How to freeze rhubarb for long-lasting results
July 26, 2024Freezing rhubarb is a great way to preserve it. Rhubarb is a seasonal vegetable that is typically harvested from late April into early summer. If you want to enjoy this delicious ingredient later in the year, freezing offers a convenient storage option.
How to freeze rhubarb
To freeze rhubarb so that it lasts as long as possible, it is advisable to:
- Thoroughly wash the rhubarb to remove any dirt clinging to its lower parts.
- Using a paring knife or similar, remove any leaves from the rhubarb – you only want to preserve the edible part of the plant, its distinctively pinkish stems.
- Next, cut each stem down into similarly sized sections —aim for a few centimetres for each piece since this will be a convenient size for freezing.
- Place some greaseproof paper on a shallow-depth freezer tray and then spread the prepared rhubarb pieces over it.
- Make sure none of the pieces are touching one another, as this will cause them to freeze unevenly.
- Put the rhubarb-lined tray into your freezer and leave it for several hours until the pieces have frozen solid.
- Remove the tray from your freezer, and place all of the frozen pieces into a sealable freezer bag.
- Expel any air inside your freezer bag and seal it to prevent premature ageing and crystallisation.
- Take out any rhubarb pieces when you need them for a recipe ingredient, remembering to reseal the bag each time.
Why freeze rhubarb?
As rhubarb isn’t accessible year-round, it’s a good idea to preserve it for later use. You can find rhubarb in tins, but tinned rhubarb is often preserved in syrup, which can affect the flavour of your chosen recipe. Freezing is convenient, takes very little time, and will preserve rhubarb pieces well for up to a year or more.
How to freeze fresh rhubarb
The method outlined above is ideal for freezing fresh rhubarb that has just been harvested. You can also freeze cooked rhubarb, but it will need to be placed into a freezer container that can hold liquids. That’s because cooked rhubarb — typically stewed — is best frozen along with its juices.
How to blanch rhubarb for freezing
Some people blanch fresh rhubarb before freezing it, although this isn’t necessary. Doing so can make it slightly sweeter after defrosting it since the vegetable has been part-cooked before the freezing process begins. To do this:
- Prepare your rhubarb stems detailed above so that only the edible part will be blanched in conveniently sized sections.
- Place the rhubarb into a saucepan of boiling water and allow it to simmer for one minute.
- Strain the rhubarb, allow it to cool, and then towel dry it.
- Next, simply freeze the rhubarb in freezer bags. Alternatively, if you don’t want your pieces to stick to one another, use the freezer tray method above.
All cooking appliances vary. These are guidelines only. Ensure you always serve previously frozen food hot. Do not reheat.
How to defrost frozen rhubarb
Take your frozen rhubarb out of the freezer and allow it to defrost slowly in the fridge, ideally overnight. If you are in more of a hurry, then you can simply leave frozen rhubarb out for a few hours at room temperature, but remember to cover it.
Best recipes for frozen rhubarb
There are plenty of recipes that make use of seasonal ingredients like rhubarb. For a healthy dinner using rhubarb, check out these aromatic lamb koftes, which use just two rhubarb stems for extra flavour. An option for lunch is this goat’s cheese, walnut and honey crostini recipe, which highlights the distinctive flavour of rhubarb in the salad.
FAQs
Can you freeze rhubarb?
Yes, you can freeze rhubarb. It will last for a year — or even more — in the freezer, but it is best consumed within six months of freezing.
What is the best way to freeze fresh rhubarb?
The best way to freeze fresh rhubarb is to place the diced vegetable onto a tray with a liner. Put the rhubarb into your freezer for several hours until it is fully frozen. You can then remove the tray and tip your frozen rhubarb pieces into a freezer bag.
Is frozen rhubarb as good as fresh?
Some people will always argue that fresh is better than frozen rhubarb. That said, so long as your freezer is set at a consistent temperature and your frozen rhubarb hasn’t been stored for longer than about six months, it is very difficult to detect any difference between fresh and thawed rhubarb once it has been cooked.
How to defrost rhubarb?
To defrost rhubarb, it is best to allow it to thaw slowly. Therefore, remove as much of the vegetable from your freezer stock as you need for your chosen recipe and place it into a sealed container. Then, put the container in the fridge and allow it to thaw overnight.
Can you cook rhubarb from frozen?
Yes, if you don’t have time to thaw your frozen rhubarb, you can cook it from frozen instead. If you are using frozen and not fresh rhubarb, be sure to allow for a longer stewing or baking time.
What recipes can rhubarb be used in?
Rhubarb is excellent for making desserts like pies, crumbles and tarts. It is also used to create flavourful jams, jellies and sauces. Additionally, rhubarb can be incorporated into refreshing beverages and even savoury dishes like chutneys and meat sauces.
All food products vary. The instructions printed on the food packaging always supersedes those printed in this article and must always be followed.