Chard with Bacon Dressing

Transform a humble bunch of Swiss chard into a show-stopping side dish with this Chard with Bacon Dressing recipe! Tender chard stems and wilted leaves are infused with the rich flavor of crispy bacon, then brightened with a tangy dressing made from red wine vinegar, a touch of honey, and a hint of garlic. This quick and versatile recipe comes together in just 25 minutes, making it a perfect addition to busy weeknight dinners or holiday feasts. The savory-sweet vinaigrette pairs beautifully with the smoky bacon, creating a perfectly balanced dish that’s both comforting and packed with nutrients. Serve it warm to let all the flavors shine, and enjoy a standout vegetable side that will have everyone coming back for seconds! Keywords: Swiss chard recipe, bacon dressing, easy vegetable side dishes, quick weeknight recipes, savory and sweet side dish.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 bunch Swiss chard
• 4 slices Bacon
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 2 tablespoons Red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Honey
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.125 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Wash and dry the Swiss chard thoroughly. Trim the stems and cut them into 1/2-inch pieces. Roughly chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces and set aside separately from the stems.

Step 2

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon slices and cook until crisp, about 5-7 minutes, flipping as needed. Remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cool, crumble the bacon into small pieces and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet with the bacon grease, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil if needed to make roughly 2 tablespoons of fat in the pan.

Step 4

Add the chopped chard stems to the skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften. Add the minced garlic cloves and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Step 5

Add the chard leaves to the skillet in batches, stirring constantly until wilted. This should take about 2-3 minutes.

Step 6

Turn the heat to low and stir in the red wine vinegar, honey, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix until the ingredients are well combined and heated through, about 1 minute.

Step 7

Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the crumbled bacon. Adjust seasoning to taste if needed.

Step 8

Transfer the chard with bacon dressing to a serving bowl and serve warm as a flavorful side dish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(267.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	347.9

Total Fat 25.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.3g
Cholesterol 31.7mg	0%
Sodium 2094.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 15.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.4g	0%
Total Sugars 7.8g
Protein 14.5g	0%

Vitamin D 5.1IU	0%
Calcium 107.4mg	0%
Iron 3.9mg	0%
Potassium 882.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 66.1%

Protein: 16.6%

Carbs: 17.4%