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

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 can I use instead of beer in Welsh Rarebit? ›

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! This traditional Welsh rarebit recipe is comfort food at its best.

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 Cumbrian rarebit? ›

We just had a simple pub lunch - two had the Cumbria Rarebit (posh cheese on toast with beer added) served.

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.

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.

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!

Is Welsh 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 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.

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 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 is Welsh rarebit fiend? ›

Abstract. In the early 1900s, the Dream of the Rarebit Fiend comic strip conveyed how the spicy cheese dish Welsh rarebit leads to bizarre and disturbing dreams.

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

The Welsh rarebit recipe was made by slightly toasting bread, then melting either Cheshire or Gloucester cheese atop the bread and adding pepper and mustard. The Scotch version melted the cheese in a small dish with the pepper and mustard, mixed them together and then browned the mixture. It was served with toast.

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? ›

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. Read on for more clarification when it comes to which name you should use when. What Is a Bunny?

What is a rarebit in culinary terms? ›

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.

What is the fancy name for rabbit meat? ›

In different cuisines, rabbit meat may be referred to as “lapin” in French cuisine, “coniglio” in Italian cuisine, and “conejo” in Spanish cuisine. However, the most common and widely used term is still “rabbit meat.”

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