How to Use Rhubarb—And 15 Recipes to Try That Aren’t Pie

It’s official, rhubarb is in season! Which means it’s time to place this tart, stalky, usually ignored ingredient to make use of. And I’m speaking about extra than simply making it the star of a strawberry-rhubarb pie. However what does one do with this red-tinted, celery-esque plant? In the event you’re like me, you would possibly want a nudge in the best path to determine precisely how you can use rhubarb.

Once I take into consideration rhubarb, my thoughts goes straight to The Nice British Baking Present. In the event you haven’t binged the present (but), think about a day spent baking together with your grandmother within the breezy English countryside, utilizing among the UK’s favourite kitchen staples. I’m speaking sticky toffee pudding, lemon drizzle truffles, mincemeat pies, plus loads of trifles. And, the contestants of the world’s most peaceable competitors love to make use of one fruit, er, vegetable particularly: rhubarb.

As everyone knows, rhubarb finds its method into lots of desserts—usually sharing the stage with strawberries or ginger. However what you may not know is that it’s no coincidence that the spring fruit seems in these candy treats. Not solely is it the host of a wealth of nutritional vitamins and minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, nutritional vitamins C, Okay, and B, to call a number of), rhubarb is a extremely highly effective digestive assist. It’s no surprise we see it in so many pies and cobblers! Who knew the important thing to bettering intestine well being was hiding underneath a buttery, sugary crust.

How do you put together and prepare dinner rhubarb?

The cardinal rule of getting ready rhubarb is to first do away with its leaves. Whereas they give the impression of being much like rainbow chard leaves, rhubarb’s leafy greens include poisonous ranges of oxalic acid and will undoubtedly not be eaten. However don’t worry! The colourful veggie’s taste all comes from its reddish stalks. Give them a wash, chop off these dry ends, and your rhubarb is able to use.

When it comes to cooking, rhubarb is normally (however not all the time!) used as a fruit could be. It’s usually added to pies, sauces, muffins, truffles, jams, and crumbles. In all probability as a result of its tart taste is a pleasant stability for these candy desserts. However simply because these makes use of are extra conventional doesn’t imply rhubarb is restricted to desserts. In actual fact, rhubarb makes a terrific addition to meats, cocktails, and breakfast objects alike.

Do you must peel rhubarb earlier than you utilize it?

Nope! In actual fact, rhubarb is able to use as-is (with out the leaves, in fact) and the pores and skin really holds lots of coloration and taste that you just gained’t wish to miss. It could appear powerful on the surface, however rhubarb breaks down because it cooks to deliver that attractive crimson hue and tender consistency ahead.

How do you retailer recent rhubarb?

Go forward and trim these leaves everytime you deliver your rhubarb house, however depart the stalks entire. From there, you might have three choices for storage relying on while you plan to make use of it. Whether or not it’s inside a number of days, every week, or a month, we’re breaking down the totally different storage strategies.

For a Few Days: If you wish to retailer rhubarb for a number of days, you’ll be able to depart it on the counter. Unwrapped, room temperature stalks ought to final a couple of week. Wrapping the rhubarb can lure in undesirable moisture, so it’s in all probability higher to let your veggie dry out slightly than to threat mould progress. Yuck.

For a Week: Rhubarb ought to hold within the fridge for about three weeks. In actual fact, that is the optimum option to retailer the veggie. The one caveat right here is that, like many different greens, rhubarb ripens extra rapidly when it’s wrapped. However, it additionally advantages from the correct amount of humidity. So if yours is available in a plastic bag, poke some holes to strike that stability between moisture and freshness.

For a Month: If you wish to freeze your rhubarb to maintain for a month or extra, you might have a number of choices. In the event you don’t need the stalks to stay collectively, place them on a small baking sheet and pre-freeze for a few hours. It will hold moisture at bay and offer you particular person stems to seize and go with out thawing. If that sounds too time-consuming, place your stalks in hermetic containers or freezer luggage and toss them within the freezer. Easy as that! Take into account, rhubarb is finest from about April to June, so there’s no higher time to get your palms on some and get cooking!

Now that you know the way to select, prep, and retailer your rhubarb, let the baking start! Dive into these 15 scrumptious recipes that reply the oft-asked query: how you can use rhubarb.

Savory Rhubarb Recipes

Crispy Rhubarb Lemon Hen Bake from Cotter Crunch

Why We Love It: OK, I do know I simply stated to not peel rhubarb earlier than you utilize it, however this recipe really makes use of the shavings to deliver a crunchy topping to the roasted rooster. Go determine. The naked stalks are additionally utilized in a tasty marinade that caramelizes the rooster for a taste that’s unmatched. And the entire thing is one-pan, paleo-friendly, and gluten-free. It’s the little issues.

Hero Ingredient: Pearled onions are barely candy, which is a pleasant addition to the savory rooster and tangy rhubarb.

Get the recipe for Crispy Rhubarb Lemon Hen Bake.

Baked Salmon With Rhubarb from Feasting at House

Why We Love It: You’ll be able to prep and prepare dinner this scrumptious dish in half-hour or much less, and it’s hanging sufficient for date night time or a weeknight dinner alike. Thanks, rhubarb!

Hero Ingredient: Garlicky, lemony wilted chard makes essentially the most excellent sidekick for the salmon.

Get the recipe for Baked Salmon With Rhubarb.

Honey Roasted Rhubarb Energy Greens Salad from Cotter Crunch

Why We Love It: This colourful creation can undoubtedly be filed as a dynamic salad. It’s loaded with goodness from slivered carrots, goat cheese crumbles, sunflower seeds, and roasted rhubarb to ship it over the sting. Take pleasure in it as-is to maintain issues vegetarian, or prime with grilled rooster for a extra hearty meal.

Hero Ingredient: I’m undoubtedly a goat cheese fanatic, however the sunflower seeds right here win for the feel they bring about.

Get the recipe for Honey Roasted Rhubarb Energy Greens Salad.

Sea Bass With Rhubarb Slaw from Cook dinner With M&S

Why We Love It: One other sensible choice for date night time dinner, this sea bass with rhubarb slaw is completely mild and flavorful, making it nice for spring dinners. It’s additionally fast and easy to organize, so you may make it any night time of the week.

Hero Ingredient: Once more, walnuts deliver a pleasant crunch to the plate. And, to not point out, they’re oh-so-buttery.

Get the recipe for Sea Bass With Rhubarb Slaw.

Rhubarb Cocktail Recipes

Rhubarb Lemon Fizz Cocktail from Vindulge

Why We Love It: 4 elements and 5 minutes are all it takes to shake up this spritzy springtime sipper. It’s recent, enjoyable, and festive.

Hero Ingredient: Right here’s the place it will get attention-grabbing… rhubarb easy syrup is the fruity liquid sweetener you’ll need available all spring lengthy. It’s nice in cocktails, drizzled over yogurt or oatmeal, or combined into ice cream for a novel tackle the classics.

Get the recipe for Rhubarb Lemon Fizz Cocktail.

Blackberry Rhubarb Vodka Cocktail from Meals Duchess

Why We Love It: As if rhubarb easy syrup doesn’t sound interesting sufficient, this cocktail entails making a blackberry rhubarb syrup (yum!). As a complete, it’s refreshing, summery, and completely balanced.

Hero Ingredient: Slap your mint to get up these flavors and aromas. It’s important.

Get the recipe for Blackberry Rhubarb Vodka Cocktail.

Rhubarb Basil Cocktail from The Kitchn

Why We Love It: This cocktail combines the herbaceous taste of basil with the tartness of our new favourite spring vegetable. And bubbles to tie all of it collectively, in fact.

Hero Ingredient: Flippantly muddling the basil maximizes its taste.

Get the recipe for Rhubarb Basil Cocktail.

Rhubarb and Honey Pisco Bitter from Le Petit Eats

Why We Love It: This recipe begins with a rhubarb honey easy syrup and, for those who can imagine it, will get even higher from there. Shake it up with pisco, bitters, lime juice, and slightly egg white to create a wonderfully mild and flavorful cocktail that leaves room for a number of enjoyable garnishes.

Hero Ingredient: In the case of cocktails, nothing creates a extra elevated really feel than a frothy egg white topper. An additional, however important layer.

Get the recipe for Rhubarb and Honey Pisco Bitter.

Rhubarb and Elderflower Cocktail from Lena’s Kitchen

Why We Love It: Elderflower is a beautiful floral taste to come back throughout, particularly when it’s mixed with rhubarb easy syrup on this yummy bev. Straightforward to make and even simpler to take pleasure in, you’ll be sipping on this refreshing cocktail all spring and summer time lengthy.

Hero Ingredient: Sprinkle some elderflower blossoms over your glass for a floral garnish that’s lovely and uplifting—similar to spring!

Get the recipe for Rhubarb and Elderflower Cocktail.

Candy Rhubarb Recipes

In a single day Buckwheat Waffles With Roasted Rhubarb Compote

Why We Love It: In a single day yeasted waffles are an actual pleasure for quite a lot of causes. First, a lot of the work will get carried out the night time earlier than, so there’s minimal prep to be carried out whereas getting your morning espresso repair. That is important. And second, an in a single day batter makes a waffle that’s fluffier on the within and crispier on the surface, which is nearly excellent. Additionally, you’ll be able to freeze leftovers to pop within the toaster for these mornings the place the one factor in your thoughts is getting your espresso repair. Mondays, for instance.

Hero Ingredient: Buckwheat flour brings a nuttiness to those waffles that pairs nicely with the deliciously candy rhubarb compote. You too can go for savory, for those who desire, by topping your waffle with a poached egg, sautéed mushrooms and spinach, and/or caramelized onions and bell peppers. The world is your waffle.

Get the recipe for In a single day Buckwheat Waffles With Roasted Rhubarb Compote.

Strawberry Rhubarb Oatmeal Crisps

Why We Love It: One other breakfast/dessert hybrid, these yummy crisps are finest served straight from the oven with a dollop of whipped cream (or, dare I say, ice cream), and a cup of espresso. Take pleasure in at your individual threat—this one’s addicting.

Hero Ingredient: Roughly chopped almonds elevate the crumble topping by preserving their hearty crunch.

Get the recipe for Strawberry Rhubarb Oatmeal Crisps.

Gluten-Free Wholesome Rhubarb Muffins from Jar of Lemons

Why We Love It: Gluten-free, dairy-free, and completely scrumptious, these muffins are completely candy and easy to make for breakfast or a noon snack. With dates and bananas becoming a member of the combination, they’re wholesome sufficient to take pleasure in anytime. One other nice tip for this recipe is that you need to use recent or frozen rhubarb, so for those who adopted these freezing directions from earlier, you’re in luck! The time has come to place your frozen stalks to make use of.

Hero Ingredient: Almond butter provides the muffins a moist, creamy texture.

Get the recipe for Gluten-Free Wholesome Rhubarb Muffins.

Gluten-Free Creamy Oatmeal With Rhubarb & Ginger Preserves

Why We Love It: The oatmeal right here is fairly normal, however the true star is these rhubarb and ginger preserves. Not solely are they scrumptious, however they showcase two anti-inflammatory superfoods. Begin your day by beating the bloat.

Hero Ingredient: Ginger is aware of no bounds.

Get the recipe for Gluten-Free Creamy Oatmeal With Rhubarb & Ginger Preserves.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Bars from Minimalist Baker

Why We Love It: These more healthy treats are excellent for breakfast and dessert alike, with a crust that’s unbelievably indulgent. High that with a candy, tart rhubarb filling and crunchy oat crumble and also you’ve acquired a bar that you could munch on all through the day with none guilt. Professional tip: dollop slightly coconut whipped cream excessive to take issues to the subsequent stage.

Hero Ingredient: The crust right here is harking back to graham crackers in all the most effective methods.

Get the recipe for Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Bars.

Strawberry Rhubarb Chia In a single day Oat Parfaits from Love & Lemons

Why We Love It: Once more, in a single day oats are a morning hero. They do all of the be just right for you! All you must do is put together them upfront and get up to a wholesome breakfast made only for you. The oats by themselves are delish, however including a handful of granola brings in a very nice crunch.

Hero Ingredient: Strawberry rhubarb chia jam is the candy, tart, and all-around tasty topping you’ve (in all probability) been lacking. The recipe makes about two cups, so you need to use it to prime your morning oatmeal, as a sub for peanut butter on this yogurt toast, or on a yummy stack of pancakes. The chances are actually infinite.

Get the recipe for Strawberry Rhubarb Chia In a single day Oat Parfaits.

What are your favourite methods to make use of rhubarb? Tell us within the feedback!