SaurabhA dark green, leafy vegetable that is considered among the best ones is the Swiss Chard. A commonly used veggie that looks like and reminds of spinach by its appearance.
Swiss Chard is a type of veggie in many variations and you can find it in yellow, orange, red, and even cream colors. It has been used for many years and originates from the Mediterranean island.
The leaves are very big and have a crispy texture. Also, they are very similar to spinach in taste and tenderness. Swiss Chard is healthy and nutritious and can bring many health benefits.
Overall, it has a little bit of sweet taste and can be used in many ways in cooking. You can cook the stems and leaves, which means that everything is edible. However, if you have no Swiss Chard is there a way to replace it?
The best Substitutes for Swiss Chard are mature spinach, collard greens, black kale, rhubarb, beet greens, or some of the substitutes below.
Go through our list and learn more about each substitute and how to use it properly. Also, read more on the similarities and differences between the Swiss Chard and Red Chard.
Substitutes for Swiss Chard
As we stated, Chard has many types including Swiss Chard, which is commonly used in different recipes. You can cook the whole thing or eat it raw, depending on what you are making.
But there might be a chance that you don’t have it at reach or you want to try similar veggies. In that case, we have gathered replacements that will fit perfectly in most recipes so select the best alternative that will help you in your cooking.
1. Mature spinach
The first substitute that we would recommend would be the mature spinach for the Swiss chard. The common thing between them is the leaves which have similar tastes.
Also, the crispy leaves are almost the same. That is what makes them great replacements for each other in many ways. It is easy to find them on the market.
2. Collard greens
Another dark leafy veggie that is similar to the Swiss chard and can serve as a substitute would be the collard greens. This is a vegetable with a bitter and nutty flavor that can be eaten raw. It can be used in many recipes that call for swiss chard like salads, stews, and many more.
3. Black kale
Black kale would also be perfect to substitute Swiss chard in your cooking. The intense flavors of the black Kale and the dark green leaves make it to be another perfect replacement for Swiss chard.
It is also healthy and has a lot of vitamins. The crispy and crunchy texture is another similarity that is good for almost every recipe that calls for Swiss Chard.
4. Rhubarb
Rhubarb is another way to substitute Swiss Chard. Even though Rhubarb is considered a fruit and the chard is a vegetable, they can be used as a replacement. Rhubarb has dark leaves that are similar to the Swiss Chard as well.
The raw Rhubarb has a tart taste. Therefore, it is cooked with sugar to compensate for the sourness. You can also add honey or some syrup to make it less bitter. You can either roast it or add it in stews. Or in almost every recipe that calls for Swiss Chard.
5. Beet greens
Beat greens can also replace Swiss Chard. They are also beautiful leaves that look similar to the swiss chard. The dark green leaves are just a bit smaller than the leaves of the chard, but they’ll fit perfectly in your cooking.
These leaves are commonly used because of their creamy and nutty flavor after they are cooked. You can make the replacement in salads or sauces.
6. Bok choy
A common veggie in Chinese cooking is Bok Choy which can serve you well as a substitute for Swiss Chard. The crispy, nutty flavors will work well in different recipes and the rest of the ingredients in your recipes.
It also has dark green leaves which are white stalks that add the fresh crunch. You can add it in soups, salads, stir-fries, and many more that call for Swiss Chard.
7. Broccoli
A very commonly used vegetable with many nutritious benefits and a good replacement for Swiss Chard is broccoli. The broccoli has leathery leaves with green clusters.
The flavor of broccoli is somewhat bitter, grassy, and earthy. Some people do not like it due to the smell when they are cooked. You can add broccoli in salads, stews, soups, and many more recipes that require Swiss Chard.
8. Dark leafy greens
Another dark green leafy vegetable that is a suitable replacement for Swiss Chard is the dark leafy greens. Just as the name suggests, the dark leaves are a good substitute because of the color and the crispy flavors.
They contain iron, vitamins, and other minerals which are good for your health. Once the leafy greens are cooked they are very similar to the Swiss chard. They work great for most recipes, especially in soups and sauces.
9. Mustard greens
Mustard greens are also considered as an option to swap the Swiss Chard in your cooking. They have a nice green color with a bitter taste and creamy, peppery texture.
You can use the mustard greens the same way as if you have used Swiss Chard in your cooking. They taste pretty much the same, and the only thing the mustard greens lack is the nutty texture that Swiss Chard has.
10. Cabbage
The last leafy substitute on our list that could replace Swiss Chard in cooking is Cabbage. A very common veggie that is super easy to find and has many uses in our kitchen. It is healthy and nutritious.
You can eat it raw and cooked, depending on the recipe you are making. The taste is bitter and since there are a few varieties of cabbage, the taste may differ. You can use it to replace Swiss chard in salads, soups, stews, and many more.
Swiss Chard vs Red Chard
There are many types of Chard, but commonly you can find and use Swiss Chard and Red Chard. They are somewhat the same but there might be some differences between them.
Swiss Chard has dark green leaves, whereas red chard has red ones. It is very important to remember that when you use red chard, there is a chance it will color your food.
Otherwise, there is no difference in the taste or texture. You can easily use them in many ways in cooking, as well as the other types of colors that the Chard offers.
Related Questions
Can you replace spinach with Swiss chard?
Spinach is a good substitute for Swiss chard in many ways. Due to the similarities between them, like the green leaves, tenderness, and tastiness, you can make the replacement.
Can you substitute cabbage for Swiss chard?
Yes, cabbage can successfully replace Swiss chard. They resemble each other and taste similarly. You can make the swap in most of the recipes that call for swiss chard.
Is collard greens a good substitute for Swiss chard?
Yes, it is. Collared greens can be used to replace Swiss chard in many ways. The collard greens are very common in Southern American cuisine and can be eaten raw as well. However, keep in mind that the collard greens have a strong peppery taste.s
