Food Destinations of Wales - Welsh Rarebit Recipe (2024)

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Sponsored by VisitWales.com.

Wales. A country steeped in history and culture.

In fact, beautiful Wales has a history that dates back thousands upon thousands of years. So, it isn't surprising at all that there are many historical foods that have been handed down from generation to generation.

Welsh Rarebit - Culinary Excellence

Among those culturally rich recipes is the famed Welsh Rarebit, a bit of toasted bread and cheese flavored just so and steeped with tradition.

Read on to find out how you can taste this tradition by entering to win a gift pack of Welsh cheeses courtesy of Visit Wales.

There are many different spins on this most traditional of Welsh dishes, but most all have a few things in common: toasted bread, cheese and knocked out of the park great flavor. So, no matter what tidbits you add to the mix, keep those commonalities in check and you're off to a superb start to National Welsh Rarebit Day.

A few Welsh Rarebit recipes deserve accolades. These are the flavorful meals that are comfort food at its finest, basic and extraordinary all at the same time.

Jaime Oliver's take on Welsh Rarebit goes beyond what is expected in its jaw-dropping, saliva-worthy decadence:

National Welsh Rarebit Day

Celebrate National Welsh Rarebit Day (an official holiday) this Labor Day weekend, because the day of Welsh Rarebit just so happens to coincide with the US Labor Day Weekend. Which is totally a reason to celebrate the two, hand in hand.

Try your own creative spin by making a Rarebit Burger at your Labor Day cookout. Think outside the box and make this 18th century traditional recipeyour own.

Add a burger to this Welsh Rarebit tradition, flavor it up with your finest selection of seasonings and top it with the perfect farmhouse cheese to make it an ideal Welsh Rarebit Burger experience. What seasonings will inspire you?

Want to Win?

Post a photo of your Welsh Rarebit burger on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram.Be sure to include #WelshRarebitDayandtag both @VisitWales and @AllSheCooks and post your photo by midnight, on Tuesday morning, September 6th.Visit Wales will select the reader with the most creative burger, and they will win a gift pack of gourmet Snowdonia Cheese Company Welsh cheeses!

Originatingin18th­ centuryWales, Welsh Rarebit isa delicious, traditional recipefeaturingcheese, ale, mustard, toast, and hundredsof yearsof Welshculture.

We love Barry Lewis's spin on a Rarebit Frittata. And the fact that he is a self-taught cook? Well, that itself is golden.

Foodie Finds in Wales

There are so many incredible places to go in Wales to discover traditional food fare. From the Bodnant Welsh Food centre, to Conwy Mussels for an exceedingly fresh catch of the day experience, to local farmers markets and more--there are so many wonderful foods to discover in Wales.

Discover Wales.

A beautiful country perfect for thegastronomically minded individual to set off on foodie adventures for days. Welsh Rarebit is just one fine example of what Wales has to offer in terms of culturally rich dining options. There is no doubt upon visiting Wales that you will be left with memorable meals that will inspire you in the kitchen for years and decades to come.

Discover Wales.

An intensely historic and gorgeous land full of rich culture and tasty cuisine. From farm to table, to sea to table--Wales is full of dining options that will take you from dawn to dusk, from town to town, experiencing every last bite of goodness.

Recipe

Food Destinations of Wales - Welsh Rarebit Recipe (1)

Welsh Rarebit Recipe

All She Cooks

Make this traditional Welsh Rarebit recipe for National Welsh Rarebit Day and celebrate traditional Welsh recipes. It's not your ordinary cheese bread.

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Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Breads/Dough

Cuisine Welsh

Servings 4

Calories 1322 kcal

Ingredients

For the rarebit:

  • 1 ounce butter
  • 12 ounces cheddar cheese shredded
  • 4 fluid ounces favorite beer
  • ½ teaspoon ground mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the sandwich:

  • 18 medium size circles of bread
  • 6 large ripe tomatoes sliced thin
  • Fresh flat leaf parsley or basil
  • Salt and pepper

For the burger:

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

To make the rarebit:

  • Melt the butter in a pan, add the grated cheese and stir over a low heat until melted. Pour in the beer, add the mustard and any other flavouring you wish. Season to taste. Bring the mixture up to near boiling point, and then remove from the heat.

To prepare the burger:

  • Divide meat and shape into patties. Pound burgers to tenderize. Season with salt and pepper and set aside for 10-15 minutes. Grill on charcoal grill or on stove top.

To prepare the sandwich:

  • Toast bread in oven. Top with burger if desired or if vegetarian, leave off. Add tomatoes and herbs (parsley or basil) and then top with cheese. Put in oven for 5 minutes to toast cheese.

  • Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 1322kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 75gFat: 78gSaturated Fat: 37gCholesterol: 251mgSodium: 1343mgPotassium: 961mgFiber: 6gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 852IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 839mgIron: 10mg

Keyword how to make Welsh Rarebit, Welsh Rarebit

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Food Destinations of Wales - Welsh Rarebit Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is Welsh rarebit discontinued? ›

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 does the dish Welsh rarebit consist of? ›

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.

Is Welsh rarebit a rabbit dish cooked in England? ›

Welsh rarebit is a savory dish comprised of a hot cheese sauce served over toast that is then grilled or broiled. It originated in 18th century Great Britain as "Welsh rabbit," but the name was eventually changed to avoid confusion. (There is no rabbit in this dish.)

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.

What is another name for Welsh 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.

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 does Welsh rarebit taste like? ›

The Cheese Sauce

“It's typically a cheese sauce, like a bechamel or mornay, and you can flavor it from that point however you wish.” Common inclusions in recipes for rarebit are elements that deepen and enhance the cheese sauce flavor such as beer, Worcestershire, mustard, cayenne, or nutmeg.

What is a substitute for beer in Welsh rarebit? ›

This classic Welsh rarebit makes a great lunch or brunch dish. 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!

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.

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 is the national dish of the Welsh? ›

Cawl, pronounced "cowl", can be regarded as Wales' national dish. Dating back to the 11th century, originally it was a simple broth of meat (most likely lamb) and vegetables, it could be cooked slowly over the course of the day whilst the family was out working the fields.

Does Welsh rarebit give you nightmares? ›

McCay used it despite its relative innocuousness: cultural theorist Scott Bukatman states rarebit was not the sort of dish a person would associate with having nightmares, thereby demonstrating his unfamiliarity with a belief long held - particularly in England - that the consumption of cheese - and more especially ...

What is a Welsh rarebit in France? ›

"Le Welsh" (Welsh rarebit or rabbit) is a dish often found on the menus of brasseries in the North, especially near the coast. This old substitute dish originated in Wales and, according to the "legend", came to the Opal Coast during the 1st World War.

What is Stouffer's Welsh rarebit? ›

This Stouffer's Welsh Rarebit microwave dish includes creamy cheese sauce made with 100% real cheddar cheese. This creamy and delicious classic frozen dish has been a favorite for over 60 years, and is sure to satisfy every taste bud.

What is the crumbly Welsh cheese? ›

Traditional Farmhouse Caerphilly with a moist, crumbly texture. The flavour varies between mild and medium and has fresh lemony notes. Great on its own, with a crisp apple or grapes.

Can I freeze Welsh rarebit? ›

We would not recommend freezing any of our rarebits as this will affect the quality.

What cheese is famous in Wales? ›

Caerphilly is a hard, crumbly white cheese that originated in the area around the town of Caerphilly, Wales. It is thought to have been created to provide food for the local coal miners.

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