36 Rhubarb Recipes That Will Inspire You to Use This Springtime Vegetable (2024)

Wondering what to do with all that rhubarb popping up in your garden or at the farmers market? Fans of the spring vegetable eagerly await the arrival of rhubarb season each year. Lucky for you, we're rhubarb connoisseurs, which means we have a collection of recipes that'll help you make the most of this tasty, colorful spring crop.

Here's what you need to know to make the most of rhubarb: Look for thin, red-pink crisp stalks, as these will have the best texture. If the stalks are floppy, this is a good indication that they were picked too long ago. When you get home, wrap the rhubarb stalks in plastic and refrigerate for up to one week. You can also freeze rhubarb and enjoy it for months to come. To use rhubarb, rinse it well, then trim the bottoms and tops of the stalks. If there are any leaves, slice them off and discard them (the leaves are toxic). If the stalks are stringy, remove them with a small paring knife, as you would for celery.

Now the fun part: From sweet Rhubarb Muffins to savory Pork Chops with Rhubarb-Cherry Sauce, read on for our favorite ways to enjoy rhubarb.

Our Complete Seasonal Produce Guide: Here's When Every Fruit and Vegetable Is Ripe (and Tastes the Best)

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Rhubarb Custard Tart

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The secret to success with this stunning tart is blind-baking the crust. Pop it in the oven before making the filling—this helps it get firm and crunchy, which means you won't end up with a soggy bottom as the simple custard and scored rhubarb stalks get baked in.

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Rhubarb-Apple-Almond Cobbler

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Looking for an easy rhubarb dessert? Try this cobbler, which has a biscuit topping made from an all-purpose flour and almond flour dough over a filling of greenmarket-fresh rhubarb and hardy Granny Smith apples. The filling is sweetened with sugar plus a tiny bit of ginger and lemon for bite.

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Roasted Rhubarb-and-Sour-Cherry Compote

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This intensely sweet-tart condiment is as versatile as it is vivacious. Sour cherries (fresh or frozen) pack a punch, and they keep their color when roasted with rhubarb and a splash of orange juice. Use it on top of your morning yogurt, serve it on a cheese plate, or purée it to use in a vibrant spring co*cktail.

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Roasted Rhubarb-and-Cherry Gimlet

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This super spring drink starts with a purée of our Roasted Rhubarb-and-Sour-Cherry Compote, then come the classic gimlet ingredients: gin, fresh lime juice, and seltzer. Shake them together, and say cheers to the season.

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Strawberry-Rhubarb Rolled Pavlova

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Have you heard about the ace pairing that is strawberries with rhubarb? This might just be their best outing yet. A tubular take on the usual mounded pavlova, it's at once easy and elegant. Meringue is spread thinly then baked. The filling is Rhubarb-Raspberry Jam, sliced strawberries, and whipped cream, all rolled up in the chewy meringue.

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Pan Roasted Chicken with Rhubarb

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Remember that rhubarb is, botanically speaking, a vegetable—so it's not surprising that it plays so well in this easy sauce spiced with an aromatic blend of turmeric, cumin, garlic, onion, and ginger. Simmer chicken breasts in the sauce, then serve everything with white rice or flatbreads.

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Rhubarb Crumb Cake

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Vibrant stalks of rhubarb and an irresistible streusel topping crown this moist sour-cream cake.

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Pickled Rhubarb

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It's time to get familiar with this super-versatile condiment: We love it on cheese plates or mixed with savory ingredients like chopped parsley, olive oil, and red-pepper flakes to make a relish for grilled steak or pork chops.

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Green Salad with Roasted Beets and Pickled Rhubarb

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It's usually coaxed in a sweeter direction, but rhubarb brightens savory recipes. One example is pickles: Our brine of white vinegar, sugar, and star anise gives Pickled Rhubarb a bread-and-butter-pickle flavor made for slaws, sandwiches, and this salad of roasted beets and tender lettuces.

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Rhubarb-Strawberry Lattice Pie

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Here we have the classic rhubarb pairing, made with a top crust that shows off the glorious fruit filling. This pie can also be made with a mix of rhubarb and raspberries.

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Rhubarb-Strawberry Tart

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Rhubarb and strawberries are enhanced with sugar and fresh lemon juice and thickened with cornstarch for the filling in this showstopping tart.

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Rhubarb and Beets

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Toss rhubarb and baby beets with olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast until tender. Scatter some toasted walnuts on top for crunch before serving.

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Pavlova with Rhubarb and Pistachios

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Here's a recipe that's as delicious as it is beautiful! The sweet-tart baked rhubarb contrasts with crunchy pistachios and the crispy yet soft and sugary meringue.

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Pistachio-Rhubarb Yogurt Cake

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Sweet and moist, with just the right amounts of roasted rhubarb and ground pistachios throughout, this cake makes a spectacular spring dessert. Serve with more roasted rhubarb swirled into yogurt.

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Rhubarb-Raspberry Cheesecake Squares

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A ruby-red gelée of rhubarb and raspberries tops the creamy filling and graham-cracker crust in this easy cheesecake.

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Rhubarb Buckle

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You can make these cake squares dotted with rhubarb and topped with a crunchy crumb topping up to a day in advance.

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Rhubarb Fizz

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Homemade rhubarb syrup, gin, prosecco, and lemons are all you need to make this pretty-in-pink beverage. Try it at your next brunch.

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Rhubarb Muffins

We love the eye-catching chunks of tart rhubarb in these sweet, moist buttermilk muffins. They'll be the first to go at your spring brunch.

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Rosé-Poached Rhubarb

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Simmer rhubarb with rosé wine and a trio of spices—vanilla bean, cinnamon, and star anise—then serve with vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt for an elegant spring dessert.

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Rosy Rhubarb-Meringue Cake

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Seeking an over-the-top Easter or spring dessert? Look no further than this sky-high meringue cake topped with fresh whipped cream and homemade rhubarb compote.

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Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake

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Whether you put it on a pedestal or not, this pretty cake with a delicate crumb base is a winner—and it's one of Martha's favorite recipes.

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Pork Chops with Rhubarb-Cherry Sauce

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One for the savory side, this lively sauce pairs rhubarb with dried cherries, onion, and a splash of balsamic. It goes well with pork chops or chicken; also try it spread on a slice of goat-cheese-topped bread for a genius crostini.

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Strawberry-Rhubarb Sangria

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Bubbly, fruity, and altogether festive, this fresh take on sangria is made with sparkling wine, orange juice, cooked rhubarb, and strawberries.

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Rhubarb Meringue Pie

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Better than lemon? We think so; the classic meringue pie is certainly prettier when made with a rhubarb curd.

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Baked Thick-Cut Bacon with Rhubarb Chutney

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Chutney is a versatile fruity condiment that adds another dimension to all kinds of dishes, like cheese, cured meats, and roast chicken or pork. When paired with bacon, it takes brunch to the next level.

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Rhubarb Pie

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Some fruit fillings might be a tad sweet for the crumble topping, but not this one that's all rhubarb.

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Rhubarb Salad with Goat Cheese

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Fast, delicious, and different, this simple salad combines roasted rhubarb with arugula, fennel, and walnuts in a light balsamic dressing.

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Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp

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Easier than pie and just as tasty (even tastier?) is this crisp. Our recipe calls for rhubarb and strawberries under a crunchy oat topping. Finish with fresh basil leaves.

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Poached Rhubarb with Elderflower Sabayon

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Simmer rhubarb with water, sugar, vanilla bean, and lemon zest until tender, then finish with a warm, frothy St-Germain-spiked sabayon.

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Vanilla-Rhubarb Tart

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This gorgeous tart calls for arranging short pieces of rhubarb in a herringbone pattern, but it would be just as delicious without the careful arrangement. The combination of tart rhubarb with fragrant vanilla bean is one we're going to try again and again.

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Chilled Rhubarb and Raspberry Soup

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So refreshing, this sweet-tart dessert soup takes rhubarb far from its usual pie-cake-crisp territory.

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Rhubarb Crumb Bars

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Going to the sweet—and buttery—side, these streusel bars are an irresistible teatime treat.

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Rhubarb Custards

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Another classic pairing for rhubarb: Here, the plant's sweet-tart flavor shines through in a creamy custard. Our recipe simplifies the technique—no water bath required—but doesn't compromise on taste.

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Rhubarb Compote

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Just three ingredients—rhubarb, sugar, and a little fresh ginger—create this compote that goes so well with yogurt, ice cream, pound cake, and lots more.

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Rhubarb-Buckwheat Scones

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For breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack, these glorious rhubarb scones are just the thing. A smidge of buckwheat flour added to the all-purpose flour makes them super flavorful. They're especially delicious when served with our pretty Strawberry Butter.

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Classic Rhubarb Fool with Farm-Fresh Cream

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This classic warm-weather English dessert is light and sweet with the contrasting tartness of rhubarb. And with only three ingredients—rhubarb, cream, and sugar—it is simplicity itself.

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36 Rhubarb Recipes That Will Inspire You to Use This Springtime Vegetable (2024)

FAQs

What fruits pair well with rhubarb? ›

Rhubarb flavor pairings:
  • any type of berries, but especially strawberries.
  • vanilla.
  • almond.
  • cardamom.
  • lemon.
  • apples.
  • mint.
  • ginger.
Jun 6, 2023

What can I do with a load of rhubarb? ›

Rhubarb is a truly special ingredient. With its vivid pink colour and distinctively tangy taste, it can be stewed, poached, roasted and puréed in a range of dishes as well as drinks. Use it in a comforting crumble, a classic syllabub, a fruity chutney or a zingy kebab sauce – the possibilities are endless.

What do people use rhubarb for? ›

You'll usually find rhubarb baked into sweets, like rhubarb crisp (topped with a brown sugar crumble), rhubarb pie, or rhubarb custard cake. It's great solo, but also plays well with sweeter fruits. In one classic pairing, strawberry-rhubarb pie, the sweet flavor of the fruit complements tart rhubarb.

Is rhubarb considered a fruit or a vegetable? ›

Rhubarb is a vegetable often thought to be a fruit. There's actually a good reason for this confusion: in 1947 the USDA classified it as a fruit because the tariffs on bringing fruits into the country were lower on fruits than vegetables. In actuality though, rhubarb is a vegetable - a member of the buckwheat family.

Is rhubarb good for your stomach? ›

Its root and underground stem are used in traditional Chinese medicine combinations. Rhubarb contains chemicals that might help heal cold sores and reduce swelling. Rhubarb also contains fiber, which might help reduce cholesterol levels and affect stomach conditions.

What can't you eat on rhubarb? ›

Rhubarb leaves contain a poison called oxalic acid, so should never be eaten – cut them off and discard. Maincrop rhubarb can sometimes have tough, stringy ribs, so after washing it, strip these off with a small, sharp knife and slice the stalk thinly or thickly as required.

Do coffee grounds help rhubarb? ›

Pests & Diseases

You may find that the leaves get damaged by slugs or small beetles. Break up and spread egg shells or some coffee grounds around the base of your rhubarb to keep the slugs at bay.

When not to use rhubarb? ›

When do you have to worry about rhubarb? Rhubarb in your garden that has frozen to the point where the stalks become damaged or mushy should be discarded. Check the leaves, too. If the stalks are firm and upright and the leaves have little damage, the rhubarb is OK.

Why do you put a bucket over rhubarb? ›

Earlier harvests of sweeter, tender, pale stalks can be produced by covering rhubarb plants with a forcing jar, tall bucket or dustbin in mid-winter, so the stems form in the dark. Choose an early variety, such as 'Timperley Early', and only use a strong, healthy plant.

How do you eat rhubarb as a vegetable? ›

(Note: Be sure to remove all the leaves, as they are poisonous.) Many suggest dipping the stalk in sugar or some other sweet, such as honey, maple syrup or agave nectar, to mellow its tartness a touch. Sprinkling diced rhubarb over yogurt or cereal is an option too.

Is rhubarb good for arthritis? ›

Our present study reveals that rhubarb highlights promising neuroprotective effect. Thus, the formulation may be a potential preventive or therapeutic candidate for the treatment of chronic inflammation and arthritis.

Is it OK to eat rhubarb every day? ›

The bottom line

Since it may be high in oxalate, you should avoid eating too much of it and try to select stalks from low-oxalate varieties. If you are prone to kidney stones, it might be best to avoid rhubarb altogether. On the bright side, rhubarb is a good source of antioxidants, vitamin K, and fiber.

Does rhubarb act as a laxative? ›

Rhubarb has been widely used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine since ancient times. Sennoside A and other dianthrone derivatives are reported to be the active ingredients causing rhubarb's laxative effect (6).

Can you eat raw rhubarb? ›

Typically, you would only eat the stalk of a rhubarb plant, which is safe to eat both raw and uncooked, according to Richter. The stalk contains no poisons, and you will normally not get sick eating it, though you'll likely want to sweeten or cook the stalk before eating it to make it more palatable.

Why do you put rhubarb in a pie? ›

You almost never see a strawberry pie on its own. There's no complexity. It's like a sugar bomb. Rhubarb, when mixed with strawberries, gives you that sourness to balance the sweetness and the complexity.

What flavors pair well with rhubarb? ›

While cinnamon may be a more common spice to pair with rhubarb, citrusy, herbal cardamon lends a warm, citrusy note to a dish. A big pinch of ground cardamom can be added to any cake, pie, or compote, or you can simply add a little to the whipped cream you'll be topping your rhubarb dessert with.

What brings out the Flavour of rhubarb? ›

Rhubarb and lavender is your new favorite summer pairing pie

However, lavender is a great ingredient to give your desserts a seasonal flair each summer. It has a strong, delightful flavor making it a great counterpart to rhubarb. It keeps the rhubarb's flavor in check, making sure it doesn't overpower the entire dish.

Do strawberries grow well with rhubarb? ›

Strawberries and rhubarb are just as good together in the garden as they are in the kitchen: They're harvested at the same time and don't compete for nutrients or space. As a living mulch, strawberries also act as ground cover for rhubarb, tamping down weeds.

Why are strawberries and rhubarb paired together? ›

Rhubarb, when mixed with strawberries, gives you that sourness to balance the sweetness and the complexity.

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