Pan-Seared Swiss Rösti with Caramelized Onions and Gruyère

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-05 · Updated 2026-07-05

Golden pan-fried Swiss rösti topped with sweet caramelized onions and melted Gruyère cheese for a hearty, comforting dish. This swiss-inspired breakfast ready in about 45 minutes combines (about 1.5 lbs) large potatoes, unsalted butter, medium, thinly sliced yellow onion into a breakfast that fuels the morning without the midday crash — make-ahead-friendly and balanced enough to anchor the first meal of the day. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it sits comfortably in a weekly breakfast rotation alongside fruit, yogurt, or coffee. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 3 (about 1.5 lbs) large potatoes
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 medium, thinly sliced yellow onion
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Peel and coarsely grate 3 large potatoes, then rinse them under cold water until water runs clear to remove excess starch. Drain thoroughly and squeeze out excess moisture using a clean kitchen towel.
2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp unsalted butter and 2 tbsp olive oil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 1 thinly sliced medium yellow onion and 1/2 tsp salt; cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are deeply golden and caramelized. Remove onions from skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the grated potatoes with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add the remaining 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted and toss to coat.
4. Step 4: Heat the same skillet over medium-high heat and add the potato mixture, pressing it down firmly into a flat, even layer about 1/2-inch thick. Cook without stirring for 8-10 minutes until the edges are crisp and golden brown.
5. Step 5: Carefully flip the rösti using a large plate to invert it, then slide back into the skillet. Sprinkle 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese evenly over the top and return the caramelized onions. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until cheese melts and rösti is golden on both sides.
6. Step 6: Slide the rösti onto a serving plate, cut into wedges, and serve hot as a savory Swiss-inspired centerpiece.