Home > Recipes > Cheddar cheese recipes > Ultimate Welsh rarebit

Ultimate Welsh rarebit

Name: Ultimate Welsh rarebit
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients: 250ml ale; 50g unsalted butter; 50g plain flour; Splash Worcestershire sauce; 1 tsp English mustard; 1 tsp cayenne pepper; 130g mature cheddar, coarsely grated; 130g red leicester, coarsely grated; Splash single cream; 1 medium free-range egg yolk, beaten; 4 thick slices bread

By: Olivia-Rose Lionel

Published: 23 Jan 23
Updated: 25 Mar 24

“Rarebit is a classic Welsh dish that’s incredibly versatile. It works as a side or a standalone meal and is perfect for brunch – especially if you’re not an egg person. It’s rich and creamy, and we incorporate beer to give that added umami.” Olivia-Rose Lionel, head chef at Rarebit London

Rarebit topping takes fish pie to another level, in this delicious recipe

Easy
February 2023

Test kitchen approved

Serves 4
Hands-on time 20 min

Rarebit topping takes fish pie to another level, in this delicious recipe

Vegetarian recipes

Nutrition: per serving

Calories: 578kcals
Fat: 36.7g (21.7g saturated)
Protein: 23.4g
Carbohydrates: 34.9g (3.9g sugars)
Fibre: 1.9g
Salt: 1.8g

Save recipe

Save

Save recipe Print

Rate

Ingredients

250ml ale
50g unsalted butter
50g plain flour
Splash Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp English mustard
1 tsp cayenne pepper
130g mature cheddar, coarsely grated
130g red leicester, coarsely grated
Splash single cream
1 medium free-range egg yolk, beaten
4 thick slices bread

Cook Mode Sticky screen? No thanks! Tap to prevent your screen from going off while cooking.

Method

Gently warm the ale through in a pan. In another pan, melt the butter over a medium heat, then add the flour and cook for a few minutes, stirring to create a roux. Gradually whisk in the beer to make a smooth sauce.
Whisk in the Worcestershire sauce, mustard and cayenne pepper. Add the cheeses and whisk until fully melted. Remove from the heat and stir in a splash of cream and the egg yolk.
Heat the grill to high. Grill the bread on both sides, then divide the cheese sauce among them and pop back under the grill until golden (about 2 minutes).

Recipe from February 2023 Issue

Nutrition

Nutrition: per serving

Calories: 578kcals
Fat: 36.7g (21.7g saturated)
Protein: 23.4g
Carbohydrates: 34.9g (3.9g sugars)
Fibre: 1.9g
Salt: 1.8g

delicious. tips

The egg yolk adds richness, but if you’d prefer not to include one just add a little more cream.
You can make the rarebit mixture up to the end of step 2 and keep it chilled for up to 3 days before sitting it on top of toast and grilling. Great for if you have guests, or to make a double batch and save the rest for another day.