How to Make Delicious Rhubarb Sauce in a Few Easy Steps

Rhubarb sauce is a delicious and versatile condiment that can be used in a wide range of dishes. From topping pancakes and waffles, to drizzling over ice cream and yogurt, it adds a sweet and tangy flavor with a touch of acidity that complements many dishes. If you’ve never made rhubarb sauce before, don’t worry, it’s easy and quick to prepare, and there are many different variations to suit your taste.

To start, you’ll need fresh rhubarb stalks, sugar, and water. Depending on your preference, you can add other ingredients such as cinnamon, vanilla extract, or orange zest to enhance the flavor and aroma of the sauce. Once you have all the ingredients, simply chop the rhubarb into small pieces, combine them with sugar and water in a pot, and cook until the rhubarb is soft and the liquid has thickened. From there, you can customize the sauce to your liking by adding different flavors and adjusting the sweetness and tartness until it’s just right.

Ingredients for Making Rhubarb Sauce

Now that you are acquainted with what rhubarb sauce is, let’s dive into the ingredients you’ll need to make it.

Rhubarb

The star player of this recipe is, of course, rhubarb. You will need about 4-6 cups of rhubarb, chopped. Use fresh rhubarb whenever possible, but if it’s out of season, you can use frozen rhubarb as well.

Sugar

Sugar is necessary to add sweetness to the tangy rhubarb. For every 4 cups of rhubarb, you will need 1-1 ½ cups of sugar. However, the amount of sugar depends on how sweet you want the sauce to be. Add or reduce sugar according to your taste.

Water

Add enough water to the chopped rhubarb to prevent it from sticking to the pot. You’ll need about ½ cup to 1 cup of water.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is essential to add a refreshing tang to the rhubarb sauce. 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice will be enough. However, you can adjust the amount according to your preference.

Cinnamon

For added flavor, you can add cinnamon. 1 teaspoon of cinnamon should be sufficient, but you can always add more if you want.

Salt

A pinch of salt in the rhubarb sauce balances out the flavors. Add it according to your taste.

Cornstarch or Tapioca Starch

To thicken the sauce, you can use cornstarch or tapioca starch. Mix 2-3 tablespoons of either starch with water and add it to the simmering rhubarb sauce. This step is optional, but if you want a thicker sauce, then it’s highly recommended.

Vanilla Extract

For additional flavor, you can add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the sauce.

Orange Peel

Zest orange peel into the rhubarb sauce to give it a citrusy taste. You can use either fresh or dried orange peel.

Ginger

Ginger adds a zesty kick to the rhubarb sauce. Grate or chop up 1-2 teaspoons of ginger and mix it into the sauce.

Now that we have covered the essential ingredients, let’s move on to the preparation steps.

Gathering Your Ingredients and Tools

Making rhubarb sauce requires quite a few ingredients, which are all easy to find at most grocery stores. Here are some of the things you’ll need to make a delicious rhubarb sauce:

Rhubarb

The star of the show is, of course, rhubarb. For this recipe, you’ll need about two pounds of fresh rhubarb. Look for rhubarb that is bright red in color, as this indicates that it is ripe and ready to use.

Sugar

You’ll also need sugar to sweeten your rhubarb sauce. The amount of sugar you’ll need will depend on your personal taste, but a good rule of thumb is to use about one cup of sugar per two pounds of rhubarb.

Water

Water will help to thin out your rhubarb sauce and make it easier to pour or spoon over your food. You’ll need about one cup of water for every two pounds of rhubarb.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice adds a bright, tangy flavor to your rhubarb sauce. You’ll need about one lemon’s worth of juice for every two pounds of rhubarb.

Corn Starch

Corn starch will help to thicken your rhubarb sauce and give it a smooth, velvety texture. You’ll need about one tablespoon of corn starch for every two pounds of rhubarb.

Saucepan

You’ll need a large saucepan to cook your rhubarb sauce in. Make sure you choose a pot that is big enough to hold all of your ingredients comfortably.

Wooden Spoon

A wooden spoon is the best tool to use when stirring your rhubarb sauce. Avoid using metal utensils, as they can react with the acid in the rhubarb and give your sauce a metallic taste.

Strainer or Sieve

A strainer or sieve will help you to remove any stringy bits of rhubarb from your sauce. You’ll want to strain your rhubarb sauce once it has finished cooking to ensure that it is smooth and silky.

Jar or Container

Once your rhubarb sauce is finished cooking, you’ll want to store it in an airtight container. A mason jar or Tupperware container works well for this purpose.

Refrigerator or Freezer

Depending on how much rhubarb sauce you make, you may need to store it in either the refrigerator or freezer. Rhubarb sauce will keep in the refrigerator for about one week and in the freezer for up to three months.

Choosing the Right Rhubarb for Your Sauce

Not all rhubarb is created equal when it comes to making the perfect sauce. The best rhubarb for sauce making is the bright red stalks. The redder the rhubarb, the sweeter it is, and the sweeter the taste of your sauce will be. If you’re unable to find red stalks, you can also use green stalks, but you’ll need to add more sugar to them to balance out the tartness.

When harvesting rhubarb, it’s important to only use the stalks. Do not use the leaves, as they are toxic and can cause kidney failure if consumed in large quantities. Cut the stalks at the base of the plant, and discard the leaves carefully. Keep in mind that rhubarb season is typically from April to June, so it’s best to make your sauce during this time to get the freshest rhubarb. If you’re unable to find fresh rhubarb, frozen rhubarb can be used as a substitute.

Rhubarb Sauce Ingredients

Making a rhubarb sauce is as easy as gathering a few ingredients, and getting to work in the kitchen. Below are the needed materials that will produce a delicious rhubarb sauce:

Preparing Rhubarb for Sauce Making

Before you start making rhubarb sauce, it’s important to prepare the rhubarb correctly. Rinse the rhubarb under cold running water, and trim the ends off each stalk. Cut the stalks into small pieces, around half an inch to an inch in size. The smaller the pieces, the faster the rhubarb will cook, and the smoother the sauce will be.

After you’ve cut the rhubarb, place it into a colander and rinse it with cold water. Shake off the excess water, and set aside. You’re now ready to start turning the rhubarb into delicious sauce.

Cooking Process for Rhubarb Sauce

Once you’ve prepared the rhubarb, it’s time to start cooking. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making the perfect rhubarb sauce:

1. In a saucepan, combine the rhubarb, sugar, water, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
2. Cook on medium heat, continuously stirring until the sugar dissolves. Then, turn up the heat and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the rhubarb is soft and the sauce thickens.
4. Remove from the heat and let it cool. If you would like, add a tablespoon of lemon juice before removing from heat.
5. Once cooled, serve the rhubarb sauce as desired and enjoy!

Congratulations, you’ve made your own batch of rhubarb sauce! It’s a versatile and delicious ingredient that can be added to a multitude of dishes, or enjoyed on its own. Store your sauce in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. The sauce can also be frozen for up to six months in an airtight container.

Enjoy Your Homemade Rhubarb Sauce

There it is, folks! Now you have a jar full of tangy rhubarb sauce to enjoy with your vanilla ice cream, pancakes, or Greek yogurt. Making sauces at home always adds a certain flavor and character to your meals that store-bought ones just don’t have. Thank you for reading this article and I hope you enjoyed making this sweet and sour sauce as much as I did. Don’t forget to check out our website for new recipes and cooking tips. Until next time, happy cooking!