How To Dehydrate Rhubarb and 5 Recipes With Dried Rhubarb

Read on to find out exactly how to dehydrate rhubarb and learn preserve this tangy vegetable when your harvest is abundant! Drying rhubarb helps to save freezer space for a long term storage solution that is simple to grab and use any time of the year.

Dehydrated rhubarb can be used in a variety of delicious recipes and applications including compotes, powders, smoothies, sauces, and this easy Strawberry Rhubarb Freezer Jam. If you love the taste of rhubarb, you will love these Rhubarb Buttermilk Muffins With Streusel Topping.

Rhubarb is one of the first perennial food crops that surfaces in my chilly zone 3 climate. Check out my rhubarb companion planting guide to get started growing it today! It grows vigorously in early spring and appreciates a cold winter- bonus! Dehydrating rhubarb may seem unconventional at first, but it is super convenient and saves valuable freezer and jar space. Freeze dried rhubarb is another great alternative but can have big upfront costs. Quickly get started drying rhubarb today using equipment most already have!

Why Dehydrate Rhubarb?

Dehydrating rhubarb shrinks it down to a manageable size, making it shelf stable and long lasting (up to a year without colour deteriorating.) Drying rhubarb instead of freezing it frees up valuable freezer space. Canning can be messy, time consuming, and takes up a lot of jars and pantry space. This dried rhubarb recipe is easy to throw in soups and sauces, powder, and incorporate in different recipes.

Exactly How to Dry Rhubarb:

There are several ways to dry rhubarb, the two most efficient methods include in drying in a dehydrator and drying in an oven.

Drying Rhubarb in the Dehydrator

1. If you are harvesting your rhubarb directly from the garden, reach low into your plant close to the soil and carefully pull stalks of rhubarb from the base of the plant. Cut or break off the large leaf and discard it.
2. Wash your stalks thoroughly and slice off about an inch on either end of the stalk.
3. Use a large sharp knife and cut the rhubarb into thin (1/4 inch or less) medallions.
4. Arrange the medallions on your dehydrator trays, making sure that the rhubarb is well spread out and not overlapping. Thick pieces and pieces piled on top of one another will take longer to dehydrate. Try to be fairly consistent with your chopping!
5. Set your dehydrator to 130°F for 18-24 hours or until the rhubarb feels dry and crisp.
6. Store in an airtight container with an oxygen absorber if possible. Keep the dried rhubarb out of direct sunlight to help prevent it from degrading in the light.

Drying Rhubarb in the Oven

1. Set your oven to the lowest possible setting (below 200°F). Some newer ovens have a dehydrate setting… this is perfect! If you are nervous about your rhubarb getting “baked” instead of dried, you can prop the door open a few inches with a tea towel to help keep the temperature and humidity down.
2. Slice the rhubarb into 1/4 inch or smaller pieces and spread them out in a single layer over a lined baking sheet. The best piece of equipment you can buy for dehydrating in your oven is a good cooling rack or these trays.
3. Place the trays in the oven at the lowest setting and allow them to dehydrate for at least 8 hours. Rhubarb should be crisp to the touch.
4. Store in an airtight container with an oxygen absorber if possible. Keep the dried rhubarb out of direct sunlight to help prevent it from degrading in the light.

Batch + Storage

4 cups (560g) of thinly sliced rhubarb = 1 cup (35g) of dried rhubarb.

How to Rehydrate Dried Rhubarb

Rehydrated rhubarb will never be fully restored to its original crisp and tender self but it does take on enough moisture to be useful in different kinds of sauce, soup, and muffin recipes. The possibilities are endless.

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add boiling water to your rhubarb at a ratio of 4:1 and allow it to sit for an hour before draining and using!

5 Delicious Recipe Ideas Using Dehydrated Rhubarb

Read on to find out how to use dehydrated rhubarb on the regular!

Dried Rhubarb Powder- Rhubarb powder can be used to flavour sauces, soups, in smoothies, and tucked into your favourite muffin to add the perfect amount of tang.

Dried Rhubarb Tea- Pair your dried rhubarb pieces with mint leaves, dried strawberries, apples or other herbs to make the most delicious rhubarb tea. Simply boil your water, add 2 teaspoons of dried rhubarb pieces per cup, and steep for 5-10 minutes depending on your strength preference. Add some honey and you have yourself the best home-grown rhubarb tea. Serve hot or over ice.

Rhubarb Muffins- Rehydrate your rhubarb using the instructions above and add them to these delicious buttermilk rhubarb muffins. The chewier texture of the rehydrated rhubarb will be perfection in the muffins. Top with a cinnamon-y streusel for extra pizazz.

Savoury Rhubarb Salsa- Not only for sweet treats, rhubarb’s natural tartness pairs perfect with spice in this rhubarb salsa. Simply rehydrate the rhubarb and add it as per the instructions on the recipe.

Sweet Garnish- Instead of slicing your rhubarb into medallions before dehydrating, soak them in a simple syrup and use a peeler or mandolin to make long thin slices. Wrap them around a metal straw or spoon or loosely loop them before placing them in your oven or dehydrator to dry. Impress guests by putting them on top of muffins, cheesecake and other sweet treats.

Printable Dried Rhubarb Recipe Card

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