7 Swiss Cheese Substitutes for Melting, Snacking, and Cooking

Swiss cheese is famous for its mild, nutty flavor and signature holes.

It’s a staple in grilled sandwiches, baked dishes, cheese sauces, and charcuterie boards, thanks to its smooth melting ability and balanced taste.

Save

Whether you’re using it for a classic Croque Monsieur, fondue, or just layering it into a sandwich, Swiss cheese brings a distinct character to every dish.

But what if you don’t have any on hand? Maybe it’s missing from the grocery store, or perhaps you want a cheese with a slightly different taste or texture. The good news is that several cheeses can replace Swiss cheese without compromising your dish. Some options melt just as well, while others provide a similar nutty flavor or creamy consistency.

We’ve tested different cheeses in everything from grilled cheese sandwiches to cheese sauces to find the best substitutes for Swiss cheese. Whether you need a mild, melty alternative or a sharper, more complex flavor, these seven substitutes will keep your recipe on track.

7 Substitutes for Swiss Cheese

Each of these substitutes brings a unique quality, from mild and creamy to slightly sharp and nutty. The best option depends on your recipe.

1. Gruyère Cheese

If you need an alternative that tastes almost identical to Swiss cheese, Gruyère is the best choice. This nutty, slightly sweet cheese melts beautifully, making it a fantastic one-to-one swap.

Why it works: Gruyère has a semi-firm texture and rich, complex flavor, making it a near-perfect substitute. It’s slightly stronger than Swiss cheese but melts just as smoothly.

Best for: Grilled cheese, French onion soup, fondue, and quiches.

How to use: Replace Swiss cheese with Gruyère in equal amounts. If the flavor is too bold, mixing it with a milder cheese like mozzarella can help.

If Gruyère isn’t available, check out these other useful Gruyère cheese substitutes.

2. Jarlsberg Cheese

Jarlsberg is a Norwegian cheese that closely resembles Swiss cheese in both appearance and flavor. It has a mild, slightly sweet taste and a smooth, creamy texture, making it a great option for sandwiches and melted dishes.

Why it works: Like Swiss cheese, Jarlsberg has a nutty, buttery taste and a holey texture, making it a seamless swap. It’s slightly sweeter but works well in most recipes.

Best for: Sandwiches, cheese platters, baked dishes, and burgers.

How to use: Replace Swiss cheese with Jarlsberg in equal amounts. If the sweetness is too strong, blending it with a sharper cheese like Gruyère can balance the flavor.

If Jarlsberg isn’t an option, explore other helpful Jarlsberg cheese substitutes.

3. Emmental Cheese

Emmental is one of the most well-known varieties of Swiss cheese, so if you need a perfect match, this is the way to go. It has a mild, slightly nutty flavor with a great melt, making it ideal for sandwiches and baked dishes.

Why it works: Emmental has a semi-hard texture and smooth melting properties, just like Swiss cheese. It’s slightly firmer but works well in any dish that calls for Swiss cheese.

Best for: Fondue, sandwiches, baked pasta, and cheese sauces.

How to use: Use Emmental as a one-to-one substitute for Swiss cheese. If you want a creamier melt, blending it with a softer cheese like Havarti can help.

For more melt-friendly options, check out these helpful Emmental cheese substitutes.

4. Havarti Cheese

Havarti is an excellent alternative to Swiss cheese, especially if you need a mild, buttery cheese that melts effortlessly. It doesn’t have Swiss cheese’s nuttiness, but its creamy texture makes it great for melting.

Why it works: Havarti has a high moisture content, making it a smooth, melty cheese that blends well in sandwiches and sauces.

Best for: Grilled cheese, burgers, mac and cheese, and fondue.

How to use: Swap Swiss cheese for Havarti in equal amounts. If you need a nuttier taste, mixing it with Gruyère or Fontina can enhance the depth.

For more melty cheese alternatives, check out these Havarti cheese substitutes.

5. Fontina Cheese

Fontina is a strong alternative if you’re looking for a cheese with a smooth melt and mild nuttiness. It’s a little stronger in flavor than Swiss cheese, but its buttery texture makes it a great swap.

Why it works: Fontina melts beautifully and adds a rich, slightly earthy taste to dishes, making it perfect for pasta, sandwiches, and baked goods.

Best for: Pasta bakes, risottos, grilled cheese, and soups.

How to use: Use Fontina in equal amounts as a Swiss cheese substitute. If it’s too bold, blending it with Monterey Jack or Havarti can balance the flavor.

For more melt-friendly options, check out these helpful Fontina cheese substitutes.

6. Provolone Cheese

Provolone is a good substitute when you need a cheese that melts well but has a slightly stronger flavor. Young provolone is mild and stretchy, while aged provolone has a sharper bite.

Why it works: Provolone melts smoothly and evenly, making it great for dishes that require gooey cheese.

Best for: Paninis, grilled cheese, and baked pasta.

How to use: Swap Swiss cheese for Provolone in equal portions. If using aged Provolone, mix it with a milder cheese like Havarti.

If Provolone isn’t available, check out these other helpful Provolone cheese substitutes.

7. Mild Cheddar

If you don’t have Swiss cheese but need a mild cheese that melts well, mild cheddar can work. It’s slightly sharper and firmer, but it’s a solid alternative in most recipes.

Why it works: Mild cheddar has a creamy melt and smooth texture, making it a great swap in sandwiches, mac and cheese, and baked dishes.

Best for: Grilled cheese, cheese sauces, and casseroles.

How to use: Use mild cheddar in equal amounts as a Swiss cheese substitute. If you need a nuttier taste, mix it with Fontina or Gouda.