The thought of writing on French onion soup makes my mouth water. The toasted bread and melty cheese at the top is a beautiful sight. As the name suggests, the soup was first made in France. The soup is ingredients rich. From yellow onions to the beef broth, spices to herbs, the F.O.S leaves you wanting more of it.
The soup has a rich sweet and sharp flavor, owing to caramelized onions and creamy cheese. The ingredients of the soup can be added easily. Similarly, different types of cheese are melted for top coating. However, gruyere cheese is most recommended in this soup.
Gruyere cheese is expensive, so not everyone can afford to add it to their favorite soup. Nevertheless, do not panic as we have got your back.
Substitute For Gruyere Cheese In French Onion Soup
Although Gruyere cheese is preferred while making French onion soups, it is not a necessity. You can add the cheese you like or have at home. Some of the alternatives are as follows:
1) Fontina
An easily available and reasonable cheese type is fontina. It has a mild to medium flavor. Fontina is characteristically mild in flavor but has a nutty and buttery side.
It is a semi-hard cheese but melts like ice would in hot water. This capacity makes Fontina a great alternative to gruyere cheese.
2) Provolone
It is available in two types. One is sharper in taste while the other tastes sweeter. Provolone is a versatile cheese that can be grated or sprinkled. You can incorporate it in the French onion soup. Besides, you can add provolone in salads, sandwiches, and baked pasta.
Most provolone is pasteurized and made compatible for celiac disease patients i.e., gluten-free. Like any other cheese, provolone is a great source of calcium and protein. However, the intake of cheese must be in moderation.
Overall, the flavor is well-rounded and creamy. The slices of this cheese easily melt. The flavor is strong when the cheese changes its form in a viscous liquid. Hence, you can add this easily available and affordable cheese to your savory soup.
3) Mozzarella
The delicious and tasty mozzarella cheese can be stuffed in almost any dish. In French onion soup, melt the cheese and top the toast with it.
The taste of this cheese is on a salty and tangy side. However, you can feel the creaminess when it melts and spreads out beautifully on top of your soup. Mozzarella cheese should be avoided when fresh, as it can leave a watery touch.
The best part of this cheese is that it is low in calories and sodium as compared to other cheese types.
4) Emmental
This cheese has bigger holes as compared to gruyere. The taste is buttery and fruity. Having great melting property, Emmental cheese can also be used. The versatility of this type will cater to other needs as well. If you have some leftover Emmental from the French onion soup, use it in sandwiches, pasta, or casseroles.
Furthermore, it has numerous health benefits like countering inflammation during joint or muscle pain. It improves your immune system as well.
5) Gouda
One of the most popular cheeses worldwide, Gouda uses yellow cow’s milk. Gouda is another top melting cheese on our list. The taste varies according to age. A fresher slice is soft and mild, whereas an old one is buttery in taste.
6) Jarlsberg
Like gruyere, Jarlsberg is delicious and creamy. It comes from Norway and has an identical sharp and sweet flavor. The cheese melts perfectly making it a good alternative to gruyere in french onion soup.
If you are planning to make French onion soup onion, make sure you have all the ingredients. Cheese topping is a vital part of the soup. Most of us look forward to the toasted bread and cheese in the delicious soup. All the substitutes for gruyere cheese in French onion soup have distinct features.
However, they resemble gruyere in many forms. Gruyere is an expensive cheese, so you can look out for other options. Some people like a touch of their favorite cheese. Hence, you do not need to worry about the taste. It will surely come out to be a flavorful one.