How to Freeze Swiss Chard in 4 Steps

Swiss chard is a leafy green vegetable, closely related to beets and spinach. Its leaves resemble that of its beet cousins, but the most recognizable feature of chard is the color of its stalks: the white stalks of Swiss chard contrast with its dark green leaves, while Rainbow chard comes in colors ranging from deep red to bright yellow and orange. Swiss chard's leafy green leaves are tender with a bitter taste when eaten raw. Once cooked, the bitterness dissipates, turning into a mild, sweet taste similar to spinach. Swiss chard is high in vitamins A, C, and K, magnesium, and potassium.

Learning how to store Swiss chard properly can help you extend the life of this hearty vegetable. For long-term storage, freezing works best. Follow these steps to freeze Swiss chard:

1. 1. Wash and separate the greens. Rinse the fresh greens under cold running water to clean them, then use a sharp paring knife or your hands to separate the Swiss chard leaves from the stalk.
2. 2. Blanch your chard. Blanching Swiss chard before freezing preserves the flavor and stops the enzymes that cause browning after long storage periods. Bring a large pot of water to boil and prepare a large bowl of ice water to blanch your chard. Use a pair of tongs or a slotted spoon to submerge the chard leaves in the boiling water. After one minute, remove the leaves from the hot water. Submerge the boiled leaves in the ice bath to halt the cooking process. (Depending on how much chard you’re freezing, you may need to do several small batches.)
3. 3. Drain and dry the Swiss chard. Put your blanched greens in a colander to drain the water. Squeeze the chard with your hands to remove any excess water. Additional pat drying helps to prevent freezer burn.
4. 4. Freeze your vegetables for later use. Place the leaves and stems in separate airtight, freezer-safe bags. Remove any air from the bag to prevent the formation of ice crystals that cause freezer burn. (If you don’t own a vacuum sealer, you can use a straw to suck out the excess air from the bag.) Freezer bags of Swiss chard will keep for at least a year.

To defrost Swiss chard, simply place it in the refrigerator to thaw. Depending on how much chard you’re thawing, it could take several hours, but usually, overnight is sufficient. Add the frozen greens straight from the freezer to the stockpot or pan to make soups, casseroles, or stir-fry dishes, defrosting and cooking in one continuous process. You can also add frozen Swiss chard to a smoothie, or sautée the greens with olive oil and garlic to make a nutritious side dish.

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