Irish Rarebit (St Patrick’s Day Menu Idea) Recipe
This classic Irish Rarebit recipe is a rich and creamy cheese toast, perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or enjoying any time you crave a comforting, savory treat. Featuring melted Irish cheddar blended with butter, milk, vinegar, mustard, and gherkins, it’s broiled to bubbly perfection over toasted bread slices.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 1 oz butter (¼ stick)
- 3 Tbsp milk
- 8 oz Irish cheddar cheese (such as Kerrygold Dubliner or any melty cheese), grated
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 tsp English mustard (prepared mustard, or substitute your favorite mustard, or omit)
- ⅛ tsp black pepper (freshly grated, to taste)
- 2 Tbsp gherkins or cornichons, chopped
To Serve
- 4 slices good quality bread, toasted
- Extra gherkins/cornichons and salad (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Melt Butter and Cheese: In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the milk and grated Irish cheddar cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese melts completely and the mixture becomes smooth.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the white vinegar, English mustard, freshly grated black pepper, and chopped gherkins or cornichons. Mix well to combine all the flavors, then remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Preheat Broiler and Prepare Toast: Allow the cheese mixture to cool slightly, stirring occasionally to maintain a good consistency. Meanwhile, preheat your oven broiler (grill). Place the toasted bread slices on a baking sheet.
- Assemble and Broil: Evenly spread the cheese mixture over each piece of toast. Place the baking sheet under the preheated broiler until the cheese topping becomes bubbly and hot, approximately 2-4 minutes. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, place the rarebit toasts on plates, and serve immediately. Accompany with extra gherkins or cornichons and a fresh salad if desired.
Notes
- Use a flavorful Irish cheddar like Kerrygold Dubliner for authentic taste.
- If you prefer a milder cheese sauce, omit or reduce the mustard.
- Keep a close eye under the broiler to prevent the cheese from burning, as broiling times can vary by oven.
- This rarebit is best served immediately while hot and bubbly.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the bread with gluten-free toast.
Keywords: Irish Rarebit, St Patrick's Day recipe, cheese toast, Irish cheddar, broiled cheese on toast
