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?

Irish Rarebit Recipe (4)

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 Welsh rarebit the same as 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'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.

What is Kentish rarebit? ›

Kentish Rarebit was a popular snack with fruit pickers in Kent's orchards. You can make this simple dish yourself by mixing cheese and sliced apple, layering on bread and popping it under the grill.

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 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.

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!

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.

Does Welsh rarebit cause nightmares? ›

Welsh rarebit has been around and (possibly) inducing nightmares for centuries. But there's more behind the historic dish than just cheese on toast.

How do you make James Martin Welsh rarebit? ›

Method
  1. Preheat the grill to high.
  2. To make the rarebit, gently melt the cheese in a pan, then add all the remaining ingredients, carefully stirring. ...
  3. Toast the white bread spread with chutney, then top with the bacon then the rarebit and grill for 1 to 2 minutes until bubbling and golden.
Jan 18, 2021

What do the British call cheese on toast? ›

The classy classic toasted sandwich with cheese is called a toastie in the UK. Toasties in Great Britain can have a variety of cheese on them, but often most common are cheddar-like cheeses.

How do you eat rarebit? ›

The mixture is spread over thick slices of lightly toasted bread and broiled until bubbly. The tart, savory liquid seeps into the bread, the cheese crisps on top and the whole business is eaten with a knife and fork.

What is cheese on toast called in Scotland? ›

The perfect Burns Night dish if you're short on time Credit: Liz & Max Haarala Hamilton. 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.

What can I put on toast instead of cheese? ›

5 healthy toast toppings
  1. Avocado. Give cheese on toast a miss and instead use sliced or mashed avocado to top wholegrain toast or crumpets. ...
  2. Mashed or sliced banana. ...
  3. Berries and low-fat Greek yoghurt. ...
  4. Pure nut butters. ...
  5. Chia and berry 'jam'

What is the slang cheese on toast? ›

As has been mentioned elsewhere, “cheese on toast” is the name that we in the UK give to what people in the USA call “grilled cheese”.

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