Updated on November 11th, 2022
If you’re missing the sharp flavor of gruyere cheese, don’t worry! Many great substitutes for this cheese include Jarlsberg, Emmentaler, Fontina, and Parmesan. Here are some of the best. Using these cheeses in place of gruyere will give your dish a similar flavor. If you don’t have any of these cheeses on hand, read on to find the perfect substitute.
What is Gruyere Cheese?
Gruyère is a Swiss firm yellow cheese. It was named after the Swiss town of Gruyères. Gruyère is made from whole cow’s milk and is aged for six months or longer. It has a low number of small eyes (or holes), which is unusual for Swiss cheese. The large holes in most Swiss varieties are caused by gas bubbles during the cheesemaking process.
It’s the ideal table cheese, which means it can go on a cheese platter, be eaten in slices, or be added to a sandwich. It’s also one of the two main types of cheese used in traditional fondue preparation. Bubbles released by the bacteria used to prepare the cheese form these holes or eyes.
Gruyere Cheese Nutrition Fact
Substitute for Gruyere Cheese
1. Jarlsberg
If you’re not able to afford a full-sized block of Gruyere cheese, there are some excellent alternatives. Jarlsberg cheese, for example, is similar in texture to Gruyere but has a harder consistency. When softened, it should melt like Gruyere, but you should know that substitutes can have different flavors. Make sure to purchase your substitutes in small amounts before using them in recipes.
Although it lacks Gruyere’s rich flavor and melting quality, it can be a good substitute. The flavor is slightly more robust, but the difference is offset by the age of both kinds of cheese. You can also substitute primary grocery store Swiss cheese for Gruyere if you can’t find it in your area. However, American Swiss cheese imitates Alpine Emmentaler; the eyes are smaller, and the cheese has a milder flavor.
2. Emmentaler
If you’re looking to make an authentic Swiss fondue, you may be wondering how to substitute Gruyere with Emmentaler cheese. Emmental cheese is a semi-hard, smooth Swiss cheese commonly used in fondue, and this cheese has larger holes than Gruyere and a buttery flavor. It can be found in most grocery stores and is a good substitute for Gruyere.
If you’re looking for a good substitute for Gruyere cheese, look no further than the Kars graver, a Turkish hard cheese. Made from pure cow milk (and sometimes goat), it is an excellent choice for any Gruyere cheese recipe. This cheese was created by David Moser, who went to Turkey and started a production facility in Bogatepe, Turkey.
If you’re not in the mood for Gruyere, don’t worry! There are plenty of great substitutes for Gruyere available online. These cheeses are similar to Gruyere in flavor, texture, and appearance but are milder and sweeter. Emmentaler cheese is also great for dishes where the original cheese is missing. You can use it in place of Gruyere cheese in almost any recipe, and be sure to enjoy it.
3. Fontina
While some people prefer Gruyere, there are plenty of other options for substituting it. Fontina is a versatile cheese that goes well with a variety of dishes. Its flavor is quite pungent, making it ideal for pairing roasted meats, truffle recipes, and even andouille sausage. Fontina is also known to go well with heavy wines, such as Madeira.
Another cheese that you can use in place of Gruyere is comte cheese, a French cow’s milk variety that has a similar flavor to Gruyere. This cheese is best used young, as younger comte will melt quickly in sandwiches. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a substitute for Gruyere cheese, consider Fontina, an Italian cow’s milk cheese that hails from the Alpine region. It is excellent for melting and can be mixed with Parmesan cheese to create a close substitute.
Another good substitution for Gruyere cheese is Raclette. This semi-hard cheese is aged for about two years. The flavors of raclette vary depending on its age, and it can be substituted for gruyere in any recipe that calls for gruyere. The texture is slightly grainy. Depending on the time it’s aged, Fontina will have a similar taste to Gruyere.
4. Parmesan
Using a different cheese in recipes may be a good substitute for Gruyere. Gouda is an excellent substitute for this cheese in baked goods. Its mild flavor is similar to Gruyere, but it gets drier when aged. Gouda is typically served on cheese boards. Its flavor is more pronounced when melted than baked goods, so it may not be a good substitute. If you’d like to use a different cheese in cooking, try Jarlsberg. It is similar to Gruyere in flavor and texture but is better for grilled or broiled recipes.
Fontina and Parmesan are excellent alternatives to Gruyere. These cheeses share the same rich and complex consistency as Gruyere, and they both have the same texture when melted but are different in flavor. If you’re not a fan of Fontina, try Emmentaler. The texture of Emmentaler is similar to Gruyere, but it’s softer and has a butterier flavor. Emmentaler is also a good substitute for Gruyere cheese.
5. Comté
Comté cheese is a Swiss cheese from the Franche-Comté region of France, near the Swiss border, and it’s an excellent substitute for Gruyère.
Comté is a raw milk cheese that is semi-hard. What’s unique about this cheese is that it’s aged in extraordinary caves to achieve the distinctive color, flavor, and texture that it’s known for.
It has a dusty brown rind with a pale yellow center and is ripened for at least 4 months up to 18 or 24 months.
The flavor of Comté is dominated by nutty aromas, which are balanced by brown butter and sweet notes at the end. When tasting Comté cheese, it is said that you can detect up to 83 different flavors.
Comté cheese has excellent melting properties, ideal for fondues or the classic French Croque Monsieur.
6. Raclette
We’ve returned to Switzerland for our next Gruyère replacement. Raclette cheese comes from the Swiss canton of Valais, and the name also refers to the traditional raclette dish. The word “raclette” comes from the French word “racler,” which means “to scrape.” A traditional raclette involves scraping hot, melted cheese onto your plate.
Raclette cheese is made from raw cow’s milk and is semi-hard, and it is typically matured for 3 to 6 months. Unlike that of Jarlsberg, the orange-brown rind of raclette cheese is edible. Raclette cheese’s flavor varies depending on where it’s made, but it’s usually fruity, nutty, milky, and spicy. It also has a slightly floral scent to it.
Because of its traditional preparation, this cheese has excellent melting properties. As a result, if you’re looking for a melty cheese to replace Gruyère, this is another excellent option! This makes it ideal for fondues and toppings for hot dishes like lasagne and pizza. It’s also great for sandwiches and as part of a cheeseboard.
Recipe with Gruyere Cheese
1. Onion Soup (French)
Classic French Onion Soup is one of the most popular Gruyere cheese recipes. Caramelized onions, crunchy baguettes, and fresh thyme sprigs give the soup a warm, peppery flavor perfect for chilly winter evenings.
The Gruyere cheese melts on top of the baguette of the soup in this recipe.
The gooey cheese melts into the soup-soaked bread, creating a rich layer of soft cheesy bread that covers the soup underneath.
2. Croque-Madame
Croque Madames are the fanciest of all the breakfast sandwiches, with black forest ham, Gruyere cheese, dijon mustard, and sourdough bread.
The entire sandwich is fried in an egg and milk mixture, similar to french toast, for a crunchy and moist outside.
A sunny-side egg slides on top of the sandwich to complete the breakfast vibes, resulting in a beautifully runny egg that soaks your sandwich in the delicious yellow yolk.
3. Strata of Vegetables
Vegetable Strata is a delicious breakfast dish that can be made quickly and serves many people.
You can use any cheese and vegetables you want, but Gruyere adds a rich, earthy flavor to the dish, making your family and friends salivate.
For this simple layered casserole dish, get creative with your ingredients.
4. Grilled Cheese with Mushrooms and Gruyere
Replace the cheddar or American cheese in your grilled cheese with Gruyere cheese, which has a distinct flavor.
The mushrooms add a salty, robust flavor to the grilled cheese sandwiches, making them more comforting and satisfying.
5. Macaroni and Cheese Baked
Cooking with Gruyere cheese can lead you down various paths, but make a nutty and flavorful macaroni and cheese if you want to get back to the basics.
If you’re stumped for what to make with Gruyere cheese, don’t overthink it and stick to tried-and-true cheesy dishes.
6. Apple Gruyere Pear Pie
We included at least one dessert because many home cooks overlook how well cheese pairs with honeyed flavors.
The apple and pear filling is tossed in vanilla brown butter, enhancing the fruit’s sweetness without adding sugar.
Typically, Gruyere is used to top off dishes, but this recipe bakes the gooey cheese right into the pie crust for an unexpected buttery flavor.
7. Biscuits with Herb-Gruyere
You must try these herb-Gruyere biscuits if you’re looking for Gruyere cheese recipes to make an outstanding side dish.
The biscuits are soft and fluffy, with a golden exterior that appears to be a standard biscuit but tastes surprisingly cheesy and seasoned.
8. Bread Pudding with Gruyere
Bread pudding is sometimes referred to as the lazy man’s dessert, but only you can decide if that is accurate.
Try this savory version of bread pudding as a breakfast or afternoon snack to change up the flavors of traditional bread pudding.
The nuttiness of the Gruyere cheese infuses it with flavor and transforms it into a gooey, stringy, delicious mess in a bowl.
9. Cheez-Its from scratch
Try these DIY Cheez-Its instead of going to the store for a salty snack if you’re stumped about what to do with Gruyere cheese.
The instructions for this recipe are simple: combine all ingredients to make a dough, cut into crack size, and bake until golden crackers are obtained.
At festive gatherings or casual get-togethers, cookies and brownies can get boring, so spice up the buffet table with these buttery, tender Cheez-It knock-offs.
Can I Substitute Cheddar for Gruyère?
No, Cheddar is not a good substitute for Gruyère, and this is because its melting properties and flavor are completely different. We recommend Emmental, Jarlsberg, Raclette, Comté, or Beaufort from the list above to use a less expensive cheese.
While extra mature cheddar can have a nuttier flavor, it’s not as hard as Gruyère and doesn’t melt entirely. Cheddar is a versatile cheese that can be used in many dishes. It depends entirely on the recipe you’re trying to make, but we recommend using one of the other types of cheese we discussed in greater detail above.
In a Quiche, What can I Use Instead of Gruyère Cheese?
In a quiche, Emmental, Jarlsberg, or Raclette cheese can be used instead of Gruyère. These Swiss cheeses will do, as they have very similar flavor profiles to Gruyère. It also depends on the quiche recipe you’re attempting to make.
Emmental is an excellent substitute for Gruyère, and you can pick the proper maturity for your quiche based on the flavor you want to add. We recommend a younger Emmental cheese if you want a milder flavor. Choose a more mature Emmental for a more fruity, full-flavored cheese.
Jarlsberg has a more robust flavor than Emmental, so this is the cheese to choose if you want your quiche to be flavorful.
The flavor of raclette cheese varies depending on where it is produced. This is something to consider if you choose this cheese because it will change the flavor of your quiche.
Conclusion
Gruyere cheese recipes are far more adaptable than most people realize. Give one of our Gruyere recipes a try the next time you’re wondering what to make with Gruyere cheese; you’ll be surprised at how versatile this nutty, rich cheese is.
When selecting the appropriate cheese for your recipe, consider the cheese’s age and any unique flavors or properties. This can assist you in locating the best match for your substitution requirements!
Whether you’re looking for a cheaper alternative or simply haven’t had the chance to visit your local grocery store, these types of cheese have you covered. This tasty cheese is excellent on bread, cheese fondue, cheese puffs, baking, French onion soup, or simply on a cheese board with dried fruit. Typically, animals fed non-GMO feed produce Gruyere or Gruyere cheese.
