Have you ever stared at those bright pink-red stalks at the market and thought,“What on earth do I do with this?”
If you’ve ever wondered how to turn rhubarb into something delicious, this is your sign to give rhubarb recipes a real shot. Whether you’re team sweet, team tart, or just team “what even is rhubarb,” stick around—we’re about to break it all down.
Let’s talk about why rhubarb deserves a place in your summer kitchen lineup and how to turn it into irresistibly good rhubarb desserts like strawberry rhubarb cake, healthy rhubarb recipes, and even homemade rhubarb jam.
Think hhubarb’s boring? These 7 recipes prove you’re wrong
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 50 g (⅓ cup + 1 tbsp) flour
- 30 g (2 tbsp) powdered sugar
- 220 g (1 cup) cold, cubed butter
- 60 ml (¼ cup) cold water
- 1 tsp salt
For the filling:
- 400 g (3½ cups) chopped rhubarb
- 400 g (3½ cups) halved strawberries
- 30 g (¼ cup) cornstarch
- 150 g (¾ cup) sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
How to make it
- Make the crust: Mix flour, salt, and sugar. Cut in butter until crumbly. Add water to form dough. Chill for 30 mins.
- Prep the filling: Mix chopped rhubarb and strawberries with sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon.
- Assemble: Roll out dough and place in pie dish. Add filling. Create a lattice top with extra dough.
- Bake: 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 mins, until golden and bubbling.
Ingredients
- 600 g (4½ cups) chopped rhubarb
- 800 g (5½ cups) chopped strawberries
- 500 g (2½ cups) jam sugar (or use sugar + pectin)
- 2 tbsp vanilla sugar (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
- Juice of ½ lime
How to make it
- Combine all ingredients in a large pot.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then cook for 10 mins, stirring.
- Optional: Blend lightly for a smoother texture.
- Pour hot jam into sterilized jars, seal tightly.
This makes 4–5 jars—perfect for sharing (or hoarding, no judgment).
Ingredients
Filling:
- 400 g ( 3cups) chopped rhubarb
- 150 g (¾ cup) sugar
- ½ tsp salt
Topping:
- 90 g (1 cup) oats
- 60 g (⅓ cup) brown sugar
- 40 g (⅓ cup) flour
- 60 g (¼ cup) melted butter
How to make it
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Toss rhubarb with sugar and salt; let sit 30 mins.
- Pour into a baking dish.
- Mix topping ingredients and sprinkle over fruit.
- Bake for 45 mins until golden and bubbling.
Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
A lovely light dessert or topping.
Ingredients:
- Rhubarb (600–700 g, 2–3 inch pieces)
- Water to cover
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 lemon, sliced
- ½ vanilla bean (or 1 tsp extract)
- 2 tea bags
How to make it:
- Boil water with sugar, lemon, vanilla, and tea.
- Remove tea bags.
- Add rhubarb and simmer 15 mins.
- Cool in syrup, then store in jars.
What no one told you about rhubarb (but you’ll wish they had)
Okay, confession time: I didn’t always love rhubarb. Growing up, my mom would bake rhubarb pies, and I just couldn’t get into it. The savory edge of it? Not for me. It felt like a dessert for grown-ups. But as I got older (and maybe a little more adventurous with flavors), something changed.
I gave rhubarb another try—and wow. When paired with sweet fruits like strawberries, rhubarb transforms into something truly magical. It’s tart, refreshing, and shockingly versatile. Fun fact: rhubarb is technically a vegetable, but we treat it like a fruit in desserts.
Let’s summarize why you’ll love this veggie.
1. It’s the underrated queen of summer pies
Strawberry rhubarb pie is the classic gateway into the world of rhubarb. The sweet juiciness of strawberries mellows out the rhubarb’s tang, creating a dreamy filling that screams “summer’s here!”
This pie is easier than you think to make at home (and hey, baking counts as self-care, right?). It also makes for a great dinner party dessert—your guests will think you definitely know what you’re doing in the kitchen.
TIP: Only the stalks of rhubarb are edible. The leaves are toxic—so don’t toss them into the pie!
Want the full recipe? Scroll up to the section above or click over to our 15 Delicious Summer Dinner Ideas Ready in 20 Minutes or Less to find a dish to serve before your show-stopping pie.
2. You can make jam—even if you’ve never made jam
Jams aren’t just for your grandma’s pantry. Making strawberry rhubarb jam is easier than you’d think—and it’s a great way to preserve summer flavors long after the season ends.
The best part? You can tweak the sweetness or use natural sweeteners if you’re leaning toward healthy rhubarb recipes. Spread it on toast, swirl it into yogurt, or spoon it over ice cream (don’t worry, no judgment here).
Pro tip: Use this set of Weck jars for your homemade jams. They’re cute and practical.
3. Rhubarb = low in calories, high in flavor
If you’re watching your sugar or just want something light but still dessert-y, healthy rhubarb recipes are the move. Rhubarb itself has only about 17 calories per 100 grams. Pair it with fresh fruit or a light crumble topping, and you’ve got a dessert that won’t wreck your summer goals.
Try a rhubarb compote or rhubarb crisp with oats and minimal sugar. Top it with coconut yogurt or almond whipped cream, and boom—healthy summer indulgence achieved.
Don’t miss our How to Make Bingsu: 3 Easy Korean Shaved Ice Recipes if you’re looking for other light and refreshing desserts!
4. Rhubarb is the perfect matchmaker
Let’s talk pairings. Rhubarb might be tart on its own, but it loves teaming up with sweeter flavors. Strawberries, apples, vanilla, honey, orange zest, even cardamom—rhubarb plays well with others.
That’s why you’ll see so many recipes for strawberry rhubarb cake, rhubarb jam, and fruity crumbles. You can also get creative and mix it into smoothies or even summer cocktails.
5. Rhubarb desserts are so Instagram-worthy
From pink compotes to golden crumbles with bubbling edges, rhubarb recipes don’t just taste great—they’re a visual moment. Bake a strawberry rhubarb cake, top it with whipped cream and edible flowers, and you’ve got yourself a scroll-stopping shot.
Make sure to tag us in your creations over on Instagram and TikTok!
6. Rhubarb changes minds
Look, I used to think rhubarb was overrated. Too sour. Too weird. But that all changed when I started playing around with it in the kitchen.
Sometimes we just need the right recipe to change our minds. Rhubarb is one of those ingredients that surprises you—one bite into a strawberry rhubarb pie or jam-swirled cupcake, and you’ll get it.
It’s not just tart—it’s refreshing, summery, nostalgic. It’s your childhood summers and grown-up flavors wrapped in one delicious bite.
7. Rhubarb is surprisingly easy to work with
You don’t need to be a pro baker to master rhubarb. Most of the rhubarb recipes are easy to make and they only require minimal prep—just chop, mix, and bake.
Rhubarb recipes deserve a spot in your summer lineup
If you’ve read this far, you’re probably ready to give rhubarb another shot—or your first shot. Whether you’re craving classic rhubarb desserts or hunting for healthy rhubarb recipes, this quirky veggie-turned-fruit has got your back.
Rhubarb might not be everyone’s first pick—but once you discover how easy it is to use and how well it plays with others, it’ll sneak its way into your favorites list. From easy rhubarb recipes to impressive strawberry rhubarb cakes, summer baking just got a lot more exciting.
And remember: it’s okay if you didn’t like rhubarb as a kid. Maybe you just hadn’t tried the right recipe yet.
Get Inspired:
- How to Make Bingsu: 3 Easy Korean Shaved Ice Recipes
- 15 Delicious Summer Dinner Ideas Ready in 20 Minutes or Less
Questions? Recipe Requests? Let’s Chat!
We’d love to see what you’re baking this summer. Email us anytime at info@oddlybalanced.com, and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and TikTok for even more kitchen inspo.
Happy rhubarb-ing! 💗
