Comté cheese is a rich, nutty, and slightly sweet French cheese with an exceptional melting ability.
It’s often used in quiches, fondues, gratins, sandwiches, and cheese boards due to its balanced flavor and smooth texture. Made from raw cow’s milk and aged to develop deep, complex flavors, Comté is a favorite among cheese lovers.
But if Comté is unavailable or you’re looking for a more budget-friendly alternative, several cheeses can step in without compromising the dish. Some substitutes mimic Comté’s mild nuttiness, while others provide a smooth melt and creamy consistency. The key is choosing the right swap depending on how you’re using the cheese.
We’ve tested different cheeses in everything from fondue to croque monsieur to find the best Comté cheese substitutes. Whether you need a mild and melty alternative, a sharper replacement, or even a dairy-free option, these seven substitutes will keep your dish on track.
7 Substitutes for Comté Cheese
Each of these cheeses has a unique profile, from semi-hard and nutty to smooth and melty. The best substitute depends on the dish you’re making.
1. Gruyère Cheese
If you need an alternative that’s nearly identical to Comté, Gruyère is the best choice. This Swiss cheese has a nutty, slightly sweet flavor and melts just as beautifully, making it perfect for both cooking and cheese boards.
Why it works: Gruyère has a semi-hard texture and a complex, rich taste, making it a seamless swap for Comté. It’s slightly saltier but works well in most recipes.
Best for: Fondue, French onion soup, quiche, gratins, and sandwiches.
How to use: Replace Comté with Gruyère in equal amounts. If the saltiness is too strong, balance it with a milder cheese like Havarti.
If Gruyère isn’t available, check out these other useful Gruyère cheese substitutes.
2. Emmental Cheese
Emmental is another Swiss cheese that closely resembles Comté in flavor and texture, making it a solid replacement. It’s milder and slightly more buttery, with a signature holey appearance.
Why it works: Emmental has a smooth, creamy consistency and excellent melting properties, making it great for melted dishes like fondue and grilled sandwiches.
Best for: Cheese sauces, baked pasta, and grilled cheese.
How to use: Use Emmental in equal amounts as a Comté substitute. If you want a sharper flavor, blending it with a bit of Gruyère can help.
If Emmental isn’t an option, explore other helpful Emmental cheese substitutes.
3. Beaufort Cheese
Beaufort is a fantastic French cheese with a slightly fruitier, buttery taste that makes it a great stand-in for Comté.
Why it works: Beaufort has a semi-hard texture and rich, complex notes, making it an excellent alternative in both hot and cold dishes.
Best for: Fondue, baked pasta, and gratins.
How to use: Replace Comté with Beaufort in equal portions. If the flavor is too delicate, mixing it with Parmesan can add more depth.
For more Beaufort alternatives, check out these Beaufort cheese substitutes.
4. Jarlsberg Cheese
Jarlsberg is a Norwegian cheese with a slightly sweet, nutty flavor, similar to Comté but with a milder taste. It has a semi-soft texture and is often mistaken for Swiss cheese.
Why it works: Jarlsberg has a creamy, slightly buttery consistency, making it an easy substitute for Comté in sandwiches, baked dishes, and cheese sauces.
Best for: Mac and cheese, cheese platters, and baked dishes.
How to use: Use Jarlsberg in equal portions as a Comté substitute. If the sweetness is too strong, blending it with Parmesan or Gruyère can balance the taste.
For more Jarlsberg options, check out these Jarlsberg cheese substitutes.
5. Raclette Cheese
Raclette is a semi-soft cheese that melts beautifully, making it a perfect choice for fondue, grilled sandwiches, and creamy dishes.
Why it works: Raclette has a smooth, slightly tangy taste that pairs well with most recipes calling for Comté.
Best for: Melting over potatoes, fondue, and baked pasta.
How to use: Replace Comté with Raclette in equal portions. Since Raclette has a stronger aroma, pairing it with a milder cheese can help balance it.
For more melty cheese alternatives, check out these Raclette cheese substitutes.
6. Manchego Cheese
Manchego is a Spanish cheese with a firm texture and rich, nutty taste, making it a great alternative to Comté in dishes where a firmer cheese is acceptable.
Why it works: Manchego has a distinct nuttiness that complements a wide variety of recipes, but it’s slightly firmer and doesn’t melt as smoothly as Comté.
Best for: Cheese platters, sandwiches, and baked dishes.
How to use: Use Manchego in equal portions as a Comté substitute. If it’s too firm, mixing it with a creamier cheese can help improve the meltability.
For more firm cheese options, check out these Manchego cheese substitutes.
7. Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan isn’t the most obvious choice for replacing Comté, but if you need a sharp, aged cheese with bold umami notes, it can work well in some recipes.
Why it works: Parmesan has a firm, dry texture and an intense, nutty taste, making it great for enhancing baked dishes and soups.
Best for: Pasta, soups, and baked casseroles.
How to use: Replace Comté with half the amount of Parmesan and mix it with a softer cheese like Fontina or Havarti for better meltability.
For other bold alternatives, check out these Parmesan cheese substitutes.
