Organizing a perfect raclette evening requires meticulous preparation, especially regarding the quantities to plan for. How can you avoid running out of cheese or ending up with too many potatoes? Here is our complete guide to measure precisely and ensure the success of your convivial meal.
The essentials to remember
- Raclette, this convivial dish par excellence, requires a precise balance of ingredients
- Count about 200 g of cheese and 300 g of potatoes per adult
- Discover our practical tips to adjust portions according to your guests and avoid waste
Winter is well settled in and with it returns the irresistible desire to share a good raclette among friends or family. But the question invariably returns: what quantity to plan to satisfy all guests without being overwhelmed by leftovers? You dream of perfectly melting cheese, tender potatoes, and smooth service throughout the evening.
Also read: Savoyard fondue recipe
Rest assured, a few simple guidelines will help you aim right, whether your table hosts insatiable gourmands or children with more modest appetites.
Recommended quantities per person: the practical guide
Here are the ideal proportions to properly calibrate your purchases:
- Raclette cheese: 200 g per adult, 250 g for big eaters, 150 g for small appetites or children.
- Potatoes: 3 medium pieces per adult (about 300 g), 2 to 3 small ones for a child.
You are free to opt for a 100% traditional raclette cheese evening or to enrich the experience with other varieties of cheeses. The important thing remains to adapt the quantities to your guests’ appetite and the meal moment, without complicating the task when sitting down at the table.
Quantity table according to the number of guests
This practical table applies our standard recommendations for adults: 200 g of cheese and 3 medium potatoes per person. Use the “big appetites” column if your table is particularly hearty.
| Number of guests | Cheese (standard) | Cheese (big appetites) | Potatoes (medium) ≈ weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 400 g | 500 g | 6 pieces ≈ 600 g |
| 4 | 800 g | 1.0 kg | 12 pieces ≈ 1.2 kg |
| 6 | 1.2 kg | 1.5 kg | 18 pieces ≈ 1.8 kg |
| 8 | 1.6 kg | 2.0 kg | 24 pieces ≈ 2.4 kg |
| 10 | 2.0 kg | 2.5 kg | 30 pieces ≈ 3.0 kg |
| 12 | 2.4 kg | 3.0 kg | 36 pieces ≈ 3.6 kg |
To adapt these quantities for children, reduce about 50 g of cheese and one medium potato compared to the adult portion, or plan 2 to 3 small potatoes.
Anti-waste tip: do not present all the cheese at the beginning of the meal. Keep some in the refrigerator and adjust as the evening progresses according to the guests’ appetite.
Choice of potatoes: varieties and cooking technique
Favor firm-fleshed potatoes like Annabelle or Roseval. These varieties keep their shape after cooking, which is more elegant on the plate and more practical for serving. Do not peel them before cooking: simply brush them carefully. They will hold better and retain more nutrients. Each person can peel them in their plate if they wish.
To keep them at the ideal temperature throughout the meal, here is a simple but effective trick: place them in a bowl with a splash of water, placed directly on the raclette grill. The gentle heat maintains the perfect temperature all evening long, without drying out the potatoes. This method proves particularly valuable when the service extends over several rounds.
With these tips, your raclette evening will be a guaranteed success, stress-free and with perfectly adapted proportions for every guest!
