Welsh rarebit is melted cheese served on toasted bread, often mixed with mustard, ale, or Worcestershire sauce.
The dish was formerly called “Welsh rabbit,” even though it contains no rabbit. “Rarebit” became the more familiar form of the name, probably to avoid the misleading literal interpretation. Recipes vary, but a cheese sauce is generally prepared and spread over toast before being browned.
Cheddar is a common cheese choice, especially in English-language recipes, while regional versions may use other hard cheeses. The dish is usually treated as a savory snack or light meal rather than a simple slice of cheese toast.
Welsh rarebit is sometimes confused with a grilled cheese sandwich. A sandwich encloses cheese between bread slices, whereas rarebit traditionally places a seasoned cheese mixture on top of toast. The name connects the food with Wales, although its exact linguistic history is debated.