Learn How to Cook Swiss Chard for an easy keto side dish! This healthy veggie is paired with garlic and bacon for an easy recipe that is naturally low carb and gluten free!
What is Swiss Chard?
Swiss Chard is a leafy green vegetable that is known for it’s signature colorful stalks. It is closely related to spinach and beets and is full of health benefits! It’s packed with Vitamin C, A and K. Chard is also abundant in antioxidants, meaning it gives your immune system a boost! Swiss Chard also provides you with a large serving of fiber, magnesium, potassium and iron.
Ingredients in Sauteed Swiss Chard
As always, here is a quick overview of the ingredients used in this keto side dish. For the complete recipe, just scroll to the bottom of the page.
- Swiss chard- fresh
- Bacon- chopped
- Garlic- minced
- Salt and pepper
How to Cook Swiss Chard
Swiss Chard can be prepared in many different ways, but my personal favorite is to saute it. In only a couple of minutes and with a few simple ingredients, you can have a low carb side dish on the table that is incredibly delicious as well as extremely healthy!
- Wash your leaves and slice into thin strips. Swiss Chard reduces a lot when it’s cooked, so while it may look like you’ve got a ton it will really shrink down! You can also remove the stems at this time. The stems are edible and have a very earthy flavor, so it is fully up to you if you want to include them. They will increase your cooking time by a few minutes, so keep that in mind.
- In a large skillet, brown your chopped bacon until it reaches your preferred level of crispiness. Remove the bacon (I use a slotted spoon for this step) and drain the grease, but reserve about one tablespoon in the pan.
- Add your minced garlic and sliced Swiss Chard. Saute for 4-5 minutes (a couple of minutes longer if you keep the stems) or until the greens have wilted. Add salt and pepper and the bacon and you are ready to serve!
What does Swiss Chard taste like?
When eaten raw, Swiss Chard leaves have a more bitter flavor. When cooked, the bitterness disappears and gives way to a subtle sweetness. The stems are also bitter when raw, but when cooked have a more robust earthy flavor.
How to Eat Swiss Chard
Swiss Chard can be prepared in a number of ways. For this recipe, I’ve sauteed it, but that’s not the only method that it can be enjoyed in! Baby Chard is harvested when the plant is very young and those leaves are regularly eaten raw, usually in a salad blend. With the larger more mature leaves, you can steam them or pickle them. You can also blend the cooked leaves with some olive oil and your favorite spices and make a tangy dressing, or enjoy on top of some pasta or a pizza!
How to Store and Reheat Sauteed Swiss Chard
To store this leafy green, just keep in a plastic or glass container with an airtight lid in the fridge. This Chard recipe will stay fresh for up to four days. To reheat, just pop into the microwave in 15 second increments until it’s hot enough for you.
Can I use Collard Greens in this recipe?
Yes, you will just need to increase the cooking time by five minutes. If you have a pressure cooker, try my Instant Pot Collard Greens!
More healthy side dishes
How to Cook Swiss Chard
Ingredients
- 2 bunches Swiss Chard sliced and stems removed if desired
- 4 slices bacon chopped
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash the leaves and slice into thin strips that are about 1/2 inch thick. Remove the tough center stems, if desired.
- Heat a large, deep skillet to medium heat. Brown chopped bacon until crispy. Using a slotted spoon, remove the crispy bacon and drain the bacon grease, reserving about 1 tablespoon. Add minced garlic, greens and sauté 4-5 minutes until the greens have wilted and reached your desired texture.
- Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the cooked bacon and stir to combine.