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

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 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.

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.

What makes Welsh rarebit? ›

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 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.

How do you eat rarebit? ›

You can serve rarebit simply over toast, or you can take the extra step of placing your cheese-drenched toast under the broiler until the cheese begins to brown and bubble.

What is in Irish brown sauce? ›

The ingredients include dates, molasses, tamarinds, tomatoes, cloves, and cayenne pepper.

Did Stouffers 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 London rarebit? ›

The classic British staple, suitable as breakfast, lunch dinner or a snack, is a dish consisting of a hot cheese-based sauce (typically containing butter, milk, beer, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, ground black pepper, flour, salt and Cheddar cheese) served over slices of toasted bread, best enjoyed with a generous ...

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.

Does Welsh rarebit give you nightmares? ›

But while Welsh rarebit is known as late-night bachelor nightmare food (a description that I can say, completely unsarcastically, makes me super-excited to eat it), there are also many rarebit variations that (thankfully?) don't seem to have the same nightmare-inducing qualities and are mighty delicious.

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.

How to make your own butter James Martin? ›

To make butter put the cream into a kitchen aid with a whisk attachment. Whisk on high until the cream separates into butter and buttermilk, spoon into a sieve lined with muslin and strain off. Mix the butter with any of the above and season.

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.

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

Yes! As it turns out, both terms are correct since they are just different names for the same animal. The term "bunny" is more colloquial and informal, while the word "rabbit" is more scientific and formal.

What is the fancy name for eating rabbit? ›

If you want to be fancy I would say “Lapin”, which is French for rabbit, and looks better on a menu than “bunny burger”. During WWII, when there was a shortage of meat, my mother would serve rabbit, calling it chicken.

What is rarebit in English? ›

rarebit. noun. rare·​bit ˈra(ə)r-bət. ˈre(ə)r- : welsh rabbit.

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