Easy Lemon Parmesan Garlic Swiss Chard Recipe (2024)

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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!

Learn more about me

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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

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.

How do you prepare and eat chard? ›

The leaves and stalks should be cooked separately, or the stems cooked a few minutes longer than the leaves, as they are firmer. Wash then cut the stalks from the leaves and leave whole or chop, as required. On some older leaves, you may need to cut out the ribs too. Leaves can be left whole or chopped, as required.

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.

Do you have to cook Swiss chard? ›

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.

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 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

Should you eat the stems of Swiss chard? ›

You Can (and Should!) Cook Your Swiss Chard Stems. Here's How. Don't let the best part of this delicious vegetable go to waste.

Is it OK to eat Swiss chard raw? ›

If you prefer you can eat swiss chard leaves raw. Raw leaves are a common addition to pre-packaged salads and can also add a big nutritional boost to smoothies. Another fun way to eat raw chard leaves is by using them as a healthy substitute to a tortilla for wraps and tacos.

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.

What part of Swiss chard do you eat? ›

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 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 hard to digest? ›

Good for gastrointestinal diseases: Chard is one of the vegetables that is allowed in the fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) diet to improve digestion for people with irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease.

Why is Swiss chard a super food? ›

Swiss chard is an excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin K and a good source of vitamin C and magnesium. Swiss chard also contains the antioxidants beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Vitamin A plays a significant role in normal formation and maintenance of many organs including the heart, lungs and kidneys.

Is Swiss chard bitter when cooked? ›

Not quite as intense as kale, chard can be on the bitter side when eaten raw, but it becomes a pleasant, tender green when cooked. Because of its mild, slightly bitter taste, it pairs well with an acid (like lemon) and a bit of salt (like pecorino or parmesan) to balance it out.

What is Swiss chard compatible with? ›

5 Types of Companion Plants to Grow Alongside Swiss Chard

Consider planting shallots, leeks, or chives nearby. 2. Brassicas: Members of the cabbage family (Brassica) are some of the best Swiss chard companion plants. This includes cabbage, Brussels sprouts, turnips, kohlrabi, and collard greens.

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