This Swiss chard recipe is made with olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice making it a versatile side for any kind of meat or fish!
With its colorful stems and broad, meaty leaves, sautéed Swiss chard is a veggie lover’s dream dish.
Swiss chard is a the perfect change of pace from kale and spinach.
You’ll Love This Swiss Chard Side Dish Because…
- It is as easy as it is quick, with minimal prep and cleanup!
- Swiss chard has a mild, earthy flavor that can be used in place of spinach and kale in either hot or cold preparations.
- Loaded with phytonutrients, antioxidants, and fiber, Swiss chard is an oft-overlooked superfood that’s easy to grow and easy to cook!
Ingredients and Variations
Swiss Chard: Look for vibrant green leaves that are plump and intact. Stalks can be white, red, yellow, or orange. Be sure to rinse Swiss chard and pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel and remove any woody sections of the stalk before using.
Oil: Olive oil is excellent for cooking at higher temperatures that allow food to crisp up without burning. Other oils to use are avocado oil, coconut oil, safflower oil, or canola oil.
Seasonings: Garlic and a splash of lemon juice highlight Swiss chard’s unique flavor. A little Italian seasoning can be added in Step 3. Lemon juice can be replaced with apple cider vinegar or Worcestershire sauce if desired.
Variations: Cook Swiss chard in leftover bacon grease instead of olive oil for more depth of flavor. Add some sautéed mushrooms, and onions and garnish with bacon bits for a heartier side dish.
How to Make Swiss Chard
This Swiss chard recipe is made with olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice making it a versatile side for any kind of meat or fish!
- Prep Swiss chard (per the recipe below).
- Cook stalks in oil until slightly tender.
- Add garlic and chard leaves and cook until the leaves are wilted and the stalks are tender.
- Season with lemon juice, salt, and pepper before serving.
Ways to Serve Swiss Chard
Endlessly versatile, Swiss chard can be served as a tasty side dish with baked chicken or a homemade meatloaf. Add it to a crockpot goulash with beans and pasta, or sneak some into a cheesy vegetable casserole and the kids won’t even know they’re getting a boost of nutrition in every bite! Use a serving of sautéed chard as a ‘raft’ under a whole baked fish or grilled shrimp skewers for a dramatic looking dish.
Storing Swiss Chard
Keep leftover Swiss chard in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat leftovers in the microwave and adjust seasonings before serving.
Other Leafy Side Dishes
Did you try this Swiss Chard Recipe? Be sure to leave a comment and rating below!
Swiss Chard Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound Swiss chard stalks included
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice fresh preferred (or apple cider vinegar)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Wash chard thoroughly. Separate leaves from the stalks. Remove woody part of stalks (if any) and cut stalks into 1-inch pieces. Tear or roughly chop leaves into about 2 inch pieces.
- In a large skillet on medium high, heat oil. Add stalks and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until slightly tender.
- Add garlic and leaves, then turn heat down to medium-low. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring often, or until leaves are wilted and stalks are tender.
- Drain any excess liquid. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Season as desired and serve.
Notes
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- Swiss chard may be added to soups, stews, or casseroles.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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