4 Ingredient Simple Rhubarb Sauce is sweet and tart. This sauce is delicious as a jam, drizzled over ice cream, mixed with yogurt, or as a sauce over pork.
Recipe for Rhubarb Sauce is simple to make and versatile to use. In under 20 minutes, you can have a recipe perfect for any meal. 4 ingredients with water being one of them makes this a very cost-effective recipe too!
Growing up, rhubarb was something that marked the beginning of summer. We couldn’t wait for it to get big enough to pick.
I’ve read that most rhubarb is consumed is raw. That really surprised me because it is so tart that it makes me pucker up just thinking about it.
My mother made an amazing rhubarb pie and she always made a big batch of rhubarb sauce. I ate it like applesauce and also loved spooning it over vanilla ice cream.
Like so many things, any extra rhubarb would get canned. A jar of that sauce in the middle of a cold winter day was like ambrosia when served along with a piping hot cup of soup.
I don’t can anymore but rhubarb and this rhubarb sauce recipe freezes perfectly!
When should rhubarb be picked?
I always thought that rhubarb was ready to pick when it turned red or pink. It turns out that the color doesn’t affect the taste so just make sure you pick it before it takes on a woody texture, a sign that it’s no longer desirable to eat.
I included some fun facts about rhubarb and my fun story in the Easy Rhubarb Dessert Recipe post.
I’ve always used tapioca as a thickening agent in this recipe just as my mom did. They now have a quick cooking tapioca version so it doesn’t take that long to put together.
Uses for Rhubarb Sauce
- Topping for Ice Cream
- Layered with yogurt for a parfait
- Slathered on an English muffin as a jam
- Sauce over grilled meat
- Muffin Filling
- Served as a sweet side to any meal
Recipe variations
You can add apples, strawberries, cherries, cranberries or raspberries to the rhubarb for a new twist on this Rhubarb Sauce Recipe.
Don’t forget to pin this recipe for rhubarb sauce to your favorite board!
I like easy rhubarb recipes. I think you’re going to like these recipes too!
- Easy Rhubarb Dessert Recipe with Jello
- Strawberry Rhubarb Bread with Streusel Topping
- Lemon Rhubarb Bundt Cake
- Healthy Rhubarb Popsicles with Coconut Milk
- Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
What is your favorite way to enjoy rhubarb? Please leave me a comment! You are my inspiration!
4 Ingredient Simple Rhubarb Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 cups rhubarb chopped
- 1/2 cup water
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp tapioca quick cook variety
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients into a saucepan. Cook until softened.
- Store covered in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
MICHAELA KENKEL
Wednesday 19th of August 2020
My grandma always made rhubarb jelly and I LOVED it on ice cream. I never got that recipe from her, but this one brings back such wonderful memories! Seiously people! Try this over ice cream! It's AMAZING!
Julie Menghini
Wednesday 19th of August 2020
That sounds amazing! Note to self next spring!! Thank you.
Denise R Enger
Tuesday 30th of June 2020
Can I put this in canning jars and heat will seal the jars?
Julie Menghini
Thursday 2nd of July 2020
Yes, you can. Everything in this recipe is ingredients that are used in the canned version.
Cheri
Monday 8th of June 2020
Could you use regular tapico instead of quick cook if i cooked it separately? My mother used this same recipe but she has been gone for 17 years. She always used the quick cook but all I have on hand is regular. Thanks
Cheri
Julie Menghini
Monday 8th of June 2020
Hi Cheri! You can use regular tapioca. That's all we had at one time right? The cook time will need to be adjusted to make sure it dissolves as I'm sure you know.
Edyta
Thursday 20th of June 2019
This is my kind of sauce. I used to eat rhubarb straight from my grandma's garden when I was a kid. I love the flavor.
Julie Menghini
Thursday 20th of June 2019
Thank you! We ate it that way too and boy do I pucker up just thinking about it!
Vicky
Thursday 20th of June 2019
I love how this delicious sauce can be used in so many ways. I will try it on ice cream and I think it would be wonderful over waffles as well with some whipped cream.
Julie Menghini
Thursday 20th of June 2019
Thank you, Vicky! We love it on ice cream!