Emmental cheese is a go to food for many of us when it comes to making the perfect grilled cheese sandwich.
It reaches the perfect ooey gooey texture when melted, that leaves our mouths watering just thinking about it.
Perhaps though, you’ve recently taken a trip to the refrigerator, and very sadly found that you don’t have any left. Hey, we would have eaten the whole block too.
Don’t worry though, because below we’ve compiled a list of some of the very best substitutions you can use when you don’t have any emmental left. Simply keep reading to find out more.
1. Gruyere Cheese
If you don’t have any emmental in the refrigerator, or they’re all sold out at the store, then we recommend that you pick up some gruyere cheese instead.
This one is so similar to emmental cheese, that we don’t think you’ll even notice the difference between the two.
They both consist of cow’s milk, and are great for when you want to melt them in a sandwich, as gruyere cheese is super gooey when hot.
2. Gouda Cheese
Gouda is great for when you don’t have any emmental lying around, because it’s super similar in texture and appearance.
If you’re using it in a grilled cheese sandwich, or in a pasta dish, you truly won’t notice any difference in taste.
The only true difference between emmental and gouda, is that the latter tends to be on the harder side if you’re planning on eating it as it is.
3. Jarlsberg Cheese
We can guarantee that some of you out there haven’t heard of this delicious cheese, but we urge you to try it.
It’s a swiss cheese just like emmental, and is super similar in appearance because it also has lots of holes going through it.
It melts in the same way as emmental too, which is great if you’re incorporating it into hot dishes.
The key difference between emmental and jarlsberg cheese is that the latter has a stronger taste. If you enjoy a slightly stronger cheese, then you’ll love this one.
If you prefer your cheese on the midler side however, maybe stay away from this one.
4. Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan cheese (see also ‘5 Amazing Substitutes for Grana Padano Cheese‘) can be a great substitute to emmental, depending on what you’re planning on using it for.
Obviously you wouldn’t have a slice of this cheese by itself, but it has a whole host of different uses.
It has a super nutty and mild taste, just like emmental, so if you’re looking for a cheese with a similar flavor, go for this one.
5. Havarti Cheese
Another less well known cheese that you might just grow to love is havarti cheese. Like emmental, it’s also made from cow’s milk, and boasts a deliciously mild flavor.
If you want something super smooth and buttery, go with this one.
This cheese tastes really good when paired with a few crackers too, so be sure to pick some up for your next wine and cheese evening.
6. Provolone
We think that provolone cheese is absolutely spectacular to look at, we just want to dig right in. This cheese is mainly produced in Italy, and features a super mild taste.
It’s far sweeter than emmental, and can get sharper as it ages. It’s interesting to note how the flavors change.
7. Brie
We couldn’t go through our list without mentioning brie. If you’re having some guests over for a cheese evening, but haven’t been able to pick up any emmental, brie makes an excellent substitution.
It’s perfect for eating as it is, just spreading it over some crackers, or you can place it in the oven until it’s nice and melted for dipping.
8. French Comte
Introducing some French comte into your saturday evening will help to elevate any wine and cheese night. If you’re looking for something super luxurious, then we recommend that you try this one.
It’s made from unpasteurized milk, which gives it a super sweet and creamy taste that’s to die for.
As well as this, it melts incredibly well over heat just like emmental, so you can use it for not so fancy dishes such as grilled cheese sandwiches too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that we’ve taken a look at some of the very best substitutes for emmental cheese (see also ‘9 Substitutes For Manchego Cheese‘), let’s take a look at some of the frequently asked questions you had.
What Does Emmental Cheese Taste Like?
For those of you out there who haven’t tried emmental cheese before, we recommend that you go out and grab some, as it’s one of the most delicious cheeses on the market.
It has an incredibly light, mild, nutty flavor, with an incredibly buttery texture that’s to die for. Because it has a slightly sweet flavor, some people have said that it’s quite fruity too.
What Is Emmental Cheese Used For?
Emmental cheese is so tasty that it can simply be eaten alone as a snack, or with some crackers on the side.
The best way to use the cheese though, is to melt it, as it tastes even better as an ooey gooey dip. It has excellent melting properties, and so you can use it to host a fondue evening.
Simply melt your emmental cheese in the oven, then gather some snacks together for dipping, such as cured meats and olives.
It’s also great for using in casserole dishes. If a recipe ever calls for some cheese to be melted on top, emmental is the perfect choice for this.
It’s also great for pasta dishes, and can help to give an extra added creaminess.
Is Emmental Cheese Healthy?
Many of you cheese lovers out there will be incredibly pleased to find that emmental actually contains some health benefits.
When eaten in moderation, emmental cheese can help to ease the complications that arise from long term health problems.
Because it contains lots of good bacteria, it can help to reduce any joint or muscle pain you may be experiencing.
As well as this, it can also help you to fight a whole host of different diseases and infections, because it increases the function of your immune system.
Who knew that cheese could be both delicious and healthy?
Why Does Emmental Cheese Have Holes?
The reason why emmental has its signature, hole filled appearance is because of the bacteria that’s added to the cheese at the start of production.
The bacteria eventually wears away at the cheese, covering it in holes of varying size.
The bacteria that’s added is also responsible for giving the cheese its unique, mild nutty flavor.
Final Thoughts
If you’re concerned that you don’t have any emmental cheese in your refrigerator, or they’ve run out of it in your local grocery store, don’t worry, because there are lots of different substitutions out there you can use.
If you’re trying to mimic the flavor, use parmesan cheese, but if you intend to melt it, choose one of the softer cheeses on our list such as brie.
8 Of The Very Best Substitutes For Emmental Cheese
This article takes a look at some great substitutes you can use when you don’t have any emmental cheese lying around.
Ingredients
Gruyere Cheese
Gouda Cheese
Jarlsberg Cheese
Parmesan Cheese
Havarti Cheese
Provolone
Brie
French Comte
Directions
- Decided on what substitute you need
- Pick a substitute from the list above
- Read what you need to substitute with
- Create the recipe and enjoy
Cooking is great for your mental, physical, and emotional health. What’s the worst that could happen? Find a recipe that you like the sound of and cook it along with me. You might even unlock a new passion!
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