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Swiss chard is a very nutritious leafy green. It is used raw in tossed salads, and it can also be cooked like spinach, kale, or collard greens. If you have a lot of chard and you don’t want to waste any, you can preserve it by blanching and freezing it for up to a year.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Prepping the Swiss Chard

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  1. You can mix rainbow chard with green or white varieties. Plan to freeze the chard within 6 hours of picking to preserve nutrients.
    • If you are picking it from your garden, cut it at the base of the stem in the early morning for best results. [1]
    • To remove the excess of water, spin the chard, shake it, or pat it dry.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Freeze Swiss Chard
    Set the stems aside to prepare and freeze separately. [2]
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Freeze Swiss Chard
    How you chop it will depend upon your preference for preparing it. [3] You can cut them into long ribbons or small squares.
    • Ribbon it by rolling the leaves vertically. Slice horizontally against the rolled leaves in 1-inch (2.5 cm) strips.
    • Chop the leaves like you would spinach. Stack the leaves on top of each other. Slice them 2 times vertically. Stack them again and slice them 3 to 6 times horizontally, depending upon the size of the leaves.
    • Slice them in half or into fourths, if you like larger sized leaves.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Blanching Swiss Chard

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Freeze Swiss Chard
    [4] Use a stockpot instead of a saucepan to ensure you have enough space for even blanching.
    • Blanching halts enzyme production. It stops the plants from ripening for several days to several weeks. It is recommended to preserve nutrient content for all leafy greens if you can’t use them within two days. [5]
  2. Add 2 to 3 cups of ice cubes. Set your ice bath on a counter near the stove.
  3. Add your Swiss chard leaves to the water. If you have more than 4 cups of Swiss chard, do it in several batches.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Freeze Swiss Chard
    Remove the leaves with a slotted spoon after the timer beeps. Place it directly in the ice bath.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Freeze Swiss Chard
    [6] Spin it in a salad spinner. Pat it with kitchen towels to remove extra moisture.
  6. Slice the stems into 1 inch (2.5 cm) ribs and blanch them for 3 minutes. Place them in the ice bath for 3 minutes before draining in a colander.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Storing Swiss Chard

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Freeze Swiss Chard
  2. You can either weigh them on a scale or measure cup-sized servings.
  3. It can also remove excess water. [7]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Freeze Swiss Chard
    You can also use freezer-safe Tupperware. Seal the lids tightly. [8]
  5. They can be sautéed and used with onions or celery because of its crunchy texture. Stuff the stems into freezer bags.
  6. Use it within 10 to 12 months. [9]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I steam chard to freeze instead of blanching?
    Michele
    Top Answerer
    Blanching can be completed using boiling water, steam or a microwave oven. To steam, place the chard in a wire basket over rapidly boiling water, cover and start your timer. Steaming takes one and a half times longer than boiling. Microwaving is good for some vegetables, but not recommended for leafy greens. In any event, make sure to have your icy water handy, that's what preserves the color and texture prior to freezing.
  • Question
    Can I freeze Swiss chard without blanching?
    Community Answer
    Yes, your Swiss chard should be fine without blanching.
  • Question
    I would like to freeze a dish of Swiss chard and lentils. Will this be okay in the freezer?
    Community Answer
    Yes, this should be fine in the freezer for 2-3 months or so, but you need to make sure it's properly sealed.
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      Tips

      • If you plan on freezing a lot of vegetables and meats, consider investing in a vacuum-sealing machine. You can cut the item into your preferred serving size and remove it from the freezer a 12 to 24 hours before you use it in a recipe. [10]
      • There are more ways to preserve Swiss chard, including canning.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Water
      • Stockpot
      • Ice bath
      • Sharp knife
      • Freezer bags
      • Colander
      • Salad spinner
      • Paper towels
      • Slotted spoon
      • Vacuum sealer (optional)

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 183,253 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Petra Eshuis

        Jul 11, 2016

        "I did not know whether I could preserve Swiss chard at all, and our small garden was producing more than we could ..." more
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