How To Pick The Best Substitute For Gruyere Cheese posted by Taylor Munsell Pin Share Tweet Email SomethingSwanky is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. If you’re looking for a delicious substitute for gruyere cheese, you’ll love our list of substitutes that are just as tasty! From cheddar to brie, there’s something for everyone. So next time you’re in the mood for some cheesy goodness, don’t forget these amazing gruyere cheese substitutes. Table of ContentsWhat is Gruyere Cheese? The 5 Best Substitutes for Gruyere CheeseEmmental Jarlsberg Raclette Comte Beaufort Gruyere Substitute FAQ What is Gruyere Cheese? Before we can find the right substitute for gruyere cheese, we first need to learn more about it and its unique properties. Gruyere is a Swiss cheese made from traditional Swiss cheese. It was first made in Gruyeres, Switzerland. Gruyere cheese is a firm cheese with a pale yellow color. Gruyere is rich and creamy with a slightly nutty flavor. The characteristic feature of Swiss cheese is the small holes in the cheese. These tiny holes are caused by gas bubbles that are released by bacteria in cheese production. Gruyere is a smaller cheese than Jarlsberg, however. Gruyere cheese is aged for at least 6 months. Gruyere cheese is versatile and can be used as a table or fondue cheese due to its low melting point. It can be very expensive to purchase Gruyere cheese in the US, despite its great taste. The price ranges from $14 to $18 per pound. This is a lot if you just want to use a little Gruyere in a single recipe. We have 5 great alternatives to Gruyere cheese for you so you can cook as much as you like! The 5 Best Substitutes for Gruyere Cheese Emmental Emmental is a great substitute for fondue cheese. This cheese is another Swiss cheese, which originated in Emmental, Switzerland. It can also be called Emmentaler or Emmenthal. This cheese is a medium-hard cheese made with cow’s milk. It also has holes that are often associated with Swiss cheese. It can be aged between 2 and 18 months depending on which type of cheese you choose. The cheese variety and maturity of the cheese can also affect the flavor. It can be mild and buttery to full-flavored and fruity. Emmental cheese is known for its amazing melting properties. It is often used in cheese fondues with Gruyere instead of Gruyere. Emmental can be used in many other cheese recipes. It can be used in sandwiches, as a part of a cheese platter, with grilled cheese, or with bruschetta. Jarlsberg Jarlsberg is another Swiss cheese with classic holes that are created during production. This particular cheese is from Jarlsberg, Norway. It was created in 1800 by Anders Larsen Bakke. This semi-soft cheese is made from cow’s dairy and has a mild flavor. It has the same mild, nutty flavor of Gruyere but with a touch of sweetness. It is also very similar to Emmental, but it has a stronger and sweeter flavor than its Switzerland counterpart. It has a buttery texture and is a favorite of many Americans. Jarlsberg is available in a yellow wax rind with a semi-firm outer coating. This cheese is best if it has been matured for at most 3 months. However, it can also be made in different maturities with a minimum of 9, 12, or 15 months. The size of the holes or “eyes”, which are sometimes called Jarlsberg’s age, can usually tell you the age of a Jarlsberg. This versatile cheese is a great alternative to Gruyere. It can be used in sandwiches, as part of a cheese plate, as snacks, or in fondue, if you’re feeling adventurous. It melts well and is great for hot dishes. This cheese is truly amazing because it is so popular with Americans that it is now made here in Ohio to reduce imports from Norway. Raclette We are back in Switzerland to find our next Gruyere replacement. Raclette cheese is a Swiss specialty that originated in Valais, Switzerland. The name refers to the traditional raclette dish for which it is used. Raclette is a French word that means “to scrape”. Traditional raclette dish is made with hot, melted cheese that is poured onto your plate. Raclette cheese, a semi-hard cheese made of raw cow’s milk, is a semihard cheese. It is usually matured for 3 to 6 months. The orange-brown rind is edible, unlike its Jarlsberg counterpart. Raclette cheese’s flavor can vary depending on where it was made. However, it is generally fruity, nutty, and milky. It can also have a slight floral aroma. This cheese is a traditional recipe and has amazing melting properties. This makes it a great alternative to Gruyere if your goal is to have consistently melty cheese. It is perfect for fondues or topping hot dishes like lasagna and pizza. It can also be used in sandwiches and as part of a cheeseboard. Comte France is our next Gruyere substitute. Comte cheese, which is another Swiss cheese, originates from France’s Franche-Comte area. It is located near the border with Switzerland and makes a great replacement for Gruyere. Comte is a cheese that can only be made in the Franche Comte region. It is sometimes also known as Gruyere de Comte in France. Comte is a semi-hard cheese made of raw milk. This cheese is unique because it is matured in caves to get the unique color, taste, and texture it is known for. It is usually ripened for at most 4 months. However, it can be ripened for up to 18 or 24 more months. The rind is usually a dark brown with a pale yellow center. Comte’s flavor is dominated by nutty aromas, balanced with brown butter and sweet notes. Comte cheese can be characterized by as many as 83 flavors. Comte cheese is a wonderful choice for fondues and even the French classic Croque Monsieur. Beaufort Beaufort cheese is our last choice for a great Gruyere replacement. Beaufort cheese is similar to Comte but made only in France using raw cow’s dairy. Beaufort cheese, another semi-hard cheese, has concave sides. This unique shape is believed to have made it easier for French farmers and cheese-makers to transport the cheese down the mountains. To achieve the best flavor, Beaufort cheese is aged for between 2 and 12 months. It looks very similar to Comte cheese but has a more subtle flavor. It lacks the distinctive holes found in other Swiss cheeses. Beaufort cheese is also great at melting, but it tastes best when paired with fish dishes. It can be substituted for Gruyere cheese but that doesn’t mean it isn’t great! Gruyere Substitute FAQ Can I substitute Gruyere for cheddar? Gruyere is not the best substitute for Cheddar. Because of its low melting point and unique taste, Cheddar is not a good substitute for Gruyere. We recommend Emmental, Jarlsberg Raclette Raclette, Comte, or Beaufort if you want to try a different type of cheese that is more affordable.Extra mature cheddar can sometimes have a stronger taste than Gruyere. However, it isn’t as hard as Gruyere and doesn’t melt as well. The versatility of Cheddar makes it a great all-rounder that can be used in many other cheese recipes. It all depends on the recipe, but we recommend using one of the other cheese types we have mentioned above. Can I use mozzarella instead of Gruyere? You can substitute Gruyere for mozzarella if you want a great melting cheese. You should know that mozzarella can completely alter the flavor of the dish you are trying to make.It’s not Gruyere-like in melting properties but it’s still a very different cheese. While Gruyere is a hard cheese, mozzarella is soft and creamy. Mozzarella is milkier than Gruyere, while Gruyere has a slightly nuttier flavor.Jarlsberg is a great substitute for butter that has great melting properties and similar flavor. What is the best substitute for Gruyere cheese? Emmental, Jarlsberg and Raclette are great gruyere substitutes. These Swiss cheeses have very similar flavors to Gruyere and will work well. It will also depend upon the quiche recipe you are following.Emmental is a great substitute for Gruyere. You can choose the right maturity for you based on the flavor that you want to add to your quiche. We recommend a younger Emmental if you prefer a milder cheese. For a fuller, more fruity, and rich-flavored Emmental, choose a mature Emmental.Jarlsberg is stronger than Emmental and will give your quiche a more robust flavor.Raclette cheese’s flavor will vary depending on where it was made. This is something to keep in mind when you choose this cheese. It will affect the flavor and texture of your quiche. What is the best substitute for Gruyere cheese when making mac and cheese? Emmental is the best cheese to replace Gruyere in mac-and-cheese. Emmental cheese is very similar in flavor to Gruyere and has similar melting properties. This cheese can be used to replace Gruyere in your recipes.Emmental is a versatile cheese and can be used to replace Gruyere in your mac and cheese recipes.Also, it is worth noting that Emmental cheese can alter the taste of your mac-and-cheese. The flavor of Emmental will vary depending on its maturity. Although it may not taste exactly like Gruyere’s mac and cheese, it will still do a better job than cheddar or parmesan.Jarlsberg is a great option if you don’t have Emmental or don’t want to spend the extra money on expensive cheeses. Jarlsberg can be made in America so it is more affordable for those who cannot afford the more expensive Emmental or Gruyere.These 5 cheese types are great options for those who want to save money or simply don’t have the time to visit your local grocery store. This cheese is great on bread, cheese fondue, French onion soup, baking, French cheese puffs, and even on cheese boards with dried fruit. Gruyere and Gruyere cheese are typically made from animals that have been fed non-GMO feed.All five are excellent Swiss cheeses, and they are closely related to Gruyere cheese, especially in terms of their nutty flavoring and melting properties.It is important to note the cheese’s age and any special flavors or properties when choosing the right cheese for your particular recipe. This will help you find the best substitute for your recipe. A Cheesy Conclusion Thanks for checking out our list of gruyere cheese substitutes! We hope that you love it. Get your best substitute for gruyere cheese and start making your meal! Be sure to bookmark this page so you can come back and try them all!
