Comforting Swiss Chard Soup (Printable)

Tender Swiss chard and aromatic vegetables simmered in a light, savory broth for a comforting and nourishing bowl.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large bunch Swiss chard (approximately 14 oz), stems and leaves separated and chopped
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 medium carrots, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Broth & Seasoning

06 - 5 cups vegetable broth (gluten-free certified)
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1 teaspoon sea salt, adjusted to taste
09 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional

→ Finish

11 - Juice of 1/2 lemon
12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
13 - Grated Parmesan cheese for serving, optional

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery, sautéing for 5 to 6 minutes until softened and translucent.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and Swiss chard stems, sautéing for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and stems begin to soften.
03 - Add Swiss chard leaves, vegetable broth, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
04 - Simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes until all vegetables are very tender and flavors have melded completely.
05 - Stir in lemon juice and fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
06 - Ladle soup into serving bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Its incredibly simple but tastes like something from a cozy restaurant
  • The way the Swiss chard wilts into the broth creates this silky, luxurious texture
  • Ready in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all day
02 -
  • Adding the chard stems before the leaves is crucial because they take longer to become tender
  • The lemon juice might seem unusual but it completely transforms the soup from ordinary to extraordinary
  • Letting it simmer uncovered helps concentrate the flavors slightly for a more robust taste
03 -
  • Dont skip separating the chard stems from leaves, they need different cooking times
  • Use the stems you chopped off, they add such great texture and flavor
  • Let the pot come back up to temperature quickly after adding greens so they stay vibrant
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