Exciting Options: 5 BEST Substitutes for Gruyere Cheese

Gruyere Cheese is a hard yellow cheese that originated in the canton of Gruyere, Switzerland.

It’s no wonder that the French call it “Le Fromage des Rois” or “The Cheese of Kings”.

This cheese has a nutty flavor and is best used for grating or melting.

It is most commonly used in French Onion Soup and Fondue.

Gruyere has a very distinctive flavor, which is unlike any other cheese.

The taste of Gruyere does not become overwhelming until it has been aged for a long time.

Because the younger versions are milder and creamier, they can be used as spreads or melted on top of dishes to create a creamy texture.

That being said, these qualities can also be very difficult to reproduce.

For those who do not have access to Gruyere, several alternatives may help recreate the flavor and texture you’re looking for.

The 6 Best Substitutes for Gruyere Cheese

Since Gruyere cheese can be difficult to find in supermarkets, you are probably wondering what your best options are for replacing this key ingredient for French onion soup.

There are plenty of substitutes to consider, each with its unique flavor, which makes them stand out from Gruyere cheese.

1 – Swiss Cheese

This is the most obvious substitute for Gruyere cheese.

While most Swiss cheeses are nutty, it is different because it’s sweet and very aromatic.

One of the most important qualities of Swiss cheese is that it melts easily without becoming oily.

Despite its somewhat weak flavor, you can still taste the sweetness in your soups or stews.

Finally, Swiss cheese is mild and has a rich but not overpowering flavor.

So, yes, it’s a good substitute for Gruyere cheese despite its one critical downfall – it doesn’t melt easily.

2 – Cheddar Cheese

This is not only one of the most popular substitutes for Gruyere cheese, but it’s also one of the best.

First and foremost, cheddar cheese has a stronger flavor than Swiss cheese, so you don’t have to worry about your soups or stews tasting bland.

To sum up the qualities of cheddar cheese, it’s sharp and nutty, but not too much.

It has a somewhat sweet flavor even though it’s rather strong.

Cheddar cheese is perfect for melting into your soups or stews.

You can also buy this versatile cheese shredded easily at most supermarkets.

3 – Jack Cheese

Like cheddar cheese, this is a popular and strong-flavored substitute for Gruyere cheese.

Once again, you don’t have to worry about your soups or stews tasting bland after substituting Jack cheese for Gruyere.

This is because it’s mild in flavor but not nutty or sweet.

It’s perfect for melting into your soups, stews, and other recipes because it has a firm body that helps to keep its shape while cooking.

In addition, you can buy Jack cheese shredded at most major supermarkets.

Even though it’s effective at holding its shape when melted, this cheese is rather soft and does not add much texture to your dishes.

4 – Emmental Cheese

This is another cheese that’s strong in flavor and perfect for melting into your soups or stews.

You can grate this type of Swiss cheese just like Gruyere.

It has a nutty and sweet flavor, but it’s rather mild and smooth.

Emmental cheese has a lot of holes inside, which make it popular in soups and stews, but you can also eat this with fruit or on sandwiches.

It’s perfect for melting without becoming oily.

This cheese is so versatile that many restaurants use it instead of American cheeses because it doesn’t cost as much money.

This cheese is also very affordable, making it perfect for college students on a budget.

5 – Parmesan Cheese

This is another strong-flavored substitute for Gruyere that melts well without becoming oily.

Parmesan cheese melts perfectly because it’s dry with a firm texture.

The flavor of this type of cheese is sharp, strong, and tangy.

You’ll be sure to taste it in your soups or stews.

It’s perfect for melting, grating, cooking with pasta, sprinkling on salads, eating with fruit, etc.

The only real downside to using Parmesan cheese is that this particular substitute for Gruyere can be rather pricey.

You may want to shop around for sales before buying it.

6 – Comte or Beaufort Cheese

This is an excellent substitute for Gruyere because not only does it melt well, but this cheese also has a firm texture.

The flavor of Comte and Beaufort cheeses are similar in that they have a sweet and nutty taste, but the latter is slightly stronger than the former.

Hence, the sweetness in your soups or stews will still come through when you use Beaufort cheese.

It’s perfect for melting, grating, cooking with pasta, sprinkling on salads, eating with fruit, etc.

So, while it’s not the best cheese for melting, you can still grate this substitute for Gruyere to top off your casseroles or soups.

About The Author

Sharing is caring!