Elevate your vegetable side dish game with this vibrant and flavor-packed Seared Chard recipe! Featuring tender Swiss chard seared to perfection with aromatic garlic and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes, this dish comes together in just 20 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights or elegant dinners alike. A touch of lemon juice adds brightness, while a quick steam ensures the stems and leaves are perfectly cooked for a melt-in-your-mouth texture. This healthy, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly side pairs beautifully with roasted meats, grilled fish, or hearty grain bowls. Whether you're looking for a quick way to incorporate greens or a savory twist on classic sautés, this simple yet sophisticated dish is sure to be a staple in your kitchen.
Thoroughly wash the Swiss chard under cold water to remove any dirt. Trim the ends of the stems, and chop the chard into bite-sized pieces, keeping the stems and leaves separate as they cook at different rates.
Peel and finely mince the garlic cloves.
Heat a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and allow it to heat for about 30 seconds.
Add the minced garlic to the pan and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant but not browned.
Stir in the chopped chard stems and cook for 3–4 minutes, or until they begin to soften.
Add the chard leaves to the pan in batches, stirring as they wilt. Once all the leaves are added, pour in the water to help steam and soften the chard.
Sprinkle the red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper over the chard, and stir well to combine. Cook for an additional 3–4 minutes, or until the leaves are tender and most of the water has evaporated.
Remove the pan from heat and drizzle the lemon juice over the chard. Stir to combine and adjust salt and pepper to taste, if necessary.
Transfer the seared chard to a serving dish and serve warm as a side dish.
Calories |
308 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 28.7 g | 37% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.5 g | 22% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1558 mg | 68% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 11.2 g | 4% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.7 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.5 g | ||
| Protein | 4.1 g | 8% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 111 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 3.7 mg | 21% | |
| Potassium | 743 mg | 16% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.