How much raclette cheese do I need per person?

Plan for 200–250 g of raclette cheese per person. For big cheese lovers, lean towards 250 g; for children, 100–150 g is usually enough. For 4 people, you'll need about 1 kg of cheese.

How much does a raclette for 4 people cost?

Budget roughly CHF 15–20 per person, so CHF 60–80 for 4 people. The biggest expense is the cheese (around CHF 35–45 for 1 kg of raclette cheese). Add potatoes, sides, and vegetables on top.

What are the classic raclette side dishes?

Traditional Swiss raclette is served with Gschwellti (jacket potatoes), cornichons (gherkins), Silberzwiebeln (pearl onions), and dried meats (Buendnerfleisch, dried sausage). Many people also add vegetables like bell peppers and mushrooms for grilling in the pan.

Can I buy raclette cheese in advance?

Yes, raclette cheese keeps well in the fridge for 2–3 weeks. You can also freeze it — ideally pre-sliced with baking paper between the slices. Simply defrost before serving.

Which raclette cheese is the best?

That's a matter of taste. Raclette du Valais AOP is considered the original and has a strong, flavourful taste. Raclette Suisse is milder. Try different varieties — you'll find a wide selection at Migros, Coop, or directly at a local cheese dairy.

What should you drink with raclette?

Traditionally, a Fendant or Chasselas (white wine from the Valais) pairs best with raclette. Warm herbal tea is also popular and aids digestion. Avoid cold water — it's said to cause the cheese to sit heavily in the stomach.

Is raclette suitable for vegetarians?

Raclette is ideal for vegetarians. The cheese, potatoes, and vegetables make a complete meal. Add sweet potatoes, baked fruit, or marinated tofu cubes for even more variety.

Raclette Shopping List: Everything You Need

Raclette — The Quintessential Swiss Tradition

Raclette is more than just a meal — it's a Swiss experience. Whether it's Christmas, New Year's Eve, a cosy winter evening, or a spontaneous get-together with friends, raclette brings people around a table. The beauty of it? Everyone assembles their own little pan, there are no complicated recipes, and the preparation is surprisingly simple.

Still, the planning can get stressful. How much cheese do I need? Which sides are essential? Will there be enough for everyone? With a solid raclette shopping list, you can skip the last-minute supermarket dash and actually enjoy the evening.

Raclette du Valais AOP is the original variety from the Valais — made from raw milk and aged according to strict quality standards. If you want the very best, go for this one.

The Complete Raclette Shopping List

Here's everything you need for a classic raclette evening. Quantities are listed per person — scroll down for the full breakdown for 2, 4, 6, and 8 people.

Cheese

Raclette cheese: 200–250 g per person (Raclette du Valais AOP, Raclette Suisse, or a mix of different varieties)
Tip: Mix different varieties — e.g. classic, pepper, and truffle — for more variety at the table

Potatoes and Bread

Waxy potatoes: 200 g per person (Charlotte, Amandine, or Erika varieties)
Bread: optional, half a baguette or farmhouse loaf per 4 people

Classic Accompaniments

Cornichons (gherkins): 1 jar (approx. 200 g) per 4 people
Silberzwiebeln (pearl onions): 1 jar (approx. 200 g) per 4 people
Mostarda (mustard fruits): optional, 1 small jar
Dried meats: Buendnerfleisch, dry sausage, or cured ham — approx. 50 g per person

Vegetables for Grilling

Bell peppers (red, yellow, green) — 1 of each per 4 people
Mushrooms — approx. 100 g per 4 people
Cherry tomatoes — 1 punnet per 4 people
Courgette — 1 per 4 people
Corn on the cob (pre-cooked) — 1 per person, or tinned sweetcorn
Broccoli — a few florets for melting cheese over

Raclette ingredients arranged neatly on a wooden board: cheese, potatoes, cornichons, vegetables, and dried meats — All raclette ingredients at a glance

Drinks

White wine: A Fendant or Chasselas from the Valais pairs perfectly
Tea: Traditionally, warm herbal tea is served with raclette — it's said to aid digestion
For children: Apple spritzer or iced tea
Note: Cold water with raclette can sit heavily in the stomach — warm drinks or wine are better choices

How Much Per Person? The Quantity Guide

The biggest question when planning a raclette: how much do I actually need? Here's the breakdown so you don't buy too much or too little.

Quantities Per Person (Guidelines)

Raclette cheese: 200–250 g (closer to 250 g for big cheese lovers)
Potatoes: 200 g (roughly 3–4 small waxy ones)
Cornichons/pearl onions: approx. 50 g
Dried meats: 50 g
Vegetables: 100–150 g (mixed)

Total Quantities by Group Size

2 people: 500 g cheese, 400 g potatoes, 1 jar cornichons, 100 g dried meats
4 people: 1 kg cheese, 800 g potatoes, 1 jar cornichons, 1 jar pearl onions, 200 g dried meats
6 people: 1.5 kg cheese, 1.2 kg potatoes, 2 jars cornichons, 1 jar pearl onions, 300 g dried meats
8 people: 2 kg cheese, 1.6 kg potatoes, 2 jars cornichons, 2 jars pearl onions, 400 g dried meats

Better to buy a bit too much cheese than too little — leftover raclette cheese freezes well or makes brilliant raclette toasties the next day.

Cost Per Person

Raclette is surprisingly affordable compared to eating out. Budget around CHF 15–20 per person for a complete raclette including cheese, sides, and vegetables. Raclette du Valais AOP costs roughly CHF 3.50–4.50 per 100 g at Migros and Coop. At a local cheese dairy or farmers' market, you'll pay a little more but often get particularly flavourful cheese.

Raclette Variations for Every Taste

Classic raclette is wonderful, but there are so many ways to make the evening more varied. Here are some ideas:

Classic Raclette

Cheese, potatoes, cornichons, and pearl onions — that's all you need. The purist version, just as they enjoy it in the Valais. Add a glass of Fendant, and the evening is perfect.

Vegetarian Raclette

Raclette is naturally vegetarian-friendly. Complement the classic sides with:

Sweet potato slices (thinly cut, pre-cooked for 5 minutes)
Pear or apple slices — topped with melted cheese, they're heavenly
Artichoke hearts from a jar
Olives, capers, and sun-dried tomatoes
Tofu cubes marinated in soy sauce and garlic

Seafood Raclette

For special occasions: prawns, scallops, or salmon fillet pieces work beautifully in the raclette pan. Add a squeeze of lemon and some fresh dill.

International Variations

Italian: Bresaola, rocket, cherry tomatoes, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar
Mexican: Jalapenos, kidney beans, sweetcorn, and guacamole
Indian: Paneer cubes, mango chutney, and naan bread instead of potatoes

Various raclette pans with different fillings: classic, vegetarian, and seafood — From classic to creative — raclette offers something for every taste

Shopping Tips: Where to Find the Best Raclette Supplies

In Switzerland, you have plenty of options for buying raclette ingredients. Here are the best:

Migros

Migros offers a solid selection of raclette cheese, both pre-sliced and by the piece. Their own-brand cheese is good value, and during the season (October–March) you'll often find special offers. You'll also find dried meats and all the sides under one roof.

Coop

Coop often has a slightly wider cheese selection, including regional specialities and organic raclette. Their 'Naturaplan' line offers high-quality organic raclette cheese, while the 'Prix Garantie' range is a budget-friendly alternative.

Cheese Dairies and Weekly Markets

For the best flavour experience, visit a local cheese dairy or weekly market. You'll get freshly cut cheese, often directly from the producer, and you can taste different varieties before buying. Many villages have their own dairies making raclette from local milk.

Order from the cheese dairy a few days in advance, especially during the Christmas season. That way you'll get exactly the quantity and varieties you want.

Preparation Checklist for the Day Before

Ideally, prepare everything the evening before. That way the raclette evening itself is completely stress-free:

Take the cheese out of the fridge (bring to room temperature 30 minutes before eating)
Boil the potatoes (waxy, skin on) and keep warm
Wash and prepare the vegetables — cut into bite-sized pieces
Arrange cornichons, pearl onions, and dried meats on serving platters
Check the raclette grill: enough pans and spatulas for everyone?
Set the table — raclette needs space!

Planning Your Raclette, Stress-Free

Raclette is all about togetherness — not perfect organisation. That said, a shopping list helps enormously so you don't forget anything and everything is ready when guests arrive.

If you make raclette regularly — or simply want to plan your meals and shopping more efficiently — a shopping list app like TellerPlan can help. Save your raclette ingredients as a recipe, add it to your weekly plan, and let the app generate your shopping list automatically. You'll never forget the pearl onions again.

With TellerPlan, you can plan your raclette (and every other meal) in minutes — shopping list included. Try it for free →

Whether you go classic with potatoes and cornichons or get creative with seafood and seasonal ingredients — with the right preparation, every raclette evening becomes a celebration. Take 10 minutes to plan, do one focused shopping trip, and then enjoy the evening with the people who matter most.