10-Minute Welsh Rarebit Recipe (aka Welsh Rabbit) (2024)

Welsh Rarebit (aka Welsh Rabbit) is a classic British dish of smooth, velvety, and savory cheese sauce that's broiled on toasted bread. It’s hearty, satisfying comfort food that whips up in just 10 minutes.

The first time I heard of Welsh Rarebit (aka Welsh Rabbit) was in 2010. I was at the library with my then 6-year-old niece for our regular Saturday “girls’ day out” after grabbing a hot cocoa at Tim Hortons. She was happily playing her favorite game on the computer – Miss Spider – and I was contentedly thumbing through a stack of old cookbooks.

It was then that I happened on a recipe for a dish called “Welsh Rabbit”. I had heard of it before, but I never knew exactly what it was. I always assumed it was rabbit stew or something similar. And because I wasn’t too keen on the idea of eating bunny I never explored the recipe any further.

After reading the recipe in that old cookbook, I was surprised to find that it didn’t include rabbit or meat of any kind. Actually, it looked quite delicious. Welsh Rarebit is basically fondue on toast!

I’ve been making different versions of this dish since then. Sometimes I’ll top it with a poached egg. Other times I’ll wilt some greens like spinach or kale and use them as a bed for the cheese sauce. I’ve played with the type of beer and used lager (light-colored beer) instead of a dark ale. It’s always delicious.

Is Welsh Rarebit the Same as Cheese on Toast?

Well, yes and no.

It is cheese on toast, but not just plain cheese on toast.

It’s a delicious thick and creamy savory cheese sauce on toast.

And the sauce makes all the difference! It’s smooth, rich, creamy, and packed with flavor.

What is Welsh Rarebit?

Also called Welsh Rabbit, this classic British dish is comprised of a complex-flavored velvety-smooth cheese sauce on toasted bread.

The sauce is magic.

It starts out with a roux (butter + flour) and then has a liquid added. Typically, a dark ale is used, but you can also use a lager (a lighter colored beer) or even milk. Spices and seasonings commonly include some form of mustard (like mustard powder or Dijon mustard), Worcestershire sauce, and paprika and/or cayenne pepper. And then lots and lots of cheese!

My favorite cheese to use for Welsh Rabbit is sharp white cheddar. But use what feels right to you.

Also, I like to add a splash of heavy whipping cream at the end to make the cheese sauce extra smooth, but this is optional.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Fast. You’re just 10 minutes away from the best cheese toast of your life.
• Affordable. It’s mostly made of bread and cheese. And you can even use day-old bread since it’s toasted anyway.
• Forgiving. You can use any type of bread you have on hand and whatever kind of cheese you think will be good. I’ve also swapped out the porter for lager, or milk, or chicken stock and had great results each time.

The Best Easy Welsh Rarebit Recipe

Ingredients

Beer Cheese Sauce:

• Unsalted butter
• All-purpose flour
• Porter beer (dark ale)
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dried mustard powder
• Onion powder
• Salt and black pepper
• Cayenne pepper (optional)
• Sharp white cheddar
• Heavy whipping cream

Other:

• Sliced sourdough or rye bread
• Minced fresh chives

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add the butter to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour.
2. Continue cooking for 30 seconds.
3. Add the porter, whisking until smooth, and bring to a boil (about 10 seconds).
4. Stir in the Worcestershire, dried mustard powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
5. Whisk in the shredded cheddar a handful at a time until melted and well-combined.
6. Remove from the heat and whisk in the cream until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
7. Place the toasted bread slices on a baking tray. Drizzle the cheese on top of the toast.
8. Broil until the cheese is light golden (stay with it, this happens fast). Sprinkle the chives on top and serve warm.

What to Serve with Welsh Rarebit

• Cherry tomatoes (fresh or try roasted tomatoes with balsamic and garlic)
• Salad greens dressed with vinaigrette (make the best salad dressing recipe)
• Garlic Roasted Mushrooms
• Creamy Brussels Sprouts Salad

Let's Connect

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This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on February 9, 2010. I updated it with more information on October 6, 2022.

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