How to Freeze Rhubarb the Right Way (Step-by-Step Guide)

Learn how to freeze rhubarb with this easy step-by-step guide. Perfect for preserving fresh rhubarb so you can enjoy it year-round.

There's something so satisfying about picking fresh, ready-to-harvest rhubarb and heading straight to the kitchen to bake a favorite recipe.

From rhubarb coffee cake to muffins and that classic strawberry rhubarb crostata, it's one of those seasonal ingredients I look forward to every year.

But if you've ever had more than you can use, you've probably wondered how to freeze rhubarb before it goes to waste.

That's exactly what I'll show you in this simple step-by-step guide, so you can enjoy it in your favorite recipes all year long.

Jump to:

• Prep and Freezing Time
• What You'll Need
• How to Freeze Fresh Rhubarb: From Harvesting to Freezing to Thawing 
• FAQ
• How to Use Frozen Rhubarb
• Summary 
• Foods Preserved by Freezing
• Recipe

Prep and Freezing Time

• Prep Time: 10-15 minutes (active: includes washing, trimming, and cutting rhubarb)
• Optional Blanching Time: 5-10 minutes (active: blanching and cooling)
• Flash Freezing Time: 2-3 hours (passive: allow rhubarb pieces to freeze individually)
• Packaging Time: 5-10 minutes (active: transferring frozen rhubarb into freezer-safe containers)
• Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes to 3 hours 35 minutes

What You'll Need

• Rhubarb - as much as you'd like
• A sharp chef's knife 
• Freezer bags or freezer containers
• boiling water (optional for blanching)

How to Freeze Fresh Rhubarb: From Harvesting to Freezing to Thawing 

When is Rhubarb Ready to Pick?

If you are new to the rhubarb harvesting game, you may have questions about when to pick your rhubarb.

Like asparagus, rhubarb is one of the first vegetables harvested, usually from mid-spring to early summer. 

You can pick your stalks when they are about as thick as your finger and at least 8 inches long. Please make sure they are blemish-free. For reference, rhubarb tends to be the tastiest when closer to 12-18 inches long. 

Make sure not to harvest your rhubarb in the first year of planting. As a young perennial plant, it still needs to develop a strong root system.  Instead, wait until the second year and harvest just a few stalks over a 3- to 4-week period. By the third year, you can harvest as many mature stalks from your rhubarb plant as you'd like over a period of 8-10 weeks. 

So now that you know when to harvest your rhubarb, here’s how to do it. First, grasp and twist the base of the rhubarb stalk with an upward movement. As an alternative, you can use a sharp knife.

Although this tart vegetable is often used fresh, it freezes well. The best time of the year to freeze rhubarb is in peak season, either available at your farmer's market, grocery stores, or freshly picked. This will ensure the flavor and texture of the rhubarb are at their maximum.

If purchasing, look for crisp, brightly colored stalks. Limp and soft stalks are an indication that they are not fresh. 

Prepping 

Let’s say you have your supply all harvested and ready to be frozen. The next step towards freezing rhubarb is getting it prepped and ready.

This includes cutting off the leaves and the bottom part of the stalks. Although the leaves are toxic to ingest, they are safe for your compost pile. [source]

Once done, thoroughly wash rhubarb stalks under cold running water. 

Place on a clean tea, lint-free tea towel and pat dry with paper towels or another clean tea towel.

Line up your stalks, and with a very sharp knife, cut the stalks into ¾-1 inch pieces.

Blanching (optional step) 

Blanching is a favored process that helps preserve the bright color of rhubarb and other vegetables before freezing. This is an entirely optional step, but one to consider implementing if you plan to freeze your rhubarb longer than three months.

To do this, boil a pot of water and drop your cut raw rhubarb into it for one minute.

Once that minute is up, drain the boiling water immediately and run your rhubarb under cold water to stop it from cooking. After this, thoroughly dry your rhubarb before heading to the freezing phase.

The last step in this how-to-freeze rhubarb guide is actually freezing the rhubarb.

Freezing

Arrange your rhubarb pieces in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet or baking tray lined with parchment paper. Remember to use a baking sheet that fits in your freezer.

Place it in the freezer for about 2-3 hours.

Transfer the individual partially frozen rhubarb to resealable freezer bags. Use a straw or a sealer to remove the excess air, which reduces the formation of ice crystals and freezer burn.

Label your bags by indicating the date and place them in the freezer.

Thawing

Congratulations! You successfully froze your rhubarb.

Now, depending on what you want to make with it, there are different methods of thawing it. 

You can use the frozen pieces without thawing if you are cooking stewed rhubarb or making a rhubarb sauce. However, remember that you may have to reduce the amount of liquid used in the recipe to compensate for the high moisture content in the frozen rhubarb. 

For best results, thaw rhubarb before using it in delicious recipes like rhubarb cake, muffins, bread, and crumbles.

Now, there are several ways you can do this. 

The most common is to place your frozen rhubarb in a sieve over a bowl to collect the excess liquid. You can leave it covered overnight in the fridge or on your kitchen counter, at room temperature, for a couple of hours.

You can also place the bag in a bowl of cold water to quickly thaw. Follow up by placing the bag’s contents in a sieve over a bowl to collect the excess moisture. 

Fun Fact: One pound of harvested rhubarb equals about three cups of chopped pieces, both raw and frozen. This same amount yields about two cups when cooked.

FAQ

How to Use Frozen Rhubarb

Summary 

In summary, freezing fresh rhubarb is not as complex a process as one may think. It all boils down to knowing when the perfect time to harvest is, the quick prepping process in between, and using your rhubarb supply within the allocated one-year window to ensure its freshness.

And for anyone wondering if freezing rhubarb hinders the quality of nutrients, the answer is no. Freezing your rhubarb holds in more nutrients than if you left your rhubarb out for a couple of days!

Since rhubarb is often coupled with strawberries, you may also plan to freeze fresh strawberries. Be sure to consult this step-by-step guide and more in-depth information on how to freeze strawberries.

So if you have ever wondered if you can freeze rhubarb, the answer is yes! Overall, rhubarb freezes well and is an excellent ingredient to make tasty dishes and desserts any time of the year.

Luckily, all you need is a simple step-by-step guide on freezing rhubarb like this one, some fresh rhubarb, and an old-fashioned freezer to make that happen. 

Such a great way to enjoy summer produce throughout the year! 

Happy freezing!

Foods Preserved by Freezing

★★★★★ If you have used this procedure to preserve rhubarb this way, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

Recipe

I originally published this post on June 7, 2021 and republished it on April 24, 2025 with updated content. Thanks for sharing!