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Tabletop grilling: what do you need and what do you serve?

Tabletop grilling: what do you need and what do you serve?

For a successful raclette night, you need a raclette grill, ingredients to cook right at the table, and tasty extras like bread, vegetables, sauces, and side dishes. How much you need mainly depends on the number of people and what everyone likes to eat. In this guide, you'll find a practical shopping list, recommended amounts per person, and plenty of ideas for meat, fish, vegetables, and vegetarian options.

What is raclette?

Raclette is a fun way to prepare small portions of food together at the table using a raclette grill. Depending on the raclette grill, you cook ingredients on a griddle or grill plate and/or in small raclette pans. This allows everyone to choose what they want to prepare and combine different ingredients. In the United States, raclette is a great option for gatherings and dinner parties, especially during the holiday season. But raclette isn't just for winter. It's also a fun way to enjoy a meal together in spring or summer.

What do you need for raclette?

For a raclette night, you basically need a raclette grill, ingredients to cook, cooking utensils, tableware, and a few side dishes. Make sure to offer plenty of variety so everyone can choose and combine their own ingredients.

• Raclette grill: choose a size that fits the number of people at the table.
• Ingredients: think small portions of meat, fish, vegetables, and vegetarian or plant-based alternatives. Cut the ingredients into pieces beforehand so they fit easily on the griddle or in a raclette pan.
• Oil or cooking fat: if needed, use a small amount of sunflower oil, olive oil, or liquid cooking oil.
• Cooking utensils: Keep spatulas, tongs, or other suitable cooking utensils within reach so everyone can easily prepare their own dishes.
• Tableware and serving boards: Use plates, silverware, small bowls, and wooden or slate serving boards to present ingredients, bread, and side dishes neatly and attractively on the table.
• Sauces and side dishes: Complete the meal with bread, dips, salad, and other side dishes, for example.

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What do you serve for raclette?

For raclette, serve small portions of meat, fish, vegetables, and vegetarian or plant-based ingredients that are easy to cook on a raclette grill. Add cheese, bread, sauces, dips, salads, and other side dishes. This allows everyone to choose their own ingredients and create different combinations.

What meat is good for raclette?
Choose meat that's easy to cook in small portions, such as chicken breast, steak strips, pork tenderloin, mini burgers, or small sausages. Cut larger pieces into smaller portions beforehand so they fit easily on the raclette grill or in a raclette pan.

What fish can you use for raclette?
Fish is also a great option for raclette. Try salmon, tuna, or shrimp, for example. Cut them into small portions so they're easy to cook on the raclette grill and everyone can try different ingredients.

What vegetables are good for raclette?
Vegetables add plenty of variety to the table. Mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, onion, and leeks are great options for cooking on the raclette grill. You can also serve raw vegetables such as cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and carrots for a fresh addition.

What can you use for vegetarian or vegan raclette?
For vegetarian or vegan raclette, you can mix and match plenty of vegetables, tofu, tempeh, plant-based burgers, meatless meatballs, and other meat alternatives. Raclette is also convenient when not everyone at the table eats the same foods: with individual raclette pans, everyone can choose, cook, and combine their own ingredients.

What cheese is good for raclette?
Cheese is delicious melted in a raclette pan. Try raclette cheese, mozzarella, brie, goat cheese, or Gorgonzola, for example. Combine cheese with vegetables, potatoes, bread, or fruit to create small dishes during your raclette night.

What side dishes and extras go well with raclette?
Complete your raclette spread with different side dishes, such as a baguette with garlic butter or dips, a fresh salad, potato salad, and raw vegetables. Serve sauces and dips in small bowls and present bread and other ingredients on a wooden or slate serving board, for example.

Want something different from the classic raclette ingredients? Add pancake batter or an egg mixture for omelets to the table. You can make small omelets or pancakes in the raclette pans. Try an omelet with vegetables, herbs, or cheese, for example. You can make the pancakes savory or serve them as a sweet treat or dessert, for example with fruit.

How much do you need per person for raclette?

How much you need depends on how much everyone eats and how many side dishes you serve. As a practical guideline, plan on about 300 g / 10.6 oz of meat, fish, and/or vegetarian alternatives per adult. You'll usually need less for children and lighter eaters. The more side dishes you serve, the less meat, fish, or vegetarian alternatives you'll generally need.

Swipe to view the table
Type of food Richtlijn per persoon
Meat, fish, and/or vegetarian alternatives approx. 300 g / 10.6 oz
Vegetables approx. 150-200 g / 5.3-7.1 oz
Baguette approx. ¼ to ⅓ of a baguette
Sauces, dips, and side dishes To taste and depending on the other dishes served

Shopping list for raclette

A good shopping list helps make sure you don't forget anything at the last minute. Use the list below as a starting point and adjust it based on the number of people and what everyone likes to eat.

• Meat, fish, and vegetarian options: for example, chicken breast, steak strips, pork tenderloin, mini burgers, salmon, shrimp, tofu, tempeh, or plant-based alternatives.
• Vegetables: mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, onion, leeks, and optionally raw vegetables such as cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and carrots.
• Cheese: for example, raclette cheese, mozzarella, brie, goat cheese, or Gorgonzola.
• Bread and side dishes: baguette, garlic butter, salad, potato salad, and other favorite side dishes for raclette.
• Sauces and dips: for example, hummus, garlic sauce, cocktail sauce, or other sauces you enjoy.
• Extras for the raclette pans: eggs for small omelets and optionally pancake batter for a savory or sweet treat.
• Oil or cooking fat: for example, sunflower oil, olive oil, or liquid cooking oil.
• Drinks: choose what suits your group, such as water, soda, wine, or other favorite drinks.

Raclette at Christmas

Planning raclette for Christmas? You can use the same basics as for any raclette night, but make the table a little more festive with extra appetizers, beautiful serving boards, and a special dish or dessert. You don't have to put everything on the table at once. Serve meat, fish, and other refrigerated ingredients in smaller amounts and replenish them from the refrigerator throughout the evening. This is practical and prevents ingredients from sitting out unnecessarily long.

Want to end the evening on a festive note? Use the raclette pans for a small dessert, such as warm apple with cinnamon and spiced cookie crumbs, optionally served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Later in this article, we'll share more raclette ideas and recipes.

Raclette with kids

Raclette with kids is fun because everyone can choose and make their own small dishes. Serve ingredients that kids can easily recognize and combine, such as mini burgers, pieces of chicken, bell peppers, mushrooms, cucumber, cheese, and small pieces of bread. Older kids may also enjoy making a small omelet or other small dishes in a raclette pan.

Take extra care around the hot griddle and raclette pans when children are present. Place the raclette grill securely on the table, make sure cords aren't in the way, and don't leave young children unattended near the hot appliance.

Raclette ideas and recipes

With raclette, you can make much more than just individual pieces of meat and vegetables. Use the raclette pans and griddle for small dishes that combine different ingredients. This gives everyone the chance to try something new throughout the evening.

Try baby potatoes with melted raclette cheese, marinated mushrooms, or baguette with warm Gorgonzola, pear, and walnuts. You can also create all kinds of different combinations with various cheeses, vegetables, and herbs.

Need more raclette ideas and recipes? Explore our collection of raclette and grilling recipes for different savory combinations and inspiration for your next raclette night.

Explore raclette and grilling recipes

How do you prevent raclette smells from lingering?

Raclette can create cooking smells that linger for a while. Make sure the room is well ventilated and, if possible, turn on the range hood while cooking. Want to get rid of the smell as quickly as possible afterward? Check out our tips for removing raclette smells from your home.

Which raclette grill do you need?

The raclette grill that suits you best mainly depends on the number of people, the size of the griddle, the number of raclette pans, and how you want to cook or grill. Do you usually have raclette for two? Then a raclette grill for 2 people can be a practical choice. For a larger group, a bigger model with more cooking space and more raclette pans is a better fit.

Frequently asked questions about raclette

Yes. You can cut many ingredients in advance, set out small bowls and serving boards, and prepare sauces or side dishes ahead of time. Keep refrigerated ingredients such as meat and fish in the refrigerator until shortly before the raclette meal, and serve smaller amounts at a time.

Refrigerate perishable leftovers as soon as possible, and no later than within 2 hours. Cooked meat, fish, and vegetarian leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for another 2 to 3 days.

Ready for raclette?

With the right preparation, you can put together a complete raclette night in no time. Don't have a suitable raclette grill yet, or want a different size? Explore the BOSKA raclette grills and choose a model that fits your group and the way you like to enjoy raclette.

Stalen raclette grill met beukenhouten accenten, keerbare grillplaat en pannetjes.
Raclette Gourmet Party, 8 Person (EU)
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€89.99
Raclette Mini 220V
Raclette Mini 220V
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€29.99
Luxe gourmetstel van BOSKA met voedsel
Raclette Gourmet Pro, 8 Person (EU)
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€149.99
Product photo of Raclette Party Mini with food on it
Raclette Party Mini (EU)
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€34.99