So you’ve got your grill and you’re planning an event, but can’t seem to find raclette cheese at your local grocery? Don’t worry! There are plenty of excellent alternatives that will work for raclette grill cheese melting.
Why Raclette Cheese Is Special
Before diving into substitutes, it helps to understand why raclette cheese is what makes this style of table top grilling so famous. Traditional Raclette du Valais from Switzerland has a specific combination of qualities:
- Meltability Texture– It becomes gooey and luscious, not stringy or oily
- Mild but rich flavor – Nutty, buttery, and slightly sweet
- Medium-soft texture – It melts evenly without separating
- Edible rind – The rind contributes to the flavor when heated
The good news? Several cheeses share these characteristics and work beautifully on a raclette grill.
Top Substitutes for Raclette Cheese
1. Gruyère
Your best bet. Gruyère melts like a dream and has a similar nutty, slightly sweet profile. It’s slightly firmer than raclette but still achieves that velvety pour. Use it straight or mix with a milder cheese if you find it too strong.
2. Emmental
Emmental (Swiss cheese) is another fantastic option. It has those classic holes and a mild, buttery flavor. It melts smoothly and pairs wonderfully with potatoes and cured meats.
3. Fontina
Italian Fontina is a revelation for raclette grilling. It’s incredibly creamy when melted and has a subtle earthiness. The Italian variety is best—look for Fontina Valdosta with its orange-brown rind.
4. Appenzeller
This Swiss cheese is slightly more aromatic than raclette, with herbal notes from its secret herb-wash rind. It melts beautifully and adds complexity to your raclette spread.
5. Jarlsberg
A Norwegian cheese that’s readily available and budget-friendly. Jarlsberg has a mild, nutty sweetness and melts well, though it can get a bit stringy if overcooked.
6. Comté
French Comté offers a more complex flavor profile—nutty, fruity, and slightly sharp. Age matters: younger Comté (4-8 months) melts better than older wheels.
7. Taleggio
For something different, Italian Taleggio brings a funkier, more pungent character. It becomes incredibly creamy when heated, almost like a sauce.
Blending Cheeses for Your Raclette Melting
Don’t be afraid to encourage your guests to mix cheese for their melt! Many cheese melt blend often taste better than a single cheese. Here’s some recommendations if you’re wiling to experiment with textures and flavors:
- Gruyère + Emmental – Classic combination, balanced flavor
- Fontina + Mozzarella – Extra creamy, milder taste
- Gruyère + Sharp Cheddar – More pronounced flavor for cheese lovers
- Emmental + Jarlsberg – Budget-friendly, still delivers great melt
Some cheese come in a blended form already and with added flavors. I recommend these two options that can be found at Aldi’s grocery stores.
Cheddar + Gruyere
Applewood Smoked Gruyere
Know your cheese limitations
Not every melting cheese works on a raclette grill:
- Mozzarella alone – Too stringy, lacks flavor
- Cheddar alone – Can separate and become oily at high heat
- Brie or Camembert alone – Too runny, better for baking in the broiler pan with other ingredients
- Parmesan – Doesn’t melt properly, too dry
Tips for Best Results
Room temperature cheese – Let your cheese sit out for 10 minutes before grilling. Cheese that is too cold from recent refridgeration can melt unevenly.
Slice thickness matters – Cut your cheese about ¼ inch thick. Thinner slices melt too quickly and can burn; thicker ones take forever.
Watch the heat – Raclette grills can run hot. If your cheese is bubbling furiously, reduce the temperature for a smoother melt. Also be sure to pay attention to timing so you can catch your melted cheese when it’s ready to drizzle onto your grilled food at your plate.
Scrape while hot – Once melted, use a raclette scraper tool to gently pour it over your food immediately. The texture changes as it cools making this step more challenging.
Where to Buy Substitutes
Most grocery stores carry Gruyère, Emmental, and Jarlsberg.
For Fontina, Appenzeller, or Comté, try:
- Specialty cheese shops
- Higher-end grocery stores (Whole Foods, specialty markets)
- Online cheese retailers
You don’t need traditional raclette cheese to enjoy a fantastic raclette experience. Gruyère is your closest match, but Fontina, Emmental, and Appenzeller all deliver that luscious, satisfying melt.
Remember that half the fun of raclette grilling—discovering what tastes best to you.
For more suggestions on hosting a raclette dinner, check out my post The Ultimate Guide to Hosting a Raclette Party.
