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10 recipes · Switzerland

Swiss kitchen

10 Swiss recipes you can cook at home, from Alplermagronen (Swiss Alpine Macaroni), Capuns (Swiss Chard Dumplings) and Cholera (Swiss Potato and Leek Pie) to Engadiner Nusstorte (Swiss Walnut Tart).

10 recipes

About Swiss food

The Swiss kitchen

Swiss cooking changes from region to region, with potatoes, dairy, grains and seasonal produce giving many meals their backbone. Melted cheese with bread or potatoes is one familiar route; Zurich veal in cream sauce, Graubunden chard parcels and a Valais vegetable pie show others. Crisp surfaces and soft centers matter as much as richness.

Keep good melting cheese, butter, onions and potatoes close at hand. Pickles, applesauce and wine bring acidity or sweetness that balances heavier plates. Toast flour patiently for Basel's brown soup, chill potatoes before grating them, and melt cheese gently. A walnut caramel tart can be made ahead, leaving the stove free for the savory food when everyone gathers.

Questions, answered

What is the difference between fondue and raclette?

Fondue melts cheese into a shared pot, usually with wine, for dipping bread. Raclette melts cheese in portions that are scraped over potatoes and served with pickles.

Is Swiss food vegetarian?

Some potato and vegetable dishes are, but cheese may contain animal rennet and soups may use meat broth. Choose cheese labeled suitable for vegetarians and check the broth rather than relying on the dish name.

What potatoes work best for rosti?

Waxy or all-purpose potatoes hold strands well in a version made from parboiled potatoes. Chill them before grating, then let the first crust brown firmly before turning the cake.

Can I make Swiss cheese dishes without special equipment?

Yes. A heavy saucepan can melt fondue gently, while broiler-safe dishes can melt raclette portions. A fondue burner or raclette grill mainly helps keep the cheese hot during a leisurely meal.

What Swiss dishes can I make at home?

Start with Alplermagronen (Swiss Alpine Macaroni), Basler Mehlsuppe (Swiss Toasted Flour Soup), Bircher Muesli, Capuns (Swiss Chard Dumplings) and Cholera (Swiss Potato and Leek Pie). Every recipe here is written for a home kitchen, with substitutes for anything hard to find.

What's the quickest Swiss recipe?

Swiss Cheese Fondue, ready in 30 min.