Sautéed Rainbow Chard with Lemon and Garlic Recipe
A simple and vibrant sautéed rainbow chard recipe featuring tender greens and stems cooked with garlic, onion, and brightened with fresh lemon juice and zest. Perfect as a nutritious side dish ready in just 10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 8 ounces rainbow chard (or Swiss chard)
- 1/2 medium white onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced or sliced
Seasonings and Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or other neutral oil)
- 1 lemon (zest and juice)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep: De-stem the rainbow chard by separating the stems from the leaves. Chop the stems into 1/2 inch pieces and cut the leaves into roughly 1 inch pieces for even cooking.
- Saute: Heat olive oil in a high-sided sauté pan over medium heat. Add diced onion and chopped chard stems to the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced or sliced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Wilt Greens: Add the chopped chard leaves to the pan and stir frequently until the leaves wilt, about 3 minutes.
- Deglaze: Pour the fresh lemon juice into the pan and cook for an additional 30 seconds to deglaze, loosening any browned bits and infusing the dish with citrus flavor.
- Season and Serve: Remove the pan from heat and season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Sprinkle lemon zest on top for a fresh finish and serve immediately.
Notes
- Rainbow chard stems are edible and add a pleasant texture when sautéed.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for best brightness and flavor.
- Can be served warm or at room temperature as a side dish.
- Substitute Swiss chard if rainbow chard is not available.
- Adjust garlic quantity to personal taste for milder or stronger flavor.
