Raclette is the perfect dinner party dish. Why? Because you leave your guests to do all the cooking. The host's job is to provide a cheese that melts well and all the accoutrements for the meal, like meats for cooking on the raclette grill or cold meat to serve on the side, vegetables, and fruits, all of which can be heated or eaten cold. Pickles, sauces, dips, and French bread all round out the main course beautifully. But it is also necessary to provide drinks, and spirits are a lovely pairing like Beaujolais wine or another that is your favorite, which is needed to make a complete and delicious meal!
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❤️About This Recipe
The name raclette, to be fair, arguably has its roots in French speaking regions of Switzerland rather than France. But it is eaten in many parts of France.
Raclette was mentioned in medieval writings dating from the late 13th century, as a particularly nutritious meal consumed by peasants in Switzerland and the Savoy region of France, where it remains popular to this day.
The word raclette is three things: it is a type of cheese, the name of the dish itself, and the name of the grill used to heat and cook the food, which is performed by each guest sitting at the table together.
It is not unlike a fondue in the manner it is served, and some raclette grills have a fondue pot built into their system.
It's a great DIY meal that your friends and family will love!
🐄🥛What is Raclette?
Raclette is a semi-firm, cow's milk cheese most commonly used for melting. It is usually fashioned into a wheel of about 6 kg, but that's far more than you need for a dinner party - about 1kg of cheese will be sufficient for four people.
You will need to slice it fairly thinly so that it will fit under a small grill - this can be quite messy, so do it well in advance and then place the cheese in the fridge until your guests arrive.
🧀How To Serve
The cheese is heated, either in front of a fire or on a special machine, then scraped onto diners' plates; in fact, the term raclette derives from the French word racler, meaning "to scrape", a reference to the fact that the melted cheese must be scraped from the unmelted part of the cheese onto the plate.
Traditionally, the melting happens in front of an open fire with the big piece of cheese facing the heat. You then regularly scrape off the melting side. In restaurants, a kind of cradle in which half a round of cheese sits is brought to your table.
A small heater is located over the cheese, and this causes it to melt… just serve yourself!
In the home, a variation on this theme is needed in the form of a kind of small electric grill with individual "paddles", or coupelles, into which the cheese is placed before placing it under the grill. (My Amazon recommendations are below.)
🍷What To Serve With It?
Traditionally, the cheese is accompanied by small, firm, boiled, or steamed waxy potatoes, such as Charlotte, gherkins, pickled onions, and charcuterie meats such as smoked ham and salami, or similar meats. Just boil the potatoes until they are ready; whether you leave the skins on is up to you.
So, simply place some slices of cheese into your "paddle", place it under the grill, and meanwhile put potatoes and meat on your plate. Once the cheese has melted it becomes quite runny, simply pour it over the meat and cheese and tuck in. It's as simple as that.
But, if the traditional method does not appeal to you, the image above provides many wonderful options to include.
- A charcuterie board would also make a great addition to this easy dinner party idea.
- Choose items from my Hors d'Oeuvres section, like my baked camembert cheese recipe, tapenade appetizer, or olive appetizers.
- A raw vegetable assortment, in France, crudités, with delicious flavored homemade mayonnaise, are always a welcome addition to a pick and choose buffet.
- Serve with a nice wine. A Sparkling Wine or Champagne always adds a special mood to any fancy get-together. Another choice, Beaujolais wine made from Gamay grapes, or choose a favorite from one of the Wine Regions Of France.
- Don't leave out a beautiful loaf of crusty bread, just like a Paris Baguette!
Top Tip
Always choose food items and drinks that you and your guests will like and enjoy the most. What makes everyone happy will encourage great fellowship in being together!
🔄Substitutions
It may be difficult to find raclette cheese where you live. Here is a list of replacements for you to try, and hopefully, some are available in your area. They all melt well (stay clear of low-fat cheese for this dish, as it does not melt well), most have a light nutty taste, some are sweeter or creamier than others, but all make acceptable stand-ins.
- Asiago
- Havarti
- Gouda
- Gruyére
- Cheddar
- Comté
- Taleggio
- Emmental
- Fontina
Good Amazon Products
- CUSIMAX Raclette Grill An electric Grill Table, Portable, 2 in 1 Korean BBQ Grill - Indoor & Cheese Raclette, Reversible Non-stick plate, Crepe Maker with Adjustable temperature control and 8 Paddles
- Artestia 1500W Large Size Raclette Cheese Grill Adjustable Temperature Korean BBQ Grill, Cheese Raclette with Grill Stone and Non-Stick Reversible Aluminum Plate for Parties Family
- Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Raclette Table Grill, 200 sq. in. Nonstick Griddle Serves up to 8 People for Parties and Family Fun, Includes 8 Warming Trays, Black (31612-MX)
- 2-Person Raclette Table Grill - Indoor Non-stick Electric Grill Griddle - Series Connection Contact Grill up to 4 Grills, 2 Paddles Included, 2 Packs, BC-02
❔Raclette Cheese Grill FAQ
Any cheese that is mild in taste and melts well will make a good fill-in for Raclette Cheese. Swiss cheese, Gruyére, Cheddar, or Havarti. I have provided an extensive list higher up on this page; check it out.
It may be difficult to find raclette cheese in your local grocery store. You may have to look in specialty deli shops or online. I have provided a list further up in this post of very good alternative cheeses that can be used successfully.
Did you make this & like it, or not, let us know?!