29 Rhubarb Recipes to Make This Spring
We would never speak ill of pie, but there are so many other rhubarb recipes worth trying out this spring. The slender, rosy stalks can be roasted and piled on top of ice cream or yogurt, or cut into matchsticks to add tartness to a crunchy salad. We love a rhubarb cake and a rhubarb compote; we’ll raise a glass to rhubarb cocktails as long as the season lasts. Not sure which stalks to buy or how to store rhubarb once you’ve found some? Jump over to our rhubarb FAQ. Then scroll down to get all of our best rhubarb recipes. (Yes, including pie.)
Laura Murray1/29BA’s Best Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie
Not every strawberry-rhubarb pie recipe on the internet hits that ideal balance of sweet and tangy rhubarb filling wrapped in a tender, flaky crust. But this rendition of the classic is considered one of our best rhubarb recipes for a reason. Make the dough in advance and stash it in your freezer for easy spring baking.
Photo by Alex Lau2/29Rhubarb–Brown Butter Bars
Let’s say you don’t want to fuss with pie crust, though. May we recommend these nutty bars, layered with a magenta streak of tart hibiscus and rhubarb jam.
Alex Lau3/29Rhubarb Daiquiri
Grab a bottle of rum and declare it happy hour. Be sure to save any leftover rhubarb simple syrup—it will dress up your workday seltzer nicely.
Alex Lau5/29Slow-Roasted Rhubarb
Who needs scented candles when it’s rhubarb season? Nothing will make your kitchen smell more amazing than a baking dish of this stuff in your oven.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Summer Moore7/29Whipped Ricotta Toast With Date and Rhubarb Compote
Caramelly Medjool dates mellow the punchy character of rhubarb in this brunch-ready dish. Any extra compote will be a great addition to your overnight oats—or you can spoon it onto scones or shortbread.
Max Kelly11/29Rhubarb Cornmeal Crumb Cake
Got the good stuff on your latest farmers market run? Invite some friends over to linger over glasses of cold brew and this breakfast cake, topped with a toasty cornmeal and brown sugar crumb.
Photo by Alex Lau13/29Rhubarb Custard Cake
Starting with melted butter means this spring dessert doesn’t ask you to lug your stand mixer out from wherever it’s hiding. If you love rhubarb, consider this recipe essential.
Julian Broad14/29Roasted Rhubarb Coupe With Macadamia Crumble
We adore a rhubarb crisp or cobbler, but sometimes the topping turns out soggy. Baking the crumble topping on its own means it gets super-toasty and absolutely crispy. Each coupe gets a little of the crumble, plus whipped cream, cooked rhubarb, and both vanilla ice cream and lemon sorbet. It’s one of those dessert recipes that looks much more elaborate than it is.
Photo by Romulo Yanes15/29Rhubarb and Raspberry Crostata
This low-stress dessert from lauded pastry chef Karen DeMasco gets a bit of nutty flavor from the whole wheat flour that’s added to the crust.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich18/29Strawberry and Watercress Salad
Peppery watercress and cooling basil and cilantro team up in this spring salad, tossed with sliced strawberries and rhubarb and sprinkled with poppy seeds.
Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski19/29Fruit Galette With Buckwheat Crust
Nothing says casual cool like a rustic galette. Top with a pouf of homemade whipped cream.
Photo by Lisa Hubbard24/29Rhubarb and Strawberry Compote With Fresh Mint
You won’t cook the strawberries here—just stir them in after you’ve simmered the rhubarb. A final flourish of chopped mint leaves contributes a pop of freshness.
Photo by Michael Graydon26/29Buttermilk Panna Cotta With Rhubarb Strawberry Jelly
Buttermilk and crème fraîche add richness and tangy flavor to this silky panna cotta topped with bright red jam. Serve a batch of shortbread on the side.
Photo by Elinor Carucci27/29Rhubarb Fool
File under: Easy desserts that feel fancy—and just happen to be gluten-free. Orange juice brings out the fruity flavor of the rhubarb, and everyone enjoys eating a goblet of whipped cream for dessert. The total time here is pretty quick, and you can dole out servings an hour in advance and stash them in your fridge.
Photo by Nigel Cox28/29Rhubarb Tarts
You can transform store-bought frozen phyllo into a savory pie, seedy crackers, or any number of desserts. (Crinkle cake, anyone?) We’re partial to these simple tarts, shingled with rhubarb and glazed with raspberry jam.
29/29Rhubarb Sponge Pudding
Brown sugar-sweetened rhubarb peeks out under golden brown layer of cake in this homey dessert. It’s just the way we like to wrap up a spring dinner party.
Planning the rest of your spring menu? Now that you’ve got the rhubarb recipes covered, it’s clearly time to freak out about ramps.
