Gruyere cheese is the highest class of Swiss cheesemakers. The distinctive features of this product include a very dense and homogeneous consistency. Gruyere has a unique smell, as well as a spicy taste with characteristic nutty notes. Gruyere cheese belongs to the list of varieties, the origin of which is controlled by specialists.
What does Gruyere cheese pair with? What do you eat with Gruyere cheese? Gruyere cheese is often used for baking pies, quiche and fondue as it melts well. Gruyere is also added to French onion soup, Croque Monsieur, a classic sausage and cheese sandwich. Gruyere is used in pasta, salads and chicken/veal cordon bleu. Gruyere goes well with beef, pork and vegetables.
Gruyere cheese is a great snack on its own and is often found on cheese platters. However, most often, Gruyere is added to different kinds of pasta, soups and salads. Gruyere is often used for sauces, fondues and sandwiches because of its creamy, nutty flavor and excellent melting properties.
Ultimate Guide on Best Gruyere Cheese Pairings
Gruyere cheese plays an important role in the national Swiss cuisine. It is used to make fondues, cheese casseroles, soufflés and many other delicious dishes. Gruyere is served as an appetizer for white and red wine. It goes well with grapes and herbs. Grated Gruyere is added to salads, risotto, pasta, pizza, polenta, vegetable and meat dishes. The cheese melts evenly to form a crispy crust.
Due to its characteristic flavor but not overwhelming other ingredients, Gruyere is considered one of the most suitable cheeses for baking. For a dish such as a quiche (an open pie filled with beaten eggs, cheese and other ingredients), Gruyere adds flavor without eliminating the taste of the rest of the ingredients. Well-melting Gruyere cheese is used in salads, soups, desserts such as meringues. It is served as part of a cheese plate with walnuts to red Dole or Burgundy wines, fruit bread, grated to pasta dishes.
Gruyere is also added to traditional French onion soup and Croque monsieur, a classic sausage and cheese sandwich. Gruyere is an indispensable ingredient for preparing chicken and veal “cordon bleu.” It’s also a great cheese for pasta and salads. Another traditional garlic soup served in toasted bread can be cited as an example of grated Gruyere cheese.
What is Gruyere cheese good with? The fat content of Gruyere has made it an indispensable ingredient for many dishes:
- Pasta;
- Salads;
- Casseroles;
- Sandwiches;
- Soups;
- Pies and quiches;
- Sauces.
Gruyère Cheese Meet Pairing
What meat goes with Gruyere cheese? Gruyere goes well with ham, salami, prosciutto and other Italian meats. Gruyere is often added to chicken and veal cordon bleu. Gruyere cheese can be served with beef, pork and duck, be it baked, fried or boiled.
If you are roasting meat, grate Gruyere cheese on it. It will create a delicious crunchy crust and enrich the flavor of the dish with nutty notes.
Gruyère Cheese Fruit and Vegerable Pairing
What fruit pairs well with Gruyere cheese? Gruyere pairs well with apples, figs, pomegranates, pears and grapes. Some chefs can add melon, peach, pineapple or kiwi to Gruyere. Thanks to its medium-firm texture and creamy, nutty flavor, Gruyere goes well with many fruits but is mainly served with apples and grapes.
Apples, grapes, pears, blueberries, strawberries, any berries and fresh figs compensate for the rich, salty taste of dairy Gruyere cheese and refresh the palate.
Gruyere goes well with tomatoes, beets or cauliflower and fresh herbs. Cheese is a product rich in proteins and fats, and low-calorie vegetables are a valuable storehouse of vitamins and useful macro and microelements. And of course, do not forget about the spicy salinity of the cheese, which can “revive” any vegetable salad.
See also: What Does French Onion Soup Taste Like? All You Need to Know
What is Gruyere cheese best for? Gruyere cheese is best for traditional Swiss fondue. Gruyères is melted, mixed with spices, wine, pine nuts, and garlic. Fondue is served in a special container, and then slices of bread, olives, meat, potatoes are dipped into it during dinner. Gruyere fondue is served as an appetizer with red fruit wine.
Because Gruyeres is produced only in Switzerland, it is not always possible to buy it. If you need to substitute Gruyere, replace it with:
- Grana Padano;
- Parmesan;
- Yalsberg;
- Cheddar;
- Pecorino.
They have a fairly pronounced aroma with similar notes. You can often find advice to replace Gruyere with Emmental, but this will not give a full nutty shade. Emmental has a less pronounced taste, and you can feel that something is missing in the dish.
What crackers go with Gruyere cheese? A freshly baked baguette or crunchy toasts, crackers or chips go well with Gruyere cheese.
The Bottom Line
Gruyere cheese varieties have different flavors depending on the degree of ripeness. After 4.5 months of ripening, the cheese acquires a delicate consistency, sweet taste. After aging for 7 – 10 months, the cheese becomes salty, with a pungent, spicy aroma and a light nutty flavor. Cheese, aged from 10 to 15 months, is firm and dense and acquires a nutty-earthy flavor.
Gruyere cheese is used in fondue, salads, soups, desserts such as meringues. It is served as part of a cheese plate with walnuts to red Dole or Burgundy wines with fruit bread or grated to pasta dishes.
