Raclette: France’s Cozy Winter Cheese Tradition

As soon as the temperatures drop, French stores start selling table-top raclette grills, and the cheese aisle fills with various flavors of special raclette cheese. The term refers to both the dish and the Alpine cheese used to make it. Featuring cheese and potatoes, it’s a simple yet filling meal that is perfect for a cozy evening of socializing as you have fun making it around the dinner table.

What is raclette and how do you make it?

A raclette grill cooking cheese, vegetables, and potatoes

Raclette is a traditional meal originating from Switzerland that France has also embraced. The term comes from the French word racler (to scrape) because historically a large block of cheese was melted over a fire and then scraped over potatoes. Now most households use an electric grill with little pans, called coupelles, underneath the grill that are used to melt the cheese. The grills come in many shapes and sizes, and you can even get little individual grills that connect together so that each person has their own.

What Is Raclette Cheese?

Raclette is a mild, nutty cheese that comes in the traditional flavor as well as varieties including smoked, black pepper, garlic, truffle, and herb. Typically made from cow’s milk, it is semi-firm, pale in color, and prized for how beautifully it melts—smooth, stretchy, and glossy without becoming oily or stringy. When heated, its mild flavor deepens, developing savory notes that pair perfectly with simple ingredients like potatoes and vegetables. In France, you’ll find raclette sold pre-sliced for convenience, often labeled raclette à fondre, with both classic and flavored varieties available. While it’s delicious on its own, raclette cheese is designed to be enjoyed warm and molten, making it one of those rare cheeses that truly shines only once it’s melted.

How do I prepare raclette?

An assortment of ingredients is typically prepped ahead of time and laid out around the table for grilling or to eat on the side. Some of the common choices are bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, and charcuterie meats. In France, people often serve a simple green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette on the side to balance the richness of the cheese. Pickles, especially cornichons and pickled onions, are also considered essential—they cut through the fat and keep the meal from feeling too heavy. The potatoes are cooked in advance. In France, small, waxy potatoes are preferred because they hold their shape and develop a creamy interior when cooked. Varieties like pommes de terre grenaille or Charlotte are commonly used, typically boiled in their skins and served hot at the table. Everyone chooses their favorite toppings and cooks them on the grill top, while heating the cheese underneath until it’s bubbly and melted. Then, they use a small raclette spatula to scrape the gooey, warm cheese over the potatoes and to add their cooked toppings from the grill. It’s popular to pair raclette with a Savoie white wine.

When is Raclette Season in France?

While raclette can technically be enjoyed year-round, in France it is very much a cold-weather tradition. Its peak popularity runs from November through March. It’s especially common in the Alpine regions like Savoie and Haute-Savoie, but it’s now a winter staple all across the country. For many families, raclette evenings are associated with snowy weather, ski trips, or simply long, dark winter nights spent indoors with friends.

Why You Should Have a Raclette Party

Raclette is an easy meal that doesn’t take a lot of time or skill. There is no toiling in the kitchen stressing over a big meal, because your guests get to join in on the fun! Everyone can relax, customize their dish to their own preferences, and spend time chatting. In France, raclette embodies the idea of convivialité, the joy of eating together, which is why it remains one of the most cherished cold-weather meals year after year.