How To Make Welsh Rarebit (The Cheesy, Traditional Way)

Welsh Rarebit is a popular, savory dish made with a rich cheese sauce served over toast. Learn how to make Welsh rabbit the original way with our easy step-by-step recipe.

Welsh Rarebit Ingredients

• Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• Half and Half
• Dry Mustard Powder
• Worcestershire sauce
• Black Pepper
• Optional: paprika, green onions
• Bread, to serve

Welsh Rabbit Recipe

Is it called Welsh Rarebit or is it called Walsh Rabbit? I honestly have no idea, nor do I really care.

All that really matters is that it’s super tasty and quick to make. It makes the perfect easy lunch recipe when my hubs is coming in at noon, and it’s 11:40, and I haven’t planned anything.

I reach into the fridge to grab ingredients that I always have on hand including cheese, half and half (or milk, if needed), dry mustard (or a squirt of regular mustard), and Worcestershire sauce.

Welsh Rabbit Without Beer

I guess some Welsh rarebit recipes include beer in the ingredients; however, this classic Betty Crocker recipe is a Welsh Rabbit recipe without beer.

If you really want to use beer, then add it as a substitute for the cream.

I honestly don’t think the recipe needs any beer. Sharp cheddar cheese has such a nice flavor, and the mustard and Worcestershire sauces both are very flavorful. No beer is necessary.

How to Make Welsh Rabbit?

Step by Step Instructions

1. Grate shredded cheese using a box grater or food grater device.
2. In a large skillet, heat cheese, half and half, dry mustard, Worcestershire sauce and black pepper over low heat. Stir constantly with a whisk for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the cheese mixture is smooth.
3. Meanwhile, toast bread slices. Butter the toast, if you like.
4. Remove from heat, and serve over toast. If desired, garnish with sliced green onions, paprika and more black pepper.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover cheese sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Rewarm in the microwave on in a skillet, adding a little milk or cream to thin it back out.

For the full ingredient amounts and recipe steps for traditional welsh rarebit recipe, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Welsh Rarebit Recipe FAQs

• Easily make Welsh rarebit recipe for one. Reduce the ingredient amounts to 1 1/4 cups shredded cheese, 1/4 cup half and half, 1/8 teaspoon dry mustard, and 1/8 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.
• There’s no flour in this recipe!
• To rewarm leftovers, add a little bit of milk or half and half to thin it back out.
• Serve over any type of bread. I really like it served over Sourdough but white bread, wheat bread, rye bread or Texas toast works great.
• This sauce is also delicious served over cooked veggies such as broccoli.
• Grate your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded. You’ll get a better result since pre-shredded cheese includes anti-caking ingredients.
• I like to butter my toast before topping with the cheese sauce, but that’s optional.

Recipe Variations

• For traditional Welsh rarebit, use beer instead of half and half.
• If needed, use milk or heavy cream for the half and half.
• To make Welsh Rarebit de Luxe, use ginger ale instead of half and half.
• Use any type of shredded cheese to change up the flavor.
• Substitute any type of mustard (Dijon mustard, yellow mustard, stone-ground mustard, whole grain mustard) for dry mustard.
• Serve rarebit over cooked vegetables including baked potatoes, broccoli or cauliflower.
• Sprinkle with cayenne pepper, salt to taste, green chives, fresh herbs, etc.

What is Welsh rabbit?

Welsh rabbit, also known as Welsh rarebit, is a traditional Welsh dish made with a savory sauce of melted cheese, often mixed with ale or beer, and various other ingredients such as mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and spices. It is typically served hot, poured over toasted bread or crackers. There are many variations of this classic comfort food.

How do you eat rarebit?

The most common way to eat rarebit is serving it over toasted bread; however, serving it over cooked broccoli, cauliflower and baked potatoes would be quite tasty. Try different types of breads too, or eat with with crackers or tortilla chips.

Welsh Rarebit Recipe for One

To make Welsh Rarebit for one person, heat 1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup cream, 1/8 teaspoon dry mustard, a splash of Worcestershire sauce and a dash of black pepper over low heat in a skillet. Whisk and heat until smooth and cheesy. Serve over buttered toast.

Recipes Over Toast

Creamed Asparagus

Tomato Gravy

Eggs Goldenrod

Chipped Beef Gravy

Creamed Chipped Beef Gravy

Kitchen Tools Needed to Make This Dish

• Grater
• Large Skillet
• Silicone Whisk
• Toaster

I recommend grating your own cheese since pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking ingredients. A box grater like this one has a convenient container to keep your shredded cheese in.