Rhubarb is one of the easiest fruits to grow, and one of the earliest to harvest too. As you may have seen in my recent May garden blog, ours is ready for cropping now, so I want to share my favourite healthy rhubarb recipes to make the most of this often underrated garden star. But if you don’t have the space to grow your own then don’t worry, the supermarkets are full of these yummy pink stalks too. And not only are they delicious, they’re bursting with antioxidants and really good for you too – what’s not to love?
How Do You Grow Rhubarb?
Ideally, you should grow rhubarb in full sun, in rich, lightly moist but well drained soil so the roots don’t get soggy and rot. The plants need around 6 hours of sunshine a day and the great thing about rhubarb is that it’s a perennial plant. Once established and happy, it will keep producing fruit for many years – ours is still going strong after 8 years! You can grow rhubarb in pots but they’ll do better in the ground as they need a lot of space: be prepared to dedicate at least one square metre per plant. As long as you mulch them in winter, water them well in summer, and give them an occasional liquid feed, that’s really all you need to do.
How Do You Harvest Rhubarb?
Once the stalks are around 12 to 18 inches long you can start harvesting. All you do is hold the base of the stalk and gently twist and pull. It should come away cleanly with a little lip on the end of your stalk. Don’t use a knife because this can cause a ragged wound that’s open to disease. And only harvest what you’re going to use as although it keeps in the fridge, the natural sugars are most present when fresh. Also, leave a few stalks on your plant to ensure it keeps producing fruits.
What are the Health Benefits of Eating Rhubarb?
Originally imported from Asia, cooked rhubarb was traditionally used for digestive complaints such as constipation, diarrhoea, heartburn, general stomach pain, and even gastrointestinal bleeding. As rhubarb can increase metabolic activity, it may aid in weight loss too. And apparently, rhubarb may also be applied to the skin to treat cold sores. But only the stalks are edible, the leaves are highly toxic, so leave them for your compost bin.
10 Easy, Delicious and Healthy Rhubarb Recipes
Rhubarb is naturally tart, so most people tend cook it with lots of sugar when making desserts. But you don’t have to, there are low sugar rhubarb recipes that use other natural sweeteners – maple syrup, honey, and orange juice, for example. I said these were going to be healthy rhubarb recipes, didn’t I? So here we are, my favourite easy, delicious rhubarb recipes, and not just for dessert either. Some of the recipes call for added ginger or cardamom spices too, which are high in antioxidants and immune boosters to boot.
Rhubarb Compote
One of my favourite fast, healthy stewed rhubarb recipes is compote, with its variety of uses. Quite honestly, nothing could be easier. Simply chop up 3 large rhubarb stems into 1 inch pieces, add a glug of orange juice or water, and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Then cook over a low heat until the rhubarb has softened and the sugar has dissolved.
You could use maple syrup or honey instead of sugar if you prefer, and add some ginger for a tasty antioxidant boost too. That’s really all there is to it. You could eat your rhubarb compote with yoghurt or alongside your grilled pork chops at dinner. Or as a topping for ice cream (although we tend to eat it the other way around, with strawberry ice cream as the topping!)
Rhubarb Jam
A dear friend gave me some homemade rhubarb and ginger jam last Christmas and it was just delicious. Not too sweet and with a heavenly warming kick from the ginger. This easy rhubarb and ginger jam recipe uses both stem ginger and fresh ginger, although you can obviously adjust the amounts according to your taste.
Rhubarb Chutney
If jam’s too sweet for you and you’re looking for low sugar rhubarb recipes, then rhubarb chutney might be for you. Regular readers of my garden blogs may recall I made green tomato chutney last year. And while I’m waiting to harvest the green tomatoes in September, I might have a go at this Indian-inspired rhubarb chutney. The addition of dates, ginger, and cardamom make it seem like a perfect accompaniment to curries as well as the cheeseboard.
Rhubarb Lemonade
There’s nothing nicer on a really hot summer day than some fresh homemade lemonade. Well, actually, yes, there is, rhubarb lemonade. And I think this rhubarb lemonade recipe takes some beating – just try and find pink rather than green stems for that authentic colour. Whether you go for the fruit and mint garnish is up to you, of course 🙂
Rhubarb Vodka
Not strictly one of the top healthy rhubarb recipes, but I’m going to include it anyway. Because if you’re going to use rhubarb in alcohol, then make it vodka, which is the cleanest and purest spirit. All you need is 500g chopped rhubarb, a few shavings of orange peel, 200g sugar, and 1 litre of vodka.
Throw it all together in a sealed Kilner jar* and leave it in a dark corner for 10-12 weeks, giving it an occasional shake to ensure the sugar has all dissolved. Then strain through muslin and decant into sterilised bottles like these.* Serve very chilled and enjoy a perfect rhubarb tipple at any time of the year. Side note: it also makes very well-received Christmas gifts, as does my easy damson or sloe gin…
Rhubarb and Honey Ice Cream
Back on the healthy rhubarb recipes list, remember I said you can swap sugar for maple syrup or honey? Well how delicious does this rhubarb and honey ice cream recipe look? Even better, it’s no churn too, and comes with an optional almond Florentine crisp. All you do is blend cooked rhubarb, strawberries, cream, honey, and condensed milk until foamy, then pile it all into a container and freeze for 3 hours. Definitely my kind of easy and delicious ice cream.
Rhubarb Popsicles
When Flora was younger, we used to make ice lollies all the time. To be fair, it was mainly me freezing her Frubes, which would have gone out of date otherwise, but hey, the thought was there 🙂 Anyway, I think this combination of rhubarb, strawberries, maple syrup and coconut milk make these strawberry rhubarb popsicles a sure fire hit. Plus they’re vegan, so an easy sweet treat for kids parties too. Top tip: get some silicone popsicle moulds*, they make extraction a LOT easier…
Rhubarb Muffins
Rhubarb and muffins are a match made in heaven. Not only are muffins are one of the easiest sweet treats to make, this rhubarb and ginger muffin recipe has extra health-boosting ginger and Vitamin C from the oranges too. Personally I’d skip some of the sugar if you’re going for the ultimate healthy rhubarb muffins, as they’d still be delicious. Top tip: get yourself a non-stick silicon muffin tray*, it makes washing up an absolute breeze.
Rhubarb Cake
One thing you might notice when you cook with rhubarb is that you end up with a lot of juice. But this delicious and healthy rhubarb cake with almonds bakes the rhubarb at the same time as the cake. So there’s less stewing, less juice, and more crunch. I like the addition of ground almonds in the cake mixture, as well as the orange zest, all of which are perfect pairings for the slightly tarter rhubarb.
Rhubarb Crisp or Rhubarb Crumble
Rhubarb crisp or crumble (as it’s more commonly known in the UK) is probably what most people think of when confronted with a bunch of rhubarb. Picture a warming, healthy rhubarb crumble with a crunchy, oat topping to soak up all that juice. Topped with lashings of custard or ice cream (low fat if you must) for a quintessential dessert to be savoured after a full on Sunday roast. That’s stewed rhubarb at its absolute best, I think, especially with the addition of ginger or cardamom. Heaven.
What Can I Make with Rhubarb Besides Pie?
Well I hope I’ve answered that question now, and also because rhubarb pairs well with lots of fruits. Pear and rhubarb work together in a crumble, or you could try strawberries for a tasty strawberry rhubarb crisp. If you’re looking for healthy baking recipes then rhubarb really should be near the top of your ingredients list. And, throwing a curveball here, if you Google “rhubarb in skincare”, you just might be surprised – and possibly even more converted too!
So, there we are, 10 deliciously healthy rhubarb recipes. Do you like rhubarb? If so, how do you prefer to eat it? And if not, have any of these rhubarb recipes tempted you to give this versatile, healthy and yummy fruit another go now?
* This post features affiliate links but all opinions are my own (see my Disclaimer).
I must admit, my first date with rhubarb should have meant there would never be a 2nd. However, I sometime later sampled a rhubarb crumble and custard off someone else’s plate. It got a second date.
The rhubarb muffins with the added ingredients of ginger is a date I’d definitely go on.
That’s too funny, but I’m so pleased your second date converted you – will keep my fingers crossed any future blind rhubarb dates work out!
My parents grow rhubarb and there’s something special about a rhubarb and strawberry or apple crisp! I love the recipes you’ve included and I can’t wait to try them. Thanks for sharing!
Rhubarb and strawberry is such a delicious combination, isn’t it? Thank you, Jodie, happy eating!
I’m slowly building our vegetable patch and rhubarb sounds like an easy addition! These recipes all look delish too, thanks for sharing Lisa 🙂 xx
mia // https://beautiful-inspiring-creative-life.com/
Rhubarb is such an easy and generous plant, I do hope you try growing some 🙂 x
Lovely I didn’t know your can prepare so many dishes with rhubarb 😌
Thanks for sharing
https://uncuaderno4cero.wordpress.com
Oh there are LOTS, these are just my faves! Thank you 🙂
These are some great suggestions to cook with rhubarb. I don’t think I have ever tried it before. I like the idea of the ice cream and the chutney. Thank you for sharing Lisa xxx
Ah Lauren, you’re missing out on a real treat! I hope you can try some soon – the ice cream would be a great one to start with! xxx
I love all these recipes. I have to admit that I am curious about the rhubarb vodka, it sounds really interesting. Usually I use rhubarb in crumbles, where I use very little fat and not too much sugar. I prefer to add a scoop of ice cream for sweetness afterwards.
That’s a good tip about the ice cream for added sweetness instead of sugar, Anca, thank you. And yes, do give the rhubarb vodka a go, it’s so easy and really delicious.
My sister is growing rhubarb for me right now. You can’t beat a delicious crumble, can you?
Absolutely love the idea of infusing it with vodka – gonna have to steal that for summer!
Rosie
Rhubarb vodka is hands down one of my favourite summer tipples, but it HAS to be served really chilled – enjoy, Rosie!
Oooh the vodka sounds so easy to make! It sounds like it’d be lovely over ice to very slowly sip, or maybe topped up with some soda water.
Cora | https://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
It’s really so easy to make – and that’s a great idea to top it up with soda, I might have to try that this summer, thank you, Cora!
We grow rhubarb in our garden, I’m not the biggest fan but my parents love it and they’d love these ideas too x
Not team Rhubarb then (!) but hopefully your parents might enjoy these recipes x
Love rhubarb such a great produce. Favourites would be the chutney and the ice cream sounds delicious
It really is, isn’t it? Glad you’re Team Rhubarb too 🙂
You know what Lisa, I don’t think I’ve ever actually tried rhubarb. I couldn’t tell you what it tastes like! I think that needs to be rectified this Summer and at least try and rhubarb crumble!
No way, really? Not even school dinners? Summer 2021 is your year to try it then – happy tasting! x
Great post! I love this recipe as crumble and rhubarb really reminds me of summer. Thank you x
It’s funny, I always associate crumble with winter and yet rhubarb is definitely a summer fruiting cropper! x
I absolutely adore anything rhubarb, from puddings to scented candles and omg rhubarb chutney sounds like heaven!
Thank you for sharing x
Kate
I’m sure it will be – hope you love it too if you try it! x
I currently unfortunately have stomach problems and I would like to try this out. I hope this could help with my digestive issues that I have and stomach pains.
Ah, I’m sorry to hear that – yes, perhaps it could help, but maybe only try a little at first, to see if it does.
Scrumptious! When we moved up to the mountains, we found rhubarb growing here already, but we added a couple plants we found up at old homesteads and now have a patch in our garden as well as one big one in the kitchen garden.
I love making rhubarb compote, jam, and crumble, but love the idea of trying out the popsicles, ice cream, and cake! Thanks for sharing some awesome and mouthwatering recipes. 🙂
Ooooh, lucky you! I have to admit, I was getting VERY hungry when I was researching for this post, the ice cream and chutney are top of my must try list now! 🙂
Rhubarb crumble is an absolute yes from me, I adore it. We’ve had rhubarb growing for a few years now and my mother makes a mean rhubarb and vanilla jam! Love the idea of making a compote though – and had no idea it was quite so good for you. Great post, thanks!
Rhubarb and vanilla is a lovely combination – I might try that when I make jam next time, yum!
I have never tried rhubarb but that definitely needs to change. I’ll try rhubarb and I’ll use one of these fab recipes. Thank you for shaering!
Oh yes, do give it a try, I’m sure you won’t regret it 🙂
I try to eat quite a bit of rhubarb to help with digestion but was getting really bored of the same thing. Rhubarb and honey ice cream sounds amazing as do some of the others you’ve included. I’m definitely going to give some of these suggestions a try.
That’s really interesting that you eat it for health reasons, glad to hear it works for you – and yes, that ice cream sounds amazing, doesn’t it!
I have never tried Rhubarb before, but these recipes look lush and especially the popsicles and the ice cream! They look delicious! Really need to try rhubarb out asap! x
No way, have you really never tried rhubarb? In that case, I shall expect to see a fab new rhubarb recipe on your blog very soon! x
Oh these are such great suggestions, I wish I liked rhubarb more because I always see such fab things to do with it – maybe I’ll have to make it for someone else xx
Oh I hope you do, it’s such an underrated fruit, and there are lots of options! x
I LOVE rhubarb! A few years ago I tried planting rhubarb in my partner’s mother’s garden, but it didn’t go so well. Then my partner’s grandfather came to help the next time & now it’s doing so well!
I recently made rhubarb muffins & I also love making rhubarb juice!
I really want to try rhubarb muffins, I bet they’d be so moist (sorry for the yuck word!) but rhubarb juice is a new one to me, that sounds delicious!
I do love a bit of rhubarb! You just can’t beat an apple and rhubarb crumble!
Katy | http://www.katystephenson.com
No, indeed you can’t, it’s delicious 🙂
Oh so this is rhubarb?? What a beautiful plant. Haven’t tried this before, guess I’m missing a lot. Would love to try these 10 recipes honestly they look so good. Would love to try the popsicles first then maybe the vodka lol. Amazing! Thanks for sharing, Lisa.
If you haven’t tried it before then I think the popsicles would be a great place to start as you have a lovely combination of flavours – then maybe move on to the vodka 🙂
I had no idea you could make so much with rhubarb! I really have only had it in pie before. Rhubarb jam sounds delightful though. I think Krista still has rhubarb growing in her garden, so I’ll have to pass these suggestions on to her 🙂
I can hand on heart vouch for the jam, compote and vodka and I can’t wait to try out the other recipes 🙂
Rhubarb is one of my favorites so I’m pumped to try a few of these. I’m going to start w rhubarb lemonade. Thanks!
Sounds like a great place to start – hope you enjoy it!
I had really good rhubarb and rhubarb that was way too sour for me to handle. I love how many different recipes you’ve shared for it. Yum!
Yes, you need to get the right, ripe rhubarb, otherwise it’s just bleurgh!
Rhubarb is such a versatile food in recipes and I love all the ideas you have written about here! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Thank you, Lucy, glad you’re Team Rhubarb too! x
These recipes sound amazing! The rhubarb ice-cream and popsicles are tempting!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
They’re so summery, aren’t they? I can’t wait to make them either x
Oh wow……oh wow…….these meals looks delicious! I’m definitely gonna try some of these. Especially the rhubarb crumble. Thank you for sharing.
Yay, hope you love your rhubarb crumble, Fadima, thank you!
I love rhubarb! Back when I was young I knew a family that would host a rhubarb festival/party in their home in June, and all the dishes (about a dozen) would be made with rhubarb, whether they’d be sweet or savory. Oh, how I loved those days!
The rhubarb crumble sounds and looks delicious, thanks for sharing the recipe, Lisa!
Loren | plaidandsugar.com
Oh, a rhubarb festival sounds amazing, what a great idea! I think we need to have one of those in the UK too – thank you, Loren!
Whenever I think of rhubarb, I always think of rhubarb pie or jam. I had no idea you could make so many things with it! These all sound really delicious, I will have to give some of them a try. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, I hope you enjoy whatever you end up trying 🙂
Rhubard crumble was a staple during my childhood and I have so many fond memories of it. I am going to make one as you’ve made me so excited to try it out again!
Oh, that’s lovely to hear, thank you – hope you enjoy your rhubarb crumble!
These look absolutely delicious! I especially like the jam and the chutney. I’ve always wanted to make both to go into a gift hamper as Christmas presents – I think I’m gonna have to pinch those!
Em x
I think they’d make fab Christmas hamper gifts – just make enough for you as well! x
Rhubarb is so versatile! I have to confess, I’ve never eaten it. Your recipes look absolutely delicious, though, so I may have to give it a try soon. Thank you for sharing!
Yes, it really is – thank you, hope you enjoy it if you try any of these recipes 🙂
I only discovered rhubarb after I come to Canada and to this date – I still haven’t tried it! I think it confuses me as a veggies but I have to expect it to be sweet! But your recipes look so nice. My fave is the ice cream. So pretty! Next time I see rhubarb in the market, I will buy some to try!
Wonderful, I hope you enjoy the ice cream, that sounds like the perfect introduction to rhubarb!
So lovely and yummy! I love that Rhubarb popsicles and ice cream 😀 I will have to give some of them a try this month. Thanks for sharing x
You’re welcome, I hope you enjoy both the popsicles and the ice cream x
I don’t think I have actually tasted any Rhubarb before. But having read this post several times, I feel like I should give it a try. I have been trying new foods as I was always too afraid and thought stick to my comfort zone. Thank you for sharing these!
Lauren
Oh you should definitely give rhubarb a go – maybe in the popsicles, as they’re vegan friendly? Or the compote so you can adjust the sweetness to taste? Hope you enjoy your first taste! x
Thanks for sharing, I love rhubarb, its a great fruit to have growing, I get some from my parents garden when its in season, I like it in a crumble or stewed with lots of ginger! 🙂
Ginger is a fab complement to rhubarb isn’t it? My mouth’s watering just thinking about a crumble now!
Give me anything rhubarb and I’ll be a happy camper! I pinned this for later on my recipe board and invited you to collaborate 🙂
Thank you Jenni! And I accidentally declined your invitation, I’m so sorry, please could you invite me again? 🙂
Rhubarb is such an underrated vegetable! It is healthy, it is tasty and it can make a fantastic dessert or a drink. Thanks for introducing more rhubarb recipes, Lisa!
It really is – thank you, Terry, glad you are Team Rhubarb!