7 Emmental Cheese Substitutes: Spice Things Up

In our quest for the perfect cheese for our sandwich, we stumbled upon a list of 7 alternatives to Emmental Cheese (Emmental is a Swiss cow's-milk cheese known for its characteristic holes and mild, nutty flavor).

We all know the struggle. You're standing in the aisle, the recipe calls for Emmental, and there's none in sight.

What do you do?

Our team put on their cheese hats and got to work. We tasted, we tested, and yes, we had a few cheese comas.

The result? A list that'll save your sandwich. No more cheese

Save for Later!

7 Easy Substitutes for Emmental Cheese

But first things first, what makes Emmental so special? Well, it's a semi-hard Swiss cheese with a mild and nutty taste.

It's commonly used in hot sandwiches like the famous Reuben or the classic French Croque Monsieur.

Now that we know what we're looking for, let's dive into the substitutes!

Substitute	Taste	Texture	Suitable Dishes
Swiss Cheese	Mild, nutty	Firm, slightly creamy	Sandwiches, fondue, mac and cheese
Gruyère Cheese	Nutty, slightly sweet	Firm, creamy	Soups, gratins, quiche
Fontina Cheese	Mild, buttery	Soft, melty	Pizza, pasta, panini
Provolone Cheese	Slightly tangy, smoky	Firm, sliceable	Sandwiches, charcuterie boards
Gouda Cheese	Creamy, slightly sweet	Firm, smooth	Macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese
Cheddar Cheese	Sharp, slightly tangy	Firm, crumbly	Casseroles, soups, sauces
Parmesan Cheese	Salty, nutty	Hard, grated	Pasta dishes, salads, risotto

1 - Swiss Cheese

Okay, folks, first up on our cheesy adventure is Swiss Cheese.

It's the cousin to our main star, Emmental (both are Swiss cow's-milk cheeses).

Perfect for those hot sandwiches, Swiss cheese melts like a dream.

The flavor? Think nutty and mild, but still with enough personality to say, "I'm here in your sandwich!"

Using Swiss in place of Emmental is a breeze. 1:1 is your golden ticket - equal parts swap will do the trick.

In need of more cheese wisdom? Swing by alternative cheese options for your next dish.

2 - Gruyère Cheese

Next up, we have Gruyère Cheese (a hard Swiss cow's-milk cheese from the Gruyères region).

Gruyère stands out because of its slightly sweet, somewhat salty flavor. It's a close cousin to Emmental, which means it works great in those cozy, hot sandwiches we all adore.

Swapping Emmental Cheese for Gruyère? Go with a straight swap.

T4One part Gruyère for one part Emmental keeps things simple.

For those crafting their next meal and seeking alternatives, here's a handy guide on choosing the right Gruyère substitute, and you can also explore Eden cheese substitutes for home cooks.

3 - Fontina Cheese

Next on our list is Fontina Cheese, a true standout. This cheese comes from cows in Italy's Aosta Valley.

It's known for its earthy, mushroomy, and woody taste. Fontina melts smoothly, making it ideal for sauces and soups.

We've personally thrown it into a fondue and the results? Stellar.

The creaminess it adds is just perfect. Substituting Fontina for Emmental works wonders-use it in the same amount (1:1 swap).

For those eager to learn more about choosing cheese for your dishes, this guide on finding the best Fontina cheese substitutes is a must-read, and also useful are white American cheese alternatives for melting.

4 - Provolone Cheese

Moving on, we've got Provolone Cheese. This buddy is a hit for sandwiches and pizza alike.

It melts well and has a slightly sharper taste than our friend, Emmental (with a tangy, piquant edge).

We often use it as a one-to-one swap in recipes that need that melty goodness. Provolone brings its own flair to the table, making it a solid switch for Emmental.

For those craving more details on perfect cheese swaps, this guide on finding excellent Provolone alternatives is sure to help, and you might also review cottage cheese alternatives for recipes.

With Provolone in the mix, your dishes stay exciting. Just remember, stick to the equal parts rule for a seamless substitute.

5 - Gouda Cheese

Landing on Gouda Cheese as our fifth contender, it's all about versatility. This cheese melts well, adding a sweet and slightly fruity touch to dishes.

Expect a creamy texture perfect for replacing Emmental. Gouda blends smoothly in recipes needing a good melt without being too stringy or stiff.

Use Equal parts Gouda and Emmental for balance when substituting (1:1 swap).

For more tips on cheese substitutes, see selecting the right Gouda alternatives, and also explore butter alternatives for mac and cheese.

6 - Cheddar Cheese

Up next, we've got Cheddar Cheese. This one's a real team player in the cheese department.

Cheddar offers a sharper and somewhat earthier flavor compared to Emmental (made from cow's milk and often aged).

We've used it ourselves in everything from sandwiches to casseroles. Equal parts Cheddar for Emmental works like a charm.

For those looking at different cheese options, our roundup on cheddar and its alternatives provides great insights, and includes goat cheese substitutes for salads.

7 - Parmesan Cheese

Last but not least, we've got Parmesan Cheese. This friend is a tasty favorite across the board.

It adds that nutty and savory touch to dishes (an aged hard cow's-milk cheese with a granular texture), making it an excellent alternative to Emmental.

We've used Parmesan in place of Emmental in various recipes needing that melty goodness. Equal parts, people - this swap is simple math.

We've been using Parmesan as a condiment for years, but finding out it could substitute Emmental in our grilled cheese? Well, let's just say our sandwiches have become more interesting.

Check out this guide on pleasant parmesan substitutes and level up your cheese game, and also review Asiago cheese alternatives for grating and finishing.