Raclette is a delicious Swiss cheese served melted over potatoes and accompanied by charcuterie and cornichon pickles. Typically an open fire or a Raclette grill are required, but with this Easy Raclette Recipe you can make the hearty potato dish in the broiler or air fryer.
Precede this Franco-Swiss dish by a vegetables salad, such as this Grated Carrot Salad and top off the evening with a refreshing Winter Fruit Tray.
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If you find yourself strolling through Trader Joe’s or ALDI thinking about France… and voila! in the cheese section you find a package of Raclette cheese, you’re going to need to buy it. As well as some cornichons, ham, potatoes.
You may just need to switch your meal plans for the evening so you can enjoy Raclette tout de suite.
Hot and melty, Raclette cheese is served over cooked potatoes with baby pickles and charcuterie, specifically ham, on the side. Traditionally it’s served melted over an open fire or in a Raclette grill, but for those of us without those options, I present an easy Raclette Recipe to make without a grill.
Why Make This
It is a quick, easy supper. With just four ingredients, this Raclette recipe comes together quickly and easily, especially since the whole thing cooks in just a few minutes in the oven. You can get it on the table in less than 30 minutes.
This Raclette recipe is delicious! Melted cheese over potatoes with ham and tart pickles is an amazing combination of flavors. Leftover cheesy potatoes are delicious served with eggs the next morning. This is one of the best things to go with ham.
Ingredients
You only need four ingredients for this easy Raclette Recipe:
potatoes – baby potatoes are the most elegant, but as they are typically more expensive, you can also use large potatoes in this Raclette recipe. If using large potatoes, cut them into 1-inch chunks prior to cooking them.
sliced cured meats – ham is a common accompaniment to Raclette, though in France and Switzerland, you’ll find many different types of ham served alongside the potatoes and pickled vegetables.
Raclette cheese – Traditionally a Swiss cheese, as in “made in Switzerland,” this semi-firm cheese does not have big holes like you may imagine when you hear the words Swiss cheese, but it does have the mellow, nutty flavor. This cheese tends to be a seasonal item in the United States, available at both Trader Joe’s and ALDI during the winter months. If you can’t find it, Gruyere or Emmental cheese are reasonable substitutions.
cornichon pickles – tiny gherkin pickles are traditionally served with this Raclette recipe. If you can’t find them, use baby dills or other pickled vegetables.
Variations
Sautéed Mushrooms and Easy Garlic Green Beans are delicious vegetarian substitutions for the ham or can be served in addition to charcuterie.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s how to prep this Raclette Recipe:
- Bake, boil, or pressure cook the potatoes until tender. Place the potatoes in a baking dish in a single layer and cover with the slices of raclette cheese.
- Place the dish in the broiler for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and slightly bubbling.
- Serve the potatoes with the ham and pickles. Serve immediately.
Air Fryer Instructions: You can also melt the Raclette over the potatoes in the air fryer. Place the cooked potatoes in the bottom of the basket, layer on the cheese, and cook at 400 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
FAQs & Recipe Costs
Typically Raclette cheese is used, but if you can’t find it, you can use Gruyere or Emmental cheese which have a similar texture and flavor.
This is an easy recipe to scale based on the number of diners. This raclette recipe provides ½ pound potatoes and 2 ounces cheese per person. At a traditional raclette party, up to 7 ounces of cheese is provided per person.
Raclette is a very strong odored cheese. Don’t be alarmed. It’s aroma is actually stronger than its flavor
Raclette is traditionally served with potatoes, ham, and baby pickles. It is also delicious with sautéed mushrooms and other vegetables, such as green beans.
Recipe Costs
Knowing how much it costs you to prepare a recipe can help you decide if it’s the type of recipe to make regularly or one you might want to save for special occasions. Let’s crunch some numbers and see how this recipe pencils out.
- potatoes – $0.93
- ham – $2.99
- raclette cheese – $5.89
- cornichon pickles – $1.11
While your costs may vary depending on where and how you shop, you can expect to pay about $10.92 for this Raclette Recipe, about $2.73/serving.
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Raclette Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lb russet potatoes trimmed and scrubbed, cubed if large
- 8 oz sliced ham
- 7 to 9 oz raclette cheese sliced
- 4 oz cornichons baby pickles
Instructions
- Bake, boil, or pressure cook the potatoes until tender.
- Place the potatoes in a baking dish in a single layer and cover with the slices of raclette cheese.
- Place the dish in the broiler for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and slightly bubbling.
- Serve the potatoes with the ham and pickles. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published on January 25, 2012. It has been updated for content and clarity.
Stacy
I love this post. I could have almost written this post myself because it’s almost my story–even the honeymoon, the not going back enough, and the Trader Joe’s–EXCEPT that I am not sure if I’ve had raclette–what is wrong with me?! I brought home a love of other favorites, such as brie and camembert though. Anyway, I’m looking forward to trying this. Thanks!
Jessica Fisher
It’s so fun that almost everyone has a raclette story. Who knew?
Stacy
Except mine is a no-raclette story. I stopped by TJ’s after church and bought some raclette, mushrooms, cornichons, and red potatoes. I didn’t have your recipe with me, but those were suggested on the package. I’m looking forward to trying this, although this was a pricey meal for us, so I’m not sure it could be a regular. A treat, anyway. Thanks.
Ann
I’ve loved raclette since working a season in Switzerland and having it done “properly” melted in front of an open fire. Never seems to taste quite right done any other way!
Laura
Ahh how I love racelette! I married a French man and we make sure to fill up on all of the amazing French cheeses every time we go to France!
Jane
Ha ha, raclette! It’s our, hmmm, I don’t feel like cooking (in the winter) meal or when we invite people but don’t want to cook. The kids LOVE it. I never thought it was such a smelly cheese, but I guess it is. Nothing next to Munster though. That’s brutal! About that book. The cover is funny. I’d be interested to know what we cook every day over here! Probably a pretty cool cookbook, so show us your meals when you cook from it!
Jessica Fisher
That’s exactly how I feel about the meal, casual but really yummy!
You can read more about the book over here: http://chezbonnefemme.com/ She summers in France every year, and what I’ve read jives with my own experience. But, my experience is rather limited, malheureusement.
Heather :) :) :)
Oh, wow…I haven’t had raclette since I lived in Germany. This was a popular meal to eat with friends. My German friends made this a lot because it’s easy and cheap and tastes really good 😉 🙂 Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 😉
Queen of the House
I learn something new every day…raclette…maybe I can use that on “Words with Friends” some time! LOL! Thanks for sharing!
Michelle @ Simplify, Live, Love
My mother was a French teacher. We lived in Germany for a long time when I was little and traveled a lot to France for history and skiing. My parents used to eat Raclette but all I remember is is smelled soooo bad that when she served it at our house (yes, she bought one of those fancy melting machines) I left for the ENTIRE weekend. The house smelled so bad, or so my bad mannered 11 year old senses thought. 🙂 We found Raclette once in the US at a fancy store in Kansas City when I was in high school and it’s actually not as smelly as I remembered from Europe and I thought it was quite tasty. Or maybe that’s the difference between real raclette and American raclette. Anyhow…We’re going to France this fall and I might have to have some. 🙂
Jessica Fisher
I never remembered it being stinky, but my kids (all of them, which is rare), pitched a fit.
Maureen
Raclette is stinky, but doesn’t taste nearly that strong. My husband introduced me to it. He graduated from high school in Paris (he was a State Department brat) and we’ll be going back sans children this summer for his 20th reunion and our 15th anniversary. And we are hosting a Raclette dinner in less than two weeks. We were planning to go to Whole Foods for the Raclette, but I will have to check Trader Joe’s. Thanks for your impeccable timing.
Jessica Fisher
What a wonderful experience!
The Prudent Homemaker
Trader’s Joe’s has raclette! YUM!!!
I used to live in both France AND Switzerland, and I remember raclette. I also remember the entire aisle (center section in the grocery store like aisle–both sides) of cheese in France.
And I remember those of us who had been having cheese tasting parites at college once we came home, with everyone searching out American sources for cheese, inlcuuding raclette. . .
Jessica Fisher
It’s amazing how much the US and availability for Euro. products has changed in 20 years. It’s wonderful.
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef
oh raclette… i love raclette this way, and once had raclette fondue! it was so amazing. i miss france.
Leah
Wow – France. What an amazing experience it must have been to live there!
I am so not a cheese connoiseur but I love cheese! I must venture out other than my typical monterrey jack or mozzarella. Thanks for sharing!
Making My Own Luck
That sounds so good…I think my husband would be the one to refuse it in our house, but my kids might eat it.
I went to Paris when I was a student abroad in Cambridge, England. I was surprised at how much I loved it. I can’t wait to take my DH & kids back some day.
Kate @ Green Around the Edges
Oh raclette, how I love thee. My aunt introduced me to that dish years ago when I was visiting her — I’ve only ever eaten it at her house! She’s got the fancy cooker thing and it just feels so posh. Mmmm.
Jen Blacker
Thank you for hosting. I can’t wait to see all the new recipes today.
I shared my cheese soup recipe. You can always add things to it such as bacon. I usually serve this with breadsticks or biscuits.
jan
Cheese? We love cheese! Next time you go to Costco (and the Pantry Challenge has ended) look for a block of Coastal cheddar …. a nice DRY white cheddar from Britian … excellent … I have no cheese recipes to share … oh, but wait … maybe I do have something …
Jessica Fisher
Thank you for reading the post! LOL I just deleted some recipes that were in no way cheese related. Too funny.
Wendy (The Local Cook)
Thanks for hosting! There’s a winery near us that makes raclette . . . so good.
Beth
How long do you broil the cheese for? Just until melty or with a little crisp to it?
Jessica Fisher
Just until melty. The origins of this recipe are with Swiss shepherds who would allow the large wheel of cheese to melt near an open flame and then they would scrape the melted portions onto a plate with all the other goodies.
Beth
Sounds delicious. Have to find raclette cheese now!
Tammy @ Skinny Mom's Kitchen
Oh I love cheese!!! It is one of my biggest weaknesses!
Kristin
I just got a whole raclette set. We had a “raclette party” in Germany and I’ve been wanting to try it again ever since! I got mine free playing word games at Club Bing, but I’m not sure it’s available as a prize any more.
Jessica Fisher
How fun!
amanda @ fake ginger
That sounds so delicious! We are definitely cheese lovers around here but since we have 3 very young boys, I’m not very adventurous in my cheese buying. I need to start trying new ones. 🙂
Jessica Fisher
If you go someplace like Whole Foods, they will let you taste the cheese before you buy. Trader Joe’s sometimes does that, too.