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!
15 Surprising Savory Rhubarb Recipes
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, PennsylvaniaRhubarb 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, MissouriRhubarb 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, KentuckyPork 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, NebraskaRhubarb-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, FloridaSpinach 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, KansasSpring 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, WashingtonDijon-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, NevadaRhubarbecue
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 MexicoRhubarb 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, QuebecRhubarb 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, IllinoisStrawberry 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.
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.
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.
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.