Skip to Content
Pile of rhubarb with stocks and leaves.

Rhubarb

Quick Facts

Vegetable Type: Stem
Scientific Name: Rheum rhabarbarum
Seasonality: Late spring to early summer
Nutrients: Calcium, carotene, folate, lutein, zeaxanthin, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin K
Flavor: Strong & tart
Complementary Flavors: Coconut or citrus
Quick Cooking Tip: Stew or poach rhubarb in water for 8–10 minutes before preparing to help sweeten its flavor.
Cost: $$*
*from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$)

Rhubarb stalks on a dark background

Why Rhubarb Is Good for Your Heart, Bones, and Digestion

Rhubarb is a vibrant vegetable with bold flavors and even bigger benefits. Learn how to select and prepare rhubarb for any meal.

READ NOW

Rhubarb Recipes

Pair this nutritious veggie with various ingredients and flavor profiles for the perfect dish!
Chicken Rhubarb Skillet finished in a pan.

One-Skillet Rhubarb Chicken

Rhubarb Sour Mocktail finished closeup

Rhubarb Sour Mocktail 

Sweet potato canapés finished.

Chicken & Rhubarb Sweet Potato Canapés 

PaleoFLEX™ Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler

Apple & Pomegranate Lemonade

Grabbing fruit roll ups laid out on table

Blackberry-Rhubarb Fruit Roll-Up 

PaleoFLEX™ Berry Crumble

Rhubarb on a cutting board with a sharp knife.

Health Benefits

  • Early research suggests rhubarb stalk fiber may support healthy cholesterol, particularly by lowering LDL levels.
  • Some studies have explored rhubarb’s potential to support kidney function in individuals with chronic renal conditions, though more research is needed.
  • Preliminary research has examined rhubarb’s potential to support gut and immune function in sepsis patients by modulating inflammation.
  • A human study found that rhubarb stalk fiber may help lower LDL cholesterol in men with high cholesterol.

Sustainability Tip

Scatter leftover rhubarb cuttings around your garden to create a natural barrier that keeps pesky critters at bay.

Making Rhubarb Kid-Friendly

Turn rhubarb into a kid-friendly treat by making a delicious strawberry-rhubarb cobbler they’ll love!

FULL RECIPE

Make the Most of Leftovers

Lay your rhubarb pieces flat before freezing to preserve freshness and extend shelf life.

Sober Curious Lifestyle

This non-alcoholic Rhubarb Sour lets its main ingredient, rhubarb, shine with minimal sweetness and a touch of ginger.

FULL RECIPE
Rhubarb Sour Mocktail finished closeup

Resources

The information above was compiled with help from the following sources.
USDA logo

USDA

Chloe Headshot

Chloe Weiss

Intern,
The Paleo Diet

Isabella Mead Headshot

Isabella Mead

Assistant Project Manager,
The Paleo Diet

Nutrition Research textbook cover.

Nutrition Research

Scientific Journal

Journal of Chinese Materia Medica logo replacement.

Journal of Chinese Materia Medica

Scientific Journal

Frontiers in Nutrition Logo.

Frontiers in Nutrition

Scholarly Journal

Journal of the American College of Nutrition.

Journal of the American College of Nutrition

Scientific Journal

back to top