SaurabhGruyere cheese has an intense earthy flavor with a touch of sweetness. It has an almost solid texture that melts into creamy goodness. There isn’t a dish that Gruyere doesn’t improve.
You can use it to make fondue, quiches, pasta, Croque Monsieur and so on.
However, Gruyere cheese ranges on the expensive side and is not the easiest to get your hands on. But no need to worry! This article has a list of great substitutes that you can use in place of Gruyere cheese and make your next cheesy dish taste just as delicious.
So, what are the best Gruyere cheese substitutes? They include Jarlsberg, Beaufort, Comté, Emmental, Fontina & Parmesan, Raclette, Edam, Maasdam, Graviera, Appenzeller, Le Brouere, Dubliner, Engelberg Cheddar, L’Etivaz, and Tête de Moine Cheese.
Keep reading to know more about each of these substitutes!
What is Gruyere Cheese?
Gruyere is a traditional Swiss cheese that originates from a small town in the Alps.
It has a semi-soft and creamy texture with a rich flavor that is salty, nutty, and earthy, and pale yellow color and small holes similar to other Swiss cheese.
This cheese is extremely versatile and is a staple in many popular and traditional dishes.
Gruyere cheese is often served in cheese platters. It is also used as a topping in dishes like Croque Monsieur, French onion soup, pasta, etc.
Moreover, it is a good melting cheese. In fact, it is one of the two main kinds of cheese used in a traditional fondue recipe. It is also used to prepare quiches.
Best Gruyere Cheese Substitutes
Here are some substitutes that will give you just as good a flavor and texture as Gruyere cheese.
1. Jarlsberg cheese
This cheese is the best substitute for Gruyere cheese. It is a traditional Swiss cheese that has a nutty and creamy flavor similar to Gruyere. However, it tends to be sweeter and less intense in flavor.
This makes it an ideal choice for people who do not like the overpowering flavor of Gruyere cheese. Additionally, Jarlsberg cheese tends to be less expensive and can be found more easily. It also melts well and hence, you can use it in sandwiches, cheese plates, fondue, etc.
2. Comté cheese
This cheese is made exclusively in the Franche-Comté region of France that borders Switzerland. It has a nutty and buttery taste with a slight sweetness.
Like Gruyere, it has a pale yellow color and a complex flavor profile that differs with age. As it ages, Comte cheese acquires a more nutty and earthy flavor.
Moreover, Comte cheese is aged in special caves for up to 18-24 months to acquire its signature flavor, color, and texture. It has great melting properties and you can use it in dishes like Croque Monsieur.
3. Beaufort cheese
Beaufort cheese originates from the French Alps. It has an intense flavor and a pale yellow color similar to Gruyere cheese. Additionally, it has a characteristic aroma.
This cheese does not have holes like other cheese from the Alp region. However, it has the sharpest taste. It tastes buttery, meaty, and earthy. Beaufort cheese pairs well with salmon and wine.
The intense flavor is not the only thing that makes this cheese a perfect substitute for Gruyere. They both share a semi-solid texture that melts easily. So, you can also use Beaufort cheese to prepare fondue.
4. Emmental cheese
Emmental cheese is another traditional Swiss cheese that is very close to Gruyere.
Both Emmental and Gruyere cheese have a buttery and nutty flavor that becomes sweeter and slightly fruity as it ages. Additionally, both of them are excellent melting cheeses that give a creamy and smooth texture to various dishes.
The similar texture and flavor make Emmental and Gruyere interchangeable. In fact, the two are often paired together to make sandwiches, soups, and fondue. Emmental cheese is also known as Emmentaler or Emmenthal cheese.
5. Fontina & Parmesan
Fontina cheese is an Italian cheese that is made near the Alps. It has a semi-hard texture and a rich flavor that tastes buttery and nutty.
On the other hand, Parmesan comes from an Italian cheese called Parmigiano-Reggiano and is familiar to every American.
Did you know that you can combine these two to get the signature Gruyere cheese flavor and texture? Fontina has a nutty and earthy flavor. Combining it with Parmesan will add the touch of sweetness and easy-to-melt texture that is desired in a Gruyere substitute.
6. Raclette cheese
Raclette cheese is a Swiss cheese primarily used to prepare the French dish raclette, which it is named after. It is served as a gooey, melted cheese.
You can find raclette cheese in a variety of flavors depending upon where it is produced. It is usually buttery, nutty, salty, and has a slightly fruity taste and aroma.
As Raclette cheese melts very well, it tends to be milky and creamy in texture. You can use it as a topping for pasta, pizza, lasagne, or in fondue and cheese plates.
7. Edam cheese
This cheese comes from the town of Edam in the Netherlands.
Edam cheese is a good substitute for Gruyere because it has the signature salty and earthy taste that only gets better with age. It also melts well, can be used in a variety of dishes.
However, Edam cheese is different from other Gruyere substitutes. It is semi-hard and tends to stiffen with age. It also does not have a distinct aroma. Although you can melt it easily, it is best to use Edam cheese as a table cheese.
8. Maasdam cheese
Maasdam is a Dutch cheese that is quite similar to Gruyere.
Gruyere and Maasdam cheese have a pale yellow color and holes on their surface. You can easily interchange them in dishes as they share a similar texture and taste.
Maasdam cheese has a semi-solid texture that melts well to give a creamy and thick consistency to dishes like quiches, pasta, sandwiches, etc. It also has a complex flavor that is salty, nutty and mildly sweet, and fruity.
9. Graviera cheese
Graviera cheese is produced across different parts of Greece.
It has a bit hard texture and is made of sheep’s milk. However, it has a texture and taste similar to Gruyere and works well as a substitute.
Graviera cheese has a creamy and buttery texture. It tastes nutty and somewhat spicy with a touch of sweetness and a fruity aroma. Graviera cheese melts well and goes best with wine and on cheese plates.
10. Appenzeller cheese
Appenzeller cheese is a Swiss cheese that dates as far back as 700 years ago.
It has a distinct taste and aroma that will elevate any dish that you add it to. Appenzeller cheese is a perfect replacement for Gruyere as they both share a similar earthy and nutty flavor that turns fruity and sweet with age.
However, when substituting Appenzeller for Gruyere cheese, it is crucial to know that the former has a much stronger taste. When it comes to the texture, Appenzeller has a smooth and creamy texture that easily accommodates a range of dishes.
11. Le Brouere Cheese
Le Brouere Cheese originates from Lorraine in France. Not only does it work as a substitute, but it is actually considered to be a variant of the Gruyere cheese.
The Le Brouere cheese has a creamy, nutty, and buttery taste accompanied by a touch of earthiness that is acquired with age. It also works as an excellent melting cheese.
You can replace Gruyere with Le Brouere in a number of dishes including cheese plates, grilled sandwiches, baked foods, and so on. Le Brouere is most commonly used in quiches.
12. Dubliner cheese
Dubliner cheese is a sweet, granular cheese that is produced in Ireland.
It is a good substitute for Gruyere as it has a similar flavor profile. Dubliner cheese has an intense taste that is nutty, sharp, and slightly sweet. Moreover, it melts easily and you can add it to any dish to give it a mouthful of strong flavor.
Although Dubliner cheese tends to be more like Cheddar when it comes to texture, you can use it in a variety of dishes like pasta, sandwiches, nachos, and other baked goods.
13. Engelberg cheddar cheese
Engelberg Cheddar cheese is a type of cheddar cheese made with milk from Swiss Alpine cows. It is produced by hand and aged for 5 months with salt and water.
Engelberg Cheddar cheese is meticulously made using traditional Swiss methods and has a rich and complex flavor. It is creamy and has notes of wine, umami, citrus.
So, if you are looking for high-quality Swiss cheese with intense flavors to use as a substitute for Gruyere cheese, Engelberg Cheddar is your best option.
14. L’Etivaz cheese
L’Etivaz Cheese originated as an attempt to make Gruyere cheese. It has now developed into a rich, flavorful cheese that is only produced during certain periods in the year.
This cheese has a firm but buttery texture that melts in your mouth. Similar to Gruyere, it melts with ease and can be added to a range of dishes.
Moreover, L’Etivaz has a strong salty and nutty taste but with extra kicks. Apart from a mouthful of flavor, it also has hints of fruitiness, smokiness, and earthiness.
15. Tête de Moine cheese
Tete de Moine is a Swiss cheese that monks first produced over 800 years ago.
It has a very distinct smell and a strong flavor and a balance of saltiness and sweetness. It tastes nutty and fruity, which makes it a suitable substitute for Gruyere cheese. Moreover, It is semi-hard and melts easily.
Tete de Moine can replace the texture and taste of Gruyere in dishes like cheese plates, salads, soups, baked foods, etc.
Is Gouda a Good Substitute for Gruyere?
Many people replace Gruyere with Gouda cheese. However, we do not recommend doing that.
Gouda is not a good substitute for Gruyere cheese in most dishes because Gouda cheese does not have a strong, nutty flavor like Gruyere.
However, you can use Gouda as a substitute when it comes to baked recipes. Both Gouda and Gruyere cheese melt well and with ease.
Can I Use Mozzarella Instead of Gruyere?
Mozzarella and Gruyere cheese have vastly different flavors. If you can do without the signature flavor of Gruyere cheese in your dishes, you can use Mozzarella as a substitute.
Note that Mozzarella has a much creamier and softer texture than Gruyere cheese. It adds a milky flavor to dishes. So, you may not want to use it as a 1:1 substitute.
Is Swiss Cheese the Same As Gruyere?
No, Swiss cheese is not the same as Gruyere cheese.
Gruyere cheese is a traditional cheese created in Switzerland. Swiss cheese, on the other hand, is an American cheese that is closer to Emmental cheese.
However, it is worth mentioning that the two have a somewhat similar, nutty flavor profile.
Related Questions
What can I use instead of Gruyere in mac and cheese?
You can use either Emmental or Jarlsberg cheese instead of Gruyere in this dis. Both these substitutes melt easily and have a texture similar to Gruyere cheese.
They will give you differing but rich, creamy flavors in your mac and cheese. However, if you are looking for a more affordable option, I would recommend going for Jarlsberg cheese.
What is a cheap substitute for Gruyere cheese?
The best affordable substitute for Gruyere cheese is Jarlsberg cheese. It shares a similar (but less intense) nutty flavor and semi-soft texture with Gruyere cheese.
Another good substitute for Gruyere cheese is Parmesan combined with Fontina cheese. Fontina will give your dishes a salty and buttery taste similar to Gruyere.
Is Gruyere cheese strong?
Yes, Gruyere tends to be stronger than many other types of cheese.
It is a versatile cheese that will go with any dish you want. Apart from the intense, earthy flavor, Gruyere cheese has a semi-soft and creamy texture that melts with ease.
What does Gruyère cheese taste like?
Gruyere cheese has a complex flavor profile that becomes richer with age.
Young Gruyere cheese tastes creamy and salty. It has a nutty flavor that gives it an intense taste. As it ages, Gruyere cheese acquires a slightly sweet and more earthy taste.
