Our Best Rhubarb Recipes For Spring
Photo, Erik Putz.
Spring is truly here when those signature pink stalks hit the grocery aisles. Get the most out of the short rhubarb season by starting early, preserving the extras (read more on how to freeze rhubarb below) and making as many tasty desserts and savoury mains featuring this spring vegetable as possible (yes, it's a vegetable, even though it's often used like a fruit). Get inspired with our favourite rhubarb recipes, and read more about rhubarb here, including how to store it:
Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake
Why hide that glorious colour under piles of pastry? Turn dessert upside down so the ruby rhubarb crowns an easy butter cake instead. Get this rhubarb upside-down cake recipe.
Vegan Strawberry-Rhubarb Oat Squares
With an irresistible oat crust and fruity, vibrant centre, these plant-based bars are a sure sign of summer. Get this vegan strawberry-rhubarb oat squares recipe.
No-Churn Rhubarb White Chocolate Ice Cream
A touch of lemon and swirls of rhubarb balance the sweetness of the white chocolate. Get our no-churn rhubarb white chocolate ice cream recipe.
Strawberry-Rhubarb Sangria
When the sun shines bright, it's time for a little sangria action. This one is spiked with fruity rhubarb and strawberries. Get this strawberry-rhubarb sangria recipe.
Rhubarb And Clementine Eton Mess
Eton mess—kind of a cross between trifle and pavlova—makes the perfect sweet-tart-creamy-crunchy ending to a festive meal. Both the meringues and the saucy fruit can be made days ahead, so all you need to do is whip your cream and assemble your mess—either in individual bowls or glasses or on a platter, family-style—when you’re ready for it. This image is made with cranberry, but you can sub in fresh or frozen rhubarb to delicious effect. Get our rhubarb and clementine Eton mess recipe.
Spring Rhubarb Salad
A fresh and easy salad packed with colour for the season. Get this spring rhubarb salad recipe.
Strawberry Rhubarb Tiramisu
We borrowed from the decadent layers of cream and liqueur-soaked cookies that make up the classic Italian tiramisu. And our pièce de rèsistance is the layers of ruby-red berry and rhubarb sauce. Get our strawberry rhubarb tiramisu recipe.
Roasted Vanilla And Rosemary Rhubarb With Sugared Pistachios
You know that spring has arrived when rhubarb starts popping up at the market or in your garden patch. This easy dessert from recipe developer Haley Polinsky, with its heady vanilla and rosemary bite, is a show-stopping way to celebrate it. Get this roasted rhubarb recipe.
Pink Rhubarb-Lemon Syrup
Make a delicious, fresh pop with this syrup and soda water. (Or add some gin for a more adult beverage.) Plus, variations for homemade ginger ale; lemon-mint; and cream soda syrups. Get this pink rhubarb-lemon syrup recipe.
Strawberry Rhubarb Rose Tahini Crumble
"We’re using the classic spring/summer combo of strawberries and rhubarb and taming any tartness with the subtlest hint of rose. (I promise we’re not going for potpourri here.) And because we’re adding tahini to the topping, you get this crispy, buttery, cookie-like crumble that you could actually just bake off as cookies instead. If that is not perfection, I really don’t know what is." Get Eden Grinshpan's strawberry-rhubarb rose tahini crumble recipe.
Lattice-Topped Rhubarb Pie
Delight your taste buds with a recipe (shown at the top of this post!) that makes spring’s first produce the star of the show. Plus, our step-by-step instructions make it easy to make a beautiful pie, even if it's your first time. Get this lattice-topped rhubarb pie recipe.
Rhubarb Barbecue Sauce
It’s a salad dressing, a pizza sauce and an easy way to spice up shredded chicken or veggies—barbecue sauce is a star condiment worth making yourself. Our version turns fresh rhubarb into something sweet, sour and savoury. Get our rhubarb barbecue sauce recipe.
Creamy Rhubarb Potato Salad
If you're breaking out your grill this spring, complement your BBQed meat with a classic potato salad studded with crunchy rhubarb and gherkins. Hot tip: to get flavour-packed potatoes, mix them with the dressing while they’re piping hot. Get this creamy rhubarb potato salad recipe.
Rhubarb-Apple Crisp
Rhubarb-apple crisp is the spring version of your favourite fall recipe. Get this rhubarb-apple crisp recipe.
Rhubarb-Vanilla Mille Feuille
Rhubarb adds a pop of colour to this classic French dessert that only needs 5 ingredients. Get this rhubarb-vanilla mille feuille recipe.
Rhubarb-Buttermilk Tea Cake
Crunchy pecans and tangy rhubarb make this moist banana bread alternative addictively good. Get this rhubarb-buttermilk tea cake recipe.
Rhubarb Coffee Cake
Rhubarb coffee cake with a streusel topping is a tasty spring treat. Get this rhubarb coffee cake recipe.
Classic Rhubarb Custard Pie
Rhubarb is the star of the show in this classic custard pie. Get this classic rhubarb custard pie recipe.
Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie
A sweet and savoury pie that will leave you wanting more. Get this strawberry-rhubarb pie recipe.
Strawberry-Rhubarb Sangria Jellies
The perfect party-starter! Hand these cute sangria jellies out at your next barbecue for a fun and fizzy cocktail option. Get this strawberry-rhubarb sangria jellies recipe.
Rhubarb Muffins
We’ve never been more excited to break out the muffin tin. Get this rhubarb muffin recipe.
Stewed Rhubarb
Laced with real vanilla and cooked with sugar to a syrupy finish, this soft and sweet rhubarb is incredibly quick to make. Serve over ice cream or with a dollop of whipped cream. Get this stewed rhubarb recipe.
Rhubarb Hand Pies
These golden mini pies have sugary sparkle on the outside, and fruity filling on the inside. Kitchen Tip: It’s best to make the rhubarb filling just before making the hand pies, to prevent the rhubarb from watering out. Get this rhubarb hand pies recipe.
Rhubarb Cranachan
Our take on a traditional Scottish dessert! Whipped cream, whiskey, poached rhubarb and a sweet crispy oat topping make this cranachan irresistible. Get this rhubarb cranachan recipe.
Rhubarb Crisp
A golden crunch on top, and sweet-tart rhubarb perfection on the bottom. Serve with vanilla ice cream. Get this rhubarb crisp recipe.
Buttermilk Pannacotta With Poached Rhubarb
This Italian-inspired spring treat is the silkiest, sweetest spring dessert (watch out—you’ll be making it again and again). Get this buttermilk pannacotta with poached rhubarb recipe.
Spring Salad With Rhubarb Vinaigrette
Delight your taste buds with a fresh salad, topped with a vinaigrette that adds a sweet-tart kick. Get this spring salad with rhubarb vinaigrette recipe.
Raspberry-Rhubarb Compote
Serve this compote over yogurt at breakfast, or over a cream scoop of vanilla ice cream after dinner. Get this raspberry-rhubarb compote recipe.
Crispy Duck With Tangy Rhubarb Sauce
A sweet-and-tangy sauce tops juicy duck breast for a perfect melding of flavours. Serve with ginger and garlic beans and wild rice pilaf. Get this crispy duck with tangy rhubarb sauce recipe.
Rhubarb Curd
This genius idea was inspired by lemon curd—just sub in rhubarb. Spread it on pancakes, top on oatmeal, spoon it into little meringues, fold it into whipped cream—or eat it from the jar. Get this rhubarb curd recipe.
Strawberry-Rhubarb Granita
Whip up this Mediterranean frozen-fruit dessert, like a sorbet, only with a more crystalline texture. Get this strawberry-rhubarb granita recipe.
Rhubarb Sour
This rosy sipper brings rhubarb’s kick to any happy hour. Get this rhubarb sour recipe.
Pickled Rhubarb
A savoury alternative that will leave you tickled pink. Delicious served with roast chicken or fish. It’s also perfect for cheese boards. Get this pickled rhubarb recipe.
Raspberry-Rhubarb Pavlova Cupcakes
Another afternoon tea favourite, these pretty cupcakes are as delicious as they are delightful. Get this raspberry-rhubarb pavlova cupcakes recipe.
Rhubarb Semifreddo
The classic combo of strawberries and rhubarb gets an Italian twist of citrus, for a cool and refreshing dessert you’ll be making well into summer. Get this rhubarb semifreddo recipe.
Roasted Halibut With Rhubarb-Bacon Jam
Roasted asparagus and a savoury rhubarb sauce make dinner a quick, healthy and colourful ode to spring. Get this roasted halibut with rhubarb-bacon jam recipe.
Rhubarb Spritz
Sparkling wine and fresh rhubarb juice are a terrific combo. A touch of sugar rounds out the tart taste. Get our rhubarb spritz recipe.
Spring Rhubarb Berry Tarts
Start with a package of frozen puff pastry and we guarantee you'll have flaky party tarts, even if you've never tackled a pie before. Get our spring rhubarb berry tarts recipe.
Things To Know About Rhubarb
Don't Eat Rhubarb Leaves
Safety alert! Rhubarb leaves are high in oxalic acid, which can be poisonous. Simply chop them off, discard and the rest of the stalk is then ready to use.
How to Freeze Rhubarb
If you're lucky enough to have rhubarb growing in your garden, chances are you have more rhubarb than you can use. Thankfully, frozen rhubarb will keep well for up to a year. To freeze, discard the leaves, chop stalks into 1-inch pieces and fill zip-top bags with 2 cup portions (easier for future use).
Watch: How To Make Stewed Rhubarb (Also Known As Poached Rhubarb)
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