Because the only phrase I’d ever heard the word rhubarb in for most of my life was “Strawberry Rhubarb Pie,” I spent most of my life thinking that rhubarb was a type of pie, rather than a vegetable. Yes, often being paired with fruits and other sweet dishes, rhubarb is in fact a vegetable. Luckily for the adventurous eaters out there, rhubarb uses extend far beyond a simple pie or even sweet dishes. In fact, the possible uses for rhubarb are practically endless. Although I give a small sampling below, once you get a taste you’ll be clamoring to find some more.
1. Poached Rhubarb
One of the most underrated ways to make rhubarb the star of a dessert is to poach it. The tartness of the rhubarb pairs perfectly with so many sweet treats. For example, try making this rice pudding with poached rhubarb or pair it with sticky toffee pudding.
2. Rhubarb Yogurt
I got to try rhubarb yoghurt for myself when I was spending time in Italy and I was floored by the depth of flavour it added to the dish. While I haven’t found a recipe for rhubarb yogurt, you can buy it yourself or top vanilla yoghurt with stewed rhubarb.
3. Rhubarb Glaze
One of the best things about a rhubarb glaze is that it can pair with just about anything. It’s one of the most versatile rhubarb uses out there. You can try meals ranging from rhubarb glazed shrimp to rhubarb glazed donuts. It doesn’t matter if it’s savoury or sweet, a rhubarb glaze is always worth trying.
4. Roasted Rhubarb
Another of the many great rhubarb uses that balances out the tartness of rhubarb is to roast it. Afterwards, you can let it cool and toss it into a salad of your choice or use it as a topping or side to whatever meal you’re having, including French toast.
5. Rhubarb Jam
I’ve always been a big jam on toast kind of girl, but few jams have been able to live up to the perfect combination of strawberry and rhubarb. Whether you’re making a strawberry-rhubarb jam or a plain rhubarb jam, your toast will have never been happier.
6. Rhubarb Cocktails
It’s hard to say no to a drink that has that pretty pink rhubarb glow. Rhubarb pairs well with a lot of alcohol and is one of the most underrated drink mixers. Whether you’re trying a rhubarb mimosa, a rhubarb margarita, or the signature Alpenglow, you’ll be glowing after a single sip.
7. Rhubarb Hollandaise
While adding rhubarb to a hollandaise might take away from the name’s meaning, the addition of the rhubarb transforms the dish in such a unique way that many chefs are willing to ignore that. Pair it with your brunch or spruce up some asparagus with that lovely pink.
8. Rhubarb Leather
Although making rhubarb leather may be more time consuming and expensive than other recipes due to the need for a dehydrator, it leaves you with a product that can either make for a sophisticated finish or a great snack for anyone who’s still a child at heart.
9. Rhubarb Chutney
Using rhubarb as the base vegetable in a chutney adds a level of tartness that upgrades the spiciness of your traditional chutney to something magical. This rhubarb chutney will pair amazingly with most savoury dishes, but I recommend these grilled pork chops with rhubarb chutney.
10. Rhubarb Smoothie
Rhubarb is a great gateway vegetable to put in your smoothies. I had a lot of friends who were uncomfortable adding spinach to their smoothies right away, but because rhubarb is so often prepared with fruits they were much less hesitant. Rhubarb smoothies are definitely worth a try.
Although many of these methods require sweetening rhubarb in some way, it’s worth trying rhubarb raw once just so you can better appreciate the flavour when you consume it in a recipe. The many rhubarb uses above give you plenty of room to experiment no matter what your tastes are, so if nothing above appeals to you specifically, make your own recipes with the techniques.