Emmental cheese is a type of Swiss cheese with a mild, neutral flavor that originated in the area around the beautiful region of Emmental, Switzerland. Known for its fresh air and fine dairy cows, this humble Swiss cheese has garnered a bevy of fans worldwide.
It has very good melting properties, think those delicious gooey strings of cheese, and you have the idea. This makes Emmental cheese ideal for dishes like fondue or casseroles and grilled sandwiches where those yummy strings of melted cheese are desired.
Don’t pigeon-hole this cheese just yet though, as it is delicious cold and makes a welcome addition to a sandwich, salad, or on top a salty cracker.
Emmental cheese is used for cooking, cheeseboards, and lunches, but it can be difficult to find substitute cheeses that are just the right texture. That’s where this blog post comes in! We will discuss substitute cheeses for Emmental and what recipes they are best suited for.
1) Gruyère
Gruyère is a cheese of legend. Gruyère is a cheese with an unusually high-fat content (similar to cheddar) that has been aged for at least six months.
Gruyère cheese is a Swiss-type or Alpine cheese that flavor varies depending on how long it is along with the aging process. Young Gruyère cheese is typically sweet, creamy, and nutty, while more mature cheeses take on an earthier, complex taste.
The recipe originated in the town of Gruyères, Switzerland, and where this delightful cheese gets its name from. Being another Swiss cheese, Gruyère makes a good substitute when Emmental is out of reach.
Gruyère may have begun its adventure with humble beginnings, but it now occupies space on shelves all over the world, making up almost 40% of total exports each year.
Gruyère cheese is often used in fondues or eaten raw without anything else except maybe with a cracker, a pickle, and a sprinkling of salt.
Get your hands on an authentic sample of Cave Aged Gruyère here when you can’t find Emmental cheese for your chosen dish.
2) French Comté
Comté is a French cheese that has been made for centuries in Eastern France. This region borders Switzerland and shares much of its cuisine, making it an interesting mix of flavors from two countries with strong cheesemaking histories.
When you try Comté cheese, it’s like tasting a slice of the French countryside. The cheese has been made in the Franche-Comté region for centuries and has the highest production of all FrenchAppellation cheeses at around 66’500 tonnes every year!
This popular cheese is a wonderful substitute for Emmental as it shares the same nutty, creamy flavors.
This delectable cheese offers an earthy taste with peppery undertones and is perfect as part of any meal or snack time experience.
Comté is a versatile cheese for cooking with. Its nutty flavors work well in good, old-fashioned mac and cheese, baked over some fresh garden vegetables or folded into an omelet.
It’s also firm enough to slice, grate or cube onto anything you care to add it to!
I offer to you this delicious aged cheese here as my top recommendation when next you refill your pantry.
3) Jarlsberg
Jarlsberg is a deliciously nutty cheese that comes in an iconic wheel shape.
The original recipe for this Norwegian staple hails from 1956, and it was so top-secret, not many people know the exact ingredients or how to make them.
Jarlsberg is a cheese made from cow’s milk. It has large irregular holes, and its taste can be described as nutty, with hints of buttery richness in the texture that gives it an almost sweet flavor.
Jarlsberg cheese is the perfect all-purpose cheese that can be used for such a wide range of dishes. This includes toasts, sandwiches, and cooking – not only does it have great taste but also melts beautifully, so you won’t need any additional ingredients!
The rich, nutty taste of Jarlsberg cheese makes it a perfect ingredient for any dish. One need only to look at the accolades among world-class chefs and amateur cooking enthusiasts alike to know that this is true – they both love its texture as well as how easy it is to melt in dishes with sauces or other ingredients.
The richness of Jarlsberg cheese leaves one satisfied but not weighed down by heavy flavors; easily melted into recipes while still maintaining distinct flavor profiles; adored by even novice cooks who appreciate its ease when preparing their gourmet creations without being overwhelmed!
Get the authentic flavor of this Norwegian legend here.
4) Slightly Aged Provolone
Provolone cheese is a semi-hard, full-fat cow’s milk cheese that has a pale color. The texture of this cheese is firm and grainy with the consistency to be able to hold its shape when sliced or grilled in between slices of bread like an Italian panini sandwich.
It comes in wax rinds which gives it a pleasant aroma so as not to offend those who are sensitive towards strong smells, such as aged cheddar or blue cheeses!
This type of cheese originates mainly from the Po River Valley regions in Lombardy and Veneto, where you will find many different types being made there.
Provolone is a delicate cheese that has many subtle tastes. The sharp, salty flavor of provolone can be strong but not too overwhelming, and it leaves behind a slightly sweet finish. Younger cheeses have milder flavors than older ones, with the latter having more nutty or earthy tones to them; this tells us about aging in different climates as well!
Get the undeniably authentic Italian flavor here when Emmental is unavailable.
5) Havarti
Havarti is a Danish cheese that can be described as semi-hard with a grainy texture. This delicious sliceable cheese has a creamy body and is perfect for slicing, grilling, or melting.
It has a low melting point, so goes soft quickly, making it a brilliant addition to cheese boards and room temperature platters, salads, and sandwiches.
Try this Danish Havarti cheese on your next mac and cheese or grilled cheese sandwich for a fun new yet delicious twist!
6) Mild Cheddar
No cheese substitute list would be complete without including the ever-popular mild cheddar. Gracing lunchboxes of the young and old for decades, this family staple is popular the world over.
With a welcoming yellow color, and a creamy, delicious flavor, mild cheddar cheese is one of the biggest crowd-pleasers in the world.
Bake it, fry it, put it in your paste, your cheese board, and on top of your hamburger; this family favorite is always a winner.
Get an extra-sharp version here for a different spin on your next mild cheddar dish!
7) Gouda
Can you get any good-a than Gouda?!
Gouda is a sweet, creamy cheese originating from the windmill-loving Netherlands. It is so popular it can give mild cheddar a run for its money.
The distinctive red wax rind that coats every wheel of Gouda makes it instantly recognizable across the globe.
As the flavor is so mild, you can include this cheese in dishes such as cheese-based soups, smoked gouda mashed potatoes, and all the regular dishes you would expect to find this delicious cheese in.
Grab your smoked gouda to take your mashed potatoes from a side to the main event.
8) Parmigiano-Reggiano
Parmigiano-Reggiano is a hard, dry cheese that has been made from skimmed or partially skimmed cow’s milk.
It has a hard pale-golden rind. This aged rind gives it an even harder texture than its peers in this category and provides for a more complex flavor profile.
Parmigiano-Reggiano is one of Italy’s most famous cheeses known worldwide for being tough to crack but incredibly flavorful when broken into pieces!
Grate it over homemade pasta for a true taste of Italy! I recommend the iGourmet brand as it has an authentic flavor and taste which just can’t be beaten!
9) Brie
I have saved the best for last.
Brie cheese is a soft-ripened creamy cheese with an edible outer layer of thin, moldy rind. It has been popular for many centuries and can be eaten in any number of ways: at room temperature or baked, on toast as a snack, placed atop salad greens to create the perfect party platter centerpiece, or melted over potatoes and served with pancetta.
Brie Cheese will make your next meal memorable whether you want it warm and gooey out of the oven with fresh bread or cold alongside broccoli drizzled with balsamic vinegar dressing.
Brie is a versatile crowd-pleaser and adds a luxurious feel to any cheeseboard.
Get your hands on this delicious cheese here.
Conclusion
You know that moment when you need some gooey, melting Emmental cheese but can’t find it?
Not to worry! There are plenty of substitutes. Have you tried any of our recommendations out yet?
Let us know in the comments below to share your tips and tricks with our community!