15 Surprising Savory Rhubarb Recipes

Updated: Feb. 25, 2022

Practically everyone is familiar with strawberry-rhubarb pie and rhubarb muffins, but how often do you see that rosy red vegetable in savory recipes? Surprise—it's just as good on the dinner plate as it is for dessert!

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Pork Chops with Rhubarb

A surprising rhubarb sauce makes these tender chops extra special. I like this fruity sauce on the tangy side, but you can always add more honey to sweeten it up a bit if it’s too puckery for your family. —Bonnie Bufford, Nicholson, Pennsylvania
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Rhubarb Beef

My daughter made a trip around the world and brought home this recipe from Iran. I've served it often to many of my friends, and they always seem to savor its different, zingy taste. —Bertha Davis, Springfield, Missouri
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Rhubarb and Honey Chicken

The sauce on this honey chicken is like a sweet-tart spin on teriyaki. Everyone who has tried it raves about it—even my husband, who’s not usually a rhubarb lover. —Rachel Beach, Whitley City, Kentucky
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Pork Loin with Strawberry-Rhubarb Chutney

I love strawberry-rhubarb pie, so I thought the same flavor combination could work as a chutney—and it does! This makes a delicious and festive accompaniment to a succulent pork roast. The chutney can be made a day ahead and kept in the refrigerator. —Deborah Biggs, Omaha, Nebraska
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Rhubarb-Apricot Barbecued Chicken

Springtime brings back memories of the rhubarb that grew beside my childhood home. When I found ruby red stalks in the store, I created this recipe for them. My family gives this a big thumbs up. —Laurie Hudson, Westville, Florida
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Spinach Salad with Rhubarb Dressing

Spinach salad is excellent with this tangy topping, which really perks it up. A friend shared a similar salad dressing recipe with me and I modified it a bit. The rhubarb adds rosy color and mouthwatering flavor.—Twila Mitchell, Lindsborg, Kansas
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Spring Essence Soup with Pistou

During the last part of April one year, I picked what I had available in the garden. I found oregano, leeks, asparagus and rhubarb. This became the base for an essence-of-spring recipe. The rhubarb adds a citrus element, which is balanced by the nutty, earthy pistou. It is truly a layering of flavors. —Laurie Bock, Lynden, Washington
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Dijon-Rubbed Pork with Rhubarb Sauce

This tender pork loin roast served with a rhubarb-orange sauce is simply delicious! Here's an excellent choice for company—it makes a memorable meal. —Marilyn Rodriguez, Sparks, Nevada
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Rhubarbecue

This simmered sauce is a roller-coaster ride for your tongue. It's a wonderful blend of complex flavors that goes with any meat. — Rd Stendel-Freels, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Rhubarb Ketchup

I received this recipe from a friend about 15 years ago. It's a nice surprise for ketchup lovers, and so easy to prepare. The spicy flavor makes this one of the tastiest ketchups I've ever had! —Faith McLillian, Rawdon, Quebec
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Rhubarb Pork Chop Casserole

The usual reaction to this casserole is that it’s a nice mix of sweet and tart—and an unusual use of rhubarb! I like rhubarb, but I’m not a dessert person. I always thought pies and cobblers shouldn’t be the only ways to enjoy it. —Jeanie Castor, Decatur, Illinois
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Chicken stir-fry
Courtesy of Food Faith Fitness

Strawberry Rhubarb Chicken Stir-Fry

The next time you make a stir-fry, take a cue from Food Faith Fitness and add some rhubarb to the mix to give your dish a delicious complexity that only the piquant stalks can provide.

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Rhubarb and tomato soup
Courtesy of Where Is My Spoon

Rhubarb and Tomato Soup

Have you ever considered adding rhubarb to soup? This recipe from Where Is My Spoon adds the fruit to a tomato soup and creates a delicious Romanian-inspired meal.

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Crispy rhubarb lemon chicken bake
Courtesy of Cotter Crunch

Crispy Rhubarb Lemon Chicken Bake

This beautiful one-pan meal from Cotter Crunch uses rhubarb two ways—it flavors the chicken as a component of the marinade and the often-overlooked shavings create a crispy topping on the finished dish.

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Cornmeal crusted fish tacos
Courtesy of Kitchen Konfidence

Cornmeal-Crusted Fish Tacos with Rhubarb Salsa

Fish tacos are nothing new, but a salsa revolving around rhubarb is definitely something unique and exciting! This recipe from Kitchen Konfidence adds pickled onions and jalapeno to a colorful salsa for an extra punch.

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