Out of Swiss chard, one case
Swiss chard substitutes for soup
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Spinach
Same amount as the Swiss chard
For soup, the best Swiss chard substitutes are spinach (add last), kale (cook longer), collard greens (braise), or bok choy (cook stems first). Spinach is the closest match for quick-cooking soups.
- Best for —
- minestrone
One casethe full Swiss chard card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of Swiss chard |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spinachminestrone | Same amount |
| 2 | Kalebean soup | Same amount |
| 3 | Collard greensham and bean soup | Same amount |
| 4 | Bok choymiso soup | Same amount |
| 5 | Escaroleescarole and bean soup | Same amount |
Spinach
Good for quick-cooking soups, add in the last 2-3 minutes
- Best for
- minestrone, vegetable soup, pasta e fagioli, chicken soup
- Cooking time
- 2-3 minutes
Wilt quickly, good for finishing soups.
Kale
Sturdy green that holds up well in long-cooking soups
- Best for
- bean soup, lentil soup, ribollita, minestrone
- Cooking time
- 10-15 minutes
Remove tough stems, great for hearty soups.
Collard greens
Robust green good for long-simmering soups
- Best for
- ham and bean soup, southern-style soups, hearty vegetable soup
- Cooking time
- 20-30 minutes
Remove tough stems, needs longer cooking.
Bok choy
Asian green with crisp stems and tender leaves
- Best for
- miso soup, ramen, wonton soup, Asian-style soups
- Cooking time
- 5-8 minutes
Cook stems first, then add leaves.
Escarole
Mild bitter green good for Italian soups
- Best for
- escarole and bean soup, minestrone, Italian wedding soup
- Cooking time
- 8-12 minutes
Less bitter than kale, great for Italian cuisine.
The longer answer
About this case
When making soup and you don't have Swiss chard, these leafy green substitutes will work well. Each substitute has its own cooking characteristics, so choose based on your soup type and desired texture.
Tips for substituting Swiss chard
6 tips- For quick-cooking soups, add spinach in the last 2-3 minutes
- For hearty soups, use kale or collard greens and cook longer
- Remove tough stems from all leafy greens before adding to soup
- If using frozen greens, add them directly to the soup
- Taste and adjust seasoning after adding leafy greens
- For creamy soups, blend the greens for a smooth texture
Questions
4 questionsCan I use frozen spinach instead of Swiss chard in soup?
Yes, frozen spinach works great in soup. Add it directly from frozen and cook for 3-5 minutes until heated through.
How do I substitute Swiss chard in minestrone?
Use kale or escarole for minestrone. Add them 10-15 minutes before the soup is done, as they need longer cooking time than Swiss chard.
What's the best Swiss chard substitute for Asian soups?
Bok choy is the best substitute for Asian soups. Cook the stems first for 3-4 minutes, then add the leaves for another 2-3 minutes.
Can I use Swiss chard stems in soup?
Yes, Swiss chard stems are edible and add nice texture to soup. Cook them first as they take longer than the leaves.