Keto Pickled Chard Stems

When I tasted these keto pickled chard stems, they reminded me of the vegetables my grandma pickled. They have just the right combination of sweet, tart, and zesty flavors!

These keto pickled chard stems are a great way to use chard stems when you’re using the chard leaves for another recipe. My grandma had a huge garden, and nothing was wasted from her garden. She pickled all kinds of things, and they were served with many of her delicious meals. The brine for these chard stems took me back to grandma’s kitchen because it tastes so much like hers! Enjoy!

Let’s talk about the ingredients that go into this dish!

We start, of course, with chard stems. I had made keto crockpot chard artichoke dip and only used the chard leaves, so I had the stems from two good sized bunches of chard to use up! To our stems, we add some diced red onion, garlic cloves, and salt. For our liquid mixture, we combine water, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and keto granulated sugar. I used plain white distilled vinegar for this brine. For my sugar, I used the Swerve brand. It contains zero calories and zero net carbs. It’s also delicious! The last thing we add is a combination of whole mustard seeds, whole peppercorns, and celery seed. This is a mild mixture. If you would like to add some spice, you could add a teaspoon or so of red pepper flakes!

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Are these keto pickled chard stems difficult to make?

This dish is incredibly easy to make! You’ll want to trim the ends of your chard stems and any attached leaves. You can leave the stems long, as I did, or you can cut them in half or into thirds if you’d like smaller pieces. You’ll then add the onion and garlic to the stems. Smashing the garlic is a quick and easy way to release their delicious flavor. Sprinkle your salt over the stems and let the stems set. You only need to let your water, vinegar, and sugar mixture simmer until the sugar is completely dissolved. Then add the mustard seeds, peppercorns, and celery seed and pour the mixture over your stems. I recommend refrigerating overnight or for a day or two before serving. I like to shake my mixture a few times while it’s refrigerating…when I remember to do this.😉

How can I serve these keto pickled chard stems?

These keto pickled chard stems can be served as you would regular pickles! These stems have a texture similar to celery and they go well with so many meals. You can serve them as part of a relish tray, along with some raw vegetables, or perhaps some olives and tomatoes. If you’re serving appetizers for a party or special occasion, they’ll fit into the mix perfectly. They also work for a quick and easy snack option. They can also be served with burgers, keto sandwiches, and with your favorite wraps. Any time you serve these stems, you’ll add a fun, delicious, and pretty element to your meal.

Here are some keto appetizer dishes that would pair nicely with these pickled chard stems!

Easy Keto Caponata

Keto Blueberry Chipotle Little Smokies

Low Carb Jalapeno Poppers

Mom’s Keto Deviled Eggs

Helpful Hints:

*You can use a large mason jar or a couple of smaller jars for this dish.

*If you’d like to add some heat and spice to your pickled stems, you can add some red pepper flakes.

Main Kitchen Equipment and Utensils:

• Medium saucepan
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons

Splash of Encouragement:

***Enjoy your time in the kitchen trying new recipes and learning new things about foods and about cooking***