# Let's talk about Welsh Rarebit **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking, beer\ **Created:** [October 5, 2025, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705 "2025-10-05T23:56:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705/81 "2025-10-09T07:30:28Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > When I’m making a beefy soup or stew my personal Holy Trinity (apologies to my Rabbi) is a dash of each: mustard (any kind), soy sauce, Balsamic vinegar, adding up to a **total** quantity of a teaspoon or so. This small amount to a quart of soup adds incredible depth. Another great tip. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705/82 "2025-10-10T09:26:19Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I watch a LOT of British cooking shows, and I think that they refer to the gelled fruity dessert that we call “Jell-o” as _“a jelly.”_ > > I don’t know what term they use for the fruity sweet spread in a jar that we call “jelly” and habitually pair with peanut butter. Maybe they call it “jello,” but I don’t think so. > > Now I’m thoroughly confused. Sorry, I confused myself and seem to have created more problems than I was trying to solve. Yes, we call ‘Jell-o’ jelly - ie the set wobbly stuff. I should have said ‘jelly’ in reference to the sandwich, which is the sweet fruit spread in a jar which we call _jam_. Which is why we Brits find the concept of ‘_peanut butter and jelly sandwiches_’ quite weird, because you wouldn’t/couldn’t reasonably put the set wobbly stuff into a sandwich. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705/83 "2025-10-10T09:46:30Z")
I like peanut butter with strawberry jam. (What the British call jam.) And i describe that as “pb&j”, or peanut butter and jelly. But i also make it with red current jelly (made at home from strained juice) and grape jelly (bought at the supermarket, but also made from strained juice, i believe.) ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705/84 "2025-10-10T12:28:22Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > I should have said ‘jelly’ in reference to the sandwich The way you said it was cute, even if unintentional. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2025, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705/85 "2025-10-11T19:49:24Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > I just have to put in a plug for Branston’s pickle. If you can find it in America, you’re lucky; _get it_. It puts all American pickle relish to shame. I didn’t care for it. Too sweet and _oddly_ sweet. I want a heck of a lot more tang in my pickle. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2025, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705/86 "2025-10-11T20:14:00Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > I didn’t care for it. Too sweet and _oddly_ sweet. I want a heck of a lot more tang in my pickle. > [@Mangetout](#): > > Potentially unpopular opinion here, but Branston isn’t that great. It’s not terrible by any means and it hasn’t fallen as far as HP sauce has. Yeah, I agree. I like a lot of oddball/strong stuff, for example Marmite. But to me, Branson’s was like a sugary onion relish and I didn’t care for it at all. Maybe it works just right with a certain type of sandwich or other combo, but I just don’t see the appeal. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2025, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705/87 "2025-10-12T19:14:33Z")
I made @romansperson’s recipe again today. Even though I only used half a pound of cheese, I left all the other ingredients at the same amounts. I even added a dash more Worcestershire. Also I was careful to put the cheese in with the very thick roux and let it melt naturally off the heat and then stirring it as it melted. Full disclosure: I did have to add about two tablespoons of milk as it was way too thick to stir. But it turned into a very smooth sauce. It came out great. A slice of tomato on each piece of toast, covered with the cheese sauce, and then under the toaster oven broiler for about a minute. It was fantastic. And I have a little tub of the cheese spread left over that I plan to put on my toast tomorrow morning. And possibly for several mornings thereafter. A good result, as they say on the British cop shows. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2025, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705/88 "2025-10-12T19:18:34Z")
Sounds like you have your own perfect recipe now! 🐇 ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2025, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705/89 "2025-10-13T20:37:18Z")
Update: sitting in a container in the refrigerator overnight, the cheese sauce got very solid. Sort of like a dry, non-oily peanut butter. Which meant that it spread very well on a piece of toast. With some thinly sliced cherry tomatoes on top, and a few minutes under the broiler in the toaster oven – fan-_tas_-tic! And I still have a bunch left. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DaveRaver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daveraver/32/1078_2.png) [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705/90 "2025-10-15T13:50:25Z")
No rabbits were harmed! ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705/91 "2025-10-15T14:00:18Z")
I’ve been keeping an eye on this thread, and had decided I’d pick up some ingredients at the store this past weekend to try making some of my own Rarebit. Despite the fact that my Grandfather on my mom’s side was 100% Welsh and spoke the ancient Welsh language, I don’t believe I’ve ever had Welsh Rarebit, or Caws Pobi. Unfortunately, the store did not have a great selection of cheddar- the only stuff specifically advertised as ‘sharp’ was white cheddar, and I was fixated on getting an orange cheddar. I know there’s no reason cheddar _needs_ to be orange, but it seemed like it would make for a more appetizing looking final product. So I picked up a block of very orange ‘New York Cheddar’ which I for some reason thought would be sharp, but it turned out to be as mild as the mildest string cheese you’d give to a toddler. Very disappointing. So I will have to be careful to get some proper sharp cheddar next time. Once rarebitten, twice shy 😏 ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705/92 "2025-10-15T16:14:17Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Once rarebitten, twice shy Go to your room. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705/93 "2025-10-15T16:58:48Z")
Yeah, New York cheddar rarely has bite. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705/94 "2025-10-15T17:10:21Z")
I’m too lazy to make a cheese sauce. I just cut some slices of cheese and toast them on bread in the toaster oven. Maybe put some black pepper or other spice on top afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705/95 "2025-10-19T18:49:34Z")
> [@solost](#): > > So I picked up a block of very orange ‘New York Cheddar’ which I for some reason thought would be sharp, but it turned out to be as mild as the mildest string cheese you’d give to a toddler. Very disappointing. So I will have to be careful to get some proper sharp cheddar next time. I picked up some 10 year old super sharp Wisconsin cheddar at a cheese shop yesterday (along with some 5 year old Gouda- DAYUM that stuff is tasty! But that’s another story). Anyway, the 10 yo cheddar is so sharp and so good on its own I thought it might be a little too good to use all of it for the rarebit, like using top-shelf liquor for making mixed drinks. So I went half and half with the 10yo and the New York cheddar I bought last week, using @romansperson ’s recipe upthread. I toasted two halves of a hamburger bun and a hoagie roll that were on ‘use it or lose it’ status, covered with the rarebit, and browned it in the broiler. Very tasty result! Will have to add to the rotation. Very simple to make. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705/96 "2025-10-19T19:01:48Z")
Bravo! 🍞 🧀 👍🏽 ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705/97 "2025-10-19T19:15:39Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Will have to add to the rotation. Very simple to make. Of course, to put it in the rotation you must be sure to keep dark ale and strong cheddar in the house at all times. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705/98 "2025-10-19T19:16:37Z")
Oh, damn! Well, somebody’s gotta do it. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2025, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705/99 "2025-10-20T12:13:55Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Of course, to put it in the rotation you must be sure to keep dark ale and strong cheddar in the house at all times. 😉 Oh, the hardships we have to endure in order to enjoy the rare bit of rarebit every now and then 😏 ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705/100 "2026-03-30T14:00:58Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > I might give that a try and report back. I went into ALDI and .. they didn’t have any. Looks like it’s been discontinued. Bastards. They do do a [Vintage Red Fox Rarebit Cheese Bake](https://www.aldi.co.uk/product/specially-selected-vintage-red-fox-rarebit-cheese-bake-000000000635391004), I might give that a go. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-welsh-rarebit/1023705.md?page=6)