Easy Lemon Parmesan Garlic Swiss Chard Recipe (2024)

Site Index Garlic Low carb Swiss chard Vegetable side dish

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Swiss chard : either you love it or you hate it. This lemon garlic Swiss chard recipe is one of the only ways I enjoy eating it, I find that I really have to add a LOT of flavor to chard to make it palatable. It’s a flavor mix of beet leaves and spinach, in my opinion, and a rather strong one. That said, it is EXTREMELY good for you, so I do try to find ways to eat Swiss chard when I can! Sometimes I’ll toss it into my Mediterraneanvegetable frittata recipe as a hidden bonus ingredient!

Easy Lemon Parmesan Garlic Swiss Chard Recipe (1)

A Fast & Easy Swiss Chard Recipe

Although it’s definitely an acquired taste (kind of a middle ground between spinach and kale), this fast and easy Swiss chard recipe has over 700 times the recommended daily intake of vitamin K which helps with blood clotting and bone metabolism. AND it has 200 times the recommended intake of vitamin A which helps with your eyesight and boosts your immune system.

In addition to that, it has anti-inflammatory properties and helps with blood sugar regulation in your body. So it sounds like an acquired taste that’s worth acquiring, right?!

One of the most surprising things about Swiss chard is that it didn’t actually originate in Switzerland! “Swiss” chard hails from Sicily where it’s described in Italian as “bietole” which is the Italian for “Swiss”. This is because of a botanist called Karl Koch who first made the distinction between chard and French spinach and was from…. Germany! Yep, Germany, not Switzerland. If you find that a bit confusing I don’t blame you. I do too!

How To Make Lemon Parmesan Garlic Swiss Chard

  1. Prepare your chard by taking out the stems and center ribs and chopping them together. Then place in a bowl. You can also leave the center ribs on if you like, it’s up to you.
  2. Coarsely tear the leaves and set aside in a second bowl.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet.
  4. Place the bowl of rib pieces/stem in the hot oil and saute until the ribs are tenderized.
  5. Add garlic and leaves and saute until they’ve wilted and cooked.
  6. Take off the heat and stir in the lemon juice and zest.
  7. Top it off with a sprinkling of salt and pepper and Parmesan, and serve when it’s hot!

Easy Lemon Parmesan Garlic Swiss Chard Recipe (2)

Tips And Tricks For Cooking Swiss Chard

  • One inconvenience about Swiss chard is that it doesn’t last for very long. It’ll keep for about 3 days in the refrigerator once kept in a perforated plastic bag.
  • Don’t cook your Swiss chard in an aluminum pan unless you want it to develop an extremely unappealing murky color. It contains naturally existing compounds called oxalates that cause this discoloration and it is not an appetizing look, trust me.
  • Swiss chard is in season from October to April and June to August but you can pretty much get it all year round.
  • When choosing your chard, look for firm colorful stalks and bright green leaves. If you see any wilting leaves that are turning yellow then pass on those bunches, they’re not fresh enough. Any chard with brown stalks should be avoided too.
  • Swiss Chard stems can be tough! If you have tender stems, then you can reap all the health benefits and saute them until tender. IF they are tough and stringy, leave them out.

Easy Lemon Parmesan Garlic Swiss Chard Recipe (3)

Love your veggies? Try these vegetable loaded Salad Recipes:

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Classic Bacon Broccoli Salad Recipe

Shrimp Caesar Salad

Happy cooking! So, where do you stand on Swiss chard? Love it? Hate it? Indifferent? Eat it because it’s healthy and you have to?

Love,

Karlynn

Easy Lemon Parmesan Garlic Swiss Chard Recipe (4)

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Easy Lemon Parmesan Garlic Swiss Chard Recipe (5)

Lemon Parmesan Garlic Swiss Chard

Garlic, lemon and Parmesan turn Swiss chard into a vegetable that you will actually enjoy eating! This recipe is fast, easy and healthy!

5 from 7 votes

Easy Lemon Parmesan Garlic Swiss Chard Recipe (6)

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Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Course
Side Dish
Cuisine
American
Servings
4
Calories
83
Author
Karlynn Johnston

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2-3 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 2 bunches Swiss chard washed and dried
  • 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice to taste
  • 1-2 teaspoons lemon zest to taste
  • 2-4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • To prep the chard, , start by taking the stems and center ribs out and chop them together, placing in a bowl. You can also chop the stems off and leave the center ribs on, the choice is up to you. Tear the, leaves coarsely and set aside in a different bowl.

  • (You can either cook the stems OR leave them out if you only want the leaves. I like a bit of texture, so I cook them first until tender.)

  • In a large skillet heat the olive oil.

  • Place the bowl of stem/rib pieces into the hot oil and saute until the ribs are tender.

  • Add in the leaves and the garlic and, saute until they have wilted and cooked.

  • Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest.

  • Sprinkle with the Parmesan, salt and pepper.

  • Serve hot.

Recipe Notes

  • If you really want a strong garlic flavor, use more garlic in this recipe.
  • Adjust the lemon juice and zest to your tastes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 83kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 2mg, Sodium: 92mg, Potassium: 107mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 1487IU, Vitamin C: 10mg, Calcium: 49mg, Iron: 1mg

All calories and info are based on a third party calculator and are only an estimate. Actual nutritional info will vary with brands used, your measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

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Karlynn Johnston

I’m a busy mom of two, wife & cookbook author who loves creating fast, fresh meals for my little family on the Canadian prairies. Karlynn Facts: I'm allergic to broccoli. I've never met a co*cktail that I didn't like. I would rather burn down my house than clean it. Most of all, I love helping YOU get dinner ready because there's nothing more important than connecting with our loved ones around the dinner table!

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Site Index Garlic Low carb Swiss chard Vegetable side dish

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  1. Marla says

    Reply

    OMG, this is do delicious, I wish I had more!Easy Lemon Parmesan Garlic Swiss Chard Recipe (11)

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Easy Lemon Parmesan Garlic Swiss Chard Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you get the bitterness out of Swiss chard? ›

It has a slightly bitter taste, but that can be resolved with adding a little acid, like lemon juice. Swiss chard is generally served cooked, as the leaves brighten nicely when sautéed in a bit of oil.

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.

Is it better to eat raw or cooked Swiss chard? ›

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.

Can chard be eaten raw in a salad? ›

Swiss chard can be enjoyed raw in salads or on sandwiches or wraps, braised, boiled, sautéed or added to soups and casseroles. Here are some tips to incorporate more Swiss chard (leaves and stems) into the daily routine: Add a handful of fresh Swiss chard leaves to an omelet or scrambled eggs.

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 does Swiss chard do for your body? ›

Swiss chard includes a high concentration of trace minerals, which are essential for a healthy endothelium (inner lining of blood vessels), healthy blood vessels, and cardiac regulation. Swiss chard helps improve blood vessel constriction, blood pressure, and nerve communication.

Do 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.

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.

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 ).

Is Swiss chard hard on the 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.

Is Swiss chard a super food? ›

All that being said, why should you grow chard? Well as it turns out, chard is a superfood and one of the healthiest veggies on planet earth. 100 grams of chard will give you 3 times the amount of vitamin K you need per day.

Is Swiss chard bad for gout? ›

Opting for vegetables rich in fiber and low in purines is key for managing gout. Leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and swiss chard are excellent choices, offering essential nutrients without significantly impacting uric acid levels.

What is the best way to eat Swiss chard? ›

15 Best Ways to Cook Swiss Chard
  1. 01 of 15. Sautéed Swiss Chard with Parmesan. ...
  2. 02 of 15. Swiss Chard and Pecan Pesto. ...
  3. 03 of 15. Chard Tacos. ...
  4. 04 of 15. Pan Fried Swiss Chard. ...
  5. 05 of 15. Bacon and Potato Frittata with Greens. ...
  6. 06 of 15. Swiss Chard with Garbanzo Beans and Fresh Tomatoes. ...
  7. 07 of 15. Lentil Lemon Soup. ...
  8. 08 of 15.
Jun 30, 2021

Which greens should not be eaten raw? ›

Vegetables that belong to the cabbage family such as cauliflower, Brussels, broccoli, and sprouts should never be consumed raw. These vegetables contain sugar that is difficult to digest. Eating these vegetables raw may lead to a number of gastronomical problems.

How to neutralize bitter taste? ›

The Fix: Balance bitter flavors by introducing something salty, sweet, or sour. For naturally bitter foods such as kale, you can soften the flavor by add a lemony vinaigrette, Parmesan cheese, and pomegranate seeds. You can also elevate kale by tossing it olive oil and salt, then roasting it in the oven until crispy.

How do you remove oxalates from Swiss chard? ›

Because oxalates are water soluble, they can be reduced by blanching, boiling, or steaming with the liquid discarded.

How do you soften bitter taste? ›

Squeeze in some vinegar or lemon juice.

Try squeezing some fresh lemon juice or adding a spoonful of vinegar to bitter dishes to neutralize the flavor a bit.

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