20 Swiss Chard Recipes That Showcase the Versatility of This Healthy Green (2024)

Swiss chard often gets overshadowed by its popular Brassica relation, kale, but this leafy vegetable, in season from June to October (and beyond), is a superstar in its own right. Its mild bitterness is the perfect foil for hearty pasta dishes, quiches, frittatas, and more, adding enough earthy flavor to keep things interesting without overwhelming other ingredients. It's a looker, too. While Swiss chard's leaves are bright green, the stems and ribs come in different hues. Choose rainbow or red chard varieties to add a gorgeous pop of color and vibrancy to any dish.

16 Broccoli Rabe Recipes That Prove Just How Versatile This Vegetable Really Is

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One-Pot Chicken and Rice With Swiss Chard

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When time is short and you've washed your fair share of dishes, one-pot meals can save the day. Case in point: this satisfying combination of chicken, chard, and basmati rice, seasoned with aromatics and simmered to perfection.

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Swiss Chard Lasagne

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Layers of Swiss chard, shredded mozzarella, rich tomato sauce, and, of course, noodles, stack up to be one of the most tantalizing vegetarian lasagnas ever. Yes, you can have your lasagna and your bitter greens, too!

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Creamed Swiss Chard

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Simplicity at its finest, this recipe riffs on classic creamed spinach, marrying Swiss chard's earthiness with the nuanced flavor of nutmeg. The creamy sauce ties it all together, ensuring that everyone eats their vegetables,

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Swiss Chard Frittata

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Ideal for brunch, lunch, or even a light supper, this lovely frittata combines our favorite green with feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, and, of course, eggs. Cut into wedges and serve hot or at room temperature.

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Cheesy Stove-Top Barley and Chard

In this one-pot vegetarian dinner, chard brightens a cheesy take on risotto. Another twist in the plot: Barley stands in for the usual arborio rice.

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Rolled Stuffed Salmon

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It's hard to decide which ingredient steals the show here: the creamy Dijon and Swiss chard filling or the omega-packed salmon. This main course looks fancy, but it's a snap to assemble and makes a wonderful centerpiece at a holiday meal or other special occasion.

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Late-Summer Vegetable Minestrone

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Skip the store-bought broth, and stir up something special by making your own. The flavorful broth builds from the bouquet of vegetables, including Swiss chard stems, while handfuls of wilted chard leaves lend a dramatic finish.

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Skillet Pizza With Eggplant and Greens

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Upgrade your pizza topping with flavorful, deep green leaves of Swiss chard. The silky texture balances out the creamy eggplant and gooey provolone cheese in this decadent deep-dish pizza.

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Creamy Swiss Chard With Coconut

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The earthy notes of Swiss chard pair well with creamy ingredients—and that doesn't just mean butter and cheese. In this dairy-free dish, wilted greens are coated in coconut milk with a hint of spice from garlic, ginger, and hot chile peppers.

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Swiss Chard Tzatziki

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Move over cucumber: This Swiss-chard-filled spin on the Greek yogurt concoction widens the tzatziki options. Just be sure to drain the leaves well, squeezing out excess moisture so it doesn't water down the creamy dip.

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Swiss Chard Farinata

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A topping of sautéed Swiss chard and Parmesan finishes our take on the Italian dish farinata. It's an easy-to-make chickpea flour pancake that you can eat with your hands just like pizza. It's also gluten-free.

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Raw Swiss Chard, Cabbage, and Brussels Sprout Salad

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Raw Swiss chard meets its match, teaming up with super crunchy cabbage and Brussels sprouts in this delicious salad. Marinate the vegetables in a tangy vinaigrette for maximum flavor, and watch your guests ask for seconds.

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Chard Osh*tashi

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Subbing red Swiss chard for the usual spinach, this iteration of the Japanese dish osh*tashi brings a burst of color to any plate. The greens are lightly cooked, drained, and chopped, then tossed with soy sauce and topped with bonito flakes for serving.

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Swiss Chard and Almond Pasta

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The perfect pasta partner, cooked Swiss chard, like any green, becomes more of a sauce than an ingredient. In this recipe, it's coupled with toasted almonds and nutty Parmesan for a quick and flavorful plant-based meal.

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Rainbow Chard Quiche

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A brunchtime showstopper, this colorful quiche showcases tender leaves of rainbow chard in the delicate egg custard filling. The crust is made from phyllo dough, amping up the wow factor.

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Beet Salad With Honey-Lavender Dressing

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Beets and goat cheese are a match made in salad heaven, so it's no surprise that Swiss chard, a relative of beets, also tastes fabulous with this assertive cheese. Pair the most tender spring leaves with spring beets, then drizzle with a honey and lavender dressing.

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Chard Tomato Sauté

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Uniting burst cherry tomatoes, basil, capers, Parmesan, and Swiss chard, this creative, yet quick side dish is the ultimate complement to just about any entrée. Basically, it's everything we'd want in a great pasta dish (without the actual pasta).

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Swiss-Chard-and-Ricotta Galette

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Swiss chard's earthier notes augment creamy, cheesy dishes, as demonstrated with this free-form pie.The buttery crust includes cream cheese and oats, a rich foundation for greens, and, you guessed it, more cheese.

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Farro Salad With Oven-Roasted Grapes and Autumn Greens

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Make the most of Swiss chard's availability by combining it with a variety of seasonal produce. Here, we showcase the heartier fall side of chard by pairing it with sweet roasted grapes and nutty farro.

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Bacon, Potato, and Swiss Chard Scramble

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Classic bacon and eggs make room on the plate for garlicky Swiss chard and herbed potatoes. Sure, it's terrific for breakfast or brunch, but go ahead, try it for dinner too!

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20 Swiss Chard Recipes That Showcase the Versatility of This Healthy Green (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest way to eat Swiss chard? ›

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. Young leaves can be eaten raw in salads.

What are the benefits of eating Swiss chard? ›

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.

When should you not eat Swiss chard? ›

Blood clotting: If you are on blood thinners, you may want to avoid Swiss chard due to its high vitamin K content, which plays a role in blood clotting. Allergy: If you are sensitive to grass pollen, you should avoid eating Swiss chard because inhaling vapor from boiling the vegetable may trigger rhinoconjunctivitis.

What to use Swiss chard for? ›

Its mild bitterness is the perfect foil for hearty pasta dishes, quiches, frittatas, and more, adding enough earthy flavor to keep things interesting without overwhelming other ingredients. It's a looker, too. While Swiss chard's leaves are bright green, the stems and ribs come in different hues.

Is chard healthier 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 Swiss chard hard on stomach? ›

Broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts and cabbage are among the most challenging to digest due to their complex fibers, which tend to ferment in the gut, causing gas and bloating. Alternative nutrient-rich foods that are easier on the gut include dark leafy greens like kale, spinach and Swiss chard.

Does Swiss chard raise blood pressure? ›

Lowers Blood Pressure: The presence of potassium in swiss chard helps lower blood pressure which in turn can improve heart health.

Does Swiss chard cause inflammation? ›

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 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.

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.

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

Cooking bitter greens like chard and kale long and slow in animal fats, as in stews or soups, tends to get rid of the bitterness. The simple best way to get rid of the tanic acid in cooking chard greens only is the cut up the greens and bring them to a Rolling Boil and boil them for 3 min.

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.

Is Swiss chard healthier cooked or raw? ›

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.

What are the cons of Swiss chard? ›

  • Swiss chard contains oxalates that may increase urinary oxalate excretion and predispose some individuals to calcium oxalate stones.
  • As a result, anyone with kidney stones should avoid Swiss chard because oxalates may increase symptoms in certain people.

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.

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