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Rhubarb Applesauce

Rhubarb applesauce is a flavorful, sweet-tart addition to your dinner plate that adds a gorgeous splash of color.

rhubarb applesauce in a yellow floral bowl with apples

If you’re new to rhubarb, I highly recommend diving into new, unchartered recipe waters by making this rhubarb applesauce!

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Not only is it a super simple recipe, the results are deliciously foolproof! 

rhubarb applesauce overhead

Rhubarb applesauce is a wonderful side dish for main dishes such as pork schnitzel, or breaded chicken tenders.

pork schnitzel on a plate with lemon slices

It makes a great addition to packed lunches with a ham sandwich, for example, or an afternoon snack for the kids (or adults!) Rhubarb applesauce is a great way to use less than stellar apples or rhubarb, as well.

spooning rhubarb applesauce

You may even have spotted my rhubarb applesauce on my pan fried asparagus recipe, recently.

rhubarb applesauce, pork, potatoes and asparagus

What Makes Applesauce Taste Better?

If you’ve ever been disappointed with apples you’ve bought from the store, then been doubly disheartened when you tried to reinvent them into applesauce with the same lackluster flavor, rhubarb can make applesauce taste better! 

rhubarb going into apples

Rhubarb, while usually considered as a fruit, is actually a vegetable! As someone who grew up in Scotland eating it raw, I cannot describe how much I adore the flavor of rhubarb.

HOW TO EAT rhubarb raw

It’s tangy, and sour, yet has a unique flavor that is difficult to describe. I have no less than twenty rhubarb recipes on my site here! While it’s in season during spring and summer in the Northern Hemisphere, Melissa’s Produce is able to source rhubarb most of the year. Just look at these gorgeous, pink stalks!

stalks of rhubarb

So let’s get back to this easy and tasty rhubarb applesauce recipe, or rhubarb and apple sauce, however you want to name it. Whatever you call it, you’ll want to make it often.

rhubarb applesauce in a bowl

Can I Freeze Rhubarb Applesauce?

Rhubarb applesauce freezes beautifully! Make a big batch and freeze in glass containers for the best (healthiest) option. Let me know if you make it and what you think in the comments below.

rhubarb applesauce with rhubarb and apples

Rhubarb Applesauce

recipe by Christina Conte                    serves 4

FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW

Ingredients

  • apples
  • rhubarb
  • sugar
  • (optional – lemon juice)

TIP: measurements don’t really matter for this apple and rhubarb sauce recipe, as they are not critical, however, the only way to make the sauce is a 50/50 mix of apples and rhubarb is to use a kitchen scale. I highly recommend the use of a kitchen scale, always.

Directions

apples in a pot

Peel, core and cut the apple into pieces and place into a pot. 

adding sugar to apples

Add the sugar, and a splash of water, or squeeze of lemon juice so the apples don’t stick. 

adding rhubarb

Add the rhubarb, cover and cook, stirring from time to time, for about 6 or 7 minutes until the apples soften (the rhubarb will soften first.)

cooked fruit

When the apples are soft, remove from the heat. 

using an immersion blender in the pot

While you can leave the apples and rhubarb chunky, I recommend using an immersion blender or food processor to purée the mixture. Taste for sweetness and add sugar, as needed.

bowl of sauce

If you accidentally made it too sweet, you can add more lemon juice. Lo and behold, you have rhubarb applesauce! 

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rhubarb applesauce overhead with spoon and fruit

Rhubarb Applesauce

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes
Rhubarb and apples come together to create a deliciously sweet-tart sauce that is very versatile!
5 from 4 votes

Ingredients

  • 2 apples medium, organic (I like Granny smith, but most apples will work)
  • 2 stalks rhubarb medium sized, chopped (fresh, crisp stalks, if possible)
  • c sugar
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice optional (use water instead, if not using lemon juice)

Instructions

  • Peel, core and cut the apple into pieces and place into a pot. 
  • Add the sugar, and a splash of water, or squeeze of lemon juice so the apples don't stick.
  • Add the chopped rhubarb, cover and cook, stirring from time to time, for about 6 or 7 minutes until the apples soften (the rhubarb will soften first.) When the apples are soft, remove from the heat. 
  • While you can leave the apples and rhubarb chunky, I recommend using an immersion blender or food processor to purée the mixture. Taste for sweetness and add sugar, as needed.

Notes

  • Use immediately, refrigerate or freeze.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 0.5g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 175mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 75IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 0.2mg

 

bowl of sauce

 

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5 from 4 votes

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13 Comments

  1. This is a wonderful recipe and easy to assemble for a delightful side dish. A pleasant change from traditional applesauce. This would look great as a FRUIT BOWL for Thanksgiving or any holiday.