Home / September

A little reason to celebrate

National Welsh Rarebit Day

Food · September 3

Welsh rarebit is a savory cheese sauce poured over toast and broiled until bubbly. Here is what it is, how it tastes and how to make it at home.

National Welsh Rarebit Day falls on Friday, September 3, 2027. That is 311 days away.

Welsh rarebit is cheese on toast with ambitions. A thick sauce of melted cheese is spooned over toasted bread, then slid under the broiler until it bubbles and browns at the edges.

The sauce is what sets it apart. Sharp cheddar is the usual choice, melted with butter and a little flour, then loosened with milk, beer or ale. Mustard and a splash of Worcestershire sauce give it a tangy, savory bite. The result is richer than a grilled cheese and sharper than a fondue, and it is eaten with a knife and fork because it will not stay politely on the bread otherwise.

You may also see it called Welsh rabbit. There is no rabbit in it, and there never needs to be.

The dish is quick to make, which is part of its appeal as a late supper or a weekend lunch. Thick, sturdy bread holds up best, since a thin slice turns soft under all that sauce. Some cooks top it with a fried or poached egg, a version often called a buck rarebit. Others add sliced tomato underneath the cheese or serve it beside a green salad to cut the richness.

Leftover sauce keeps in the fridge and can be warmed gently for another round of toast. A good rarebit should come out of the oven with a few dark, blistered spots on top, which is where most of the flavor ends up.

Ways to celebrate

• Make Welsh rarebit at home with sharp cheddar and thick toasted bread.
• Try the buck rarebit version with a poached egg on top.
• Compare a beer-based sauce with a milk-based one.
• Share a photo of your bubbling rarebit with friends.
• Look for Welsh rarebit on a local pub or diner menu.

Dates

All national days on September 3

Also on September 3

• Skyscraper Day
• U.S. Bowling League Day

Categories: Food days