Rhubarb stalks are tart and crunchy, giving this fruit-like vegetable a versatile appeal. Most commonly eaten in sweet desserts, it works well with lots of sugar. Good for both sweet and savoury dishes, rhubarb is a go-to ingredient at this time of year. You can find rhubarb in most grocery stores and farmers’ markets, but if you grow your own, be careful to avoid the leaves as their high levels of oxalic acid make them highly toxic. If you’re a fan of this tasty plant, here are 45 rhubarb recipes for every occasion!
4 Health Benefits of Rhubarb
1. Good Source of Fibre
Rhubarb has a good amount of fibre, which is great for your digestive health and it can lower blood cholesterol levels too. Fibre also helps prevent constipation, helping your system move more smoothly. Although rhubarb contributes to healthy bowel movements, it can also have a laxative effect in larger quantities, so consume it in moderation.
2. Bone and Heart Health
Rhubarb is also high in vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting, strong bones and maintaining heart health. It positively affects bone mineral density and decreases fracture risk. Rhubarb also has a good dose of calcium, which like vitamin K, supports bone and tooth health, and blood clotting.
3. Aids with Weight Loss
Rhubarb is a super low calorie food. That, mixed with its ability to lower bad cholesterol makes it great for weight loss. It also contains catechins, which are known to boost metabolism, helping you burn body fat.
4. Anti-Cancer Benefits
Rhubarb contains anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid found in foods like berries, red onions, red grapes and black plums. Anthocyanins are antioxidants that play a role in cancer-preventative cell signalling. They have protective effects on blood vessels and blood pressure, offering substantial anti-cancer benefits.
4 Ways to Cook with Rhubarb
1. Use It In Pies, Crumbles and Crisps
Rhubarb works wonderfully in pies, crumbles and crisps because it needs all the sugar it can get. If you’ve never cooked with rhubarb before, note that the leaves are toxic, but you can prep the stalks the same way as celery. Give them a good wash, cut off both ends and slice them. A common issue with rhubarb pie is it can get quite mushy and messy. Try adding instant tapioca or cornstarch into the mix to combat the soupiness.
2. Create a Jam
Rhubarb jam is super simple to make and it’s perfect for your morning sourdough toast, on top of a muffin or baked onto brie. All you have to do is combine rhubarb with sugar, orange zest, orange juice and water, then cook over medium-low heat for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until thick. It will thicken more as it cools. Spoon into mason jars and seal with lids and rings. Store in the refrigerator until needed.
4. Make a Sauce
Rhubarb sauce can be used on ice cream, pancakes, waffles, yogurt parfaits or pound cake. All you need is rhubarb, sugar, water, lemon zest and ground nutmeg. In a small saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil. Add rhubarb and cook and stir until it’s tender and the mixture is slightly thickened (about 10-15 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in lemon zest and nutmeg. Serve warm or chilled.
5. Bake It Into Muffins or a Cake
It’s very easy to bake rhubarb into muffins and cakes. All you have to do is chop up your rhubarb and place it into the batter once it’s combined. Once baked, it’s delicious served with vanilla ice cream or real whipped cream.
15 Easy Rhubarb Recipes
1. Rhubarb Crisp | Spend with Pennies
2. Easy Rhubarb Breakfast Cake | The View From Great Island
3. Easy Stewed Rhubarb | A Pretty Life
4. Rhubarb Dream Bars | Kitchn
5. Rhubarb Crunch | Chocolate with Grace
6. Easy Rhubarb Cake | Happy Hooligans
7. Rhubarb Brown Sugar Cobbler | Olive Magazine
8. Rhubarb Crisp (Without Oats) | Foodess
9. Rhubarb Jam | Delish
10. Rhubarb and Ginger Cake | Olive Magazine
11. Cardamom Panna Cotta with Rhubarb | Leite’s Culinaria
12. Rosy Rhubarb Smoothie | All Recipes
13. Raspberry Rhubarb Waffle Topper | Better Homes and Gardens
14. Pink Rhubarb Shortcakes | Olive Magazine
15. Steel-Cut Oats with Rhubarb Applesauce | Leite’s Culinaria
15 Healthy Rhubarb Recipes
1. Healthy Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp | Choosing Chia
2. Low Sugar Strawberry Rhubarb Crunch | All Recipes
3. Spring Essence Soup with Rhubarb | Taste of Home
4. Quinoa Rhubarb Muffins with Pistachios | Cooking Light
5. Grilled Chicken with Spicy Rhubarb-BQ Sauce | My Recipes
6. Rhubarb Chia Pudding | Occasionally Eggs
7. Chilled Strawberry Rhubarb Soup | Eating Well
8. Rhubarb Oat Muffins | Hostess At Heart
9. Strawberry Rhubarb Ice Pops | Taste of Home
10. Late Spring Salad with Roasted Rhubarb | Occasionally Eggs
11. Roast Pork with Sweet Onion Rhubarb Sauce | Eating Well
12. Healthy Rhubarb Banana Bread | Kim’s Cravings
13. Baked Salmon with Rhubarb | Feasting a Home
14. Rhubarb, Ginger and Saffron Baked Chicken | Eating Well
15. Rhubarb Recipes with Radish Greens | Food N Heel
15 Strawberry Rhubarb Recipes
1. Vegan Strawberry Rhubarb Oat Squares | Chatelaine
2. Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp | Kitchn
3. Strawberry Rhubarb Pie | Better Homes and Gardens
4. Fresh Strawberry Rhubarb Parfaits | Better Homes and Gardens
5. Rhubarb Strawberry Smoothie | She Wears Many Hats
6. Strawberry Rhubarb Ice Cream | My Recipes
7. Strawberry Rhubarb Fruit Bars | Eating Well
8. Strawberry Rhubarb Salsa | Better Homes and Gardens
9. Strawberry Rhubarb Squares | Eating Well
10. Strawberry Rhubarb Blondies | Tastes of Lizzy T
11. Strawberry Rhubarb Sundaes | Martha Stewart
12. Strawberry Rhubarb Galette | Eating Well
13. Rye Shortcakes with Roasted Strawberries and Rhubarb | Food52
14. Strawberry Rhubarb Baked French Toast | Two Peas and Their Pod
15. Supremely Simple Strawberry and Rhubarb Tart | Sweet Paul
Rhubarb is a delicious plant with lots of health benefits. Cook it into your favourite desserts, or use it as a spread or jam to complement your favourite baked treats.