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    Home » Recipes » Vegetable Prep Hacks

    Freezing Rhubarb: How to Preserve Raw Rhubarb

    Modified: Jul 13, 2021 · Published: May 21, 2021 by Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN · This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments

    213 shares
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    frozen rhubarb pieces in a Ziploc bag on a counter
    sliced rhubarb spread out in a single layer on a baking sheet for freezing
    image of frozen rhubarb in a Ziploc bag on a counter under text box

    Learn everything you need to know about freezing rhubarb, including how long it lasts and how to use it in cooking. Wondering if you can freeze raw rhubarb or if you need to blanch it? This post has the answers.

    image of frozen rhubarb in a Ziploc bag on a counter under text box

    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see my affiliate disclosure.

    Freezing vegetables is one of my favorite kitchen hacks for preventing food waste, saving money, and extending a certain veggie’s season. Rhubarb is an especially good vegetable (yes, it’s technically a veggie!) to learn how to freeze, since its season is short.

    Rhubarb is also usually used in baking or cooked preparations. So, whether it’s fresh or frozen doesn’t matter as much as it does with other foods that are commonly served raw. Freezing rhubarb allows you to have it on hand potentially year-round to make your favorite desserts and recipes.

    If you grow rhubarb in your garden and have a TON, or if you just want to preserve some store-bough rhubarb for future use, I put together this tutorial to help you. For more tutorials on freezing veggies, check out my posts on Freezing Garlic, How to Freeze Carrots, and How to Freeze Celery.

    How to Cut and Freeze Rhubarb

    1. Trim the ends of the rhubarb stalks, and remove the leaves. The leaves contain a compound that’s toxic in high amounts and should not be consumed. Chances are if you bought rhubarb at the store, the leaves have already been removed. But if it’s coming from your garden, the leaves are probably intact.
    2. Wash and dry the rhubarb stalks. Slice the rhubarb into ½-inch pieces, similar to how you would slice celery. diced rhubarb on a bamboo cutting board next to a chef's knife
    3. Spread the rhubarb out on a large baking sheet or freezer-safe tray. Place in the fridge for a few hours until frozen solid. sliced rhubarb spread out in a single layer on a baking sheet for freezing
    4. Transfer the frozen pieces to a labeled bag and container. Store in the freezer for up to a year. frozen rhubarb pieces in a Ziploc bag on a counter

    Frequently Asked Questions

    The process of freezing rhubarb is simple, but I wanted to answer some of the FAQ about it to clear up any confusion.

    Do you wash rhubarb before freezing?

    Yes, rinse rhubarb under cold running water and scrub the stalks with your fingers to remove any stuck dirt. Pat the stalks dry before cutting and freezing to remove any excess water.

    Can rhubarb be frozen without blanching?

    Fresh, raw rhubarb freezes beautifully and does not need to be blanched. However, you can choose to blanch it to help preserve the color and quality if you want.

    Bring a large pot of water to a boil while you prep the rhubarb. Drop the cut pieces into the boiling water, cook for just one minute, then remove and immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water. Let the pieces sit in cold water for a couple minutes, then drain, pat dry, and complete the remaining steps.

    How long can you freeze rhubarb?

    Frozen rhubarb lasts for up to a year in the freezer. For best results, be sure to store it in a tightly sealed container or bag that’s suitable for the freezer. If you’ve had rhubarb in the freezer for a long time and there are a lot of ice crystals and/or freezer burn, it’s probably past its prime.

    three rhubarb stalks spread out on a counter next to each other

    How to Use Frozen Rhubarb

    Now that you know all about freezing rhubarb, you need some ways to use it! Frozen rhubarb works best in cooked dishes and baked goods. It should not be used in raw preparations (which is rare for rhubarb anyway), since it may get soggy while defrosting.

    Here are some recipes to make using frozen rhubarb:

    • Rhubarb Sauce for Ice Cream
    • Double Chocolate Rhubarb Brownies
    • Blueberry Rhubarb Jam (and the related Blueberry Rhubarb Bars!)
    • Strawberry Rhubarb Baked Oatmeal Muffins

    I’d love to hear how you like this recipe! Rate/review using the stars on the recipe card or in the comments, and follow the Veg World on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Looking for something totally different? Browse the recipe library.

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    frozen rhubarb pieces in a Ziploc bag on a counter

    Freezing Rhubarb

    Learn how to cut and freeze rhubarb, plus tips on using it.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
    Freezing time: 2 hours hrs
    Total Time: 2 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 1kcal
    Author: Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

    Equipment

    • cutting board and knife
    • Baking sheet
    • Freezer bags or containers

    Ingredients 

    • 2 large stalks rhubarb

    Instructions

    • Trim the rhubarb stalks. Remove and discard the leaves. Wash the stalks under cold running water and scrub off any stuck dirt. Pat the stalks dry.
    • Slice the rhubarb into ½-inch thick pieces. Spread the pieces out in a single layer on a baking sheet or freezer-safe tray. Place the tray in the freezer, somewhere it won't get bumped, until the pieces are frozen solid. This usually takes about 1 to 2 hours.
    • Transfer the frozen pieces to a freezer bag or container, seal tightly, and label. Store in the freezer for up to a year.

    Notes

    • Add frozen rhubarb directly to recipes for cooked preparations and baked goods. You don’t need to defrost it first. Don’t use frozen rhubarb in recipes where it’s served raw, since it can get soggy.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 1kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 3mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @vegworld_recipes and follow me today!

    Happy preserving! – Lizzie

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      How to Freeze Sweet Corn
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      How to Freeze Zucchini
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      How to Freeze Spinach
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      Freezing Broccoli: How to Preserve for Later
    213 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 7 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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    1. Bill

      January 24, 2025 at 3:55 pm

      Do you have to remove skin on rhubarb before freezing

      Reply
      • Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

        January 27, 2025 at 12:44 pm

        No, you do not need to peel it.

        Reply
    2. Peggy

      June 19, 2024 at 12:59 pm

      Do you need to peel rhubarb?
      That is what my mother did.

      Reply
      • Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

        June 19, 2024 at 1:11 pm

        You do not need to peel it, but you could if that’s how you prefer to eat it.

        Reply
    3. Francesca De Franco

      March 28, 2024 at 5:38 am

      5 stars
      Perfect – worked like a charm. Now I can have my spring rhubarb in Autumn for a Venison and Rhubarb Stew!

      Reply
      • Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

        March 28, 2024 at 11:14 am

        So glad to hear it worked well for you!!

        Reply
    4. Jackie

      July 02, 2023 at 7:40 pm

      I was given frozen rhubarb in big stalks and not washed. Is there a way I can still use this when thawed?

      Reply
      • Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

        July 07, 2023 at 4:50 pm

        Hi Jackie, yes you can still use rhubarb frozen as whole stalks. I’d recommend rinsing them off the best you can before using. You can slice them into pieces while they’re still frozen and then use them that way in recipes. Add the frozen pieces straight to recipes (cooked or baked dishes) instead of thawing beforehand, since rhubarb can get soggy when thawed.

        Reply
    5. Jenn

      October 14, 2022 at 11:23 am

      Is it necessary to freeze on a cookie sheet as opposed to just putting it directly into a bag and freezing?

      Reply
      • Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

        October 17, 2022 at 2:28 pm

        Hi Jenn, freezing on a cookie sheet helps prevent the frozen pieces from getting stuck together like they would if you just put them all in a bag without flash freezing first. The steps is not technically necessary, but I prefer to do it so that I don’t have big clumps of frozen rhubarb pieces that make it difficult to take out just the amount of rhubarb I need from the freezer.

        Reply
    6. Irv luzer

      September 12, 2022 at 11:49 am

      5 stars
      I have been eating rhubarb from my garden in a sauce with strawberries and a little sugar. Now I can have it year round. Thanks so much.

      Reply
      • Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

        September 13, 2022 at 3:29 pm

        I’m so glad to hear that this post was helpful. Enjoy that rhubarb!

        Reply
    7. Hamish D. Cole

      May 28, 2022 at 12:58 am

      5 stars
      Thanks very much for years the rhubarb in my garden has gone to waste ,now I can use it throughout year.

      Reply
      • Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

        May 31, 2022 at 11:42 am

        I’m so happy this post was helpful to you! Enjoy that rhubarb throughout the year!

        Reply

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