We are always looking for ways to eat more veggies and introduce them to our kids in ways they will also love. Some of our other favorites are Easy Oven Roasted Cauliflower, Stir-Fried Baby Bok Choy, and Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Apples. Whenever I go to the farmer’s market, I always find myself admiring the beautiful bunches of leafy rainbow or swiss chard and wondering what I should make with it. One of my favorite (and underrated) recipes on this site are these vegetarian swiss chard and pinto bean burritos. But it’s much more frequent that we make this simple sauteed swiss chard instead as a quick and easy side dish to go with whatever I’m planning to serve for dinner. From what I hear from friends and neighbors, we all too often get in ruts by serving the same old vegetables prepared in the same old way. Adding variety is a great way to get more veggies in your life and it’s especially important for kids to expand their palates and get adventurous trying a veggie that they might like more than standard broccoli. Rainbow chard is an especially fun one because of the beautiful, vibrant colors that can really appeal to our eyes as much as our stomachs. If you are new to using swiss chard, this is a great starting point. After making this, try adding it to soups and other dishes!
Recipe Ingredients
Swiss chard: Fresh swiss chard or rainbow chard has tough stems that you will want to cook longer than the leaves, which wilt quickly. Be sure to wash it well to get rid of any dirt or grit that sometimes clings to the stems.Olive oil & butter: I like using a combination of the two for the best flavor.Onion & garlic: Half of a chopped onion and a couple of garlic cloves add wonderful depth of flavor to the swiss chard without taking over. Salt & pepper: Vegetables like swiss chard taste so much better when properly seasoned with a little salt and pepper to taste.Balsamic vinegar: While you could leave this ingredient out, it adds so much depth and richness that is really wonderful.
How to Make Sauteed Swiss Chard
What to serve with sauteed swiss chard
There are so many main dishes that will go well with this recipe. Here are just a few of our favorites:
Perfect Grilled Pork Chops with Sweet BBQ Pork RubMeatloaf Hamburger PattiesBacon-Wrapped Pork TenderloinRhubarb BBQ Sauce Grilled ChickenGrilled Ribeye Steak
Recipe Tips
Storage: Leftovers will keep well in the fridge for 2-3 days in an airtight container. They can also be added to soups for more bulk. I haven’t tried freezing this recipe but I imagine it would turn out okay.Adding cream: A tasty twist is to stir in 2/3 cup of heavy cream during the last minute of cooking before serving. Sometimes I will also add pine nuts or pecans for a toasty crunch.
More Interesting Veggie Sides
Traditional German Red Cabbage [Rotkohl]Stir-Fried Baby Bok ChoyVegetable TempuraCreamy Mashed CauliflowerOven Roasted Asparagus with Garlic, Parmesan, & LemonGreen Beans with Bacon & Pine Nuts
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