How to Make Raclette

Fall in love with Raclette, a traditional Swiss recipe known for its gooey, melted cheese! Whether it's dinner for two or a dinner party, dive into our grilled raclette recipes and tips for that perfect melt (even if you don't have a raclette grill).

While in Switzerland, we were taught how to make Raclette, such an amazing cheesy feast. The Swiss take their cheese seriously, if you've never had it before, you are in for a treat!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Communal - this recipe is meant to be enjoyed with others, perfect to share with friends and family
• Customizable - easily adaptable to your favorite foods, an easy, no-fuss recipe
• Gooey Cheese - the melted cheese is the hero of this recipe, who can resist?

What is Raclette?

It's a traditional Swiss recipe served with a variety of condiments and accompaniments. Made with "raclette cheese" which is known for its melting properties. The cheese is usually melted under a raclette grill (raclette machine or melter), then scraped on potatoes, pickles, meats, onions or even bread. Traditionally a cheese wheel was heated on one side, then scraped off over your plate!

Equipment

• Raclette Grill - most commonly sold with 8 raclette pans (but smaller versions exist) with a grilling space overtop
• Wooden Cheese Scraper - usually comes with the raclette grill, but you'll need this to scrape off the melted cheese from the pan

Ingredients

• Raclette cheese - a great melting cheese, with a slight nutty taste
• Small Potatoes - 2 or 3 per person
• Pickles - cornichons, baby dills or gherkins
• Cured Meats - like salami, prosciutto or cured sausage
• Onions - thinly sliced (red or white onions)
• Spices or Herbs - to personalize flavors

How to Make Raclette

1. Boil Potatoes - until fork tender, set aside
2. Prepare Condiments - thinly slice onions and vegetables, place pickles into bowls, slice potatoes, prepare meats, select spices (all placed table ready to go)
3. Slice Cheese - if buying a block of raclette cheese (it's more economical this way) slice 2mm thick (just slightly less than ⅛"). ¼" is too thick!
4. Grill - place cheese under raclette grill until it's bubbly. Grill vegetables and meats on top while cheese is melting
5. Slide - use the cheese scraper and slide the melted cheese over a slice of potato
6. Serve - get creative and serve alongside condiments, under condiments, over the cheese, make it your own

Recipe Tips and FAQs

• Serving Raclette - prepare all condiment in advance, or have a serving station where everyone can customize their dinner
• Storing Leftover Raclette - keep in an airtight container in fridge for up to a week. To reheat, place under grill and enjoy
• Add More Vegetables - grill extra veggies like sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, leek, or sliced zucchini
• Pickled Products- if it's pickled, it can be served with Raclette! Try pickled garlic, capers, pickled onions, giardiniera, baby corn, pickled cauliflower, pickled asparagus, artichoke hearts or spicy pickled peppers

Raclette Grill Substitute

If you don't have a Raclette Grill, you can use your oven broiler to melt the cheese for a similar result. Alternatively, use a small non-stick frying pan to to melt the cheese. After it bubbles, serve over your potatoes.

Alternative Cheeses

Raclette Cheese can be hard to find outside of Switzerland, but don't let that stop you! Here are some block melting cheeses that are great cheese alternatives.

• Gruyere - a Swiss cheese that has similar melting point and flavor
• Emmental - another Swiss classic, with mild flavor
• Fontina - an Italian cheese with creamy and nutty flavor
• Provolone - mild milky flavor
• Gouda - neutral flavor and creamy
• Flavored Cheeses - use cheese flavored with chili peppers, black pepper, garlic, truffles, onion, smoked cheese

Spices for Raclette

It's so easy to personalize with your favorite spices, just sprinkle over the cheese and enjoy. Here are some of my recommendations.

• Raclette Spice - sold in Switzerland (variations include nutmeg, peppers, thyme, oregano, rosemary...)
• Cayenne Pepper - kick it up a notch with some heat (my favorite)
• Paprika Spice - a subtle mild and sometimes smokey spice that adds color
• Herbamare - a Swiss spice with 12 herbs and vegetables
• Bbq Spice - use your favorite bbq or grilling spice

How Much Raclette Cheese Per Person?

Can you ever have too much cheese? It's hard to plan how people individually eat, and I find that they eat more when melted cheese is involved! A general rule of thumb up to 250 grams or 7-9oz of cheese per person. Pro Tip: add a slice of two of cheese per person, as the thicker you slice the cheese, the less you get! Plus you don't want your guests to think you're stingy. 🤣

Can I Make Raclette in Advance?

The only thing to prepare in advance is to boil the potatoes. It's really a meal that is made in the moment. While potatoes are boiling, select your condiments and spices and you're ready to go. Dinner done in less than 30 minutes.

Raclette Recipe Variations

Trigger Alert! These recipe inspirations are not traditionally Swiss, but is a fun way to personalize your favorite fusion flavors.

• Vegetarian - skip the meats and grill your favorite vegetables with the cheese
• Seafood - grill prawns, scallops or shrimp
• Italian - slice Italian meat balls, grilled sun-dried tomatoes, spoon of pasta sauce and fresh basil
• Mexican - add pickled jalapeños, guacamole, and tabasco sauce
• Russian - boiled potatoes, garlic and fresh dill

Swiss Recipes You'll Love

• Cheese Fondue - made from scratch
• Älplermagronen - Swiss Mac and Cheese
• Butterzopf - classic Swiss braided bread
• Gluhwein- a Swiss-German mulled wine

A hearty dish that's perfect for entertaining guests, or just when you want a warming meal on a cold night. Very flexible recipe, cheese and potatoes and however you want to season and flavor it! Whether you're using a traditional raclette grill or just the broiler, this interactive dinner will become a favorite you'll make again and again. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

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