The Best Rhubarb Recipes to Celebrate Spring and Summer

I LOVE rhubarb season. As a kid, I would frequently eat just straight rhubarb, or better yet, rhubarb dipped in sugar. I could just inhale the stuff. While my love for rhubarb hasn’t changed, my interest in baking with it has. It seems like each year I’m finding more and more new favorites. And also, always going back to the old classics. If you’re wondering what to make with fresh rhubarb, these are the recipes we reach for every single spring and the new favorites that I crave the most.

Rhubarb is one of those ingredients that instantly feels nostalgic. It’s the taste of early summer, backyard gardens, and desserts cooling on the kitchen counter. I (borderline obsessively) begin checking my rhubarb plants in early spring, and the moment those stalks are finally big enough to harvest, these are the recipes I pull out first.

From classic desserts to refreshing drinks, these easy rhubarb recipes are perfect for celebrating the sweet-tart flavor of the season.

Tips for Cooking with Fresh Rhubarb

If you’re new to cooking with rhubarb, I want to start with a few simple tips that will help you get the best flavor and texture from your recipes.

Choose bright, firm stalks
Look for rhubarb that is crisp and vibrant red or pink. Avoid stalks that feel soft or limp.

Always remove the leaves
Rhubarb leaves should never be eaten. Only the stalks are safe for cooking and baking.

Balance the tartness
Rhubarb has a naturally tart flavor, which is why it pairs so beautifully with sugar, strawberries, vanilla, and lemon in desserts. Or, my all time favorite secret ingredient – strawberry gelatin powder.

Don’t be afraid to experiment
Rhubarb works wonderfully in baked goods, jams, syrups, and even refreshing drinks. Try them all, you won’t be disappointed!

Our Favorite Rhubarb Recipes to Make This Season

1. Rhubarb Custard Dessert

This dessert layers a soft shortbread crust, a tangy-sweet rhubarb custard filling, and a lightly golden top. It’s is, quintessentially, a taste of my childhood, bare feet, grass stains, and my grandma’s kitchen table.

The creamy custard perfectly balances the bright tartness of rhubarb, making this one of those desserts people always ask for the recipe after trying.

Hands down, this is my all-time favorite rhubarb dessert.

2. Homemade Rhubarb Muffins

Looking for something simple yet satisfying? These homemade rhubarb muffins are soft, moist, and just the right amount of tart. They’re perfect with a cup of coffee in the morning or packed along as a quick snack on busy days. If you enjoy cozy homemade breakfasts, these muffins pair wonderfully with a bowl of homemade granola or a spoonful of fresh strawberry rhubarb freezer jam.

This muffin recipe is one of the easiest ways to bring rhubarb into your morning routine.

3. Strawberry Rhubarb Freezer Jam

Capture the taste of early summer with this easy strawberry rhubarb freezer jam. No canning required—just a few simple ingredients and you’ll have jars of sweet-tart jam ready to spread on toast, dollop on yogurt, or swirl into oatmeal.

Best of all, this freezer jam recipe lets you enjoy rhubarb long after the growing season ends.

4. The Best Rhubarb Crisp

Golden, crunchy topping meets soft, bubbling rhubarb filling in this comforting crisp. It’s the kind of dessert that begs to be served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A timeless favorite that’s always a crowd-pleaser!

Fruit crisps are some of the easiest desserts to make, which is why they’re perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. If you enjoy simple fruit desserts like this, you might also love our Blueberry Lemon Dump Cake, another easy bake that celebrates bright seasonal fruit flavors.

Don’t miss out on the best rhubarb crisp recipe you’ll find!

5. Rhubarb Simple Syrup

Okay, it’s not a dessert on its own—but this pretty pink syrup turns any drink or dessert into something special. Drizzle it over pound cake, mix it into cocktails or lemonade, or add it to sparkling water for a rhubarb refresher.

Try this recipe today!

6. Rhubarb Slush

Cool down on a warm afternoon with this fruity, icy rhubarb slush. Lightly sweet and incredibly refreshing, it’s the perfect treat for backyard gatherings or relaxing on the patio. The bright rhubarb flavor makes this frozen drink feel both nostalgic and refreshing — a perfect way to celebrate the peak of rhubarb season.

Serve it in a tall glass with fresh fruit or a sprig of mint for a simple but special summer treat.

Check out our recipe here.

Why We Love Baking with Rhubarb

Rhubarb has a flavor that’s completely unique — bright, tangy, and just sweet enough when paired with the right ingredients. It works beautifully in baked desserts, homemade jams, and refreshing drinks.

Because rhubarb season is fairly short, I try to enjoy it as much as possible while those stalks are fresh from the garden. Whether you’re baking a cozy crisp, stirring together a batch of muffins, or freezing jam for later, these recipes make the most of every harvest. It also makes the time of year just a little bit more exciting – there’s something special about knowing it’s rhubarb season and that after this you’ll have to wait until next spring to enjoy the magic again.

If you’re lucky enough to have rhubarb growing nearby, these fresh rhubarb recipes are some of the best ways to celebrate the season.

FAQ About Cooking with Rhubarb

I truly cannot tell you how much I love rhubarb. Each of these recipes is a gem in its own right. Try one (or all!) of these recipes and savor the season with every sweet-tart bite. Let us know if you have a favorite way to celebrate the star of the season below!