken! As soon as my oven is replaced this will be the first snack that’ll get made in it. Your photos are fab and really capture the late night munching vibe.

    Reply

  2. Benny says:

    April 12, 2017 at 8:04 am

    I love the fact that you did this post spur of the moment because you were snackish!

    “Wake up honey, we’re having beer and cheese toast”

    That’s the best thing ever.

    Reply

  3. Maria says:

    April 12, 2017 at 4:32 pm

    I’ve never heard of such a thing!! But this looks amazing. Anything hollandaise-sauce-ish sounds ah-mazing on toast!

    Reply

  4. Veronica says:

    April 13, 2017 at 9:33 am

    How amazing would this be as an egg in the hole

    Reply

  5. Madeleine says:

    April 13, 2017 at 10:37 am

    No worchestersheire?

    Reply

    1. Stephanie says:

      April 13, 2017 at 12:39 pm

      i forgot! that’s what happens when you make midnight snacks i guess lol. it’s in the notes but since i didn’t use any i didn’t want to put it in the recipe ;)

      Reply

  6. April 23, 2017 at 7:40 pm

    You saucy minx – Blue is the warmest colour!! It’s been on my Netflix list but haven’t watched it yet … um is that last shot of the sensual half-pear a reference to the movie?? :P MIKE YOU FELL ASLEEP!! I have never had, nor made, Welsh rarebit but I saw April Bloomfield make it on Mind of a Chef and stored it in my mind to make it… this looks so good and seems like the perfect late night snack! Hehe. Cute you guys made this so late at night … xo

    Reply

  7. Omnivore says:

    April 25, 2020 at 7:41 am

    First dish we learned to make back when “home economics” was still taught in school (definitely telling my age here). However, in my opinion without Worcestershire sauce and a dash (to taste) of cayenne it is too bland. We served it in toast cups made by pressing crustless bread into muffin tins and baking until light brown. I just made regular toast when I served it at home.

    Reply

  8. Monica Bonnem says:

    April 26, 2020 at 7:37 am

    What can be substituted for the beer? I don’t always have beer on hand and there obviously must be the same amount of liquid in the recipe? Thank you.

    Reply

    1. Stephanie says:

      April 26, 2020 at 10:51 am

      hi monica,
      you can use more milk or you can sub some sort of stock, like chicken or veggie :)

      Reply

    2. Dee says:

      November 23, 2022 at 3:29 pm

      I have used apple juice before

      Reply

  9. L says:

    July 21, 2020 at 1:46 pm

    Welsh Rarebit Recipe · i am a food blog (4)
    When I was a child, I had it poured over a hamburger. It was awesome! I used to order it every time my mother and I ate out after shopping.

    Reply

    1. Stephanie says:

      July 22, 2020 at 10:38 am

      oooh rarebit sauce on a burger? i’m in!

      Reply

  10. Berenice says:

    May 4, 2022 at 11:20 am

    After watching Blue Is the Warmest Color, the last thing on my mind would be food! LOL thanks for the recipe.

    Reply

  11. Peter says:

    November 18, 2022 at 11:52 am

    Is the old wise tail about Welsh Rarebit true? That you have wild dreams after you eat it? Let me know.

    PS

    Reply

    1. Dee says:

      November 23, 2022 at 3:28 pm

      Nope!!!! But I didn’t home make mine Stauffers very very good, but they stop making it very very sad 😔

      Reply

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Welsh Rarebit Recipe · i am a food blog (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Welsh rarebit and Scottish rarebit? ›

Scottish Rarebit started with buttered, toasted bread. Slices of cheese were placed on top to be broiled. Welsh Rarebit was similar to the Scottish version only the bread had both butter and mustard. There have been several versions added over the years.

How do you make James Martin Welsh rarebit? ›

Put the cheese, mustard, Worcester sauce and Tabasco sauce in and stir until melted. Beat in the egg yolks and flour and gently cook for a further 2 minutes. Evenly spoon over the bread and bacon then spoon the cheese mix all over and bake for 5 minutes until golden and bubbly.

How long will Welsh rarebit keep in the fridge? ›

When it's all of one consistency, remove from the heat, pour out into a shallow container, and allow to set. It will keep happily in the fridge for a couple of weeks in this state.

What's the difference between a rabbit and a rarebit? ›

Welsh rarebit or Welsh rabbit (/ˈrɛərbɪt/ or /ˈræbɪt/) is a dish of hot cheese sauce served on toasted bread. The original 18th-century name of the dish was the jocular "Welsh rabbit", which was later reinterpreted as "rarebit", as the dish contains no rabbit.

Did Stouffer's discontinue Welsh rarebit? ›

We've discontinued our Welsh Rarebit, Robert. We're glad you enjoyed it though and will take note that you'd like to see it back!

Does Welsh rarebit give you nightmares? ›

Does Welsh rarebit give you vivid dreams? This one is probably a myth, it originates from a newspaper cartoon strip by American cartoonist Winsor McCay called "Dream of the rarebit fiend" but we encourage you to try for yourself and report back on any strange dreams!

What is a Welsh toastie? ›

Toastie Welsh Rarebit! Rich cheesy sauce served with slices of toasted bread with a salad of nettles, alexanders, sea radish and sorrels dressed with vinaigrette.

What is Welsh cheese made of? ›

There is no doubt that Wales produces some seriously good cheeses. It ranges from cheddars to Caerphilly and includes blue, hard, smoked, soft, washed rind and made from cow, ewe, goat, unpasteurised and organic milk.

What can I use instead of ale in Welsh rarebit? ›

The liquid. Most rarebit recipes, with the exception of Nigel Slater's quick version, loosen the cheese with a liquid: milk or ale, in Jane Grigson's version; cider for Cheese Society; port for Mrs Beeton; or stout, which comes with the weighty recommendations of both Mark Hix and the Bareham / Hopkinson team.

What is a substitute for beer in Welsh rarebit? ›

This classic Welsh rarebit makes a great lunch or brunch dish. You can use your favorite local beer, mustard, and any strong Cheddar cheese in this recipe. If you don't like beer, you can replace it with milk; it will still taste great!

What is the best ale for Welsh rarebit? ›

My favourite is a golden ale, which brings a fantastic hoppy, boozy flavour, without being domineering. Stout or Guinness can be a delicious addition to a Welsh rarebit, but they can be potent: cut them with milk (75g of each) to prevent the sauce becoming overwhelming.

What is rabbit meat called in a restaurant? ›

In restaurants, rabbit meat is often called “coney” or “lapin.” “Coney,” derived from the Anglo-Norman term, was commonly used in medieval England, while “lapin,” a French term, is widely used in contemporary fine dining establishments.

Why is rabbit meat not popular? ›

Rabbit's low popularity also stems from the agricultural industry as a whole. Many farm animals had dual purposes or were low maintenance to raise and breed, making them staples of the agricultural industry. Chickens provide eggs, pigs live off waste products and scraps, and cows provide milk.

Is Welsh rarebit a rabbit dish cooked in England? ›

Welsh rarebit is a savory dish comprised of a hot cheese sauce served over toast that is then grilled or broiled. It originated in 18th century Great Britain as "Welsh rabbit," but the name was eventually changed to avoid confusion. (There is no rabbit in this dish.)

What is cheese on toast called in Scotland? ›

Welsh rabbit and rarebit are the same dish – hot cheese served on toast – but the original 18th-century name was supposed to be a joke (there was no rabbit in it at all) so it became known as rarebit. This recipe, a Scots version, is based on one in Margaret Dods' The Cook and Housewife's Manual, published in 1828.

What does Welsh rarebit taste like? ›

“It's typically a cheese sauce, like a bechamel or mornay, and you can flavor it from that point however you wish.” Common inclusions in recipes for rarebit are elements that deepen and enhance the cheese sauce flavor such as beer, Worcestershire, mustard, cayenne, or nutmeg.

What is a Welsh rarebit? ›

Welsh rarebit, a traditional British dish consisting of toasted bread topped with a savory cheddar cheese sauce that typically includes such ingredients as beer or ale, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne, mustard, and paprika. If an egg is served atop the dish, it is called buck rarebit.

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