The Best-Ever Rhubarb Recipes
We’ve gathered the best rhubarb recipes from chefs and our experts, the CA GROWN Creators, so you’ll have the tools to celebrate spring deliciously. Since rhubarb season is short, you’ll want to make the most of it!
From standard strawberry-rhubarb to some tasty combinations you might not expect, these rhubarb recipes will make anyone a fan! Plus, we’re sharing the rhubarb facts you need to know.
What is rhubarb? Is rhubarb a fruit?
Botanically, rhubarb is a vegetable related to buckwheat, but it is considered a fruit. That’s mostly because it’s found most often in desserts and sweet treats, but also because of the great rhubarb controversy in 1947 which ended in a court case declaring it a fruit. The stalks are most often red or pink, although some varieties are totally green when ripe.
Is rhubarb safe to eat?
The rhubarb stalk is safe for human consumption, both raw and cooked. Rhubarb leaves contain a high content of oxalic acid, which can be poisonous. That’s why you’ll most often see rhubarb sold with the leaves removed. (The photo here from our friend Irvin Lin shows the edible part of the plant.)
Where does rhubarb grow?
In the U.S., rhubarb grows predominately in California, Washington, Michigan. It can be found in farmers markets from March through July, depending upon weather and other growing conditions. Rhubarb is usually more widely available, and found in grocers nationwide, in April and May. California also grows lots of berries, so check out our list of best berry recipes too!
Now, Let’s Start with the Food: First, Strawberry Rhubarb Recipes!
Strawberries are the fruit most often paired with rhubarb. Since California provides almost 90% of the nation’s strawberries, we’re big fans of the pair. Here are the best strawberry rhubarb recipes we’ve found!
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
This classic strawberry rhubarb pie is one of Irvin of Eat the Love’s go-to favorites. A touch of balsamic vinegar in the filling adds deep richness and brightens the flavor with a touch of acidity.
Try his Strawberry Rhubarb Syrup too!
Delicious Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp Recipe
A recipe for Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp from our friend Rachel Dunston on G-Free Foodie makes the best of rhubarb season, pairing the sweet-tart filling with a buttery crisp topping.
Strawberry-Rhubarb Fool
This simple, delicious, and beautiful Strawberry Rhubarb Fool recipe from Pinch My Salt contains a tasty Strawberry-Rhubarb Compote that goes with almost everything.
Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake
This Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake is light and tender, topped with jammy sweet strawberries & tart rhubarb, with a crumbly, ginger streusel topping from Baking the Goods.
Strawberry Rhubarb Paletas
Hola Jalapeno‘s recipe for Strawberry Rhubarb Paletas takes the ultimate spring-summer combo and turns it into one of the most delicious popsicles out there—the prettiest color too!
Strawberry Rhubarb Tarts
Bakes by Brown Sugar‘s Strawberry Rhubarb Tarts are full of strawberry rhubarb curd, a delicious combination of sweet and tart that pairs perfectly with the cinnamon tart shell.
Rhubarb Rose & Strawberry Pistachio Galettes
These Rhubarb Rose & Strawberry Pistachio Galettes from Baking the Goods take standard strawberry rhubarb up a notch. Hand formed rhubarb ribbon roses, sweet and jammy strawberries and a flaky, colorful pistachio crust make these galettes dressed to impress and delicious too.
Rhubarb Recipes with Other Fruits:
These rhubarb recipes for sweet treats and drinks offer something beyond strawberry, but still lots of fruity flavor. From other berries to tart citrus, these recipes for rhubarb and fresh fruit are a hit.
Upside Down Peach Rhubarb Polenta Cake
A twist on the classic, this Upside Down Peach Rhubarb Polenta Cake recipe from Salt & Wind is a must-make in the early spring.
Blueberry Rhubarb Pie (aka Bluebarb Pie)
Eat the Love‘s blueberry rhubarb pie recipe combines earthy sweet blueberry with the mellow sour tartness of rhubarb. It’s an awesome spring or early summer pie.
Rye Crepes with Rhubarb Raspberry Ginger Compote
These Rye Crepes with Rhubarb Raspberry Ginger Compote by Baking the Goods feature paper thin, lacy edged, sweet & nutty crepes, stuffed with a jammy and vibrantly flavored compote.
Rhubarb Meyer Lemon Cake
This fluffy Rhubarb Meyer Lemon Cake from Eat the Love boasts a swirl of tart rhubarb with a hibiscus boost, making it the perfect springtime cake for afternoon coffee or tea.
Raspberry Rhubarb Pink Peppercorn Hand Pies
Raspberry Rhubarb Pink Peppercorn Hand Pies from Baking the Goods are a balanced mix of tart & tangy, spicy sweetness wrapped in a buttery crust that is covered in pretty pink glaze.
Pink Rhubarb Lemonade
This pale pink Rhubarb Lemonade by Hola Jalapeno is perfect for summer and requires no lemon squeezing. The lemons get blended, rind and all, for a sweet and tart drink to beat the heat.
Her Rhubarb Aqua Fresca is delicious too!
Rhubarb Berry Slab Pie
Irvin of Eat the Love makes the crust of his Rhubarb Berry Slab Pie with oats, which has that whole grain goodness that goes so well with a blend of rhubarb, blueberries and strawberries. Irvin really is the king of rhubarb recipes!
Ginger Rhubarb Bee’s Knees
Ginger Rhubarb Bee’s Knees is a zingy and refreshing gin cocktail recipe with rhubarb from Bojon Gourmet.
Solo Rhubarb Recipes, Where Rhubarb is the Star!
What more does rhubarb need? These recipes for rhubarb make the most of the superstar fruit.
Rhubarb Ice Cream a Frozen Rhubarb Recipe!
Bakes by Brown Sugar‘s creamy and tart Rhubarb Ice Cream is full of delicious rhubarb flavor. It’s an absolutely tart and refreshing treat.
Rhubarb Cake with Almond Flour
Bojon Gourmet‘s gluten-free rhubarb cake is super moist and easy to make with almond flour and olive oil. It’s light, springy, and not-too-sweet.
Roasted Rhubarb with Red Wine and Spices
One of the simplest rhubarb recipes from Sunset Magazine gets an exotic touch from star anise, a licorice-y seasoning common in Vietnamese cooking.
Rhubarb Hand Pies
These flaky hand pies from Bakes by Brown Sugar are simply delicious! The buttery, flaky pie dough is full of creamy mascarpone and a sweet tangy rhubarb compote.
and maybe the most basic of rhubarb recipes: Rhubarb Curd!
The most basic of rhubarb recipes is also the one you might love best: Bakes by Brown Sugar‘s Rhubarb Curd. It’s sure to please rhubarb fans!
