These raclette ideas are ideal for a spontaneous, convivial evening. We show you a few inspirations that you can easily implement.

Cheese classic with new ingredients – also vegan

The name “raclette” originally referred to a specific Swiss cheese that is eaten grilled and smoked. Cheese is therefore traditionally an important part of raclette. All types of cheese that melt easily are suitable. You can get tips on this at the cheese counter and at the cheese stand at the weekly market. In addition to the typical yellow cheese, feta, camembert or gorgonzola also taste very good in raclette.

Tip: To ensure that the cheese comes from more species-appropriate husbandry and organic production, it is best to buy cheese with a Demeter, Naturland or Bioland seal.

Remember that cheese is a food with a bad carbon footprint, so enjoy it in moderation.

Fruit as a fruity raclette idea or as a dip

Fruit goes very well with cheese. Sliced pears are a great accompaniment to flavorful, tangy cheeses like Gorgonzola. Preserved cranberries go perfectly with Camembert and are a delicious dip.

You can not only prepare fruit in the raclette oven: Chutneys go very well with raclette as sweet and sour dips.

For dessert you can heat apple slices with chocolate, cinnamon, sugar and other toppings in the pan. With your choice of fruit, you can protect the climate by choosing seasonal fruit varieties. In winter, these are primarily apples from storage and preserved fruit from the region.

Vegetables are great for gratinating with cheese: tomatoes are extremely popular, as are peppers and various mushrooms. Make sure that the products come from the region and are of organic quality if possible. In winter you can use dried mushrooms and tomatoes. Or you dare to experiment with Brussels sprouts, leeks and pre-steamed salsify.

Raclette with potatoes – the classic ingredient

The traditional raclette in Switzerland consists only of cheese and potatoes. As with cheese, you can also try different types of potatoes. Potato varieties come in all colors, from blue-purple to red to yellow. They differ not only in color, each variety has its own taste nuances.

If you use such old local potato varieties, not only does your table look more colourful, you also encourage the demand for variety. The variety of varieties continues to decrease, since it is easier for large agricultural companies to grow a few highly bred varieties. If you, as a customer, actively ask about old varieties, the producers have an incentive to focus more on these varieties again.

Eat raclette – have fun

Raclette is not just about the food, but above all about being together and having fun preparing food.

For even more raclette ideas, you can encourage your guests to bring surprise ingredients: each guest brings an unusual ingredient. So that you don’t always put the same ingredients on the table, you can think of a motto for the surprise ingredient: Homemade products such as home-pickled vegetables or home-made vegetable chips as side dishes, ingredients typical of a specific region such as beans and corn for Mexican cuisine.