Simple Swiss Chard and White Bean Sauté
This ultra-simple – and ultra nourishing! – Swiss chard and white bean saute is ready in just 15 minutes and it’s the perfect thing whether you need an easy veggie side dish or you just want to sit down to a comforting bowl of goodness.
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I could live on this kind of food. I kind of do live on this kind of food. If I’m not cooking for my family, I live for a simple meal that’s packed with veggies…and beans + greens is one of my go to moves.
Swiss chard doesn’t get nearly as much attention as kale (and it should!!) so I wanted to share a recipe that shows you just how easy it is to throw together something delicious and nutrient-dense. Even if you’re tired, you can get this meal together and be on the couch watching Netflix before you know it.
It may be simple, but it is super satisfying…and it would make a delicious brunch with some good bread or a more robust dinner served over a cooked grain (wheat berries would be perfect or go for millet so it’s gluten free) and if you fancy eggs, #putaneggonit.
More recipes to help you eat more Swiss chard:
Simple Chard and White Bean Saute
Ingredients
- 1 medium bunch Swiss chard, greens sliced, stems reserved and chopped (or your favourite cooking green)
- 14 ounce can navy beans, or other soft white bean, rinsed and drained
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed or finely grated
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, or more…I like more!
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- salt, to taste
- freshly cracked pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add chard stems, garlic, cumin and white beans and sauté until stems soften, about 5 minutes.Bonus points: crank up the heat and let the beans caramelize a bit!
- Add chard greens and cook until wilted, about a minute. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Photo Credit: Melissa Quantz
14 Comments on “Simple Swiss Chard and White Bean Sauté”
A simple chard and white bean sauté was nothing short of brilliant! The flavors knocked our socks off! Earthy, smoky, and sooooo flavorful it provided the perfect accompaniment to our main dish. This was the most flavorful way I have ever eaten Swiss chard before! Thank you, Desiree!
Oh yay!! I am so glad 🙂
This has become one of my go to quick dinners! I love eating it over brown rice. The flavours are simple but delicious! I like finishing it with a squeeze of lemon.
I am so glad you like this one Melissa, it doesn’t get enough love because it’s so simple but that is exactly the reason why it’s one of my go to easy dinners…even after all these years!
I am thrilled to see these dishes..
I certainly will be trying them.
Hope you love it Dee!
this meal might have changed my life. I put the saute on top of some brown rice and added two fried eggs on top! I did add a little broth to the saute and some apple cider vinegar (just a splash). And topped everything with some chili oil. Added some toasted crispy bread on the side. Was amazing!!
Ah, I am so glad you found it!! Sometimes, the simple things are just the best 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to leave a rating and review, it really helps others discover the recipe!
This is outstanding. So simple and so delicious. The perfect post run refuel. I added two eggs and ate it for breakfast.
I am so glad you like it Ellen! Sometimes the simplest things are the best.
I have always tried to “decipher” particularly plant based recipes, but could you give more specifics? Particularly, how much kale is in one bunch – number and size of leaves? How much chopped onion is “one onion” (I usually use sweet onions, which are medium to large in size)? Thanks for the extra info!
Hi Barbara,
I totally get it! The lovely thing about this recipe is that it’s flexible enough that small variations in amounts won’t be too much of an issue. When in doubt, use a medium onion (easily 1/2 – 3/4 cup chopped) and the more chard the better. I would say 4-6 medium/large chard leaves would be great here. If bunches are small – small leaves, 3-4 leaves per bunch – I would even use two!
I am far from solely plant based BUT I always incorporate hearty plant based sides with my meals. This one is SO simple yet so satisfying! I had a bunch of rainbow chard in my garden and I don’t know why I have never thought to pair it with beans. I used cannelli beans and it just hit the spot. I paired it with a turkey burger and felt so satiated after. Thank you for such a simple yet delish recipe!
Ah yes, I love this Genna! I am all about getting more plants in your life, for every eater 🙂 So glad you enjoyed the saute!! I love that this OG recipe is starting to get a little love.