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 are 3 ways you can eat Swiss chard? ›

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 can I do with too much Swiss chard? ›

  1. Sautéed chard with parmesan. Cook swiss chard with 1 crushed garlic clove, a splash of water and a glug of extra-virgin olive oil. Season, then squeeze over the juice of half a lemon. ...
  2. Potato salad. Boil 500g new potatoes until tender. ...
  3. Chard mash. Fry pancetta cubes in a dry frying pan until crisp.

Is it safe to eat Swiss chard everyday? ›

Can you eat too much 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 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.

When should you not eat Swiss chard? ›

Kidney stone:

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.

What is the healthiest way to eat Swiss chard? ›

Boil Swiss chard for a healthier side dish.

Bring a pot of water to boil on the stove, and add several generous pinches of salt. 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.

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 Swiss chard a laxative? ›

Dark leafy greens like kale, collards, Swiss chard, and spinach contain magnesium, a mineral that helps soften stools, making them easier to pass.

Is Swiss chard a super food? ›

Swiss chard is a highly nutritious vegetable. It is a rich source of vitamin K and may help people maintain healthy blood sugar levels and support heart health. It is also commonly known as silverbeet, spinach beet, perpetual spinach, crab beet, and mangold.

What are the cons of Swiss chard? ›

Contains oxalates.

Like other leafy greens, Swiss chard is high in oxalates, which play a role in the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones — but you can still enjoy nutrient-dense foods high in oxalates. To help prevent kidney stones, try to stay hydrated, limit sodium intake, and get enough calcium ( 32 , 33 ).

What is the healthiest vegetable in the world? ›

The CDC assigns nutrition density scores to produce based on their concentration of essential vitamins and minerals. Usual suspects like spinach, chard, and beet greens all have scores ranging in the 80s. But the only vegetable to earn a perfect score of 100 is watercress.

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. 2. Decreases Insulin Resistance: Swiss chard is high in fibre and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) which reduce insulin resistance and can improve diabetes-related complication.

Which is better kale or Swiss chard? ›

If you enjoy bitter, earthy flavors and prefer a crunchy texture, then kale may be the better choice for you. However, if you prefer milder, sweeter flavors and a more delicate texture, then chard may be a better option.

Is kale or chard healthier? ›

Swiss Chard

And mustard greens holds its own by having the least amount of calories and slightly more protein and calcium than kale. All four types of greens are also rich in many other nutrients, including manganese, folate, copper, choline, magnesium, potassium and vitamins E, K, B2 and B6.

Which is healthier spinach or Swiss chard? ›

While both are high in vitamins A and K, magnesium, and iron, spinach is much higher in calcium — providing 24 percent of your recommended daily intake compared to chard's 10 percent — and in vitamins B, particularly folate (via SF Gate). In fact, spinach has 10 times the amount of folate than chard.

What is the best way to process Swiss chard? ›

Blanching chard will preserve the quality, taste, and nutrition and greatly increase how long it will keep in the freezer. How long do you blanch Swiss chard? Chard leaves should only be blanched for 30 to 60 seconds. Chard stems should be blanched for 1 to 2 minutes.

Do you have to cook Swiss chard to eat it? ›

Choosing to eat chard raw or cooked depends on your taste and textural preferences. You can enjoy chard raw like spinach, kale and lettuce. As with spinach and kale, chard is earthy, but its bitterness is less intense than kale's.

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