How to Dehydrate Rhubarb and How to Use It

Can you dehydrate rhubarb? Yes, you can – look how lovely it looks!dehy

Also Read: How to Make Rhubarb Simple Syrup, How to Freeze Rhubarb, Rhubarb and Apple Tea Blend

In this post, I’ll share not only how dehydrate rhubarb, but more importantly why you would want to and how to use it.

How to Dehydrate Rhubarb

Here’s how to dehydrate rhubarb in six easy steps using a dehydrator. I use an Excalibur 9 tray model.

  1. Pick and wash rhubarb stalks. Choose fresh, good quality rhubarb stalks that aren’t woody.
  2. Chop rhubarb into even, 1/4 to 1/2 inch pieces (1 to 2 cm).
  3. Spread in a single layer on mesh dehydrator trays.
  4. Dry at 135°F (57°C) for 8 to 12 hours depending on your dehydrator, rhubarb and humidity levels.
  5. Rhubarb will feel dry and crisp with no moisture inside when broken open. Err on the side of over-drying if in doubt.
  6. Turn dehydrator off and let rhubarb sit overnight before storing in a well sealed container in a dark, dry space for up to 1 year. Dried rhubarb will be safe to eat beyond one year, but the color will change over time. To preserve color for longer, blanch rhubarb for 2 minutes before drying.
raw rhubarb on dehydrator screen
Before. Raw rhubarb pieces on dehydrator tray.
dehydrated rhubarb
After. Small dehydrated rhubarb pieces.

Why Dehydrate Rhubarb?

I dehydrate rhubarb because it’s an easy, economical and convenient way to preserve and store rhubarb. In its dried form, rhubarb takes up hardly any space and will last 6-12 months before its color begins to deteriorate. 

Unlike other fruit, I don’t dehydrate rhubarb as snack food. While some people may enjoy chewing on these tart nuggets, I prefer to use my dried rhubarb in various recipes, not to eat as is.

How to Use Dried Rhubarb?

Dehydrated rhubarb can never be turned back into juicy, fresh rhubarb. It will plump up when soaked in water, but it will have a slightly chewy texture. So use dried rhubarb in recipes where a little added texture is appreciated, e.g. muffins, oatmeal, pancakes, cookies, etc. The longer it cooks or stews in liquid, the less chewy it becomes, so you could also use it in sauces – rhubarb sauce on pork chops perhaps?

My favorite way of using dried rhubarb is in homemade tea blends like this apple and rhubarb mix, one of the 40+ recipes in the Rhubarb eCookbook.

fruit tea blend with rhubarb

Or in these honey rhubarb bran muffins, also found in the Rhubarb eCookbook.rhubarb bran muffins

How to Rehydrate Dried Rhubarb

It’s hard to give specific amounts of how much dried rhubarb to use in any recipe because each batch is different and will rehydrated differently. For that reason, I prefer to rehydrate rhubarb before adding to recipes (except when making tea blends). This allows me to see how well the rhubarb plumps up and how much I need in a particular recipe.

To rehydrate, pour dried rhubarb in a bowl and add twice as much boiling water. Allow to rest for 60 minutes. Drain water and use in recipes as you would fresh or frozen rhubarb.

rehydrated rhubarb

Prefer to freeze rhubarb? Pop on over to How to Freeze Rhubarb.

How are you planning on using your dehydrated rhubarb?

I’d love to see your creations and discover more ways to enjoy dried rhubarb. Please take a photo, post it on Instagram and tag #getgettys so I can see it and like it!

Sign up to get articles by Getty delivered to your inbox. You’ll get recipes, practical tips and great food information like this. Getty is a Professional Home Economist,  speaker and writer putting good food on tables and agendas.  She is the author of Manitoba’s best-selling Prairie Fruit Cookbook, Founder of Fruit Share, a mom and veggie gardener.

6 Comments

    1. I haven’t tried it, but you should be able to. Just re-hydrate the rhubarb in warm water until it’s plumped back up. It won’t return 100%, but it should work. Let us know how it goes.

    1. Hi Dawn,
      If you’re planning to dehydrate your frozen rhubarb then no, you do not need to boil it first. Just thaw it and drain it very well. Your dried rhubarb will look more like little shredded bits rather than solid pieces, but depending on how you’re using them, that shouldn’t be an issue.

      All the best,
      Getty

  1. You’re awesome!!! Thanks for all the inspiration! I’m going to dehydrate rhubarb today!

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