This recipe for Gruyere Cheese Fondue is the best! It's creamy and rich with just the right amount of white wine and a splash of nutty amaretto to keep things extra flavorful.
This delicious and mildly nutty cheese fondue is comforting and so much fun to eat with an array of tasty dippers! So gather the gang around the fondue pot, and dig in, everybody!!
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Some of my very favorite recipes are interactive and communal. The ones where folks congregate and share good times, company, and food.
Why not gather around this easy Patty Melt Dip? It's everything you love about the iconic sandwich, but it's made in dip form. It's sure to be a real crowd-pleaser at your next party or celebration!
And this Cheesy Corn and Black Bean Dip is a deliciously easy and cheesy dip that everyone gravitates to when it's out on the table.
And for a real conversation-starter, what about this Turkey Bread Bowl with Creamy Spinach Ranch Dip. It's super easy to recreate and the tail feathers play double duty as dippers. What could be more fun?
🛒The ingredients:
White Wine - I used a Pinot Grigio, but feel free to use another medium to dry white wine that you may have at home or enjoy. A sauvignon blanc or chardonnay are other great choices.
Shallots: The mild flavor of shallot is like a cross between an onion and garlic. When finely minced, a shallot's flavor will blend seamlessly into the easy cheese sauce and won't be noticed texturally, but the flavor will enhance the fondue as nothing else can.
Gruyere Cheese - This classic Swiss cheese gets more flavorful with age. When young, it's sweet, creamy, and nutty; as it ages, it takes on an earthy, more complex flavor. It's my favorite type of Swiss cheese and one I love to use when cooking!
Amaretto Liqueur - The nutty notes of amaretto makes this fondue one of the best cheese fondues you'll have. The amaretto compliments the nutty component of the gruyere cheese wonderfully well, making it the perfect Swiss cheese fondue!
Apple Cider Vinegar - It may sound like an odd ingredient in a cheese fondue, but it brings a balanced flavor to the richness of the completed dish.
📷The easy instructions:
Add the wine to the same saucepan with the sautéed shallots and bring to a simmer.
Shred the Gruyere, Swiss, and Co-Jack cheese.
Add the shredded cheese to the saucepan with the wine and shallots.
Stir frequently until the cheese is completely melted and creamy.
Time to stir in the apple cider vinegar, black pepper, grated nutmeg, and amaretto.
Once thoroughly combined, carefully pour the melted gruyere cheese sauce into a fondue pot to keep warm during service.
⚠️Use caution:
When serving hot cheese dip from an electric fondue pot always make sure the cord is not a trip hazard for anyone, especially children.
✂️Swaps and substitutions
Bourbon or Kirsch (flavored cherry brandy) would be an excellent substitution for the amaretto. Of course, you can leave the liquor out altogether if desired.
I've not tried it, but I think apple juice or white grape juice would be a good call in place of the white wine. Of course, you could also use chicken or beef broth, or maybe a combination of both, but with only a touch of juice, so it's not overly sweet and has a nice balance of flavor.
Feel free to use whatever type of Swiss cheese you love. Emmental is always a good choice, and as far as swapping goes, how about trying Fontina or Jarlsberg, which are both excellent for melting and have a lovely nutty flavor.
Feel free to omit the co-jack cheese altogether, or swap it out with a mild cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack, or even go with a pepper jack cheese if you like.
🧀To learn more about cheese (serving and storing tips, types, textures, pairings, and more), hop on over to Cheese.com and tell them Renée sent you. 😉
❓FAQ's
I like to use broccoli and cauliflower florets that have been slightly blanched for 1-2 minutes in boiling water to take away some of the rawness, but so they still have body and crunch.
Apple slices, ham cubes, cooked potato wedges, sourdough bread cubes, rye bread cubes, baguette slices, homemade croutons sautéed in butter, summer sausage, cooked bratwurst slices, asparagus spears, pear slices, roasted Brussels sprouts, red and green bell pepper slices or chunks, pearl onions, garlic cloves, pickles, cooked meatballs, or cooked chicken cubes, just to name a few.
That's really your call, but I would recommend using the same white wine that you've used in the fondue itself. A chilled glass of pinot Grigio, chardonnay, or sauvignon blanc would be the perfect choice.
If you're a beer drinker, then I suggest either a pilsner or lager.
No, not at all.
A fondue pot is a terrific convenience when you want to move the fondue from the kitchen to a different location for serving. It also lends a great ambiance and charm when entertaining.
That said, if you're okay with congregating around the stovetop, or if you're willing to bring the pan back to the stovetop for reheating when the cheese starts to set, then, by all means, you can certainly serve it right out of the saucepan.
Fondue originated in Switzerland as a way of utilizing stale bread and overly hard cheese throughout the winter months.
The word is derived from the French word fondre which means "to melt."
I like a crusty, hearty bread with a lot of texture.
A sourdough bread would be an excellent choice, as would a hearty rye, French baguette, or a dark pumpernickel.
Bread that has been cubed (or torn) into bite-size pieces works best, even better if it's a little on the stale side! If needed, pop the cubed or torn bread into a low oven (300 degrees Fahrenheit) on a baking sheet for a few minutes to remove some of its moisture.
I don't recommend it and always shred my cheese for fondue on a box grater.
The reason is that pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking additives that prevent the cheese from clumping in the bag.
These anti-caking additives also hinder the proper melting of cheese, which naturally isn't ideal for creamy cheese fondue, or any melted cheese dish.
📌Tips for recipe success
Avoid store-bought pre-shredded cheese (as stated in the FAQ's), and when cooking the cheese sauce on the stovetop make sure to keep the heat at medium or medium-low temperature and stir frequently.
A whisk works well after the cheese has melted, but a wooden spoon will work best in the early stages of melting.
🔗Related recipes using amaretto or gruyere cheese:
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Printable Recipe Card
Best Gruyere Cheese Fondue
Equipment
- fondue pot optional
- 3 quart saucepan
- rotary cheese grater optional
- fresh nutmeg grater optional
Ingredients
- 1 large (approximately 1 tablespoon) shallot, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter (salted)
- 1 cup medium to dry white wine I used a Pinot Grigio
- 8 ounces shredded gruyere cheese
- 8 ounces shredded Swiss cheese
- 4 ounces shredded Colby cheese
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon grated nutmeg
- 1½ tablespoons Amaretto liqueur
Dipper suggestions:
- lightly steamed (or blanched) broccoli and cauliflower florets
- bread cubes (any variety) lightly toasted (optional)
- apple slices, pear slices
- cooked sausages, chicken, or meatballs
- cubed ham
- soft pretzels
Instructions
- In the saucepan, sauté the minced shallot in butter over medium heat until softened (about 3-4 minutes).
- Add the wine to the softened shallots and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the shredded gruyere, Swiss, and Co-Jack cheese to the pan. Stir occasionally until the cheese has melted completely.
- Stir in the apple cider vinegar, black pepper. ground nutmeg, and amaretto until combined.
- Remove from the heat and carefully transfer the cheese sauce to a fondue pot (optional) to keep warm and serve with your choice of dippers.
Notes
Nutrition
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Ashley says
Amazing! I love making cheese fondue at home and this came out perfect.
Shadi says
This is absolutely delicious! I love that it’s such a crowd pleaser for the whole family
Bobbi Burleson says
Oohhh fondue!! That warm cheesy goodness looks sooooo good!
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
Who doesn't love fondue?? So much to dunk!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I hope that cork didn't end up in that luxurious pot of cheese 🙂 Fondue is the best and I am sure the Pinot Grigio makes it wonderful!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
I adore fondue, and I often use all of the dippers you do, plus small whole raw button mushrooms. YUM!
Betsy Cohen says
I want to go on record that you may skip the fork...I am going to grab a spoon and dig in!!!
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
I haven't made fondue in a long time. Great idea!
Life Tastes Good says
Fondue is so much fun! I love making it and all gathering around to enjoy it. I bet the wine really elevates the flavor too!!
Shaina Wizov says
100% agree with you about being part of Sunday Supper..it really is a wonderful family
to be part of! As for your fondue, YUM!! What's not to love about a bowl full
of creamy, melty cheese to dip ALL the things in!?
Tammi @ Momma's Meals says
This is a fabulous recipe, my kids would love this never mind my friends with a glass of wine in hand! Thanks for the inspiration!
Peanut Butter and Peppers says
I think I need to come to your house. Your fondue looks incredible and so much fun!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
There are so many delicious things happening here. Love that you used Swiss cheese in this fondue.
Nichole @ casadecrews.com says
Fondue, wine, and friends? That is the perfect comforting DAY!
Liz Berg says
Fondue always reminds me of my parents' dinner parties in the 70's! Yours looks perfect...and I'm certain the Gallo Pinot Grigio adds an incredible flavor!!!
Renee says
You would find me totally parked by the table and blocking everyone from getting to this because I would want every bit of it for myself.