21 Gruyere Cheese Substitutes

Are you in a culinary conundrum, searching for the perfect Gruyère substitute to salvage your recipe? Look no further. In this article, we're about to unravel the solution to your kitchen quandary by presenting a curated selection of top-notch Gruyère substitutes.

What Does Gruyère Taste Like?

Gruyere cheese, a Swiss classic, is made from cow's milk, featuring a pale yellow, firm texture and a flavor profile that combines nutty, slightly sweet, and earthy notes. It undergoes aging, ranging from 5 months to over a year, resulting in varying levels of flavor complexity.

Gruyere cheese offers a delightfully sweet and nutty flavor with a hint of earthiness, varying from mild and fruity in young cheese to more intense and savory in aged varieties.

6 Reasons why you would look for a gruyere cheese substitute

Sometimes, you need a Gruyère cheese stand-in. Whether dietary, flavor, or budget-related, we've got your back. Let's explore why you might be searching for a Gruyère substitute.

Dietary Restrictions: Individuals with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance may seek non-dairy alternatives to Gruyère to avoid digestive discomfort or allergic reactions.
Availability: Gruyère cheese might not be readily available in some regions, making it necessary to find a more accessible substitute.
Cost: Gruyère cheese can be relatively expensive, and some people opt for substitutes to save on their grocery bills.
Flavor Preferences: Some individuals may not enjoy the distinct nutty and slightly sweet flavor of Gruyère and prefer to use a different cheese with a taste they find more appealing.
Texture Variation: Depending on the dish, you might want a different melting or texture quality than Gruyère.
Vegan or Plant-Based Diet: People following a vegan or plant-based diet will need dairy-free cheese substitutes to replace Gruyère in recipes.

The 21 Best Gruyere Substitutes

Each cheese is carefully selected for its unique qualities, offering diverse tastes and textures to enhance your favorite dishes. Whether you want to replicate Gruyère's nutty goodness or explore exciting new flavors, we've got you covered.

Emmental Cheese

Why it works: Emmental is a traditional Swiss cheese that has a nutty and mildly sweet flavor, along with its excellent melting properties, closely mimicking Gruyère, making it an ideal choice for dishes that require a rich, creamy texture and savory taste. It is made of cow's milk.

Example dishes: Use in gratins, sandwiches, and fondue.

Measurement: Substitute in equal amounts by weight or volume for a seamless transition.

Comté Cheese

Comte, French Cheese produced from Cow's Milk

Why it works: Comté shares Gruyère's nutty notes and creamy texture while offering a hint of earthiness due to its aging process, enriching recipes with depth and complexity.

Example dishes: Ideal for quiches, tarts, and cheeseboards.

Measurement: Substitute in equal amounts by weight or volume for a balanced flavor profile.

Swiss Cheese

Why it works: Swiss cheese, another one made of cow's milk, boasts a nutty flavor profile and exceptional meltability, making it perfect for classic Gruyère applications where smooth melting is essential.

Example dishes: Perfect for melted cheese, burgers, and sandwiches.

Measurement: Substitute in equal amounts by weight or volume for a seamless culinary transition.

Jarlsberg Cheese

A wedge of Jarlsberg Danish cheese with crackers and cherry tomatoes on a cheeseboard

Why it works: Jarlsberg cheese has a mild and nutty taste, akin to a cross between Swiss and Gruyère, and enhances salads, sandwiches, and snacks with a pleasant and familiar flavor.

Example dishes: Works well in salads, sandwiches, and as a snacking cheese.

Measurement: Substitute in equal amounts by weight or volume for a consistent taste experience.

Raclette Cheese

Why it works: Raclette cheese has renowned melting properties that elevate dishes by imparting a creamy, nutty flavor, making it perfect for recipes where Gruyère's texture and taste are key.

Example dishes: Excellent for raclette cheese parties and melting over potatoes, vegetables, and meats.

Measurement: Substitute equal amounts of raclette cheese by weight or volume to maintain the desired consistency.

Beaufort Cheese

Why it works: Beaufort is a French cheese made with cow's milk, which offers a rich, creamy texture with pronounced nutty undertones, enriching gratins, quiches, and cheeseboards with a distinctive Alpine character.

Example dishes: Shines in gratins, quiches, and as a cheeseboard centerpiece.

Measurement: Substitute in equal amounts by weight or volume to preserve its creamy texture and flavor.

Fontina Cheese

Why it works: Fontina's mild, slightly sweet flavor and remarkable meltability lend versatility to dishes like macaroni and cheese, sandwiches, and pizzas, where Gruyère is traditionally used. See its substitutes here.

Example dishes: Suitable for macaroni and cheese, sandwiches, and pizzas.

Measurement: Substitute in equal amounts by weight or volume for a consistent, cheesy experience.

Cheddar Cheese

Why it works: Sharp cheddar varieties, such as Engelberg cheddar and White cheddar, introduce a tangy alternative to Gruyère, enhancing dishes with their robust flavors.

Example dishes: Use in soups, casseroles, and grilled cheese sandwiches for a bold twist.

Measurement: Substitute in equal amounts by weight or volume to achieve the desired flavor impact.

Parmesan Cheese

Why it works: Parmesan is an Italian cheese with sharpness and savory umami notes that complement Gruyère substitutes in pasta dishes and gratins, adding complexity and depth to the recipe.

Example dishes: Suitable for pasta dishes and gratins to elevate the overall flavor.

Measurement: Substitute in equal amounts by weight or volume to balance the flavors effectively.

Gouda Cheese

Why it works: Gouda offers a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a creamy texture, making it an excellent choice for sandwiches, burgers, and cheese platters, replicating Gruyère's versatility.

Example dishes: Great for sandwiches, burgers, and cheese platters for a smooth, crowd-pleasing option.

Measurement: Substitute in equal amounts by weight or volume for a seamless transition.

Edam Cheese

Why it works: Edam cheese has a mild and slightly nutty flavor, which is versatile, serving as an excellent option for sandwiches, cheese boards, and snacking, replicating Gruyère's ease of use.

Example dishes: Suitable for sandwiches, cheese boards, and snacking to satisfy culinary needs.

Measurement: Substitute in equal amounts by weight or volume to maintain the desired texture and taste.

Monterey Jack Cheese

Why it works: Monterey Jack's mild, creamy taste and excellent melting qualities make it a suitable alternative for quesadillas, burgers, and casseroles, ensuring smooth and consistent results.

Example dishes: Use in quesadillas, burgers, and casseroles to achieve the desired creamy texture.

Measurement: Substitute in equal amounts by weight or volume to maintain the recipe's integrity.

Kars Gravyer Cheese

Why it works: Kars Gravyer cheese offers a unique flavor profile with nutty undertones and outstanding melting qualities, making it a delightful addition to fondues and gratins, replicating Gruyère's melting excellence.

Example dishes: Adds a delightful touch to fondues and gratins for a rich, creamy experience.

Measurement: Substitute in equal amounts by weight or volume for consistent melting and flavor.

Kerrygold Irish Dubliner Cheese

Why it works: Dubliner cheese's rich and nutty flavor introduces an Irish twist to sandwiches and cheeseboards, providing a distinct and satisfying taste similar to Gruyère.

Example dishes: Ideal for sandwiches and cheeseboards, offering a unique Irish flavor.

Measurement: Substitute in equal amounts by weight or volume to maintain the desired taste profile.

Graviera Cheese

Why it works: Graviera boasts a sweet and slightly nutty taste, making it an excellent choice for Mediterranean-inspired dishes and cheese platters, adding a distinctive Mediterranean flair reminiscent of Gruyère.

Example dishes: Used in various Mediterranean recipes and cheese platters to capture the essence of the Mediterranean.

Measurement: Substitute in equal amounts by weight or volume for a harmonious Mediterranean touch.

Le Brouère Cheese

Le Brouere cheese on the wooden board and on a table

Why it works: Le Brouère is a French cheese with a creamy texture and a mild, buttery flavor, making it a versatile option for various recipes and cheese plates, replicating Gruyère's adaptability.

Example dishes: Suitable for various recipes and cheese plates, ensuring a smooth transition.

Measurement: Substitute in equal amounts by weight or volume to preserve the recipe's texture and taste.

Maasdam Cheese

Why it works: Maasdam's sweet, nutty flavor and characteristic holes make it an excellent choice for melting on sandwiches or incorporating into cheese boards, enhancing flavor and texture, similar to Gruyère.

Example dishes: For melting on sandwiches or incorporating into cheese boards for a delightful texture.

Measurement: Substitute in equal amounts by weight or volume for consistent results.

L'Etivaz Cheese

Why it works: L'Etivaz is a French cheese that offers a rich, nutty flavor with floral undertones, making it perfect for fondue and cheeseboards, adding a unique and aromatic quality to these dishes, reminiscent of Gruyère.

Example dishes: Fondue and cheese platters are ideal, creating a memorable and aromatic experience.

Measurement: Substitute in equal amounts by weight or volume to maintain the desired flavor profile.

Wensleydale Cheese

Why it works: Wensleydale cheese's crumbly texture and slightly tangy taste are versatile, adding a delightful contrast to salads, sandwiches, and pairings with fruit, similar to Gruyère.

Example dishes: Suitable for salads, sandwiches, and pairing with fruit to introduce a pleasant contrast.

Measurement: Substitute in equal amounts by weight or volume to harmonize textures and flavors.

Tête de Moine Cheese

Why it works: Tête de Moine's unique presentation and complex flavor profile make it captivating, adding an element of elegance and intrigue to cheese plates and snacking, replicating the beautiful nature of Gruyère.

Example dishes: Used in cheese plates and snacking to create an elegant and intriguing culinary experience.

Measurement: Substitute in equal amounts by weight or volume to maintain the desired presentation and flavor.

These cheeses offer a wide range of options for substituting Gruyère in various recipes, ensuring a seamless transition in both flavor and texture while enhancing your culinary creations.

Appenzeller cheese

Why it works: Appenzeller's nutty and slightly spicy notes make it an excellent Gruyère alternative, ensuring a similar flavor profile and creamy texture.

Example dishes: Ideal for fondue, gratins, sandwiches, and cheeseboards, providing a rich and savory taste.

Measurement: Substitute in equal amounts by weight or volume for a seamless recipe transition.

A vegan alternative for gruyere cheese

A popular vegan alternative for Gruyère cheese is vegan Swiss or Emmental-style cheese. These plant-based cheeses are crafted to mimic the nutty and slightly sweet flavors of Gruyère while offering a similar melting ability, making them suitable for various vegan dishes like sandwiches, fondues, and gratins.

You can find vegan Swiss-style cheeses in many grocery stores or make your own at home using ingredients like cashews, nutritional yeast, and tapioca starch.

Common Culinary Uses of Gruyère Cheese

Gratin & Scalloped Potatoes

When baked, Gruyère is often grated and sprinkled over potato or cauliflower gratin to create a golden and cheesy crust. Check out: sweet potato gratin, celeriac gratin, marrow gratin, cod gratin, lobster gratin and scalloped potatoes.

Best Gruyere Cheese Substitute: Emmental cheese, Comté, Swiss

Fondue

Gruyère is a classic choice for cheese fondue, where it's melted with other cheeses and white wine to create a rich and creamy dipping sauce for bread, vegetables, and more.

Best Gruyere Cheese Substitute: Emmental cheese, Swiss, Jarlsberg cheese

Quiches and Tarts

Gruyère adds a nutty and savory depth of flavor to quiches, tarts, and savory pies.

Best Gruyere Cheese Substitute: Comté, Emmental cheese, Fontina

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

It's a popular choice for gourmet melted cheese sandwiches, providing a creamy and flavorful melt.

Best Gruyere Cheese Substitutes: Emmental cheese, Swiss, Cheddar (especially aged varieties)

Croque Monsieur and Croque Madame

This French sandwich features Gruyère melted over ham and toasted bread, topped with béchamel sauce and more cheese.

Best substitute for gruyere cheese: Emmental, Swiss, Comté

Macaroni and Cheese

Gruyère can be combined with other cheeses to make a creamy and indulgent macaroni and cheese dish.

Best substitute for gruyere cheese: Emmental, Swiss, Cheddar

Cheeseboards

Gruyère is often included on cheese platters, with fruits, nuts, and crackers for a delightful appetizer or snack.

Best substitute for gruyere cheese: Comté, Swiss cheese, Cheddar (include various varieties for diversity)

French Onion Soup

It's a key ingredient in French onion soup, where slices of toasted baguette with melted Gruyère cheese top a rich and savory onion broth.

Best substitute for gruyere cheese: Comté, Emmental, Swiss cheese

Cordon Bleu

Gruyère cheese is sometimes used as part of chicken or pork Cordon Bleu dishes filling.

Best substitute for gruyere cheese: Emmental, Swiss cheese, Fontina

Savory Pies and Pastries

It can be incorporated into savory pies, pastries, and turnovers to enhance flavor and texture.

Best substitute for gruyere cheese: Comté, Emmental, Cheddar

Sauces

Gruyère can be melted into cheese or béchamel sauces to add creaminess and a cheesy flavor to dishes like mac and cheese, au gratin potatoes, or pasta dishes.

Best substitute for gruyere cheese: Emmental, Swiss cheese, Comté