🧀 Cheese

Swiss Cheese Substitutes for Reuben Sandwich Guide

Find the best substitutes for Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwich recipes. Learn about Gruyère, Emmental, Jarlsberg, and other alternatives with proper ratios and cooking tips for perfect Reuben sandwich results every time.

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Quick Answer

For Reuben sandwiches, the best Swiss cheese substitutes are Gruyère, Emmental, and Jarlsberg. Use 1:1 ratio and slice the cheese thin for optimal melting and flavor distribution in your Reuben sandwich.

Best Substitutes

Gruyère

1:1

Swiss cheese with complex, nutty flavor and excellent melting properties. Closest flavor match to Swiss cheese with sophisticated taste profile. Perfect for Reuben sandwich applications.

Best for:

Reuben sandwichwhen you want premium flavormelting applicationssandwiches

Gruyère has the closest flavor match to Swiss cheese with complex, nutty notes. Use in equal amounts by volume. Premium option but worth the investment for special Reuben sandwiches.

Emmental

1:1

Swiss cheese with mild, slightly sweet flavor and characteristic holes. Very similar to Swiss cheese in taste and texture. Excellent melting properties make it perfect for Reuben sandwiches.

Best for:

Reuben sandwichwhen you want authentic Swiss flavormelting applicationssandwiches

Emmental has very similar flavor profile and melting properties to Swiss cheese. Use in equal amounts by volume. Slightly sweeter than Swiss cheese but very close match.

Jarlsberg

1:1

Norwegian cheese with mild, nutty flavor and excellent melting properties. Similar to Swiss cheese in taste and texture. Good alternative with consistent quality for Reuben sandwiches.

Best for:

Reuben sandwichwhen you want consistent qualitymelting applicationssandwiches

Jarlsberg has similar flavor and melting properties to Swiss cheese. Use in equal amounts by volume. Consistent quality and good availability in most stores.

Gouda

1:1

Dutch cheese with mild, slightly sweet flavor and good melting properties. Different flavor profile but works well in Reuben sandwich applications.

Best for:

Reuben sandwichwhen you want slightly sweeter flavormelting applicationssandwiches

Gouda has a different flavor profile but good melting properties. Use in equal amounts by volume. Slightly sweeter than Swiss cheese but works well in Reuben sandwiches.

Fontina

1:1

Italian cheese with mild, nutty flavor and excellent melting properties. Similar to Swiss cheese in taste and texture. Perfect for creamy Reuben sandwich applications.

Best for:

Reuben sandwichwhen you want creamy texturemelting applicationssandwiches

Fontina has excellent melting properties and similar flavor to Swiss cheese. Use in equal amounts by volume. Slightly creamier texture than Swiss cheese.

Cheddar Cheese

1:1

Sharp, tangy cheese with good melting properties. Different flavor profile but works well in Reuben sandwich applications, especially when combined with other cheeses.

Best for:

Reuben sandwichwhen you want sharp flavormelting applicationssandwiches

Cheddar has a different flavor but good melting properties. Use in equal amounts by volume. Works well in Reuben sandwiches, especially when combined with other cheeses.

Havarti

1:1

Danish cheese with mild, buttery flavor and excellent melting properties. Different flavor profile but works well in Reuben sandwich applications.

Best for:

Reuben sandwichwhen you want buttery flavormelting applicationssandwiches

Havarti has a different flavor but excellent melting properties. Use in equal amounts by volume. Slightly buttery flavor that works well in Reuben sandwiches.

Monterey Jack

1:1

American cheese with mild, buttery flavor and excellent melting properties. Different flavor profile but works well in Reuben sandwich applications.

Best for:

Reuben sandwichwhen you want buttery flavormelting applicationssandwiches

Monterey Jack has a different flavor but excellent melting properties. Use in equal amounts by volume. Slightly buttery flavor that works well in Reuben sandwiches.

Cooking Tips

  • 💡For best Reuben sandwich results, slice cheese thin and bring to room temperature before using
  • 💡Swiss cheese substitutes work best when combined with other cheeses for complex flavor profiles
  • 💡For Reuben sandwiches, Swiss cheese substitutes should be sliced thin and placed on top of corned beef
  • 💡In Reuben sandwiches, use 2-3 slices of cheese per sandwich
  • 💡For the best flavor, combine Swiss cheese substitutes with other cheeses like cheddar or parmesan
  • 💡For Reuben sandwiches, grill at medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side until cheese melts
  • 💡Let Reuben sandwiches rest for 2-3 minutes before slicing for best results
  • 💡For the closest flavor match to Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches, use Gruyère or Emmental
  • 💡For budget-friendly Reuben sandwiches, Jarlsberg or Gouda are good choices
  • 💡For premium Reuben sandwiches, Gruyère offers the most sophisticated flavor profile
  • 💡For Italian-style Reuben sandwiches, Fontina works particularly well
  • 💡For everyday Reuben sandwiches, Jarlsberg provides the best balance of flavor and affordability
  • 💡For melting applications in Reuben sandwiches, Gruyère, Emmental, and Fontina work best
  • 💡For Reuben sandwiches with sauerkraut, use Gruyère or Emmental for the best flavor match
  • 💡For Reuben sandwiches with Russian dressing, use Jarlsberg or Gouda for complementary flavors
  • 💡For Reuben sandwiches with rye bread, use Gruyère or Fontina for sophisticated flavor harmony
  • 💡For Reuben sandwiches with pastrami, use Gruyère or Emmental for bold flavor combination
  • 💡For Reuben sandwiches with coleslaw, use Jarlsberg or Havarti for creamy texture balance
  • 💡For Reuben sandwiches with pickles, use Gruyère or Cheddar for tangy flavor harmony
  • 💡For Reuben sandwiches with mustard, use Emmental or Jarlsberg for mild flavor balance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best substitute for Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches?

The best substitute for Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches depends on your needs. Gruyère offers the closest flavor match, while Emmental provides similar texture and melting properties. Jarlsberg is a good budget-friendly option with consistent quality.

Can I use Gruyère instead of Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches?

Yes, Gruyère is an excellent substitute for Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches. It has similar melting properties and a complex, nutty flavor that works well in Reuben sandwiches. Use a 1:1 ratio for best results.

What's the difference between Swiss cheese and Gruyère in Reuben sandwiches?

Swiss cheese has a milder, more neutral flavor with characteristic holes, while Gruyère has a more complex, nutty flavor with slightly sweet notes. Both have similar texture and melting properties, making Gruyère a good substitute for Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches.

Can I use Emmental instead of Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches?

Yes, Emmental is an excellent substitute for Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches. It has very similar flavor profile and melting properties. Use a 1:1 ratio for best results.

What's the best Swiss cheese substitute for Reuben sandwiches?

For Reuben sandwiches, Gruyère, Emmental, or Jarlsberg work best. These cheeses have similar melting properties and mild flavors that complement corned beef and sauerkraut well. Use a 1:1 ratio for best results.

Can I use Jarlsberg instead of Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches?

Yes, Jarlsberg is an excellent substitute for Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches. It has similar melting properties and a mild, nutty flavor that works well in Reuben sandwiches. Use a 1:1 ratio for best results.

What's the best Swiss cheese substitute for Reuben sandwiches with sauerkraut?

For Reuben sandwiches with sauerkraut, Gruyère or Emmental work best. These cheeses have similar melting properties and mild flavors that complement sauerkraut well. Use a 1:1 ratio for best results.

Can I use Gouda instead of Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches?

Yes, Gouda can work as a substitute for Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches, though it has a different flavor profile. Gouda is slightly sweeter and has good melting properties. Use a 1:1 ratio for best results.

What's the best Swiss cheese substitute for Reuben sandwiches with Russian dressing?

For Reuben sandwiches with Russian dressing, Jarlsberg or Gouda work best. These cheeses have similar melting properties and mild flavors that complement Russian dressing well. Use a 1:1 ratio for best results.

Can I use Fontina instead of Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches?

Yes, Fontina is an excellent substitute for Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches. It has similar melting properties and a mild, nutty flavor that works well in Reuben sandwiches. Use a 1:1 ratio for best results.

What's the best Swiss cheese substitute for Reuben sandwiches with rye bread?

For Reuben sandwiches with rye bread, Gruyère or Fontina work best. These cheeses have similar melting properties and sophisticated flavors that complement rye bread well. Use a 1:1 ratio for best results.

Can I use cheddar cheese instead of Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches?

Yes, cheddar cheese can work as a substitute for Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches, especially when combined with other cheeses. Cheddar has a different flavor profile but good melting properties. Use a 1:1 ratio for best results.

What's the best Swiss cheese substitute for Reuben sandwiches with pastrami?

For Reuben sandwiches with pastrami, Gruyère or Emmental work best. These cheeses have similar melting properties and bold flavors that complement pastrami well. Use a 1:1 ratio for best results.

Can I use Havarti instead of Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches?

Yes, Havarti can work as a substitute for Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches, though it has a different flavor profile. Havarti is slightly buttery and has excellent melting properties. Use a 1:1 ratio for best results.

What's the best Swiss cheese substitute for Reuben sandwiches with coleslaw?

For Reuben sandwiches with coleslaw, Jarlsberg or Havarti work best. These cheeses have similar melting properties and creamy textures that complement coleslaw well. Use a 1:1 ratio for best results.

Can I use Monterey Jack instead of Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches?

Yes, Monterey Jack can work as a substitute for Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches, though it has a different flavor profile. Monterey Jack is slightly buttery and has excellent melting properties. Use a 1:1 ratio for best results.

What's the best Swiss cheese substitute for Reuben sandwiches with pickles?

For Reuben sandwiches with pickles, Gruyère or Cheddar work best. These cheeses have similar melting properties and tangy flavors that complement pickles well. Use a 1:1 ratio for best results.

Can I use parmesan instead of Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches?

Parmesan can work as a substitute for Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches, though it has a different flavor profile. Parmesan is sharper and has different melting properties. Use a 1:1 ratio for best results.

What's the best Swiss cheese substitute for Reuben sandwiches with mustard?

For Reuben sandwiches with mustard, Emmental or Jarlsberg work best. These cheeses have similar melting properties and mild flavors that complement mustard well. Use a 1:1 ratio for best results.

Can I use mozzarella instead of Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches?

Mozzarella can work as a substitute for Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwiches, though it has a different flavor profile. Mozzarella is milder and has good melting properties. Use a 1:1 ratio for best results.

Summary

Find the best substitutes for Swiss cheese in Reuben sandwich recipes. Learn about Gruyère, Emmental, Jarlsberg, and other alternatives with proper ratios and cooking tips for perfect Reuben sandwich results every time.