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
If stored in a deep freeze, or in a freezer without an auto-defrost, rhubarb will last up to one year.
No, rhubarb leaves are toxic and should not be consumed. Please discard leaves and only use the stalks.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my homesteading posts, including recipes and gardening tips.
More recipes for preserving food
Freezing Rhubarb
Ingredients
- 1 pound rhubarb (any amount will work)
Instructions
- Rinse and dry rhubarb stalks
- Cut into ½" pieces or any size that you will need later
- Place in a freezer safe bag
- Freeze
Notes
- 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.
Nancy Wright says
This article is very helpful and full of
Great and helpful information. Rhubarb is my most favorite pie. And my family can’t wait for the jam every spring. Thank you so much for sharing.
Kathy says
Thanks, Nancy!!! Rhubarb is a favorite in our house too! Glad this was helpful.
Kathy 🙂
Connie KNAPPER says
When you freeze rhubarb, as it thaws out, are you spse to drain the juice off before you use it?
Kathy says
Hi Connie,
It depends on the recipe. Most of the times, I will use the juice or use the rhubarb while it's still frozen. In my rhubarb muffins and in my rhubarb crisp, I use the rhubarb from a frozen state.
I hope that helps!
Kathy 🙂
Heather says
Great article but rhubarb should always be pulled, not cut at the base.
Kathy says
Hi Heather,
Thank you! How to harvest rhubarb seems to be one of those things that people have differing opinions on. My mother-in-law and I just had this same conversation a few weeks ago. She likes to pull, I prefer to cut. 🙂
Valentina says
This is such a great idea. Everyone I know who loves rhubarb awaits it's relatively short season with such anticipation. I love how pretty it looks with that bit of frost in your first photo, too. 🙂 ~Valentina
Joanna R. says
I read on another article that states you should never cut the rhubarb stalk but rather twist and pull it out by the root.
Kathy says
Interesting. I haven't heard that tip before. Thanks for sharing.
Fred G says
Just in time for rhubarb season.
David @ Spiced says
Several dozen cups!? Holy cow, Kathy! I'm jealous of your freezer! At any given time, you must have the most amazing selection of frozen berries, rhubarb, fish, etc. The timing on this post is perfect as rhubarb season is wrapping up. We didn't do much of a garden this year with the new house (just a couple tomato plants in pots), but perhaps we'll plant some rhubarb next year! You've inspired me!
Kathy says
It gets a little crazy. We have three large deep freezers. Two are in our basement and one in the shop. It's great for storing things but it's also easy to forget what's in there!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Although I don't grow rhubarb, it is a special treat! If I ever do have a garden - I'll know where to go for great tips! Thank you!!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Though I was only able to harvest our rhubarb only once so far this season, I know I'll refer back to this later on because we usually end up with lots! Freezing is such a great idea so I can enjoy rhubarb all year long! Thanks for this Kathy 🙂