What To Substitute For Gruyere Cheese In French Onion Soup
Looking to make a delicious batch of French Onion Soup but don’t have any Gruyere cheese on hand? No worries, we’ve got you covered!
In this article, we’ll explore the top substitutes for Gruyere cheese that will still give your soup that rich and creamy flavor you’re craving. Whether it’s Emmental, Swiss, Comté, Fontina, Mozzarella, Provolone or Parmesan cheese – we’ll help you find the perfect replacement for your recipe.
Each of these cheeses offers its own unique taste and texture that will complement the caramelized onions and savory broth beautifully. So grab your apron and get ready to whip up a bowl of French Onion Soup that will have everyone asking for seconds – even without the Gruyere!

Emmental Cheese
If you’re looking for a delicious alternative to gruyere cheese in your French onion soup, why not try using Emmental cheese instead?
Substituting emmental cheese in French Onion Soup has its pros and cons. Emmental cheese has a mild and nutty flavor that pairs well with the rich caramelized onions in the soup.
It also melts beautifully, creating a creamy and gooey texture. However, emmental cheese lacks the distinct savory taste of gruyere, which may alter the overall flavor profile of the soup.
To incorporate emmental cheese into other recipes, you can use it as a substitute in dishes like quiches or gratins that call for gruyere. Its meltability makes it perfect for topping casseroles or adding to sandwiches for an extra layer of cheesy goodness.
Just keep in mind that while emmental is a tasty option, it may not provide the exact same depth of flavor as gruyere. Nonetheless, if you’re craving some French onion soup and don’t have gruyere on hand, give emmental cheese a try!
Swiss Cheese
Try using Swiss cheese instead of Gruyere in your recipe. It adds a delicious nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the caramelized onions. The advantages of using Swiss cheese in French Onion Soup are numerous.
First, Swiss cheese has a milder taste compared to Gruyere, allowing the flavors of the onions and broth to shine through. It also melts beautifully, creating that classic ooey-gooey texture we all love.
To achieve the perfect melt with Swiss cheese in French Onion Soup, make sure to shred it finely and distribute it evenly over the soup before broiling. This will ensure even melting and prevent clumps of unmelted cheese.
Additionally, be mindful of the broiling time as Swiss cheese can brown quickly. With these tips and the addition of Swiss cheese, your French Onion Soup will have a rich and satisfying flavor that everyone will enjoy!
Comté Cheese
Indulge in the creamy, nutty goodness of Comté and elevate your taste buds to new heights.
- The flavor profile of Comté cheese in French onion soup: Comté cheese adds a rich and savory flavor to French onion soup. Its creamy texture melts beautifully into the broth, creating a luscious mouthfeel that enhances every spoonful.
- The origin and history of Comté cheese as a substitute in French onion soup: Comté cheese originates from the Jura Mountains in France, where it’s been produced for centuries. It was traditionally used as a gruyere substitute due to its similar flavor profile and melting properties. Over time, chefs recognized its unique qualities and started incorporating it into their French onion soup recipes.
Incorporating Comté cheese into your French onion soup not only provides a delicious alternative but also pays homage to the rich history of this iconic ingredient. Give it a try and experience the delightful combination of flavors firsthand.
Fontina Cheese
Immerse yourself in the creamy, irresistible goodness of Fontina cheese and let its luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth texture transport you to a world of pure culinary bliss.
When it comes to French onion soup, using Fontina cheese offers a myriad of benefits. Firstly, this semi-soft Italian cheese melts effortlessly, creating a velvety smoothness that coats every spoonful of soup. Its nutty and buttery flavor profile adds depth and richness to the dish, enhancing the overall taste experience.
The natural tanginess of Fontina cuts through the sweetness of caramelized onions, balancing the flavors perfectly. Additionally, Fontina’s mild yet distinct taste complements other ingredients like beef broth and herbs without overpowering them.
So next time you’re making French onion soup and find yourself without Gruyère cheese, embrace the deliciousness of Fontina for an unforgettable dining experience.
Mozzarella Cheese
But let’s not forget the gooey, stringy pleasure of mozzarella cheese. When it comes to substituting gruyere cheese in French onion soup, mozzarella can be a delicious alternative.
This versatile cheese melts beautifully and has a mild, creamy flavor that complements the rich flavors of the caramelized onions and savory broth.
While it may not have the same depth of flavor as gruyere, mozzarella brings its own unique appeal to the dish. To use mozzarella as a substitute, simply replace the gruyere cheese in your recipe with an equal amount of shredded or sliced mozzarella.
Sprinkle it generously over the top of your soup before broiling to achieve that irresistible golden brown crust.
The result will be a comforting bowl of French onion soup with stretchy, melty strands of mozzarella that will satisfy your cravings for cheesy goodness. While gruyere may be traditional for French onion soup, don’t hesitate to try using mozzarella as a substitute.
Its melting qualities and creamy taste make it a worthy contender for this classic dish. So go ahead and give it a try – you won’t be disappointed!
Provolone Cheese
To elevate your culinary experience, picture yourself sinking your teeth into a warm, gooey slice of provolone that stretches and oozes with every bite.
When it comes to melting provolone cheese for a gooey French onion soup topping, there are a few tricks you can try.
First, make sure to shred the provolone cheese before adding it to the soup. This will help it melt evenly and create that irresistible stringy texture.
You can either sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of the soup and broil it in the oven until bubbly and golden, or you can add it directly to the hot soup and stir until melted.
In addition to its meltability, provolone cheese also brings a unique flavor profile to your French onion soup. It has a mild and buttery taste with hints of tanginess that complement the rich flavors of caramelized onions perfectly.
So go ahead and give provolone a try as a gruyere cheese substitute in your next batch of French onion soup – you won’t be disappointed!
Parmesan Cheese
Indulge in the rich and nutty flavor of Parmesan, adding a touch of complexity to your culinary creations. When it comes to substituting Gruyère cheese in French Onion Soup, Parmesan is an excellent choice. Here are some cooking tips for using Parmesan cheese as a substitute:
- Grate the Parmesan finely to ensure it melts easily into the soup.
- Add the grated Parmesan towards the end of cooking to prevent it from becoming grainy.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning accordingly since Parmesan can be salty.
- Consider mixing Parmesan with another mild cheese like mozzarella or Swiss for a more balanced flavor.
- Garnish each bowl of soup with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan for an extra burst of flavor.
Exploring the flavor profile of Parmesan cheese reveals that it’s savory and slightly nutty taste complements the caramelized onions beautifully in French Onion Soup. So go ahead, experiment with this delightful substitution and savor every spoonful!
Conclusion
So, if you’re looking to make French onion soup but don’t have any gruyere cheese on hand, fear not! There are plenty of delicious substitutes that’ll still give your soup that cheesy goodness.
Whether you go for Emmental, Swiss, Comté, Fontina, Mozzarella, Provolone, or Parmesan cheese, each option’ll bring its own unique flavor to the dish.
So go ahead and experiment with different cheeses until you find the perfect substitute for your French onion soup.