Rhubarb is one of the most versatile spring and early summer ingredients. Its signature tart flavor pairs beautifully with sweet fruits, warm spices, creamy desserts, and even savory dishes. Whether you’re harvesting fresh rhubarb from your garden or picking up a bundle from the farmers market, these recipes will help you transform those ruby-red stalks into memorable meals and desserts.
In this first part, you’ll discover the first 10 delicious rhubarb recipes complete with ingredients and step-by-step instructions.
1. Classic Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Nothing says spring quite like a homemade strawberry rhubarb pie. The sweetness of strawberries perfectly balances rhubarb’s tangy bite.
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 3 cups rhubarb, chopped
- 3 cups strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Crust
- Double pie crust (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a large bowl, combine rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla.
- Roll out one pie crust and place it into a 9-inch pie dish.
- Pour filling into crust and spread evenly.
- Place second crust on top and crimp edges.
- Cut small slits for steam vents.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Reduce heat to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for 40 minutes.
- Cool completely before slicing.

2. Old-Fashioned Rhubarb Crisp
This easy dessert features tender rhubarb beneath a crunchy oat topping.
Ingredients
Filling
- 5 cups rhubarb, diced
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Topping
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ¾ cup flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Toss rhubarb with sugar and cornstarch.
- Transfer to a greased baking dish.
- Mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter.
- Sprinkle topping over rhubarb.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

3. Rhubarb Coffee Cake
Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 1 cup milk
- ⅓ cup melted butter
- 2 cups diced rhubarb
Streusel
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add egg, milk, and butter.
- Fold in rhubarb.
- Pour into a greased 9-inch pan.
- Mix streusel ingredients until crumbly.
- Sprinkle over batter.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes.
- Cool slightly before serving.

4. Homemade Rhubarb Jam
A simple preserve that captures rhubarb’s unique flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped rhubarb
- 2 cups sugar
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Combine rhubarb, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan.
- Let sit for 30 minutes.
- Bring mixture to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 25–30 minutes.
- Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
- Cook until thickened.
- Transfer to sterilized jars.
- Refrigerate after cooling.

5. Rhubarb Muffins
Soft, moist muffins packed with tart rhubarb pieces.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 1 cup milk
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1½ cups diced rhubarb
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line a muffin tin with paper liners.
- Mix dry ingredients in one bowl.
- Whisk wet ingredients in another.
- Combine mixtures until just blended.
- Fold in rhubarb.
- Fill muffin cups ¾ full.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes.
- Cool on a wire rack.

6. Rhubarb Compote
A versatile topping for yogurt, pancakes, oatmeal, and cheesecake.
Ingredients
- 4 cups rhubarb, chopped
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a saucepan.
- Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cook for 10–15 minutes.
- Stir occasionally until rhubarb softens.
- Remove from heat.
- Cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container.

7. Rhubarb Bread
A sweet quick bread that makes excellent breakfast or snacks.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups diced rhubarb
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a loaf pan.
- Mix flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
- Add egg, oil, and buttermilk.
- Fold in rhubarb.
- Pour into loaf pan.
- Bake for 55–65 minutes.
- Cool before slicing.

8. Rhubarb Crumble Bars
These portable dessert bars are perfect for picnics and potlucks.
Ingredients
Crust and Topping
- 1½ cups flour
- 1 cup oats
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup butter
Filling
- 3 cups rhubarb
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix flour, oats, sugar, and butter.
- Press half into a baking pan.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Mix rhubarb, sugar, and cornstarch.
- Spread over crust.
- Sprinkle remaining crumble mixture on top.
- Bake for 35 minutes.
- Cool completely before cutting.

9. Rhubarb Lemonade
A refreshing summer drink with beautiful color and flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped rhubarb
- 4 cups water
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Simmer rhubarb and water for 20 minutes.
- Strain liquid through a fine mesh sieve.
- Stir in sugar while warm.
- Add lemon juice.
- Chill thoroughly.
- Serve over ice with lemon slices.

10. Rhubarb Cheesecake Bars
Creamy cheesecake meets tart rhubarb in this irresistible dessert.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 6 tablespoons melted butter
Cheesecake Layer
- 16 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
Rhubarb Topping
- 2 cups rhubarb
- ¼ cup sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix crust ingredients and press into a baking dish.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, and eggs until smooth.
- Pour over crust.
- Cook rhubarb and sugar in a saucepan until softened.
- Spoon over cheesecake layer.
- Swirl lightly with a knife.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes.
- Chill for at least 4 hours before cutting.

11. Rhubarb Cobbler
This comforting dessert features juicy rhubarb filling topped with fluffy biscuit-like dough.
Ingredients
Filling
- 5 cups chopped rhubarb
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
- 1½ cups flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cold butter
- ⅔ cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix rhubarb, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla.
- Spread into a greased baking dish.
- In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in cold butter until crumbly.
- Stir in milk to form a soft dough.
- Drop spoonfuls over the rhubarb mixture.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden.
- Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.

12. Rhubarb Scones
Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cold butter
- 1 cup diced rhubarb
- ⅔ cup heavy cream
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
- Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add rhubarb.
- Whisk cream and egg together.
- Stir into dry ingredients until dough forms.
- Shape into a circle and cut into 8 wedges.
- Place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes until golden.

13. Rhubarb Sorbet
A refreshing frozen dessert that highlights rhubarb’s tart flavor.
Ingredients
- 5 cups rhubarb, chopped
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Combine rhubarb, sugar, and water in a saucepan.
- Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Blend until smooth.
- Stir in lemon juice.
- Chill completely.
- Churn in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer instructions.
- Freeze until firm before serving.

14. Rhubarb Ice Cream
Creamy homemade ice cream swirled with rhubarb compote.
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup sugar
- 4 egg yolks
- 1 cup rhubarb compote
Instructions
- Heat cream and milk in a saucepan.
- Whisk yolks and sugar together.
- Slowly add warm cream mixture.
- Return to saucepan and cook until slightly thickened.
- Cool completely.
- Churn in an ice cream maker.
- Fold in rhubarb compote during the final minutes of churning.
- Freeze until firm.

15. Rhubarb Pancakes
A delicious breakfast featuring sweet-tart rhubarb in every bite.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 1¼ cups milk
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 cup finely diced rhubarb
Instructions
- Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Whisk egg, milk, and butter separately.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients.
- Fold in rhubarb.
- Pour batter onto a hot griddle.
- Cook until bubbles form.
- Flip and cook until golden brown.
- Serve with maple syrup.

16. Rhubarb Oatmeal Breakfast Bake
A hearty breakfast packed with fiber and flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups milk
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 cups diced rhubarb
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix oats, cinnamon, and salt.
- Whisk milk, egg, and maple syrup.
- Combine everything in a baking dish.
- Fold in rhubarb.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes.
- Allow to cool slightly before serving.

17. Rhubarb Chutney
A savory condiment that pairs wonderfully with grilled meats and cheese boards.
Ingredients
- 4 cups rhubarb
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan.
- Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer.
- Cook for 35–45 minutes.
- Stir frequently until thickened.
- Cool completely.
- Store in sterilized jars.

18. Rhubarb BBQ Sauce
A unique homemade sauce perfect for chicken, ribs, and pork.
Ingredients
- 3 cups chopped rhubarb
- 1 cup ketchup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a saucepan.
- Simmer for 20–25 minutes.
- Blend until smooth.
- Return to heat if needed to thicken.
- Cool before using.
- Brush onto grilled meats during the final minutes of cooking.

19. Roasted Rhubarb with Honey and Orange
A simple recipe that transforms rhubarb into an elegant dessert topping.
Ingredients
- 5 cups rhubarb
- ¼ cup honey
- Zest of 1 orange
- Juice of ½ orange
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Arrange rhubarb in a baking dish.
- Drizzle with honey.
- Add orange zest and juice.
- Toss gently.
- Roast for 15–20 minutes.
- Serve over yogurt, ice cream, pancakes, or cheesecake.

20. Rustic Rhubarb Galette
An easier alternative to pie with a beautiful rustic presentation.
Ingredients
- 1 pie crust
- 4 cups chopped rhubarb
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
- Roll pie dough into a large circle.
- Combine rhubarb, sugar, and cornstarch.
- Place filling in the center, leaving a 2-inch border.
- Fold edges toward the center.
- Brush crust with beaten egg.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden.
- Cool slightly before serving.

Final Thoughts
Rhubarb is far more versatile than many home cooks realize. From timeless desserts like pies, crisps, cobblers, and galettes to breakfast favorites such as muffins, scones, pancakes, and oatmeal bakes, there are endless ways to enjoy its tart, refreshing flavor. It even shines in savory recipes like chutney and BBQ sauce, adding complexity and brightness to grilled meats and cheese platters.
Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, preparing a weekend brunch, preserving a garden harvest, or simply looking for new seasonal flavors, these 20 rhubarb recipes offer something for every occasion. Keep a few stalks in your refrigerator—or freeze some for later—and you’ll always be ready to create a delicious homemade treat.
