Emmental cheese is a versatile, satisfying cheese that you’ll find perfect for many dishes. But what to do if you’re out? Use an Emmental cheese substitute, of course!
I’ve rounded up the best substitutes for emmental cheese. Keep reading to learn more.
Place of Origin
Emmental cheese or Swiss cheese gets its name from its place of origin: Emmental, Switzerland. You may also hear this cheese referred to as Emmentaler, as this is the name given to people who hail from Emmental, Switzerland.
Emmental cheese is also sometimes spelled as Emmenthal cheese.
What is Emmental Cheese?
So, what exactly is emmental cheese? Emmental cheese is the original Swiss cheese. When you picture Swiss cheese, a vision of a white slice with open holes likely comes to mind. But what you’re envisioning is really emmental cheese.
Does it Melt Well?
Yes, emmental cheese melts incredibly well. In fact it is often used when making fondue, a classic swiss dish that requires melted cheese.
Does it Store Well?
Yes, emmental cheese stores well. You can keep it in the refrigerator for a couple weeks. Make sure you keep it in an airtight container, and wrap it in plastic wrap to best preserve the flavor and taste.
What Does it Taste Like?
Emmental cheese is a medium-hard cheese with a smooth, nutty, mild flavor. It comes from cow’s milk, and has an inedible rind.
How is it Used?
Emmental cheese is used in a variety of ways. You likely imagine it going on a sandwich as it is often sliced, but it can be used for other recipes, too, such as:
- Egg dishes
- Salads
- Cheese fondue
- Casseroles
Emmental Cheese vs Swiss Cheese
As mentioned, emmental cheese is a type of Swiss cheese, but there are other Swiss cheeses, too.
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Swiss cheese just means it is originally from Switzerland. Here are some other common Swiss cheeses:
- Gruyere
- Sbrinz
- Tete de Moine
- Swiss Tilsit
11 Emmental Cheese Substitutes
If you are not a fan of emmental cheese, or if for some reason you cannot find emmental cheese, you may want to swap it for something else. Here are 11 great Emmental cheese substitutes.
A great emmental cheese substitute is Gruyere cheese. Emmental and Gruyere cheese are very similar because they are both of Swiss heritage.
Gruyere cheese is also made from cow's milk and is very versatile. It melts well like emmental cheese and is another one of the main cheeses in fondue.
Emmental and Gruyere cheese are both used in making one of the most famous grilled cheese sandwiches, a Croque Monsieur.
Gruyere cheese is a great substitute for emmental cheese because they have similar flavors and textures. Emmental can easily be used in this souffle recipe.
Another great emmental cheese substitute is Fontina. Fontina cheese is a creamy Italian cheese that comes from unpasteurized cow’s milk.
Fontina has a buttery flavor, but it is a little bit stronger than emmental cheese. Because it is a hard cheese, it is great for putting on a cheese platter, alongside nuts and grapes. It also tastes great on sandwiches.
Fontina is not a great fondue cheese as it doesn’t really work as a melted cheese.
Gouda cheese is a creamy cheese with a semi hard texture and a mild taste. As Gouda ages, it does become harder, but it is still such a delicious cheese and a great emmental cheese substitute. It’s wonderful on top of crusty bread and paired with light fruity wine.
Gouda cheese is made from cultured milk curdles. A process called washing the curds prevents the formation of lactic acid, making it into the cheese it is.
Gouda is wonderful on sandwiches and is great in pasta like macaroni and cheese.
The look of Gouda slightly resembles that of emmental cheese, as it has some holes. It is a good emmental cheese substitute because of their similar flavor and ability to be used in multiple recipes.
Gouda works wonderfully as a melted cheese and can be used in fondues, either to substitute emmental cheese, or along with it. Either cheese can be used in this chicken and ham pasta dish.
Jarlsberg cheese is another good substitute for emmental Swiss cheese. Jarlsberg comes from Jarlsberg, Norway, and its milk source is cow’s milk.
Jarlsberg is a semi soft cheese, and has holes like Emmenthaler cheese. However, it is a little bit stronger than emmental cheese, and it is sweet.
Jarlsberg is wonderful because it can be eaten cold, but it can also be used in cooking. This makes it a great emmental cheese substitute because both are very versatile. You can put Jarlsberg in about any dish you make with emmental.
Jarlsberg cheese can be made into a couple different types, giving them different flavors. Some take on a nutty flavor, while others remain sweet.
Jarlsberg tastes great with fruit, on top of crackers, and with wine. You may even like it atop crusty bread.
Parmesan cheese is a hard cheese that originates in Italy and is made from the milk of a cow. It’s a very popular cheese that is typically graded and put in pasta, on lasagna, and sometimes on pizza.
It is similar to emmentaler cheese in taste, so it is suitable to substitute for certain recipes, but not all.
Parmesan is not the best substitute for recipes that melt cheese, like cheese fondues. However, due to its nutty flavor, it can be used in place of emmental cheese for many recipes like sandwiches and with soup.
Another substitute for emmental cheese is Havarti. It’s buttery and smooth, and was originally made by a Danish woman.
This cheese is semi firm and is heavily produced in Wisconsin, making it wonderful to pair with beer. It looks like emmental cheese because of its holes, but it is a bit firmer and nuttier.
Still, though, Havarti is a perfect substitute for emmental cheese in things like sandwiches and cheese fondue.
You’ll also love it in slices with a glass of wine. It’s great for an appetizer!
Provolone is a cheese produced mainly in Italy, its place of origin. It sometimes takes on a yellow color, and has a sweet taste that sharpens as it ages.
This cheese is most typically used in sandwiches, so it’s a great substitute for emmental cheese if that’s what you are making. You can also use it to make cheese fondue.
Raclette cheese is another Swiss cheese that is perfect for melting.
Perhaps you have seen videos on social media of waiters and waitresses scraping cheese off of a rind and onto other food, like meats, breads, and vegetables. If so, you probably saw raclette.
Raclette comes from the French word meaning to scrape, and it certainly lives up to its name.For any dish calling for melted emmental cheese, raclette is a great substitute.
Brie cheese is a distinctive soft and creamy cheese with a rind of mold. It’s often used as an appetizer, as you can dip other foods into it. Tartiflette is another famous dish it is used in.
Brie cheese can also be used in slices. It is an excellent French cheese known for its delicious flavor and unique texture, and is a nice substitute for emmental cheese.
French comte is a cheese made from unpasteurized milk. It originally comes from the area that borders France and Switzerland.
It is quite similar to many of the other cheeses on this list, and melts very easily. You can check out how it was used in these filled puff pastry cases. French comte is a firm cheese that can be used in place of emmental cheese for melting recipes, as well as just to eat.
The final emmental cheese substitute is cheddar. Cheddar is often used on pizza and in a sandwich, but it can be eaten plain, too. You may enjoy it with wine, on its own or even in a Savoury Bread Pudding.
Now, cheddar cheese comes in many different forms, but a mild cheddar is a good choice in place of emmental cheese for certain recipes. Aged cheddar will not work as well.
Vegan Options
If you cannot find a vegan option that has the taste you want, you can always make your own using cashews. A mild vegan cheddar can work as an emmental cheese substitute.
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