Welsh rarebit or Welsh rabbit is a dish consisting hot cheese-based sauce served over slices of toasted bread. Earlier during 18th-century, the dish was named as “Welsh rabbit”, which was later reinterpreted as “rarebit”, as the dish contains no rabbit.

To make Welsh rarebit, prepare the sauce by combining flour, butter, beer, Worcestershire sauce, and spices in a pan. Once done, pour the sauce over the toasted bread and serve.
We have shared the recipe of a classic Welsh rarebit below. In the recipe, if you don’t want to add beer, replace it with milk; it will still taste great. Serve over toasted bread or English muffins.
This was just a snippet of the full-fledged recipe. I have shared every single information, that you might need for the cooking journey. Also, there are a variety of breakfast recipes that you can try as well. Do check them as well.
1. Crumpets– Crumpets are a great way to change up and try something new for your breakfast. It can be an alternative to your bread. It is soft and spongy. It’ll be a great way to start your day.
2. Mini Croissant– This delicious crescent bread is originally from Austria and was then adapted and made in different parts of Europe. It has since become a huge part of French culture.
3. Cinnamon Pecan Waffles– Cinnamon pecan waffles are delicious and really easy to make. If you want to have waffles for breakfast then, cinnamon pecan waffles are the best choice.
4. Baked Scrambled Eggs– Nothing can be more delicious than having eggs for breakfast. Baked scrambled eggs recipe are quite easy to make and can be a great meal for breakfast. They taste incredible and are healthy as well.
What Equipment Will You Need To Make Welsh Rarebit?
- Pan – Toast the bread and prepare the rarebit sauce in a pan for the recipe.
- Spatula – Toss in everything with a spatula until smooth and cheesy.
- Grater – Grate the cheddar cheese using a grater for the cheesy sauce.
- Plate – Serve the cheesy rarebit sauce on toasted bread on a plate.
How Much Time You Need To Make Welsh Rarebit?
Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
---|---|---|
10 Minutes | 20 Minutes | 30 Minutes |
What Ingredients Will You Need To Make Welsh Rarebit?
- Butter – Melt butter in a pan for the sauce to add richness with creamy and velvety texture.
- Cheddar Cheese – Add shredded cheddar cheese to the sauce to give it an intense flavor with buttery and melty texture.
- Beer – Beer will add a more complex depth of richness to the sauce.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Worcestershire sauce in the rarebit sauce will add a kick of a tangy, savory, sweet, and salty taste.
- Flour – Use flour to thicken the rarebit sauces for the recipe.
- Granary Bread – I have used granary bread for the recipe as it has heavier texture because of added bran and wheat germ. It is an ideal choice for the recipe, as it has a nuttier and richer taste with nubbly texture.
- Mustard – Adding mustard to the sauce will add tangy taste.
- Black Pepper – Black pepper will add a kick of spiciness when added to the sauce.

Steps To Make Welsh Rarebit
1. Rarebit Sauce Is Smooth
To make Welsh rarebit, start by grating cheddar cheese with a grater. Toast the bread slices in a pan until crispy and brown.
Take a pan and add some butter. Melt it properly and whisk in flour.
Mix it well for a few minutes, stirring it continuously. Then, pour in the beer to make the mixture smooth and dense sauce.
2. Clubbing Is The Key
Once everything is done, toss in the grated cheddar cheese and keep stirring it until it melts properly.
Now, pour in the Worcestershire sauce and add mustard. Mix them well and then, season it with black pepper.
At last, take toasted bread and butter it. Spread the cheese mixture on it. Then, grill the bread properly and serve hot.
Nutritional Information
Calories | 270 kcal |
Carbohydrates | 7.2 g |
Protein | 11.5 g |
Fat | 21.1 g |
Saturated Fat | 13.1 g |
Cholesterol | 64 mg |
Sodium | 505 mg |
Potassium | 115 mg |
Fiber | 0.2 g |
Sugar | 2.1 g |
Vitamin A | 699 iu |
Vitamin C | 0.1 mg |
Iron | 0.6 mg |
How Will Welsh Rarebit Look And Taste Like?
Indulge in a slice of bubbling, golden-brown, and cheesy Welsh rarebit for a satisfying lunch. Serve piping hot from the grill with plenty of chopped chives
Some people like to use English or Dijon mustard, while others prefer to use dry mustard powder. Meanwhile, some believe wholegrain mustard adds an interesting taste and texture to this classic Welsh dish.
Recipe Card
Welsh Rarebit Recipe
Equipment
- Pan
- Spatula
- Grater
- Plate
Ingredients
- 50 g Butter
- 250 g Cheddar Cheese
- 250 ml Warmed Beer
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 50 g Flour
- 4 slices Granary Bread
- 2 teaspoon Mustard
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper (to season)
Instructions
- Grate cheddar cheese with a grater. Toast the bread slices in a pan until crispy and brown.
- Add some butter to a pan and melt it properly. Whisk in the flour and mix it well for a few minutes. Keep cooking while stirring it continuously.
- Then, add in the beer to make a smooth and dense sauce.
- After all this, toss in the cheese and keep stirring it until it melts properly.
- Now, add in the Worcestershire sauce and mustard. Mix them well and then, season with black pepper.
- At last, take toasted bread and butter it. Spread the cheese mixture on it. Then, grill the bread properly and serve hot.
Video
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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.
Do you put egg in Welsh rarebit?
Set aside 1 heaped tablespoon of grated cheese. Mix the rest with the egg, beer (preferably stout) or milk, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and cayenne. Preheat the grill to high and toast the bread on both sides. Spread the cheese mixture on top and then sprinkle on the reserved cheese.
Is Welsh rarebit the same as cheese on toast?
Some recipes simply melt grated cheese on toast, making it identical to cheese on toast. Others make the sauce of cheese, ale, and mustard, and garnished with cayenne pepper or paprika.
How is Welsh cheese made?
The cheese is made from pasteurized cow’s milk, chopped parsley, and chopped horseradish. Underneath its orange waxed rind, the texture is smooth, creamy, and semi-soft. The aroma is fresh, while the flavors are mild, tangy, and spicy.
Conclusion
Welsh rarebit is a simple dish, but the cheese sauce is rich, so if you do decide to serve it with something, choose a lighter option, like a salad. Otherwise, just enjoy it on its own.