10 Tasty Swiss Chard Recipes (2024)

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Chard might not be as popular as kale, but it’s even tastier! Here are all the best Swiss chard recipes to make with this leafy green.

10 Tasty Swiss Chard Recipes (1)

Got a bunch of Swiss chard? You’re in luck: it’s even tastier than the darling leafy green of the moment, kale. This beautiful vegetable has large leaves and is often used inMediterranean style cuisine. You’ll find it in lots of Italian style dishes like sauteed as a side dish, in pasta, or on pizza. You can also substitute chard for spinach in any recipe with great results.

Here are the best Swiss chard recipes to use up a bunch of this nutrient-packed vegetable! The star is simple sauteed chard, topped with toasted nuts and Parmesan cheese and served as a side dish. But you can use it in so many other ways: in Italian soups, omelettes, and of course…chard artichoke dip! (Yes, that’s chard stepping into the famous spinach artichoke pairing.)

And now…the best Swiss chard recipes to try!

10 Tasty Swiss Chard Recipes (2)

Sauteed Rainbow Chard with Parmesan

At the top of our Swiss chard recipes: Sauteed Rainbow Chard! Make chard taste incredible with this classic easy Italian side dish. Chard is often served in Italian cuisine with toasted pine nuts, and here they add just the right nutty essence. Top with a sprinkle of the Parmesan cheese for just the right savory note! Even without the garnishes, these perfectly salted garlicky sauteed greens are simply fantastic.

10 Tasty Swiss Chard Recipes (3)

Chard is perfect wilted into Italian soups. This recipe we've lovingly dubbed as “pizza soup” because it tastes like liquid pizza! (Really.) One key is the San Marzano tomatoes, a variety of tomato that’s grown in Italy and available canned in grocery stores all over the world. The tomatoes are sauteed with garlic, fennel, and smoked paprika, which bring a meaty and savory undertone. Throw in some chard to the mix, and you won’t even tell it’s there: all you'll be able to taste is pizza!

10 Tasty Swiss Chard Recipes (4)

Chard Artichoke Dip

Guess what? You can make anything that's spinach artichoke flavor with chard! Spinach artichoke might be everyone's favorite combination, but chard artichoke is just as good! This tangy, creamy dip is such a crowd pleaser that it might interfere with the conversation when you serve it (sorry!). This perfect party snack has a creamy sauce with Greek yogurt and baked with Parmesan cheese, it moves into addictive territory.

Also try: Chard Artichoke Pizza or Chard Artichoke Grilled Cheese

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Chard Quiche with Almond Crust

Here's a great way to use chard in a recipe: in a quiche! Throwing handfuls of leafy greens into quiches and frittatas is another great way to eat your greens. This quiche can be made with either spinach or chard. It features a crunchy almond crust that’s packed with flavor from garlic and olive oil. And the savory filling has Gruyere cheese and a splash of white wine. This recipe gets rave reviews from everyone who’s tried it!

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Next up in our chard recipes: soup! Turn your greens into a main dish meal with the coziest, most comforting bowl of super foods. In fact, this squash and lentil soup tastes like a bowl of sunshine. It’s chock full of beautiful, colorful healthy ingredients like chard, butternut squash, carrots, leeks, and lentils. It tastes surprisingly more delicious than you’d imagine from these humble ingredients.

10 Tasty Swiss Chard Recipes (7)

Coconut Lentil Curry with Chard

This 30-minute coconut lentil curry is another great way to eat chard: and barely know it's there! You can make fast and easy dinner recipe with either spinach or chard, and it's healthy and full of flavor. One of our fan favorites, we hear things like:“This is a new favorite!”and“Absolutely LOVED IT! Definitely am making again.”It’s surprising how much humble brown lentils and leafy greens can inspire so much enthusiasm!

10 Tasty Swiss Chard Recipes (8)

Cozy Vegetable Bake with Chard

Another great way to use chard in a recipe is to hide it in a cozy bake or casserole! This harvest vegetable bake is savory and refined: it tastes almost meaty! It's perfect for Meatless Mondays or a even a cozy brunch.It’s a combination of vegetables and baked tofu, topped with cheese and baked until bubbly.

10 Tasty Swiss Chard Recipes (9)

Polenta with Sauteed Chard

Here's a cozy, savory chard recipe: creamy polenta with chard! This Italian-style recipe also has vibes of the American south, similar to grits with sauteed Collard greens. The chard is sauteed with garlic and perfectly salted, then served over creamy, savory polenta. Top it with a fried egg to make it a complete meal.

10 Tasty Swiss Chard Recipes (10)

Another great chard recipe? Throw it into an omelette! Sauteing the chard with minced garlic and Parmesan cheese makes it taste insanely savory, kind of like the inside of spinach artichoke dip. To make it into a healthy breakfast or lunch, throw it into a simple omelette. In just 15 minutes, you have a filling meal that makes the most of this healthy leafy green. (Head to the recipe and substitute rainbow chard for beet greens.)

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Last but not least in our chard recipes: a sweet potato and chard dinner skillet! Add grated sweet potato to a skillet, cast iron if you have it, and saute it until crispy. Stir in some chopped chard, for a nutritional punch, then crack in a few eggs. Top with a sprinkle of salty feta cheese crumbles. Cook until the eggs are set, then enjoy!

What is Swiss chard? What is rainbow chard?

Chard is a leafy green vegetable. It’s got a mild flavor that’s closer to spinach than kale. In fact, some people argue that it’s an easier flavor to like than kale, which can taste very bitter. Here’s what to know:

  • Chard is actually related tobeets, not spinach or kale! You’ll notice the leaves and stems look similar tobeet greens.
  • Swish chard is another name for chard.
  • Rainbow chard actually isn’t a variety at all. It’s actually three varieties of chard that are sold together: white-stemmed Swiss chard, red chard, and golden chard. Now you know!

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10 Tasty Swiss Chard Recipes (12)

Sauteed Swiss Chard

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  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Make chard taste incredible with this Swiss chard recipe! Amp the flavors in this easy side dish by adding pine nuts and Parmesan.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 bunch (12 ounces) Swiss chard or rainbow chard
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoonkosher salt
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes
  • Fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 2 tablespoonstoasted pine nuts(optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry the chard leaves. Remove the stems and roughly chop the chard (follow the instructions inHow to Cut Kale). If you’d like, thinly slice the tender part of the stems and add that to the mix (discard the large tough parts of the stems; or you can discard the stems entirely).
  2. Smash and peel the garlic cloves.
  3. Add the olive oil to a large skillet and heat it over medium-high heat. Add the smashed garlic and chard and cook for 4 minutes, stirring frequently until wilted and bright green.
  4. Remove from the heat and add thekosher salt, red pepper flakes. and several grinds of fresh ground pepper.
  5. Discard the garlic cloves and serve immediately. If desired, serve with shredded Parmesan andtoasted pine nuts.
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Swiss chard recipes, Chard recipes, Recipes with chard

More recipes with leafy greens

Here are some more recipes with leafy greens where you could substitute chard:

  • Ultimate Spinach Pizza Get your greens and pizza fix all at once! Ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese make for a creamy pie everyone will love.
  • Best Spinach Smoothie The sweet tart flavor is so irresistible, you’ll forget you’re eating your greens.
  • Easy Spinach Dip Comes together in just a few minutes and tastes incredible! It’s perfect for parties and no-fuss entertaining.
  • Kale Quinoa Salad This colorful salad is full of healthy ingredients and tastes incredible! Meal prep this easy plant-based lunch idea for meals all week.

Published on / Last updated on

Categorized In:

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Tagged with:

  • Chard
  • Roundup

About the authors

10 Tasty Swiss Chard Recipes (13)

Sonja & Alex

Hi, we’re Alex and Sonja Overhiser, married cookbook authors, food bloggers, and recipe developers. We founded A Couple Cooks to share fresh, seasonal recipes for memorable kitchen moments! Our recipes are made by two real people and work every time.

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10 Tasty Swiss Chard Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to eat Swiss chard? ›

Swiss chard (also known simply as chard) is a leafy green vegetable that is related to beets and spinach. It is rich in vitamins A, C and especially K, and it is also a good source of magnesium, iron and potassium. Chard can be steamed or sauteed, and it's great in soups, stews, casseroles, frittatas and quiches.

How do you cook chard so it is not bitter? ›

The flavor of Swiss chard mellows once it's cooked. Adding onions and garlic will impart a sweet flavor, or pair with salty bacon, white beans or creamy cheese to offset the bitterness. I love adding a touch of spice and squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a bright pop of flavor.

What are the side effects of Swiss chard? ›

Although Swiss chard is extremely healthy, it should be eaten in moderation. Eating too much can lead to side effects such as: Kidney stones: Swiss chard contains antinutritive oxalates, which may increase urinary oxalate excretion and increase the risk of calcium oxalate stones.

Is it better to eat chard raw or cooked? ›

You can eat these greens both raw or cooked. However, cooking chards improves not only the nutrient availability, but also the taste. Swiss chard is susceptible to foodborne pathogens, like other leafy greens, so be careful about washing this veggie thoroughly before preparing it.

Should you eat the stems of Swiss chard? ›

Chard stems are edible, too, so don't toss them when you're cooking the leaves! If I'm making sautéed Swiss chard, I simply add the stems to the pan a few minutes before I add the leaves so that they have a chance to soften.

What does Swiss chard do for your body? ›

Chard contains 3 times the recommended daily intake of vitamin K and 44 percent of the recommended amount of vitamin A. This vegetable can help to combat cancer, reduce blood pressure, and enhance performance in sports. Swiss chard can be eaten raw or cooked.

What kills the bitterness of greens? ›

The foods that help reduce bitterness are:
  • Salt while cooking and/or while eating (like on bitter salad greens)
  • Sweet or Spicy.
  • Sour or Acids like lemon or vinegar.
  • Long cooking like braising (think southern collard greens that are cooked for hours)
  • Blanch first.
Jul 7, 2021

Why is my Swiss chard so bitter? ›

Chard will usually bolt in any extreme temperature conditions like freezing and in extremely dry hot weather.” Doyle noted that the plant might continue to produce the typical chard leaves, and that the smoother leaves are still flavorful but more bitter than others.

What's wrong with my Swiss chard? ›

Fungal Swiss chard diseases are the most common culprits responsible when your plants fall ill in the garden. Cercospora Leaf Spot – This fungal disease tends to affect lower leaves first. Cercospora leaf spot is recognized by brownish gray or black spots with reddish purple halos.

Is any part of Swiss chard poisonous? ›

Swiss chard is an annual leafy crop and the leaves and petioles (leaf stalks) may be eaten. Rhubarb is a perennial vegetable and the leaves are poisonous; we only eat the petioles.

Why do I get a sore throat after eating Swiss chard? ›

Swiss chard contains oxalic acid, a component that binds calcium in your digestive tract, reducing its absorption. This is also the reason why some individuals may get a tingly or burning feeling in their mouth or throat when eating the vegetable raw.

Is chard a laxative? ›

Leafy greens, like spinach, chards, arugula, lettuce and kale are rich in fibers with laxative properties. They are great options for constipation relief, especially when eaten raw. These greens contain high amounts of water, which helps with stool movements.

What is the healthiest way to eat Swiss chard? ›

Boil Swiss chard for a healthier side dish.

Add the chopped stems from 3-4 leaves, and cook for 2-4 minutes until they're mostly tender. Place the leaves in the pot, and cover for 1-2 minutes. The leaves should be wilted. If they're not, cook them another 1-2 minutes.

Is chard better than spinach? ›

Spinach have significantly more Vitamins A than chard. Spinach is an excellent source of Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Iron. Spinach is a great source of Thiamin, Niacin, Zinc, Phosphorus.

Is chard anti-inflammatory? ›

chard is also has an abundance of antioxidants as well as phytonutrient antioxidants. Why are these phytonutrient antioxidants so special? These antioxidants have been shown to have great anti-inflammatory properties. These phytonutrients can be found in the plant's leaves, and colorful stems.

Is Swiss chard better than spinach? ›

Spinach have significantly more Vitamins A than chard. Spinach is an excellent source of Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Iron. Spinach is a great source of Thiamin, Niacin, Zinc, Phosphorus.

Is chard anti inflammatory? ›

chard is also has an abundance of antioxidants as well as phytonutrient antioxidants. Why are these phytonutrient antioxidants so special? These antioxidants have been shown to have great anti-inflammatory properties. These phytonutrients can be found in the plant's leaves, and colorful stems.

What does cooked Swiss chard taste like? ›

What does chard taste like? Similar to spinach, most varieties of chard are earthy and pleasantly bitter when eaten raw. While it is not as bitter as kale, the bitterness in chard also diminishes as the leaves are cooked, giving them a milder and sweeter flavor and tender texture.

Which is better kale or Swiss chard? ›

Kale has a stronger, more bitter flavor than chard, which can make it less appealing to some people. Chard, on the other hand, has a milder, sweeter taste that is easier to enjoy. Additionally, chard has a more delicate texture than kale, which makes it easier to prepare and cook.

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