What is Raclette Cheese? Cheesy German New Year’s Eve Tradition

Whenever anyone asks me, “What’s your favorite kind of Cheese?” I automatically answer, “The melted kind.” And yes, I have the kind of family that loves cheese, eats loads of cheese, and spends a lot of time talking about cheese. No wonder there were loud CHEERS when I brought the Raclette Grill home. Where has this lovely dish been my whole life? Granted, it’s Swiss, but the Germans have wholeheartedly adopted the tradition, especially on New Year’s Eve. This melted cheese dish is excellent for a delightful and memorable dinner party and makes the family happy. All this with minimal cooking and preparation time! It’s a dream come true! So, what is Raclette Cheese, and what is a Raclette machine? Let me explain why you need to try this cheesy, gooey, and amazingly delicious tradition.

MasterChef Dual Cheese Raclette Table Grill w Non-stick Grilling Plate and Cooking Stone- Deluxe 8 Person Electric Tabletop Cooker- Melt Cheese and Grill Meat and Vegetables at Once- 19

 

What is Raclette Cheese?

Raclette is a type of cheese and the device used to make it.

Raclette Cheese is a semi-hard cow’s milk cheese from the Alps. According to one of my kids and my nose, it’s stinky cheese (not as stinky as some, but you will definitely smell it). When melted, it goes all creamy and gooey.

And no, it’s not Fondue; Raclette pre-dates Fondue by a few hundred years. The original Raclette, still found all over Switzerland and at many German Christmas Markets, uses a half wheel of cheese and clamps it into a holder over a heat source. The heat melts the cheese. The melted cheese is scraped off the wheel and onto whatever you want to be smothered in cheese (Raclette means “to scrape”). Little boiled potatoes are traditional, as are veggies, bread, Aufschnitt, and mushrooms.

(I can see some of you thinking, ah, like Fondue! Well, no. Fondue is a communal pot that holds a sauce of melted cheese, wine, and seasonings, and everyone around the table DIPS bread or other things into it. Raclette lets you have your own plate, and the cheese goes on top.)

 

These days, I find Raclette Cheese in my local stores (Sprouts and Trader Joe’s), but you can order slices or whole Raclette cheese online.

Can’t find Raclette Cheese? Or you don’t want to wait for your online order?- If you are using a Tabletop Raclette Machine, you can go ahead and use an Emmentaler or other Swiss Cheese. (Shhhhh… We’ve even substituted Cheddar—just don’t tell the Swiss!)

Raclette Grill

Sure, the half-wheel of Raclette cheese with a giant heating element is very impressive, but it’s not practical for home use, primarily because of storage. Thankfully, there are little tabletop Raclette Grills that work like a dream and are super fun! Who doesn’t love cooking their own meal at the table?

They work like this…

 

On top is a grill for cooking or heating up meats or veggies. Under the grill is a shelf for little pans called coupelles that are heated from above. Into the pans goes your cheese. Slide it under the grill, and watch it go bubbly.

 

When it’s sufficiently melted, you can pour the cheese onto potatoes, meats (like the ones you grilled), or veggies.

Or you can eat the cheese straight, like my daughter does.

 

The Raclette for One Grill would be a great gift for any cheese lover…

Portable Candlelight Cheese Raclette Non-Stick Rotaster Baking Tray Stove Set Carbon Steel Home Kitchen Grilling Tool with Wood Handle

NOTE- I’m noticing a HUGE increase in the cost online of Swiss Raclette cheese this year. Although it’s not traditional, you could try other cheeses in your Raclette trays. You may also check with Trader Joes, Sprouts, Vons, or other Grocery stores. During the holidays, they sometimes keep it with the specialty cheeses.

Where to Buy Raclette Cheese

This packet of Raclette slices makes it so easy, you don’t even need a knife. I pick up slices in my grocery store. but you can also order them here.

Alpinage Mount Raclette Cheese 2-Pack | (2) 8 oz Wedges | Wisconsin-Made Handcrafted Alpine-Style Raclette Cheese – Creamy, Nutty & EarthyMifroma Raclette Slices, 3 Pack of 7oz.

Or buy larger portions and slice as needed. With so many different styles and flavors, you can set out an assortment for people to try.

Switzerland Swiss Raclette Half Wheel, 6 LBFrench Raclette (half wheel) – 6-7 PoundsSwiss Raclette Quarter Wheel (Approximately 2.5-3 lbs)

Raclette Tabletop Grill

This smaller Raclette Grill is perfect for four people.

Swissmar Geneva Raclette Grill with Reversible Cast Aluminum Grill Top – Perfect for outdoor & Indoor Electric Raclette Grill & Griller – Barbeque Bonding – 4-Person

I use this one… it has a grill and a stone on top, and 8 little trays to melt the cheese. Perfect for parties or family gatherings (and my son borrows it a LOT when he has friends over). It was reasonably priced, and packs away in its box.

MasterChef Dual Cheese Raclette Table Grill w Non-stick Grilling Plate and Cooking Stone- Deluxe 8 Person Electric Tabletop Cooker- Melt Cheese and Grill Meat and Vegetables at Once

There are a lot of Tabletop Raclette Grills… there are many to choose from!
I like the ones that have a griddle across the whole top. Our granite slab is nice for some more delicate veggies, but I think the griddle would be more practical. The round one is great for smaller tables.

Indoor Grill, CUSIMAX Raclette Table Grill, 1500W Electric Grill Korean BBQ Grill with 2 in 1 Reversible Non-stick Plate/Wooden Base, Party Grill with 8 Trays & Wooden Spatulas, New ModelSwissmar Geneva Raclette Grill with Reversible Cast Aluminum Grill Top – Perfect for outdoor & Indoor Electric Raclette Grill & Griller – Barbeque Bonding – 8-PersonCUSIMAX Raclette Grill 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

CHEEZEPALOOZA!

Fondue and Raclette in one! With 12 paddles for grilling cheese, this is the perfect setup for a party!

Saenchue Raclette Table Grill – Indoor Electric Grill Griddle – Nonstick Extra Large Reversible 4-In-1 Outdoor Dishwasher Safe with Cheese 12 Paddles 12 Spatulas for 12 Person, FD-12

Or go ALL OUT with this top of the line WMF model

WMF Lumero 3in1 Gourmet Station für 8 Personen, Raclette Grill Fondue, elektrisch, Temperaturregulierung, Beleuchtung, 1800 Watt, platzsparend, edeldtahl matt

And of course… the Raclette Wheel Holder

These are generally sold for commercial use. But if you REALLY LIKE CHEESE, why not?

YUEWO Raclette Cheese Melter Commercial Electric Raclette Machine Swiss Dish Maker Demi Melting Warmer for Half Nacho Cheese Wheel Sliced Cheese Adjustable AngleCommercial Cheese Melter Machine,Adjustable 900W Electric Raclette Grill for Restaurant,Rapid Heating Raclette Melting Machine

What to Serve with Raclette

Set the Raclette Grill in the middle of the table. Surround it with bowls of different options for people to choose from. Try for a balance of fresh veggies and fruits, pickled veggies, meat (if you want it), and of course, the potatoes. Truly, there are not hard and fast rules… if you like it covered in cheese, you can serve it.

 

 

Make sure everyone has a plate and a wooden scraper to get the cheese out of the pan without scratching it… and let it happen.

Traditionally, Raclette is served with tiny boiled potatoes.
Boil potatoes in salted water until they can be easily pierced with a knife. Drain and keep them warm by wrapping them up in a tea towel.

Also-
Sliced ham or Schinken
Salami
Cornichons (little Pickles)
Pickled veggies

Grill vegetables on the top surface, then cover with cheese-
I like to pre season the vegetables before setting them to the table.

Asparagus
Mushrooms
Mini-Bell Pepper rings
Zucchini

We also grilled slices of sausage

Put food INTO the pan with the Cheese to grill

Chives and Green Onions
Mushrooms
Chopped bits of Ham
Small shrimps

Fruits work as well- Place them on the grill top, or just cook them in the pan with the cheese.
Figs
Pear Slices
Apple Slices

And we’ve seasoned and pre-cooked some veggies to serve along side the Raclette
Crispy Bussels Sprouts
Mushrooms in Wine

I like to warm and slice a baguette to go along with the Raclette.

Serve with a crisp white wine! (But my people seem to prefer beer)

There are LOADS of recipe books and recipe ideas available!

Swissmar Raclette Recipes CookbookRacletteDie leckersten Raclette Rezepte: Diese Raclette-Gerichte muss jeder mal probiert haben! (German Edition)