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Want to know which types of meats you can use with raclette cheese? You’ve come to the right place! Experiment with your favourite meats to find the perfect combination for your taste buds. The sky’s the limit when it comes to creating amazing raclette dishes!
So get creative and have some fun. This blog post will provide 10 of the best meats for your next raclette dinner party, along with an explanation of each meat’s flavour profile and their delicious recipes.
1. Turkey
Turkey is one of the most common meats used for raclette, and it’s’also one of my family’s favourites. One reason that turkey is perfect for raclette is that it’s moist.
Turkey can be grilled in advance and shredded for easy melting. Plus, the slightly smoky flavour of grilled turkey pairs perfectly with the cheesy goodness of raclette.
Another great thing about using turkey for raclette is that there are so many different ways to prepare it. You can go with a traditional way of roasted or smoked Thanksgiving-style turkey, or you could try something a little more adventurous like Thai-inspired turkey meatballs. Regardless of your flavour preference, turkey is a great way to add some variety to raclette night.
2. Lamb
If you are looking for an authentic raclette experience, be sure to include lamb on your list of meats to try. This is because lamb has a unique flavour profile that pairs well with the cheese and other ingredients used in raclette. Lamb also has a relatively low price point, making it an affordable option for those looking to enjoy this dish.
3. Braised Beef
Braised beef is a tough cut of meat that has been cooked for many hours in liquid. A braising liquid, which is usually made up of wine, stock or water, can be either packaged or fresh and is browned off before cooking.
The meat becomes so tender it falls apart at the touch of a fork. A wide variety of vegetables are used during the cooking process to provide flavour and texture to the dish. Popular vegetables include carrots, celery, leeks, onions and baby tomatoes.
4. Salami
Salami is a type of cured sausage with a smooth, firm texture and a flavour that ranges from mild to strong. it can be made from pork, beef, turkey or lamb, and is usually dried and smoked. Salami is sometimes also treated with nitrites (or nitrates) to give it a pink colour and extended shelf-life. It can be eaten by itself as an appetizer or snack or added to sandwiches and other dishes. With raclette and macaroni, it makes for a hearty and tasty meal.
5. Prosciutto
Prosciutto is a dry-cured, air-dried ham that originated in Italy. Prosciutto crisps up beautifully over the Raclette grill and melt into deliciousness on top of mashed potatoes and vegetables. It also pairs well with caraway, fennel, and juniper berries for an extra layer of flavour.
Prosciutto can also be blanched in lightly salted simmering water before being roasted. This process will result in a lighter, more tender slice.
Prosciutto is often eaten with culatello and Parmigiano-Reggiano melted cheese on top.
The prosciutto crisps up beautifully over the Raclette grill and melt into deliciousness on top of mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables. It also pairs well with caraway, fennel, and juniper berries for an extra layer of flavour.
6. Bayonne
Ham of Bayonne is one of the most iconic foods in southwest France. This ham, made from pigs fed on acorns, has a strong flavour that pairs well with milder foods high in fat content, like quick melts cheese.
For a quick delicious meal, all you need are potatoes (boiled so they will crisp when broiled), ham of Bayonne, raclette cheese, leeks (if you want to add some veggies) and for an extra treat, cranberries.
Blanched or steamed leeks are a great addition that brings out the flavours in this dish without being too overpowering. Simply slice them into rounds and scatter them over the potato slices. The ham of Bayonne is a must-have for this dish—it brings out the flavour of the melted cheese.
7. Savoie Ham
Ham of Savoie, a dry-cured sausage from the Savoy region in the French Alps, is a great addition to your raclette meal. The pork used in this ham is from free-range pigs that are fed a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, which gives the ham its sweet and nutty flavour. Ham of Savoie pairs well with raclette because its subtle flavour doesn’t overpower the other ingredients, but instead enhances them. Except for the briefest of cooking times, the ham of Savoie is typically served uncooked.
For a simple raclette dinner, pair Ham of Savoie with fresh bread and butter, cornichons, sliced tomatoes or cucumbers, pickled onions or shallots, and mustard.
8. Bresaola
Bresaola is a type of air-dried, salted beef that comes from the region of Lombardy in Italy. The meat has a unique flavour profile that goes well with the raclette. The older the bresaola, the more intense its flavour will be. It tastes very richly in salty meat with a hint of sweetness from being cured in salt.
It is also lean meat, which makes it a good choice for those who are looking for a healthier option. Bresaola is made from beef round, and it can be quite expensive. It’s’a speciality food in most parts of the world, but it can be found in some high-end grocery stores or Italian markets.
9. Chorizo
Chorizo is a type of pork sausage that is popular in Spain and Latin America. It is made with ground pork, fat, salt, and paprika. Chorizo can be eaten fresh or dried. When it is dried, it is called chorizo seco. Chorizo is commonly used in dishes like paella and empanadas. Chorizo pairs well with rice, beans, and cheese.
It’s’a flavorful, spicy sausage that pairs well with cream cheese and roasted potatoes. Additionally, it’s’easy to prepare – just cook it up in advance and set it aside until you’re ready to eat.
10. Sausage
Sausages are one of the oldest types of processed meat in the world, and there are many different varieties. They are typically made from pork, beef, lamb, or turkey, but can also be made from poultry, game meats, and fish. The manufacturing process includes mixing ground meat with salt, spices, and other flavourings and then stuffing it into a casing. Sausages can be cooked by grilling, frying, roasting, or poaching. They are a popular ingredient in many dishes such as stews, pasta sauces, pizza toppings and obviously raclette meals.
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11. Bacon
Bacon. It’s the star of breakfast, the perfect partner to eggs, and delicious addition to sandwiches. Whether you like it crispy or chewy, bacon is always a treat. At its best, bacon is made from pork belly that’s been cured and smoked. But there are lots of different ways to make bacon, so you can find your perfect favourite. Some people even like to put maple syrup on their bacon! No matter how you like it, we know you’ll love our selection of the best bacon around.
Bacon is a great addition to raclette because it provides salty and savoury flavours that contrast well with the sweet and nutty flavours of the cheese. Additionally, bacon is crispy and easy to eat, making it the perfect accompaniment to a gooey raclette feast.
12. Capocollo
Capocollo has a lot of flavour possibilities because it can be oven-roasted, grilled, or fried with seasonings. This dish can be served either hot or cold. And while some meats may no longer taste good when they are cold, capocolla thrives in that environment.
When it comes to raclette, capocollo is the perfect meat. It’s flavorful and versatile, meaning you can pair it with a variety of different sides and sauces. Plus, its texture makes it easy to melt on the raclette grill.
If you’d like, you can also add some of your favourite sides, like boiled potatoes or macaroni and cheese, to the grill while the capocollo is cooking.
Once the capocollo is cooked, remove it from the grill plate. Serve raclette capocollo immediately while everything is still hot. You may also choose to add some additional ingredients to give your raclette dish a unique flavour profile, including honey, citrus fruits like oranges or grapefruit, pickled onions, bell peppers, and sliced mushrooms for an Italian-inspired capocollo meal.
13. Bundnerfleisch
Bundnerfleisch is a type of ham that is smoked and then cured in salt, which gives it a salty flavour. This provides an ideal balance to the sweet taste of the cheese. The meat is also sliced thin, so it melts easily. It’s’a very lean cut of pork from the hind leg and yields mostly fat-free slices when cooked.
Bundnerfleisch is best cooked over medium-low heat while pressing it down. Melt the raclette cheese while covering it with a lid or sheet of foil.
To create a full raclette party experience, cut vegetables and the bundnerfleisch into bite-size pieces before guests arrive.
Place these items on a platter with dijon mustard and toast or crackers alongside to dip them in. It’s great for anyone who enjoys ham but wants to try something different at their next raclette dinner party.
14. Fondue beef
Fondue beef can be cooked in broth or its own juices, or it can be browned in oil before being cooked. Along with Raclette cheese, the Fondue Beef is one of the most common meats for raclette dishes. This dish is often served with bread, vegetables, and dipping sauces. It can be enjoyed as an appetizer or a main course. It goes great with raclette because the cheese can be melted and served on top of the beef.
15. Serrano ham
The smoky and salty flavours of the ham are a perfect pair with the nutty and earthy flavours of the cheese. Not only does this combination taste great, but it is also a visually appealing dish. If you are looking to add a little bit of Spanish flair to your raclette night, then be sure to include serrano ham on the table.
16. Shrimp
Shrimp is one of the best seafood to eat with raclette cheese. This type of dish works well because shrimp must be seared in order for it to retain its firm texture. One should cook the shrimp first, and then let it cool off until ready to serve. It can be served alongside cucumbers or other vegetables (brussels sprouts are also excellent) as well as radishes and apples for a refreshing taste that’s perfect on a hot day. Raclette with Mango and Shrimp
17. Salmon
Salmon and raclette cheese is a rich, decadent dish that is perfect for a special occasion. Salmon is baked until it is tender and flaky, then served with creamy raclette cheese melted over the top. The salty, smoky flavour of the cheese pairs perfectly with the delicate flavour of the salmon, creating a dish that will impress your guests. This dish is easy to prepare and can be made in under an hour. Serve it with some crusty bread or potatoes for a hearty meal that everyone will love.
Closing Thoughts
Ready to try out some of these delicious raclette recipes? From beef and lamb to poultry and seafood, there’s something for everyone on this list.
Furthermore, we’ve included ingredients and a step-by-step cooking method for each of these meats so you can give all of them a try!
Whether you want something salty, smoky, or sweet and savoury, we’ve got you covered. So get cooking and have some fun with raclette!
