Rhubarb Recipes (Bake, Cook, Preserve)

Rhubarb is one of the best spring ingredients for baking, cooking, and preserving. You can use it for cakes, pies, crumbles, jams, desserts, and even savory dishes like curries or soup.

This collection includes simple rhubarb recipes ranging from traditional European bakes to jams, preserves, and savory meals. You will also find practical tips on storing, freezing, and preparing fresh rhubarb.

If you are looking for an easy, everyday bake, try this popular Rhubarb Crumb Cake or the soft Rhubarb Blackberry Loaf Cake.

What is rhubarb?

Rhubarb is a herbaceous perennial plant that grows well in cooler climates. It became especially popular in England, Germany, and Scandinavia, where it is often used for spring baking and preserves.

The stalks can be green, pink, or red depending on the variety. Garden rhubarb is often greener, while supermarket rhubarb is usually more pink or red.

Although rhubarb is commonly used like fruit in desserts and cakes, it is technically a vegetable.

Rhubarb season

Rhubarb season usually starts in April and lasts until the end of June, depending on where you live.

Fresh rhubarb is widely used during spring and early summer for cakes, pies, compotes, jams, and traditional home cooking.

How to prepare rhubarb

Discard the leaves and trim the root ends.

Wash the stalks well under running water and pat them dry. Chop them as needed for your recipe. If the stalks are very thick, halve them lengthwise first.

Peeling is usually unnecessary unless the stalks are very large or damaged.

How to store it?

Store whole stalks in the refrigerator crisper drawer for several days.

Fridge: You can also chop the rhubarb first and keep it in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freeze: For longer storage, freeze chopped rhubarb in freezer bags or containers.

For detailed instructions, see: Canning Rhubarb and Freezing Rhubarb.

Rhubarb preserves and drinks

Rhubarb is excellent for jams, fruit butters, syrups, and drinks. Its tart flavor pairs especially well with strawberries, oranges, ginger, raspberries, and apples.

Jams and Preserves

• Rhubarb Butter - perfect for a glut of rhubarb.
• Rhubarb Raspberry Jam
• Blueberry Rhubarb Jam
• Sugar-Free Rhubarb Jam
• Strawberry Rhubarb Jam (No Pectin)
• Rhubarb and Orange Jam

Drinks

• Rhubarb and Ginger Gin
• Rhubarb Syrup - Serve with sparkling water or add it to other drinks, like sparkling wine, gin, vodka, and so on.

Savory Rhubarb Recipes

Rhubarb is not only for desserts. In many parts of Europe and the Middle East, it is also used in savory cooking for soups, curries, stews, and meat dishes.

Its tart flavor works especially well with chicken, fish, and warm spices.

• Rhubarb Soup
• Rhubarb Chicken Curry
• Sweet and Sour Rhubarb Fish Curry
• Rhubarb Chicken

Rhubarb cakes and bakes

Rhubarb is especially popular in spring baking across Germany and other parts of Central and Northern Europe. It works well in loaf cakes, yeast cakes, tarts, and crumb cakes.

• Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake
• Rhubarb Meringue Cake
• Rhubarb Crumb Cake
• German Rhubarb Meringue Pie
• Rhubarb Blueberry Tart
• Rhubarb Blackberry Loaf Cake
• Rhubarb Crumble Tart with Strawberries
• Rhubarb and Ginger Cake
• Rhubarb Banana Bread

Rhubarb Desserts

Rhubarb pairs beautifully with apples, strawberries, vanilla, custard, oats, and cream. These simple desserts are perfect during rhubarb season.

• Rhubarb and Strawberry Ice Cream
• Baked Rhubarb Custard
• Apple and Rhubarb Crumble
• Rhubarb Crisp with Apples and Oatmeal
• Stewed Rhubarb and Apples

If you love rhubarb as much as we do, try some of these recipes while the season lasts. From simple cakes and preserves to savory dishes and traditional bakes, rhubarb is one of the most versatile spring ingredients for home cooking and baking.