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Celebrate rhubarb season with 23 of the best rhubarb recipes! Post includes a produce guide and recipes for strawberry rhubarb pie, rhubarb crisp, rhubarb coffee cake and more!
Welcome to another installment of my Produce of the Month Guide! Spring is here and I couldn’t be more happy about it because my beloved rhubarb is back in season.
I didn’t always love rhubarb. In fact, I thought I hated because I had a bad experience during my childhood. I was at a church potluck and I went to the dessert table and spied what I thought was a luscious slice of cherry pie.
I took a big bite expecting the tart-sweet flavors of cherries and experienced something much different. The pie was actually rhubarb, and it was a very bad rhubarb pie. The rhubarb wasn’t cooked all the way so it was crunchy and stringy, and it was sour to boot!
I ran to the trash can, spat it out and tossed that pie in the garbage. I was traumatized and didn’t revisit rhubarb until my husband talked me into it.
I’m so glad that he did! My husband knew how rhubarb was supposed to be because his grandmother grew it in her garden and made homemade jam and pies throughout his childhood.
I haven’t looked back since my first bite of an amazing strawberry rhubarb pie…I can’t get enough of rhubarb now.
What is rhubarb?
Rhubarb is a member of the Polygonaceae family that’s harvested in the spring from around April through June. Stalks of rhubarb range in color from bright red to pink to pale green. While stalks of rhubarb look like celery’s red cousin, the two aren’t related at all.
Is rhubarb a fruit or a vegetable?
Rhubarb is technically a vegetable, but is considered a fruit by many because it’s widely used in desserts.
Are rhubarb leaves poisonous?
The stalks are the only edible part in a rhubarb plant, and the leaves and roots are actually toxic as they contain oxalic acid.
Can you eat rhubarb raw?
Rhubarb is extremely tart so it’s rarely eaten raw unless dipped in sugar first. I’ve tasted it raw and don’t mind the tartness, but it’s not for everyone!
Growing rhubarb
I haven’t grown rhubarb in my garden yet because I hear that it takes up a lot of space because it grows wild. If you’d like more information on growing it yourself check out this article.
Nutrition benefits of rhubarb
Rhubarb is low in calorie and is good source of Vitamin K, fiber, antioxidants and calcium. Studies have shown that rhubarb fiber can lower cholesterol, but research on its health benefits is somewhat limited.
Choosing rhubarb
When choosing rhubarb, look for nice, sturdy stalks that are bright in color and unblemished. If the rhubarb is untrimmed, the leaves are a great indicator for freshness. Leaves should be green and fresh, never wilted.
The stalks should also be heavy and crisp, so avoid rhubarb that’s soft.
How to prepare and cut rhubarb
I like to prep my rhubarb in advance so I can use it in recipes when I’m ready. Simply wash and dry thoroughly, then chop and store in an airtight container.
Rhubarb does not need to be peeled, and despite fibrous strings, it’s not necessary to remove them. Simply wash, trim the ends, and cut into 1/2 – 1″ size pieces depending on the type of recipe.
How to store rhubarb
Store rhubarb in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Can you freeze rhubarb?
Yes, once you’ve prepared the rhubarb as instructed above, it may be frozen for up to one year!
23 of the best rhubarb recipes!
Not sure what to do with rhubarb? Below are 23 or the best rhubarb recipes to give you inspiration!
Although rhubarb is most often baked into cakes, crisps, and crumbles, it can also be used to make savory dishes like salads. Try a few of the rhubarb recipes listed below to discover just a few of the ways you can prepare this unique vegetable!
Raspberry Rhubarb Bars
Raspberry Rhubarb Bars are a sweet, tangy vegan dessert with no refined sugar and the goodness of rolled oats. They're like fruit crisp in bar form!
Rhubarb cake is perfect for rhubarb lovers! It's light and fluffy with the heartiness of almond and the flavors of orange, vanilla and tangy rhubarb. It's an easy yet elegant spring and summer dessert!
Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp is sweet, tangy and topped with a golden brown oatmeal crumble topping! It's an easy dessert recipe that may be made entirely in advance!
Enjoy a slice of this rhubarb coffee cake with your morning cup of joe. This recipe can be made with fresh or frozen fruit, so use what you have on hand.
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie is tried and true, and is the best strawberry rhubarb pie recipe! It's got a foolproof flaky pie crust and the perfect sweet, tangy filling. It's a family favorite!
Slow Cooker Mixed Berry Rhubarb Crisp is the best way to enjoy fruit crisp without turning on the oven! It’s a vegan dessert with no refined sugar or butter, and there’s a recipe video to make preparations even easier!
This Raspberry Rhubarb Crisp is filled with sweet raspberries, fresh rhubarb, and sprinkled with a brown sugar oat crumble. It’s prepared in just minutes and makes an easy dessert that’s perfect to enjoy all year long!
I am so happy that rhubarb is back in season! Like you, I never really used to like rhubarb, but now I love it, even on its own. Such a great roundup of recipes, too. I want to try every one! Thanks so much for including my crisp, friend!
I always enjoy your Produce of the Month Guides Marcie! They’re packed with useful information and great recipes. Would you believe I’ve never tasted rhubarb or baked with it? I really need to change that. And it might need to start with those Raspberry Rhubarb Crisp Bars!
Thanks Leanne…I’m glad to hear that you enjoy them! If you’ve never tried rhubarb you’re in for such a treat, especially as much as you love to bake. I hope you get to try it soon friend!
My friend built a special planter box, about 3ft square, for her rhubarb. she trims it aback as needed and has more than she can give away. Thank you for including my Crazy Berry Meringue recipe in your list of what to makes!
I absolutely love all your produce guides, Marcie! Not only are they informative, but they are also filled with deliciousness! I didn’t always love rhubarb either, but I certainly do now!! Your crisp bars look sensational!!! Pinning! Cheers!
Rhubarb is the best. I am so lucky to have a giant plant that pops up every year! I love to harvest it and freeze it so I can make treats with it all winter long. I’m so glad you decided to give it another try after that traumatizing experience!!
It really is the best! I think I’m going to try and plant it in a container next year because I love it so much and just learned you can freeze it for a whole year!
Yay! Let’s hear it for rhubarb! I tried rhubarb for the first time a couple years ago. I ran to the grocery store the following day and made rhubarb strawberry compote. I served the compote on gingersnap cookies and topped them with blue cheese. The bold flavors paired beautifully even though they were a shock to my mouth. I couldn’t help but think, “Whoa, what in the what did I just put in my mouth… and why do I enjoy it so much.”
15 Comments on “23 Rhubarb Recipes (+ Produce Guide)”
I love rhubarb and have used it in so many recipes!! Thanks for a great post and for including our Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler.
You cobbler looks delicious Tara and I’d love to try it!
I am so happy that rhubarb is back in season! Like you, I never really used to like rhubarb, but now I love it, even on its own. Such a great roundup of recipes, too. I want to try every one! Thanks so much for including my crisp, friend!
I’ve discovered over the years that rhubarb doesn’t need other fruits to taste amazing…it’s so great all by itself! Your crisp looks delicious too!
I always enjoy your Produce of the Month Guides Marcie! They’re packed with useful information and great recipes. Would you believe I’ve never tasted rhubarb or baked with it? I really need to change that. And it might need to start with those Raspberry Rhubarb Crisp Bars!
Thanks Leanne…I’m glad to hear that you enjoy them! If you’ve never tried rhubarb you’re in for such a treat, especially as much as you love to bake. I hope you get to try it soon friend!
My friend built a special planter box, about 3ft square, for her rhubarb. she trims it aback as needed and has more than she can give away. Thank you for including my Crazy Berry Meringue recipe in your list of what to makes!
I’m going to have to try and contain it because I just learned that it freezes for up to 1 year. I’d love having it year round!
I absolutely love all your produce guides, Marcie! Not only are they informative, but they are also filled with deliciousness! I didn’t always love rhubarb either, but I certainly do now!! Your crisp bars look sensational!!! Pinning! Cheers!
Thank you so much Cheyanne! These round ups always give me inspiration to use the produce in new ways…sometimes I get in a rut! 🙂
Rhubarb is the best. I am so lucky to have a giant plant that pops up every year! I love to harvest it and freeze it so I can make treats with it all winter long. I’m so glad you decided to give it another try after that traumatizing experience!!
It really is the best! I think I’m going to try and plant it in a container next year because I love it so much and just learned you can freeze it for a whole year!
Yay! Let’s hear it for rhubarb! I tried rhubarb for the first time a couple years ago. I ran to the grocery store the following day and made rhubarb strawberry compote. I served the compote on gingersnap cookies and topped them with blue cheese. The bold flavors paired beautifully even though they were a shock to my mouth. I couldn’t help but think, “Whoa, what in the what did I just put in my mouth… and why do I enjoy it so much.”
Glad to hear you’re back on the rhubarb wagon!
Yay for rhubarb! That creation you made sounds like one delicious flavor explosion!
I hope you can find some Puja!