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Easy Rhubarb Sauce

May 22, 2021 · 15 Comments

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Easy rhubarb sauce in a mason jar with a spoon in it and topping vanilla ice cream in two coupe glasses
Easy rhubarb sauce in a mason jar with a spoon in it and topping vanilla ice cream in two coupe glasses

This Easy Rhubarb Sauce is a sweet, tangy sauce that’s perfect with ice cream, yogurt and more.

All you need is rhubarb, honey or maple syrup, vanilla and salt. That’s it!

If you’ve always wanted to make an easy rhubarb recipe but a pie or crisp is too complicated, this is perfect for you.

Plus this is naturally Paleo, refined sugar-free and, if you use maple syrup, vegan as well. But the most important thing is that no one will care once they taste it.

a sauce made of rhubarb, honey and vanilla fills a mason jar with a spoon and is poured over vanilla ice cream in two coupe glasses, all on a blue table runner on a wooden table

(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, I’ll automatically receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.)

Easy Rhubarb Sauce

Rhubarb, a vegetable (yes, technically it’s a vegetable!), has beautiful red stalks and a sharp, tart flavor that’s pretty hard to eat on its own.

However, once you cook it with something sweet like sugar and/or other fruit like strawberries, it becomes much more palatable. And the sweet/tart balance is positively irresistible.

(But don’t eat the leaves at all – they’re poisonous.)

And while a lot of rhubarb recipes drown the veggie in white sugar, I find that often masks the flavor and becomes much too sweet.

So here we’re not only using less sweetener, but we’re sticking to honey or maple syrup to keep it refined sugar-free.

Which one should you choose? Using a light-colored honey not only adds sweetness but also preserves the rhubarb’s pretty pink color.

Using 100% pure maple syrup will add a mellow sweetness and maybe even a bit of smokiness (depending on how dark and robust your syrup is), plus a slightly duller shade of pink.

Either way, this rhubarb sauce is irresistible and can be used in so many ways (see below for ideas). Plus you can make it as chunky or as smooth as you like.

So let’s make it!

 

What you need for Easy Rhubarb Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound fresh or frozen, thawed rhubarb – look for red stalks (but a bit of green is fine)
  • 1/2 cup light-colored honey or 100% pure maple syrup (light-colored if you want a brighter sauce)
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt or 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Equipment:

  1. a cutting board and chef’s knife (if using fresh rhubarb)
  2. A small saucepan (2-3 quart is good)
  3. measuring spoons (these are my favorite because they actually fit into spice jars!)
  4. A measuring glass
  5. Something to blend the sauce with: a blender, food processor, mini (4 cup) food processor or stick blender
  6. A serving pitcher, bowl or mason jar
easy rhubarb sauce fills a mason jar with a spoon and is poured over vanilla ice cream in two coupe glasses on a blue table runner on a wooden table

How to make rhubarb sauce

Step 1: If using fresh rhubarb, trim off and discard the ends. If the stalks are narrow, slice them in half lengthwise. If the stalks are wide, slice them into thirds lengthwise Then cut crosswise into about 1/2″ chunks and add the rhubarb chunks to the saucepan.

If using frozen thawed rhubarb, you can skip the chopping steps and just add it to the saucepan.

Step 2: Stir in the honey/maple syrup and salt. Place over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it simmer for 3-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you want your sauce chunkier, cook it for the shorter amount of time. If you want it totally smooth, cook it for the longer time, until the rhubarb is pretty soft.

Step 3: Take it off the heat and add the vanilla. Then blend using whatever you like to blend (blender, food processor, 4-cup mini food processor, stick blender, etc.). You can leave it as chunky or as smooth as you like.

If you want it chunky, I’d still recommend blending it at least a little bit. Otherwise the sauce will just be a thin layer of sweetener and then separate rhubarb chunks. It’s better if they’re at least somewhat blended together.

Step 4: Once the sauce has cooled down (the honey/maple syrup will be very hot when it’s done cooking), taste and add more sweetener, salt or vanilla if you like.

 

What to do with rhubarb sauce

You can enjoy this easy rhubarb sauce warm, room temperature or cold in so many ways:

  1. Pour over ice cream. Vanilla is the obvious choice, but coconut, pistachio or even marshmallow would be good. If you want to really go all in on the rhubarb flavor, spoon it over this creamy rhubarb gelato. Sprinkle on chopped nuts like almonds, pistachios or hazelnuts if you like. These Spiced Candied Pecans would also be fantastic. Adding fresh fruit like chopped strawberries or sliced bananas would be great.
  2. Pour it over yogurt.  Again, sprinkle over chopped nuts if you like, fresh fruit and/or granola. Or crumble over one of these no-bake breakfast bars.
  3. Drizzle over pancakes, waffles or French toast.
  4. Warm up a thick slice of banana bread, top with vanilla ice cream or yogurt and some of the rhubarb sauce.
  5. Do the same as #4 but with a blondie.
  6. Drizzle over the strawberries in Strawberry Shortcake.
  7. Drizzle over a slice of this Olive Oil Polenta Cake.
  8. Blend into a smoothie, like this Strawberry Banana Smoothie.
  9. Add a bowl of it to this Grilled Fruit Platter to drizzle over grilled peaches, pineapple and more.
  10. Add 1-2 tablespoons to a champagne flute and pour in some Champagne or Prosecco.
  11. Mix into cocktails with vodka, gin, tequila or white rum.
healthy rhubarb sauce in a mason jar with a spoon and in two coupe glasses with vanilla ice cream, all on top of a blue table runner

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make substitutions?

Using a light-colored honey not only adds sweetness but also preserves the rhubarb’s pretty pink color. Using 100% pure maple syrup will add a mellow sweetness and maybe even a bit of smokiness (depending on how dark and robust your syrup is), plus a slightly duller shade of pink.

You can also use white sugar which gives the sauce a pretty pink color but can also mask the flavor the rhubarb and become too sweet.

You can use vanilla paste or fresh vanilla seeds from a pod in place of the extract.

Can I make this Easy Rhubarb Sauce ahead of time?

The sauce will last for up to 2 weeks in the fridge. If you want to serve it warm, heat it gently over low heat in a small saucepan, stirring occasionally.

Can I freeze this Easy Rhubarb Sauce?

The sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. If you want to serve it warm, heat it gently over low heat in a small saucepan, stirring occasionally. If your sauce is on the chunkier side, the texture might be softer after it’s been frozen a while.

Other recipes you might like:

  1. Rhubarb Gelato with Easy Strawberry Sauce (Paleo, dairy-free)
  2. Gluten-Free Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp (Paleo)
  3. Strawberry Banana Smoothie (dairy-free/Paleo/vegan options)
  4. Paleo Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins (gluten-free)
a sauce made of rhubarb, honey and vanilla fills a mason jar with a spoon and is poured over vanilla ice cream in two coupe glasses, all on a blue table runner on a wooden table

Easy Rhubarb Sauce

Don Baiocchi
Learn how to make rhubarb sauce with this easy recipe! Sweet and tart, it's perfect over ice cream, yogurt, pancakes, waffles and more!
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 8 minutes mins
Total Time 28 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 79 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound fresh or frozen (thawed) rhubarb
  • ½ cup light-colored honey or pure maple syrup
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt or 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • If using fresh rhubarb, trim off and discard the ends. If the stalks are narrow, slice in half lengthwise. If wide, slice in thirds lengthwise. Then cut crosswise into roughly ½" chunks. Add to the saucepan. (If using frozen thawed rhubarb, just add directly to the saucepan.)
  • Add the honey/maple syrup and salt to the saucepan and place over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and gently simmer for 3-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you want your sauce a little chunkier, cook it for the shorter amount of time so it still has some texture. If you want it totally smooth, cook for the longer time, until soft.
  • Remove from the heat and add the vanilla. Blend (using a blender, food processor, 4-cup mini food processor or stick blender) until it reaches your desired consistency.
  • Let cool a little before tasting to add more salt, vanilla or sweetener, if necessary. Enjoy warm, room temperature or cold.
    Recipe yields 2 cups.

Notes

What to do with rhubarb sauce
  1. Pour over ice cream. Vanilla is the obvious choice, but coconut, pistachio or even marshmallow would be good. If you want to really go all in on the rhubarb flavor, spoon it over this creamy rhubarb gelato. Sprinkle on chopped nuts like almonds, pistachios or hazelnuts if you like. These Spiced Candied Pecans would also be fantastic. Adding fresh fruit like chopped strawberries or sliced bananas would be great.
  2. Pour it over yogurt.  Again, sprinkle over chopped nuts if you like, fresh fruit and/or granola. Or crumble over one of these no-bake breakfast bars.
  3. Drizzle over pancakes, waffles or French toast.
  4. Warm up a thick slice of banana bread, top with vanilla ice cream or yogurt and some of the rhubarb sauce.
  5. Do the same as #4 but with a blondie.
  6. Drizzle over the strawberries in Strawberry Shortcake.
  7. Drizzle over a slice of this Olive Oil Polenta Cake.
  8. Blend into a smoothie, like this Strawberry Banana Smoothie.
  9. Add a bowl of it to this Grilled Fruit Platter to drizzle over grilled peaches, pineapple and more.
  10. Add 1-2 tablespoons to a champagne flute and pour in some Champagne or Prosecco.
  11. Mix into cocktails with vodka, gin, tequila or white rum.
Substitutions and variations
  1. I already addressed the differences between honey and maple syrup in the blog post, but you can also just use plain white sugar. It’ll be a little sweeter with a brighter pink color.
  2. You can use vanilla paste or fresh vanilla seeds from a pod in place of the extract.
Make ahead/storage
  1. The sauce will last for up to 2 weeks in the fridge. If you want to serve it warm, heat it gently over low heat in a small saucepan, stirring occasionally.
  2. The sauce can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat as above. If your sauce is on the chunkier side, the texture might be softer after it’s been frozen a while.

Nutrition

Calories: 79kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 1gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.03gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.02gSodium: 149mgPotassium: 176mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 58IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 0.2mg
Keyword how to make, rhubarb recipe, rhubarb sauce
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5 Ingredients or Less, Recipes, Sauces & Condiments, Sweets honey, maple syrup, rhubarb, spring recipe, summer recipe, vegan

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amy says

    May 12, 2024 at 1:33 pm

    Could you can this and process it??

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      May 14, 2024 at 4:49 pm

      I don’t can things so I’m not sure. I don’t see why not though.

      Reply
  2. Alex says

    June 2, 2021 at 12:44 am

    I wish we still had rhubarb available here! It’s got like a 2 1/2 week long window here. 😆 I have no idea why. I need to freeze some for next year so I can make this whenever I want!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      June 4, 2021 at 7:47 pm

      I know, it’s season is so short. It’s so frustrating. But yeah, frozen would work here too!

      Reply
  3. Erin says

    June 2, 2021 at 12:32 am

    I love that this is naturally sweetened! It looks so thick and just perfect for ice cream and crisps.

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      June 4, 2021 at 7:47 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  4. Yang says

    May 30, 2021 at 3:22 pm

    5 stars
    Sounds perfect for the rhubarb season!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      June 4, 2021 at 3:35 pm

      It is! 😉

      Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      June 4, 2021 at 7:46 pm

      It really is!

      Reply
  5. ChihYu says

    May 26, 2021 at 8:23 pm

    5 stars
    Yum!! Such a delicious summer treat!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      May 28, 2021 at 11:58 am

      Thanks 🙂

      Reply
  6. Jean Choi says

    May 24, 2021 at 6:59 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve never cooked with rhubarb before and this is such a great recipe to start out with. SO easy and delicious!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      May 26, 2021 at 11:20 am

      Exactly! So simple.

      Reply
  7. tina says

    May 24, 2021 at 6:43 pm

    5 stars
    OMG – putting this ice cream is such a great idea!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      May 26, 2021 at 11:20 am

      I cannot stop eating it that way!

      Reply
5 from 4 votes

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Well hello there! I’m Don, the creator behind Paleo Gluten Free Guy. I share fun, vibrant recipes for good health and pure enjoyment. All of my recipes are gluten-free and the majority of them are also Paleo, meaning they’re free of grains, dairy, refined sugar and legumes.

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