How to Make Rhubarb Sauce and 4 New Ways to Use It

BySerena Ball, MS, RD
18 Comments

It's simple to learn how to make Rhubarb Sauce -  it's just 3 ingredients - then use it to jazz up pancakes, parfaits, a grilled cheese sandwich(!) and even barbecue sauce. Follow my simple 1-2-3-4-5 recipe for a taste of spring (and rhubarb season through August!)

My first rhubarb of the year is coming up in my little garden patch and I'm beyond excited.

As one of the few remaining truly seasonal vegetables, rhubarb seems to scream SPRING!

When I was a child in Montana, our family went for long springtime walks over our hilly pasture land. My sisters and I liked to visit an old homestead and play we were the girls in "Little House on the Prairie". There wasn't much left of the broken down shack. But what did remain - a remnant of the homesteader's original garden - was rhubarb. My dad said this was typical: Rhubarb plants are extremely hardy.

How To Make Rhubarb Sauce + 4 New Ways to Use

And it's true.

Despite lacking a proper garden spot, my little rhubarb plant keeps returning faithfully spring after spring. And my girls get just as excited as me when it emerges; partially because they love to dance around pretending those giant leaves are umbrellas for spring showers.
How to Make Rhubarb Sauce
We also get excited about Rhubarb Sauce. I make it every year and we always eat the first batch warm, straight out of the pot with a spoon. I've developed this simple:

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 recipe for Rhubarb Sauce:

1 pound of rhubarb (about 4 cups chopped)

2 tablespoons orange juice or water

Add ⅓ cup sugar

Cook about 4-5 minutes

That's it. And while I can think of at least a dozen other uses, here are four of my favorite uses for Rhubarb Sauce: 

1) Yogurt & Granola Parfait

How to Make Rhubarb Sauce + 4 New Ways to Use

Just spoon layers alternately with Greek yogurt, Rhubarb Sauce, and granola. Top with fresh raw rhubarb that's been dusted with sugar.

2) Top Pancakes, Waffles or French Toast

Katie over at Healthy Seasonal Recipes tops her Lemon Almond Ricotta Pancakes with Rhubarb Compote - a delicious two-ingredient rhubarb sauce.

3) Accompany a Cheese Plate or a grilled cheese sandwich!

Crostini Toasts with Orange Rhubarb Sauce | Teaspoonofspice.com

I add orange zest to my simple Rhubarb Sauce and the sweet-savory-tart rhubarb condiment is a perfect match for most blue cheeses, aged Gouda, or aged Cheddar, such as Cabot Legacy White Oak Cheddar

4) Barbecue Sauce 

How To Make Rhubarb Sauce + 4 ways to use it

My friend Amy Myrdal Miller gave me a paper copy of her 'secret' Rhubarbecue Sauce' years ago. But I'd forgotten about it until moving here to the St. Louis area - otherwise known as Barbecue Nation - by locals. Inspired by Amy's secret sauce, I now mix my 1-2-3-4-5 Rhubarb Sauce into my favorite purchased barbecue sauce for awesome sweet-tart taste. And since rhubarb is officially a vegetable, you'll get a dab more veggies along with whatever you are barbecuing - be it tofu or tenderloin.  [bctt tweet="It's rhubarb season! Easy 3-INGREDIENT RHUBARB SAUCE is sweet-tart tasty on ice cream, cheese plates, or mixed into BBQ sauce. #Rhubarb via @TspCurry" via="no"]

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How To Make Rhubarb Sauce + 4 ways to use it

1-2-3-4-5 Rhubarb Sauce

  • Author: by Serena Ball, RD
  • Yield: 2 cups 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Use this simple 1-2-3-4-5 formula to make sweet-tart rhubarb sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rhubarb - about 4 cups chopped
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • ⅓ cup sugar (or more if desired)

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredient in a sauce pan or medium pot. Cover tightly.
  2. Cook over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes; stirring once halfway through. (Cover pot after stirring.)
  3. Sauce is done when tender but not totally falling apart.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us @tsp_basil @tspcurry — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Have you ever cooked with rhubarb? How do you like to use it?

Just 3 ingredients in this easy DIY Homemade Rhubarb sauce. 4 NEW WAYS TO USE RHUBARB SAUCE via @TspCurry - Check out this #Healthy recipe and more at Teaspoonofspice.com #rhubarb #springrecipes

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18 Comments

    1. Let me know if you make Erin! Does rhubarb grow well in Colorado? It sure did in Montana!

  2. My mouth is watering thinking about the combination of the cheeses (esp. cheddar) and the rhubarb. I can't wait to try it!

    1. Ate that combo again tonight for a snack, Katie. It's magic: Tart-sweet rhubarb with extra creamy Cheddar = bliss. (:

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  4. Hi! Stopping by to get some ideas for rhubarb ... I have a bunch of stalks from my CSA that I need to use and remembered you guys had some great ideas ... thank you!

    1. Ooo! Fresh rhubarb. Let us know what you make...and thanks for remembering our #RhubarbLove

  5. I have no idea why but I have never made anything with rhubarb! As soon as I find it fresh in my area I'm going to make this. Love the simplicity of this recipe.

    1. Can't get any simpler than 1-2-3-4-5, right Mona! Hope you find some soon. In high school, I made rhubarb cake for all my sports end-of-year potlucks, so I've been cooking with it for a loooong time. (:

  6. I just bought some rhubarb this spring! Can't wait something delicious here!

    1. Hope you like rhubarb so much you buy some more Kaleigh! (: I love it in savory and sweet ways.

  7. This rhubarb sauce sounds so delicious and super simple! I'm so into the idea of a rhubarb sauce parfait for summer-time breakfasts!

    1. Here's hoping summer comes soon so you can make that rhubarb parfait, Kelli!

  8. I have to admit I've never cooked/baked with rhubarb before. But this looks so easy and delicious, I might have to break my streak and start using it in the kitchen!

  9. I have made stewed rhubarb before to go with rice pudding. I was trying to re-create an amazing breakfast I had at a local cafe. Love the tartness.

    1. Oh wow! Why have I never poured rhubarb sauce on rice pudding? Sounds amazing - 2 of my favorites. Thanks for the great idea, Nina!

  10. Rhubarb is one of my favorite things about spring! This sauce looks delicious, and I love all the suggestions for ways to use it!

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