These rhubarb recipes celebrate the begin of summer with a mix of sweet and savoury.
This year I decided to explore rhubarb. In the past I’ve never looked forward to rhubarb season, mostly because nearly all the recipes are desserts.
And I don’t get excited about dessert.
So this year I asked fellow cooks to share their favourite rhubarb recipes and I also explored a few of my own.
The most successful was an experiment of sorts.
I’ve already posted about pickled green strawberries and pickled blueberries. But I wasn’t quite sure how that would work with rhubarb, which is already tart.
Turns out that rhubarb + spice + pickling is delicious so I’ve included the recipe below.
It has inspired me to pickle more this summer.
How to Buy Rhubarb
As an ingredient rhubarb seems intimidating. Rhubarb looks like swiss chard or celery. It is very tart and should not be eaten raw.
And rhubarb is almost always paired with another fruit, like strawberries.
While I love strawberries I think the flavour of rhubarb is just as lovely on its own.
Instinctively we think that bright pink or ruby red rhubarb is the sweetest. However, colour is not an indicator of how sweet or tart rhubarb can be.
In fact, the common Victorian variety of rhubarb which is pale green and pink is usually the sweetest. If you’re at a farmer’s market it’s best to ask.
Cooking with Rhubarb
To prepare for most recipes simply cut off the top, leaves and bottom section that is close to the root.
You want to buy fresh rhubarb that isn’t too stringy.
Although if you find that it is stringy simply use a peeler to take off the top layer.
Freezing Rhubarb
Yes if you’re planning to cook with rhubarb you can freeze it and use it for later.
Simply cut it into smaller stalks, freeze individually on a tray so they don’t stick together and then throw in a freezer bag.
My only tip is to either weigh or measure the rhubarb in advance so you know how much you have for a recipe later on.
When you defrost the rhubarb it becomes a bit mushy, which isn’t an issue when cooking but it will throw off your measurements in the recipe.
So plan ahead…I learned that the hard way.
RHUBARB RECIPES
The perfect mix of tart and sweet these rhubarb recipes are a great way to kick off summer.
This rhubarb syrup is easy to make, with a great balance of tart and sweet to mix with sparkling water, on dessert or to make cocktails.
No canning needed for this pickled rhubarb recipe. These quick fridge pickles pack a punch and are spicy, tart and sweet.
Without a doubt one of my favourite rhubarb recipes.
This Norwegian rhubarb soup is an easy cold rhubarb dessert and its tart but sweet taste will become a quick favourite.
One of my favourite rhubarb recipes, this is an easy way to create a syrup by macerating in sugar and then mixing with vinegar. No cooking needed.
This cherry rhubarb crisp features fresh cherries, tart rhubarb, and a spiced oatmeal crisp topping. It's such an easy dessert for spring!
Rhubarb cheesecake is the best way to enjoy rhubarb! Sweet, creamy, and packed with rhubarb, it’s a delicious dessert you’ll make over and over.
Rhubarb cheesecake is the best way to enjoy rhubarb!
Sweet, creamy, and packed with rhubarb, it’s a delicious dessert you’ll make over and over.
This rhubarb orange upside-down cake is as fun to make as it is to eat!
Enjoy with a scoop (or two) of your favourite ice-cream for one delicious treat.
Rhubarb Eton Mess is a lightened-up spin on the British classic.
It features tangy rhubarb compote and crumbled brown sugar meringue, all mixed together with a Greek yogurt whipped cream to make one glorious, messy dessert.
This recipe is a healthy and unique twist on classic strawberry rhubarb combos.
Enjoy these oatmeal muffins for breakfast, as a snack, or topped with cream cheese for dessert!
Rhubarb is commonly found in desserts but did you know it's got savoury applications too?
Find out for yourself by making this chicken with rhubarb sauce!
This strawberry rhubarb pie is the picture of summer!
Homemade flaky buttery crust filled with strawberries and rhubarb with hints of lemon zest and cardamom.
Rhubarb fool is a classic British dessert that’s an easy delight you need to try.
Light, creamy, tart and flavorful, it shows rhubarb off at it’s finest.
Cobbler is great and this Rhubarb Cobbler Recipe is the best!
Serve it up with a dish of ice cream for warm weather bliss.
Rhubarb is low carb! That’s a great news for all of you on keto diet.
With this recipe for rhubarb cheesecake you can enjoy in rhubarb dessert even if you’re on keto!
Say hello to your new favourite treat! Rhubarb curd is like eating rhubarb custard bars without the bar.
Use it on toast, scones, ice cream, or anywhere else you like!
The ultimate summer pie—Blueberry Rhubarb Pie!
With a sweet and tart filling and a perfectly flaky crust, this pie is a hit!
Serve up this refreshing strawberry and rhubarb sorbet for an impressive chilled dessert.
This colorful treat is particularly popular during the summer months, but the combination of sweet and sour hits the spot all year around.
Never say no to cake! Especially if it's something as beautiful and light like this rhubarb cake.
Perfect for warm weather.
Easy and healthy salad idea with fresh produce.
Sweet and sour taste.
Many recipes are easy to make low carb, and these Rhubarb dream bars are no exception.
The sugar free rhubarb and custard filling over a buttery almond flour crust makes your rhubarb dreams come true.
A delicious, light, summer dessert - meringue roulade with rhubarb, strawberries and mascarpone cheese.
This Pennsylvania Dutch pie recipe combines tangy rhubarb with a sweet custard filling under a fluffy meringue topping.
Savoury rhubarb salsa is a fun twist on the classic. Crisp rhubarb paired with cilantro is a healthy and fun tortilla dip!
This recipe is a unique Japanese way to use rhubarb. Making umeboshi pickled plum takes time and effort.
Using Rhubarb to make mock Umeboshi makes it easy and surprisingly similar.
Rhubarb jam is all the craze this season. It's easily prepared from scratch with 3 ingredients.
Make it and enjoy rhubarb in the months to come.
Strawberry rhubarb coffee cake is a wonderfully rich, moist take on classic coffee cake.
It is made with sour cream, a ribbon of strawberry rhubarb filling, and plenty of cinnamon streusel on top.
It's great for breakfast or brunch and makes a wonderful dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!
Delicious rhubarb scones are perfect for a brunch or even just a snack.
Packed full of sweet, tart rhubarb, this easy scone recipe will become a family favourite!
My low carb rich, creamy vanilla ice cream swirled with sweet, tart, tangy strawberry rhubarb sauce is the perfect summer treat for the carb-conscious rhubarb lover.
Soft, chewy strawberry rhubarb bars with a not overly sweet strawberry filling atop a buttery oat shortbread crust and topped with an amazing crumb topping.
Easy to make gluten free!