7 Delicious Rhubarb Recipes That Go Beyond Pie

Rhubarb. It looks weird, it has weird rules (don’t eat the leaves!), it even sounds weird. But if you haven’t yet embraced this tart vegetable, the time is now. And while it’s best known as strawberries’ sidekick in pie, there’s a whole world of rhubarb recipes out there.

But, First: What to Know (and Love) About Rhubarb

Rhubarb is rich in many nutrients, especially vitamin K, which is considered protective for brain health and essential for bones and blood. When shopping, you’ll find both green and red stalks. Both are good, but the red ones have more vitamin A, which is important for vision and a healthy immune system.

Red stalks are also somewhat sweeter. Note the “somewhat”; even the sweeter stalks are mouth-puckeringly tart. In our books, that tartness is another plus for rhubarb. Whether you turn it into a dessert, drink or sauce, it lends a truly unique flavor; sour, sure, but with undertones of ripe berry and citrus.

7 Delicious Rhubarb Recipes to Make Right Now

1. Rhubarb Almond Flour Muffins from Heartbeet Kitchen

Things we love about these muffins: They’re made with almond flour and oat flour and sweetened with coconut sugar and maple syrup, they lean into the tartness of rhubarb on its own, and they take just 25 minutes to bake.

Photo Credit: Saveur

2. Rhubarb Granita from Saveur

This frozen treat puts the spotlight on the famous pair, rhubarb and strawberries, without much else to distract you. Feel free to experiment with the type of sweetener and the amount to get the right balance of sweet and sour.

Photo Credit: Pinch of Yum

3. Paleo Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp from Pinch of Yum

This modern spin on a classic dessert is almost healthy enough to eat for breakfast.

Photo Credit: The View from Great Island

4. Individual Salad Cups with Rhubarb Vinaigrette from The View from Great Island

We can’t decide which is more genius: the tart rhubarb vinaigrette or this entertaining idea.

Photo Credit: Jenny Chandler

5. Rhubarb and Lentil Curry from Jenny Chandler

Who says rhubarb only good for dessert? Put this spring vegetable to work lending a splash of color and brightness to a healthy vegetarian entrée.

Photo Credit: A Year in Food

6. Rhubarb-Fennel Fizz from The Year in Food

Fennel and herby gin join in for a sophisticated and refreshing cocktail that will knock the socks off your guests.

Photo Credit: Yossy Arefi for Bon Appetit

7. Roasted Spiced Rhubarb with Dates and Yogurt from Bon Appetit

Your yogurt bowl has been waiting for this sweet and savory upgrade.