Irish Rarebit Recipe (2024)

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Irish rarebit is a twist on the classic Welsh rarebit recipe, both of which primarily use bread and cheese for this comfort food creation.

Irish Rarebit Recipe (1)

After reading the title, I know there are probably a few questions running through your mind.

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Are you confused about why it’s called ‘Irish Rarebit’ when you’ve probably only ever heard of Welsh rarebit?

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Irish Rarebit vs. Welsh Rarebit

Allow me to explain about Irish rarebit vs. Welsh rarebit. First of all, just to make sure you know that ‘rarebit’ is pronounced just like ‘rabbit’ (the rare-bit pronunciation is becoming more acceptable) although there is no rabbit involved, thank goodness, because we used to have two lovely bunnies as pets: Hazel and Primrose! Weren’t they adorable?

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Rarebitis essentially a glorified ‘cheese on toast’ recipe. Most people have probably heard of Welsh Rarebit, but I am one of those who had never heard of Irish Rarebit until I was perusing my Mrs. Beeton’s cookbook and was very intrigued when I saw it.

Another classic recipe from Mrs. Beeton, Victoria sponge cake

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My recipe below is adapted from good old Mrs. Beeton’s recipe (she was an authority in cooking and household management in the UK during the 1800s).

MRS BEETON’S COOKBOOK

Irish rarebit, unlike Welsh rarebit has no beer. This is even more confusing when you realize Welsh rarebit includes Guinness (made in Ireland) whereas Irish rarebit does not! Yikes! Strangely enough, Irish rarebit includes a bit of a surprise ingredient with chopped gherkins. Many Welsh rarebit recipes include an egg yolk or two, but I have never used eggs in my rarebit. This a great idea for an easy St. Patrick’s day meal, too.

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Whether you use a nice Irish cheddar, or another melty cheese (like the spiced Havarti I once tried) this Irish rarebit is fabulous. I hope you enjoy this recipe and are inspired to create your own the cheese that is to your liking.

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Irish Rarebit Recipe

adapted from a Mrs. Beeton recipe makes 4 servings
FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW

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Ingredients

  • butter
  • milk
  • Irish cheddar (like Kerrygold Dubliner or you can use another melty cheese)
  • white vinegar (use Guinness for a really Irish rarebit, although it’s not authentic for an Irish rarebit)
  • prepared English mustard
  • freshly grated black pepper
  • chopped gherkin or cornichons
  • 4 pieces of thick crusty bread, toasted on one side only (I used my own No Knead Bread)

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Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat, then add the milk and grated cheese, stirring until the cheese melts and becomes smooth. Add the vinegar/Guinness, mustard, black pepper and gherkins; stir to combine and remove from heat.

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Allow to cool slightly, stirring occasionally. Preheat the broiler (grill) then place the four pieces of toast on a baking sheet and divide the cheese mixture evenly between them.

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Place under the broiler, until bubbly and browned.

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Serve with gherkins/cornichons, and a small salad, if desired. It’s perfect for St Paddy’s Day (yes, it’s Paddy, not Patty)!

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Try different types of cheese to your liking.

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Irish Rarebit Recipe (15)

Irish Rarebit

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

A twist on a classic Welsh Rarebit.

Ingredients

  • 1 oz butter (1/4 stick)
  • 3 Tbsp milk
  • 8 oz Irish cheddar (like Kerrygold Dubliner or you can use another melty cheese)
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • 1 tsp prepared English mustard (or substitute your favorite mustard, or omit)
  • freshly grated black pepper, to taste
  • 2 Tbsp chopped gherkin or cornichons

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat, then add the milk and grated cheese, stirring until the cheese melts and becomes smooth. Add the vinegar, mustard, black pepper and gherkins; stir to combine and remove from heat.
  2. Allow to cool slightly, stirring occasionally. Preheat the broiler (grill) then place the four pieces of toast on a baking sheet and divide the cheese mixture evenly between them.
  3. Place under the broiler, until bubbly and hot; place on plates and serve with gherkins/cornichons and salad, if desired.

Notes

I have used an herbed Havarti cheese which was delicious as well!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 296Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 474mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 14g

Nutrition information is only estimated.

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Irish Rarebit Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is rarebit just cheese on toast? ›

Is welsh rarebit just cheese on toast? No! Cheese on toast is made by grilling slices of pure cheese on toasted bread whereas welsh rarebit is a grilled cheese based sauce made from cheese, flour, beer and often added egg.

What are the different types of rarebit? ›

Variants include English rabbit, Scotch rabbit, buck rabbit, golden buck, and blushing bunny. Though there is no strong evidence that the dish originated in Welsh cuisine, it is sometimes identified with the Welsh caws pobi 'baked cheese', documented in the 1500s.

What is British 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.

Is Welsh rarebit alcoholic? ›

This is cooked quickly at a relatively low temperature, so very little will burn off. But, you are only using 2 ounces of beer (5% alcohol) split into multiple servings. So, each serving will only contain a little bit of alcohol per serving.

Is rarebit pronounced rabbit? ›

Pronunciation. Either identically to rabbit, or as rare-bit. When used in Welsh rarebit, some insist that it be pronounced identically to rabbit, as the spelling is a corruption, while others insist that it be pronounced as rare-bit specifically to differentiate it from actual rabbit meat.

What is rarebit sauce made of? ›

Welsh rarebit sauce typically includes butter, milk, beer, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, ground black pepper, all-purpose flour, salt, and Cheddar cheese.

What is elegant rarebit? ›

An indulgent twist on the more traditional Welsh Rarebit. This savoury treat is expertly made by combining our West Country Farmhouse Cheddar with Worcestershire sauce, mustard, a whole egg and a drop of Fortnum's Ale with dry-cured bacon. A favourite in our restaurants.

What does rarebit mean in slang? ›

rare·​bit ˈrer-bət. : welsh rabbit.

What is melted cheese on toast called? ›

Welsh rarebit is simply a lightly toasted piece of bread with a melted cheese concoction poured on top and then broiled/grilled until golden brown. As the name denotes, it was created in Wales and is known as a “poor man's dish” rather like Italian cucina povera.

What is a grilled cheese called in England? ›

"Toasties" are the British word for practically any grilled sandwich and are similar to what we call a panini here in the States. I always call it a "cheese toastie" when preparing one at home.

Why can't I find Stouffer's Welsh rarebit? ›

We've discontinued our Welsh Rarebit, Robert.

What does Welsh rarebit taste like? ›

The Cheese Sauce

“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 does bara brith mean in Welsh? ›

This is not the traditional recipe for bara brith, meaning 'speckled bread' as the original recipe was based on a yeasted bread. However this version which is widely served, makes a beautifully moist cake as the dried fruit are soaked overnight in tea.

What is a substitute for beer in rarebit? ›

If you don't like beer, you can replace it with milk; it will still taste great!

What kind of beer is best for Welsh rarebit? ›

The type of beer used in Welsh rarebit can be a contentious subject; some prefer the bold flavor of a porter, while some like the more subtle bitterness of a brown ale. Whichever you use, make sure that it is a beer you love to drink, and serve a pint alongside your rarebit and tomatoes.

What is another word for cheese on toast? ›

Familiar names are: toastie (UK), grilled cheese sandwich (US), jaffle (Australia), panini (Italy), and croque monsieur (France). The toasted sandwich is not limited to these countries, however. You will find this popular snack, lunch, or dinner in every corner of our planet.

What is cheese toast called in England? ›

A grilled cheese may also be made in a sandwich toaster, particularly in the United Kingdom where the dish is normally called a toasted cheese sandwich or cheese toastie.

What does rarebit taste like? ›

“The traditional rarebit is a little sloppy,” says Spiller. “It's typically a cheese sauce, like a bechamel or mornay, and you can flavor it from that point however you wish.”

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