The best rhubarb recipes

Brown Betty Dessert with Grilled Rhubarb

Rhubarb, a delicious spring and summer plant, is the main ingredient in the grilled dessert Brown Betty.

Recipe: Brown Betty Dessert with Grilled Rhubarb

Grilled Pound Cake with Strawberry and Rhubarb Compote

In spring, large rhubarb leaves and shoots appear in stores. The best way to enjoy the bright red stalks is grilled in foil. Paired with strawberries and other ingredients, rhubarb makes the perfect sweet-tart compote for toasted sponge cake.

Recipe: Grilled Pound Cake with Strawberry and Rhubarb Compote

Beef ribs with rhubarb

Spread the rhubarb jam over the ribs halfway through cooking. When the meat is very tender, the jam will have time to reduce into a thick, syrupy glaze.

Recipe: Beef ribs with rhubarb

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Ina enhances the classic spring combination of strawberries and rhubarb with a buttery oatmeal topping and orange zest and juice.

Recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Rhubarb Jam Bars

While rhubarb and strawberries are a popular combination, Valerie doesn't use the berries for this dessert. She says, "Rhubarb deserves to be the star ingredient."

Recipe: Rhubarb Jam Bars

Rhubarb jelly with whipped cream

When spring rhubarb with its thin pink stalks is plentiful, it's time to make this delicacy. (The brighter the pink of the stalks, the more beautiful the dessert will be.)

Recipe: Rhubarb jelly with whipped cream

Rhubarb Spritz Cocktail

This drink is stunningly beautiful! To achieve the elegant pink color, Valerie simmers rhubarb with sugar and lemon until it becomes a syrup, which is then combined with elderflower liqueur and chilled Prosecco or sparkling water.

Recipe: Rhubarb Spritz Cocktail

Rhubarb Crumble with Hazelnut Topping

Serve this oatmeal hazelnut crumble warm with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Recipe: Rhubarb Crumble with Hazelnut Topping

Oven-baked donuts with orange, rhubarb, and blueberry glaze

Molly's donuts are so cute, you almost feel bad eating them! Each donut is covered in colorful icing and pretty sprinkles.

Recipe: Oven-baked donuts with orange, rhubarb, and blueberry glaze

Strawberry and Rhubarb Upside-Down Pie

Sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb are always a harmonious duo. For the perfect spring dessert, serve the pie with a dollop of whipped cream.

Recipe: Strawberry and Rhubarb Upside-Down Pie

Rum and Rhubarb Cocktail

You probably love rhubarb in pies, but it can also be used in cocktails. Geoffrey cooks it in a sweet syrup, then blends it with pomegranate juice and two types of rum.

Recipe: Rum and Rhubarb Cocktail

Rhubarb Upside-Down Pie with Sour Cream

Pink rhubarb stalks are a common ingredient in various pies and other sweet pastries. They make desserts not only delicious and juicy, but also very elegant when arranged in a certain way.

Recipe: Rhubarb Upside-Down Pie with Sour Cream

Crostata with raspberries and rhubarb

Aina's crostata is a wonderful treat for a large group. It's much easier to make than a pie, yet just as beautiful and delicious.

Recipe: Crostata with raspberries and rhubarb

Coconut pudding with baked rhubarb

Molly softens the tart flavor of rhubarb by roasting it with sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Serve the mixture over sweet coconut pudding.

Recipe: Coconut pudding with baked rhubarb

Almond-filled pie with rhubarb motif

If you cut a rhubarb stalk in a certain way, it will create a unique and beautiful pattern on a tart with a frangipane filling.

Recipe: Almond-filled pie with rhubarb motif

Strawberry and Rhubarb Pie

Jeffrey's dessert is like a coffee cake. Topped with a cinnamon-sugar streusel, it's baked until golden brown. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream for a sophisticated spring treat.

Recipe: Strawberry and Rhubarb Pie

Strawberry Rhubarb Shortcake

Sandwich the cooked rhubarb and strawberry mixture between the vanilla cake layers and top with fresh whipped cream.

Recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb Shortcake

Strawberry and Rhubarb Margarita

Simple syrup in this refreshing seasonal margarita helps cut through the tartness of the rhubarb.

Recipe: Strawberry and Rhubarb Margarita

Strawberry and Rhubarb Slumps

Slumps are a dessert made of baked or stewed fruit covered in a light pastry crust. They're similar to cobblers, but instead of buns, dumplings are placed on top. The dessert resembles a pie, but is simpler to make.

Recipe: Strawberry and Rhubarb Slumps

Strawberry and Rhubarb Crumble

This rustic crumble combines strawberries, lemon juice, and rhubarb. For an elegant presentation, top with whipped mascarpone.

Recipe: Strawberry and Rhubarb Crumble

Cream Pie with Rhubarb Filling

Rhubarb (essentially a vegetable) is known for its tart flavor; only the stems are edible. There are many varieties of rhubarb, each with a different petiole color, ranging from deep red to pale green. While all varieties are equally delicious, the pie looks most beautiful with red-hued stems. Choose thinner petioles; they are more tender and less fibrous.

Recipe: Cream Pie with Rhubarb Filling

Rhubarb jam with ice cream

Simmer tart rhubarb with sugar, honey, and cinnamon until tender; spoon over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Recipe: Rhubarb jam with ice cream

Pink lemonade with strawberries, rhubarb and basil

This isn't your average pink lemonade—Jeffrey uses only natural colors and flavors. Rhubarb syrup and strawberry puree are combined with fresh basil.

Recipe: Pink lemonade with strawberries, rhubarb and basil

Fruit salad with strawberries and rhubarb

This fresh fruit salad is worth a trip to the farmers market. Assorted berries, mint, and basil are combined with a sweet and tart rhubarb syrup.

Recipe: Fruit salad with strawberries and rhubarb

Lemon cake with berry-rhubarb glaze

For a special occasion, serve a simple cupcake topped with sweet icing.

Recipe: Lemon cake with berry-rhubarb glaze

Rhubarb Upside-Down Pie

What's the secret to this classic upside-down pie? Before baking, Geoffrey prepares a mixture of rhubarb, sugar, honey, lemon, and herbs. He reserves half the liquid to use as a syrup to cover the finished dessert.

Recipe: Rhubarb Upside-Down Pie

Glazed ham with grape and rhubarb compote

Rhubarb is great for more than just desserts. Simmer it with grapes, mustard, and a few spices: this sauce makes a delicious glaze for tender, salty ham.

Recipe: Glazed ham with grape and rhubarb compote