Summer is in full force, which means our gardens, and local farmer’s markets are blessed with an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. One of our seasonal favorites is none other than the tart but delicious rhubarb.
Did you know that rhubarb is actually a vegetable? You wouldn’t think so considering how amazingly well it goes in all sorts of desserts. There’s a reason why strawberry-rhubarb pies are such a summer classic. Rhubarb brings the perfect tartness to balance out the sugary overload in desserts. Curious about how you can include other veggies in sweets? Check out Veggies for Dessert? You Bet! How to Use Vegetables to Make Sweet Desserts.
If you’re unfamiliar with this amazing plant, check out our guide All About Rhubarb: How to Select, Prepare, and Store It. We also have great Tips for Using Rhubarb for Dessert if that’s something that interests you. Rhubarb is not only good for treats though; it makes a great addition to savory dishes.
Whether you like savory or sweet, get in the kitchen and try out any of these 22 creative rhubarb recipes. We promise you won’t regret it!
1. Rhubarb Lentil Soup
This Rhubarb Lentil Souprecipe artfully combines the savory, hearty aspects of lentils with the sweet and tangy qualities of rhubarb into one stellar soup. It’s the perfect soup to sip while you watch a summer storm or a spring shower. And the best part is that it’s incredibly easy to make.
2. King Mushroom ‘Scallops’ With Pickled Rhubarb
These pan-seared, plant-based “scallops” served with quick-pickled rhubarb, sliced avocado, cucumber, and edamame, are the perfect starter for any party. The key to vegan scallops are King Mushrooms. When you slice the stems into rounds, they look exactly like scallops. They even have that slightly rubbery bite that you get with scallops. You could serve this on a platter or in individual portions on spoons. Either way, thisKing Mushroom “Scallops”is an elegant starter for your next party.
3. Rhubarb BBQ Sauce
Half of what makes a great dish is an excellent sauce. This Rhubarb BBQ Sauceis tart, savory, and can be applied to a range of dishes. Marinate jackfruit in this sauce for a super flavorful, vegan pulled pork sandwich. You can also eat it on its own, it’s that good!
4. Rhubarb and Ginger Shrub Drinking Vinegar
Many of you may have heard of shrubs popping up at trendy bars and co*cktail lounges and wondered, ‘What the heck is a shrub?’ A shrub is a drinking vinegar; it’s an age-old method of preserving your fruits and vegetables. This particular shrub uses the tangy sourness of rhubarb and the perfumed spice of ginger to create a shrub that has hints of honey, a slight tang of vinegar, and is incredibly drinkable. You can enjoy this Rhubarb and Ginger Shrub Drinking Vinegaras is or cut it with a bit of soda water or tap water.
5. Rhubarb Granitas
Granita is a Sicilian delicacy that’s extremely popular in the hotter months during the summer so needless to say – this semi-frozen beverage is very refreshing. This particular Rhubarb Granitasis made from tart rhubarb, lemons, and a bit of sugar birch to counteract the sourness of the rhubarb.
6. Raspberry Rhubarb Coconut Crumble Bars
Introducing the tastiest, jammiest, most crumble-topping-est (just go with it), sweet dessert bar ever. Who can resist the wonderful sour taste of rhubarb? Especially when balanced with the sugary sweetness of raspberry and coconut. The crisp and crumbly texture of these mouth-wateringRaspberry Rhubarb Coconut Crumble Bars makes them the perfect fit for a sweet tooth’s breakfast, a mid-day pick-me-up snack, or dessert!
7. Roasted Rhubarb Vanilla Cream Pie
This Roasted Rhubarb Vanilla Cream Pieis healthy and light, yet super satisfying. Set on a cashew, almond, and date crust, the vanilla bean layer has a hint of coconut, and the rhubarb takes on a sweeter taste after the natural sugars are caramelized. Delish!
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8. Rustic Cherry Rhubarb Galette
This Rustic Cherry Rhubarb Galetteis the perfect way to celebrate the summer fruit that’s available to us during the warm season. The tartness of the rhubarb is balanced by the sweet, ripe cherries and then the filling is wrapped in a crumbly galette crust and baked until it’s golden brown and bubbling.
9. Rhubarb and Lemon Layer Cake
This elegant Rhubarb and Lemon Layer Cakeis perfect for a special occasion. The light, fluffy sponge cake is layered with a creamy rhubarb filling and then finished with a simple frosting. It is a stunning way to finish any meal. Believe us, you won’t regret trying this scrumptious cake!
10. Rhubarb Fennel Bread With Pecans
This sweetRhubarb Fennel Bread With Pecansis moist and hearty with the perfect hint of fennel. It will fill you up like a perfect snack should, or is a delight for breakfast. The topping is kind of like a streusel, but healthier for you and just a little bit tart from the rhubarb and sweet from the cinnamon and pecans. Not to mention that between the oats, buckwheat, and rhubarb, not only is the bread gluten-free, but it’s a great source of fiber.
11. Raw Strawberry Rhubarb Cream Pie
It’s a pie, it’s a cheesecake – it’s both! This silky-smooth Raw Strawberry Rhubarb Cream Pieconfection is somewhere in between a pie and a cheesecake. The nutty, crumbly crust is held together by a sweet, sticky date paste and then topped with a luxurious cashew, strawberry, and rhubarb cream and chilled until it’s firm. This is a wonderful way to finish off a warm summer night.
12. Swedish Rhubarb Crumble
Rhubarb pie is said to be one of the signature dishes in the Swedish island-province of Gotland. This particularSwedish Rhubarb Crumbleis sweet and tangy with a delicious crunchy crumble.Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream, vanilla custard or vanilla flavored vegan whip and you’ve got yourself the perfect summer dessert.
13. Roasted Rhubarb Granola Muffins
TheseRoasted Rhubarb Granola Muffinsare delicious and easy to make. The rhubarb, roasted in coconut sugar, softens and sweetens but retains a sharpness that perfectly complements the sweet, moist texture of the muffins. Granola replaces the traditional streusel topping to make these muffins the perfect weekend baking treat.
14. Classic Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Nothing says “classic” like a strawberry rhubarb pie — especially a strawberry rhubarb pie with a lattice crust. This Classic Strawberry Rhubarb Pieis the kind of pie you’d expect to see cooling on a windowsill. A brush of coconut cream helps the sprinkling of demerara sugar stick to the crust, giving the top of the pie a golden brown sparkle.
15. Raw Strawberry Rhubarb Crispy Cream Cake
ThisRaw Strawberry Rhubarb Crispy Cream Cakeis sweet, tart, rich, crispy, and creamy, totally dreamy. The base is a decadently delicious buckwheat crispy crust that is chewy and sweet with just a touch of vanilla and then it’s topped with two layers of a luxurious cashew cream and fresh rhubarb and strawberries that have been tossed in lemon juice. It’s the fanciest rice crispy treat you’ll ever taste.
16.Mini Strawberry Rhubarb Pies
These Mini Strawberry Rhubarb Pies are adorable!Delicious filling and simple coconut oil crust make this classic dessert irresistible!
17.Rhubarb Champagne Cake
ThisRhubarb Champagne Cake is just plain fancy.The almond sponge cakes is layered with a rhubarb and champagne compote, stuffed with coconut cream, and finished with a canided rhubarb latice.
18.Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins
TheseStrawberry Rhubarb Muffins are little bites of happiness!They are packed with fiber and protein because of the almond flour!
19.Rhubarb and Orange Rose Tart
ThisRhubarb and Orange Rose Tart is simply stunning!The rhubarb is arranged like a rose, with thin strips of rhubarb arranged delicately inside the buckwheat crust, and the tartness of the rhubarb works so well with the sweetness of the marmalade.
20.Strawberry-Rhubarb-Coconut Pops
TheseStrawberry-Rhubarb-Coconut Pops are frozen and so fun!Strawberries and rhubarb are a match made in heaven, and here they are swirled together with coconut cream in this delightful frozen treat!
21.Strawberry Rhubarb and Coconut Panna Cotta
Look at this gourmetStrawberry Rhubarb and Coconut Panna Cotta!The tart taste combined with the sweetness of strawberries and smoothness of coconut will become your everything!
22.Rhubarb, Rose Water, and Lime Sorbet
This Rhubarb, Rose Water, and Lime Sorbet is perfect for a refreshing summer treat! Plus it only has five ingredients so it’s super simple to make!
Want more scrumptious summer dessert recipes? Check out these10 Fresh and Delicious No-Bake Vegan Pies to Make This Summer,15 Fruity, Refreshing Summer Desserts That Remind Us of co*cktails, and these15 Bright, Fresh, Lemony, and Dairy-Free Desserts For Summer.
You can also download theFood Monster App,where you will find tons of other recipes featuring rhubarb and other seasonal ingredients. It is available on bothAndroidandiPhone. The App features 8000+ vegan, allergy-friendly recipes with at least 10 new recipes added daily!
Lead image source:Mini Strawberry Rhubarb Pies
