How to Freeze Rhubarb: The Easy Method for Future Use (2024)

Fresh rhubarb is one of the highlights of late spring and early summer, but did you know that it freezes beautifully for future use? Read on for the easiest way to freeze fresh rhubarb so you can enjoy its tart flavor year-round. Plus, I’ll share some favorite rhubarb recipes to try with your frozen stash!

Rhubarb is a tart vegetable that’s often used in favorite desserts like rhubarb crisp, rhubarb sauce, and rhubarb compote. Fresh rhubarb only in season for a short period in late spring and early summer, so if you love this delicious vegetable, it’s a good idea to stock up while it’s available. Fortunately, freezing rhubarb is a great way to preserve it for future use, whether you grow your own rhubarb or buy it from a local store or farmer’s market.

In this post, we’ll go through the step-by-step process of freezing fresh rhubarb to ensure the best quality and shelf life, including tips and tricks for preparation, storage, and usage.

What is Rhubarb?

Before we get into the freezing process, let’s talk a little bit about rhubarb. Rhubarb is a perennial plant that is commonly grown for its edible stalks. It’s botanically classified as a vegetable, but it’s often used in sweet dishes like pies, crisps, and sauces. Rhubarb has a tart, tangy flavor that pairs well with sweet ingredients like sugar, honey, and fruit. It’s also rich in nutrients like fiber, vitamin K, and potassium.

When is Rhubarb in Season?

Rhubarb is a short-season vegetable that is typically in season from late spring to early summer. The exact timing can vary depending on your location and climate. If you’re lucky enough to have your own rhubarb plant, you’ll know it’s ready to harvest when the stalks are at least 12 inches long and about the thickness of your thumb. When buying rhubarb at the grocery store or farmer’s markets, look for bright, firm stalks with no blemishes or brown spots.

Why Freeze Rhubarb?

While rhubarb season is short, freezing your rhubarb harvest allows you to enjoy it all year long. Freezing rhubarb is also a great way to prevent waste if you have excess rhubarb that you can’t use right away. Plus, frozen rhubarb is just as nutritious and flavorful as fresh rhubarb, so you can use it in all your favorite recipes without sacrificing quality.

Step-by-Step Guide to Freezing Rhubarb

Step 1: Wash and trim the rhubarb

Start by washing the rhubarb stalks thoroughly under cold water.Discard any green rhubarb leaves, which contain oxalic acid and should not be eaten

Step 2: Dry the rhubarb

Once the rhubarb is cleaned, dry the stalks thoroughly with a kitchen towel or paper towels. This step helps to remove excess water and prevent freezer burn.

Step 3: Cut the rhubarb into smaller pieces

Trim off the tough strings at the base of the stalk. Cut the rhubarb stalks into 1-inch pieces or smaller, depending on your preference.

Step 4: Arrange the rhubarb in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet

Arrange the rhubarb pieces in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Be sure to leave enough space between the pieces so that they are not touching each other.

Step 6: Freeze the rhubarb

Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze the rhubarb for 1-2 hours, or until it is mostly frozen. Once the rhubarb is partially frozen, you can transfer it to freezer containers or plastic bags for future use.

Remove excess air by pressing down on the bag or by using a straw to suck the air out of the bag. You can also vacuum seal the bags with a vacuum sealer to remove excess air. Be sure to label the containers with the date and amount of rhubarb.

Storage

Store frozen rhubarb in freezer safe bags or airtight containers in the freezer at a temperature of 0˚F (-18˚C) or lower for up to 12 months.

Use the rhubarb pieces right from the freezer in recipes or thawit in its bag or container placed inside a bowl overnight in the fridge.

Different Methods for Freezing Rhubarb

Tray method: This method involves flash freezing the individual pieces rhubarb on a tray in a single layer before transferring it to a freezer-safe bag or container. This method is the best way to keep the rhubarb pieces from freezing in one clump. The free flowing pieces are easy to add to baking or cooking recipes.

Dry pack method: This method involves packing the raw rhubarbpieces into a plastic container orziploc freezer bagwithout flash freezing them first. It’s aneasy wayto freezesmaller amountsof rhubarb, but they may clump together. This method is fine to use for sauces or jam, where the rhubarb will be cooked down.

Blanching method: This method involves blanchingrhubarb piecesinboiling waterfor 1-2 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces and transferring them to anice bathto stop thecooking process. Some say this step helps to preserve the color and texture of the rhubarb, but I have not seen a significant difference in quality, taste or texture between frozenraw rhubarbor frozenblanched rhubarb. Rhubarb is an acidic vegetable so it doesn’t benefit from blanching the same way low-acid vegetables like peas, carrots and corn do. If you decide to blanch the rhubarb, be sure to dry the blanched pieces well to remove as muchexcess liquidas possible to prevent ice crystals from forming.

Tips forFreezing Rhubarb

• To freezelarge quantitiesof rhubarb, it’s best to useplastic containersorfreezer-safe bags.
• Be sure to remove asmuch airas possible from the container or bag to preventfreezer burn.
• Label the container or bag with the date and the amount of rhubarb inside.
• Rhubarb freezesbest when it’s fresh, so try to freeze and store it as soon as possible.

Fun Fact: Did you know that rhubarb is technically a vegetable? Despite itstart flavorand common use in sweet desserts, it is actually classified as a vegetable due to its botanic characteristics.

How to Use Frozen Rhubarb

Now that you’ve successfully frozen your rhubarb, you might be wondering what to do with it next. Onegreat wayto usefrozen rhubarbis to make arhubarb sauceor stewed rhubarb. Simply thaw therhubarb piecesin the refrigerator or atroom temperatureand then place them in a pot with a small amount of water and sugar to taste. Cook until the rhubarb is soft and then optionally blend it until it’s smooth.

Another delicious way to usefrozen rhubarbis to make arhubarb crispor rhubarb crumble. This classic dessert is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. Simply toss thefrozenrhubarbpieceswith sugar and your favorite crisp topping (such as oats, flour, butter, and brown sugar) and bake until golden brown and bubbling.

Frozen rhubarb bakes up perfectly as a galette filling with juicy strawberries. Tuck the sweet and tart filling into a flaky pie crust for a no-fuss elegant dessert.

​FAQs

Freezing rhubarbis agreat ideato preserve this delicious vegetable forfuture use, especially during theshort seasonoflate springandearly summer. By following thesesimple stepsand using the best methods forfreezing rhubarb, you can enjoy this tart and versatile ingredient all year long. Try some of my family’sfavorite rhubarb recipeslisted below or experiment with your own and discover why rhubarb is one of our favorite vegetables.

​Rhubarb Recipes to Try

• Easy Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Recipe (Vegan Option)
• Strawberry Rhubarb Galette
• Vegan Strawberry Rhubarb Frangipane Galettes
• Easy Stewed Rhubarb Recipe
• Recipe: Vegan Strawberry Rhubarb Wheat Bran Crumb Top Muffins
• Vegan Aquafaba Meringue and Rhubarb Curd Cake
• Vegan Rhubarb Curd Bars
• Vegan Rhubarb Rose Almond Cake
• Vegan Rhubarb Custard Tart Recipe
• Rhubarb Almond Polenta Skillet Cake | Vegan