How To Host A Vegetarian Raclette Dinner Party

Learn how to host a vegetarian raclette dinner party at home, with veggie suggestions and how to prepare them, playing with spices and other add-ons to make it a feast! This cozy winter dish is fun, convivial and entertaining!

After a long ski hike or just a chilly winter day, raclette always brings people together and warms up the souls in a convivial atmosphere. The “raclette season” is a serious thing in France. It lightens up the long dark and cold wintertime months and reunites all the cheese lovers around a simple and low-key meal prepared on a raclette grill. You don’t need an occasion to throw a raclette dinner party, the raclette creates the occasion for you!

Being French, I basically grew up with raclette and learned how to host a proper raclette dinner party throughout the years, gathering many useful tips along the way. A little more unusual is the vegetarian raclette, so here’s what you should know to organize a delicious and successful raclette party, minus the meat!

What is a vegetarian raclette?

Raclette is both a type of Swiss cheese and the name of the dish itself. Unlike the traditional raclette consisting of melted cheese scraped over boiled/steamed potatoes alongside with cold meats and charcuteries, the vegetarian raclette involves some delicious veggie preparations to pair with the melted cheese and the potatoes.

Hosting a vegetarian raclette doesn’t have to be boring! All you have to do is playing with veggies and spices (cumin, curry, paprika…), include other add-ons preparations (caramelized onions, cornichon pickles), and add some raw vegetables. Make it fun, colorful, and delicious!

How to host a vegetarian raclette dinner party?

A great vegetarian raclette requires a little bit more preparation than a traditional one made with cold meat. You could of course stick to the basics and simply grill raw veggies on top of the raclette grill, but believe me the result is worth the extra effort.

Step 1: The cheese selection

Raclette cheese is a semi-hard Swiss cheese made from cow milk, with a characteristic pungency (even for the mild varieties). The cheese is thickly sliced and used for melting and grilling. For a raclette dinner party, you will need about 200g (7 oz) raclette cheese per person.

Alternatives to raclette cheese. You don’t necessarily need Raclette cheese only to make a raclette. You can basically go for any cheese with a high-fat percentage (to ensure it will melt nicely). Anything works from the Emmental, Gouda, Morbier, Gorgonzola or any other blue cheese, and even fresh goat cheese, Brie and Camembert. The stronger the cheese, the more flavors the raclette will have. Explore the options around and create your very own raclette party!

Useful tip: remove the cheese from the fridge at least 30 minutes before using to ensure it comes to room temperature. This prevents the cheese to turn oily when melting.

Step 2: The potatoes!

Potatoes are an essential part of the raclette, as melted raclette cheese is served over the warm potatoes on your plate. Boil or steam medium size potatoes (with skins on) prior to the raclette party. Usually you will need 3 to 4 potatoes per person, depending on the appetite of your guests.

Step 3: The choice of veggies

Raclette is a traditional winter dish that usually calls for seasonal ingredients. But these ingredients may differ depending on where you are in the world. Some veggies can be placed directly on top of the raclette grill, others need to be prepared before. Here’s my selection of veggies and how to prepare them:

• Cumin Roasted Broccoli Florets. Place broccoli florets to a large mixing bowl, add cumin (seeds or ground, up to you), season with salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil and toss well. Transfer to a baking sheet and roast in a 415°F (210°C) preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, stirring once or twice.
• Curry Roasted Cauliflower Florets. Place cauliflower florets to a large mixing bowl, add curry powder, season with salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil and toss well. Transfer to a baking sheet and roast in a 415°F (210°C) preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, stirring once or twice.

• Paprika Roasted Diced Butternut Squash. Place butternut squash to a large mixing bowl, add (smoked) paprika powder, season with salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil and toss well. Transfer to a baking sheet and roast in a 415°F (210°C) preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, stirring once or twice.
• Green asparagus (when in season). Cut off the ends of the asparagus, then add to boiling water for 3-5 minutes, until tender but still crisp. Drain, then grill them for a few seconds to a minute on the raclette grill before serving.
• Bell peppers (when in season). Any color will do! Remove the seed and cut them into thick slices, then place directly on the raclette grill before serving.
• Mushrooms, sliced. Like for the bell pepper, you can place them directly on the raclette grill, or even in the small trays you use for the cheese!
• A little variation: This is not strictly veggie, but I recommend you try fresh pears, sliced, and covered with melted blue cheese (Morbier or Gorgonzola). Delicious!

Tip: You can also add a veggie protein if desired, such as firm tofu, diced. Grill directly onto the raclette grill until charred, then add to your plate and top with the melted cheese.

Step 4: The add-ons

They are the tiny little things that make the difference between a good and a great vegetarian raclette party. In other words, they are not strictly necessary but highly recommended! Find below just a few add-ons ideas you may want to add to your raclette dinner party:

• Cornichons (tiny pickles/gherkins) are a must to any raclette dinner party if you ask me. They usually pair charcuterie perfectly but there is no reason you should not add them to a vegetarian raclette!
• Cherry tomatoes (if they are in season where you live).
• Caramelized onions. To do so, simply melt one sliced red onion with a little bit of olive oil in a saucepan placed over medium heat, until onions are soft and translucent. Add one Tablespoon balsamic vinegar, and continue cooking until the onions are caramelized and slightly sticky. It brings a sweet touch to the dish that cuts the salty flavors of the cheese.

Step 5: A side of salad

I like to accompany a raclette with raw vegetables; it makes the all meal a little easier to digest and brings some freshness and crunchiness too. Here are a few options:

• A simple lettuce salad with tomato and cucumber, and maybe a few walnuts, coated in a vinaigrette consisting of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard and garlic.
• Endive salad with crumbled/diced blue cheese and pecans. Delicious!
• Lentil Salad with Beets and Baby Spinach. This option is particularly good if your raclette is a little light on the veggies and/or potatoes, as it will leaves you full and satisfied.

What to drink with your raclette?

A vegetarian raclette dinner party will be perfect accompanied by a glass of a light, dry white wine. It could be a Pinot Gris, a Riesling, a Chardonnay or any other similar wine. Some also enjoy pairing a raclette with a glass of red wine, and sometimes with beer or French cider.

Now, what dessert to serve after a raclette?

Unlike the traditional raclette involving meat, the vegetarian raclette is way easier to digest. It usually leaves you satisfied without feeling too heavy. This means you have room for dessert. Find below a few desserts that will be perfect to top off your vegetarian raclette dinner party.

• Quick Pear and Chocolate Crumble (my favorite!)
• Blueberry Pie with Oat Crust
• Easy Berry Crisp
• Pear and Chocolate Ricotta Galette
• Vegan Sugar-Free Apple Tart

Other comforting veggie family meals:

• Vegetarian Pot Pie
• Vegetarian Tartiflette
• Vegetarian Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
• French Gratin Dauphinois
• Vegetarian Corn Chowder
• Vegetarian Mushroom Bourguignon

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