20 Swiss Chard Recipes That Spotlight the Versatility of This Healthy Green

Enjoy this mild, slightly bitter leafy vegetable in salads—or cook it to emphasize its sweeter side in dishes like pasta, frittatas, and quiches.

picked chard
Photo: Andrew Montgomery

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.

01 of 20

One-Pot Chicken and Rice With Swiss Chard

One-Pot Chicken and Rice with Swiss Chard

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.

02 of 20

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!

03 of 20

Creamed Swiss Chard

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Johnny Miller

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,

04 of 20

Swiss Chard Frittata

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Bryan Gardner

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.

05 of 20

Cheesy Stove-Top Barley and Chard

cheesy stove-top barley and swiss chard served with fresh basil
Nico Schinco

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.

06 of 20

Rolled Stuffed Salmon

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Christopher Testani

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.

07 of 20

Late-Summer Vegetable Minestrone

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Anna Williams

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.

08 of 20

Skillet Pizza With Eggplant and Greens

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Anna Williams

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.

09 of 20

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.

10 of 20

Swiss Chard Tzatziki

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Yunhee Kim

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.

11 of 20

Swiss Chard Farinata

swiss chard farinata
Dana Gallagher

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.

12 of 20

Raw Swiss Chard, Cabbage, and Brussels Sprout Salad

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Marcus Nilsson

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.

13 of 20

Chard Oshitashi

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Raymond Hom

Subbing red Swiss chard for the usual spinach, this iteration of the Japanese dish oshitashi 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.

14 of 20

Swiss Chard and Almond Pasta

swiss chard almond pasta on plate with spoon
Chris Simpson

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.

15 of 20

Rainbow Chard Quiche

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Lennart Weibull

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.

16 of 20

Beet Salad With Honey-Lavender Dressing

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Mikkel Vang

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.

17 of 20

Chard Tomato Sauté

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Bryan Gardner

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).

18 of 20

Swiss-Chard-and-Ricotta Galette

chard ricotta galette martha bakes
Mike Krautter

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.

19 of 20

Farro Salad With Oven-Roasted Grapes and Autumn Greens

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David M. Russell

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.

20 of 20

Bacon, Potato, and Swiss Chard Scramble

bacon potato and swiss chard scramble served on grey plate
Lennart Weibull

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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