Freezing Rhubarb

Extend your rhubarb harvest by freezing it so you can use your rhubarb year round. 

Step by step directions on freezing rhubarb and ways to use frozen rhubarb.

What is rhubarb?

Rhubarb is a perennial plant that grows from rhizomes. The stalks of rhubarb are edible and are often red or green.

Rhubarb stalks resemble celery in looks but taste entirely different. They have a very sour taste. The leaves contain high levels of oxalic acid and are inedible. 

Rhubarb is one of the first plants we can harvest near the end of every spring.

If you grow rhubarb then you'll want to know how to preserve it so you can use it all year long. Freezing it is a great way to preserve your rhubarb harvest.

How do I harvest rhubarb?

I select a few stalks from each rhubarb plant to remove. I never take more than ¼ of the plant at a time. You want your plant to continue producing and taking too many stalks may cause it to die. 

Use a small knife and cut the stalk near the base of the plant. 

Remove leaves and discard.

Step by step directions

• Rinse rhubarb and remove any dirt from stalks

• Remove any loose strings

• Just grab and pull off the stringy parts. The strings can sometimes be a bit tough so removing them is a good idea. I only take off anything that is hanging.

• Chop into ½" chunks or cut into whatever size you are going to want to use. For muffins, I often want a smaller dice so I cut rhubarb just for that use. Once frozen, it's difficult to cut into smaller pieces.

• Place in a freezer safe bag and place in freezer. I often fill a gallon sized bag full and then pull out the amount I need later. You could also premeasure a set amount and freeze just that amount in each bag.

• Label the bag with contents, date and amount, if premeasured

How do I use frozen rhubarb?

I use frozen rhubarb in any recipe calling for rhubarb. I usually add it frozen and increase the cooking time by 5-10 minutes. You can use frozen rhubarb in rhubarb muffins, rhubarb bread, rhubarb sauce, rhubarb jam and this delicious rhubarb crisp. 

Tips for freezing rhubarb

• Always label your freezer bag and add the date. 
• Cut rhubarb to the size you will need for a recipe.
• Freeze in a freezer that does not have an automatic defrost.
• Use rhubarb within one year.
• If rhubarb freezes together, just gently break apart while still in bag.
• Freeze the amount you have on hand. Sometimes I have just a few cups to freeze and other times I may have several dozen cups. 

Rhubarb FAQs

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