An enticing blend of sweet and savory flavours with a hint of spice, rhubarb chutney tastes delicious served with your favourite cheese or cold cuts or spread on your favourite sandwiches.
So, if you have a large supply of rhubarb and want a great recipe to get the best out of this terrific ingredient, this recipe is for you!
CHUTNEY EQUIPMENT YOU NEED
Check out the ultimate list to chutney making equipment. You actually don't need that much and most of the items are quite affordable!
Making your own preserves is a great and satisfying hobby. Giving the gift the lovely food to your friends and family are especially rewarding!
Rhubarb chutney recipe
A wonderful mixture of flavours makes rhubarb chutney one of the best preserves to make for this time of year.
If you have a rhubarb patch, this recipe is absolutely essential! Even if you don’t, at the right time of year rhubarb is a fantastic ingredient that grows in abundance. Many people don't know what to do with it though! That’s where my chutney recipe comes in.
The sour tangy taste of the rhubarb balances wonderfully well with the subtly sweet and savory onion, the tang of the apple cider vinegar, the sweetness of the brown sugar, the fruitiness of the sultanas and the earthy heat of the curry powder, cayenne pepper and white mustard seed.
It’s an incredible combination that, when simmered together for a period of time, brings some out of this world flavour.
What exactly is chutney?
It’s a thick sauce, dip or condiment (depending on your definitions) that is made from a combination of vegetables, fruits and spices. It’s always made with vinegar – a key component of any chutney that helps to keep it fresh for longer and gives it its customary ‘zing.’
Chutney is normally tangy, sweet or spicy in taste.
Where does chutney come from?
Chutney comes from the Indian continent. It was made and used as far back as 2,000 years ago as a way to keep food fresh for longer. The sugar and the vinegar in the chutney would act as a preservative, preventing bacterial growth.
Unlike the chunky consistency typical of modern chutney, the original form of chutney was much smoother. It was more like a paste or sauce.
Later down the line, chutney became a popular dish for the Romans, who would make it in large batches and use it to flavor favorite dishes of the times. Hundreds of years later, it became popular in Britain. Eventually, the magical Indian condiment became hugely popular all over the world.
How is chutney made?
The brilliance of chutney, apart from the wonderful flavour that goes with anything, is the amazing simplicity of the cooking process. Rhubarb chutney is made in one pot. All the ingredients are added to the pot, brought to the boil, then lowered to a gentle simmer.
When cooking chutney, it’s important to have a solid, sturdy, heavy-bottomed cooking vessel. Aside from a standard cooking pot, you can use a pressure cooker – something like an Instant Pot or a Tefal.
What does rhubarb taste like?
When eaten raw, rhubarb has a very tart, bitter taste. Kind of like an unripe cooking apple or unripe grapes. It’s what puts a lot of people off using rhubarb in cooking.
However, when you cook rhubarb and pair it with sweet ingredients, like the brown sugar and sultanas in this recipe, it really comes into its own.
That’s why recipes like rhubarb chutney, where you cook the rhubarb on a simmer for a long period of time, are so popular.
Aside from sweet fruit, the taste of rhubarb lends well to being paired with spices.
Is rhubarb a fruit or a vegetable?
Lots of people make the mistake of thinking rhubarb is a fruit. In fact, it’s technically a vegetable. It’s an amazing ingredient in pies, crumbles, jams and jellies, which is why there’s a wide belief that rhubarb is a fruit.
When is rhubarb in season?
As it’s a cold weather plant it grows best in cold climates during the winter. Even better if the climates are sunny and cold – in Alaska, for instance, a few long days of summer sun can help rhubarb grow to five feet or more... That’s a lot of chutney making!
In the UK, rhubarb season is typically from January through to March.
You can even grow rhubarb yourself. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, you cannot go wrong with growing this amazingly hardy plant. It needs next to no maintenance, and will grow extensively when left to its own devices. So, get out there and plant some rhubarb!
What are the benefits of eating rhubarb?
Well, the Chinese have been using rhubarb as a medicine for centuries. As far back as 2,700 B.C., they were using it as a folk remedy to cure digestive problems.
Folk tales aside, the science is clear – rhubarb contains many antioxidants that have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, which can help protect you from many health-related issues.
It also contains many essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and K, calcium, potassium and lutein.
Can you eat rhubarb leaves?
No. Rhubarb leaves are actually poisonous. They contain high levels of oxalic acid, which is not for consumption. That’s why the leaves are removed during the harvesting process.
What does forcing rhubarb mean?
It’s the process of covering rhubarb to block its exposure to sunlight. This encourages an early growth, which makes rhubarb sweeter and gives it a more vibrant pink colouring.
Forced rhubarb came about out of necessity in Yorkshire in the 19th century. Other fruit was scarce during the winter, so forcing sheds were invented to speed up the rhubarb harvest.
Non-forced rhubarb is known as maincrop rhubarb. It has thicker stalks and more of a red colouring, rather than the bright pink of forced rhubarb.
Can you use frozen rhubarb?
Yes, you can absolutely use frozen rhubarb in this recipe. If it wasn’t chopped before you froze it, you’ll need to allow it to defrost slightly before chopping.
What’s the difference between a jam and a chutney?
A jam tends to be purely cooked fruit with the addition of sugar and pectin. Chutneys, on the other hand, are far less sweet. In fact, many chutneys aren’t sweet at all.
Chutneys also tend to use sugar and vinegar as a preservative, while including a mixture of spices to complement the flavour.
Why use vinegar in this chutney?
Vinegar is the main ingredient that acts as a preservative in chutney. It is what makes it last for such a long time. It also helps to add balance to the taste.
As it is such an important ingredient, it stands to reason that you want to go for a high quality vinegar. The better the vinegar, the better the chutney – it’s as simple as that.
Below, you’ll see my thoughts on the best type of vinegar to use for this chutney.
What vinegar is best for rhubarb chutney?
Vinegar is an essential part of the chutney making process, as it helps to preserve it for longer. There are a few different types of vinegar you can use in this recipe:
Apple cider vinegar
The sweet tangy taste of apple cider vinegar makes it the best type to use for this chutney.
White wine vinegar
Another good option, white wine vinegar brings good acidity and a balanced flavour.
Balsamic vinegar
A more expensive option and with more of a pronounced taste, balsamic makes for a good alternative to apple cider vinegar in this recipe.
How do you store rhubarb chutney?
You’ll need to store your rhubarb chutney in steralised airtight containers in a dry, cool dark place away from direct sunlight.
How long does rhubarb chutney keep?
Most chutneys will last for at least a year unopened. Once opened and stored in the refrigerator, it will keep fresh for up to 6 weeks.
Can you freeze rhubarb chutney?
Yes. If you want to keep it for longer after you’ve opened it, you can freeze this chutney for up to a year. Don’t store it in a jar though, as it may break when the frozen chutney expands. Instead transfer it into an airtight storage container.
How do you thicken this chutney?
The best real method for thickening up chutney is to heat it for longer. This leads to the liquids evaporating. The length of time you cook it for and how much cooking liquid you have depends partly on how much you make.
Stirring the chutney as it simmers helps the water to evaporate. Using a wide pan also helps, as more steam can be released.
Other fruit you can combine with rhubarb
Make up your own divine combinations! Swap 50% of the rhubarb in the recipe below with one of the following fruits below.
- Mango
- Strawberries (other berries work too)
- Apples
- Plums
- Dates
- Apples
Other flavours you can play with
Some more flavour combinations that work really well with rhubarb chutney:
- 1 star anise
- 2.5cm (1in) fresh ginger root, grated
- 5 juniper berries
- 1 orange, zest and juice
- 1 lemon, zest and juice
- 1 lime, zest and juice
- 1 tangerine, just the rind finely chopped
- 1g (1 tsp) fresh rosemary leaves, finely chopped
- 15g (½ cup) fresh mint, chopped
- 1 vanilla pod
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4g (2 tsp) black peppercorns
- 4g (2 tsp) pink peppercorns
- 5 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2g (1 tsp) mixed spice
- 3g (1 tsp) ground ginger
- 3g (1 tsp) ground cinnamon
- 15g (½ oz) whole coriander seeds
- Pinch of ground cloves
- Pinch of asafoetida
- Pinch of saffron
- 2g (1 tsp) garam masala
- 2g (½ tsp) nigella seeds
Alcohol that pairs well with rhubarb
While enjoying this rhubarb chutney as part of a cheeseboard, you can pair brandy with it.
Alternatively, you can actually make your chutney boozy! Simply pour in 125ml (½ cup) of brandy at the end of cooking time and bottle up your chutney as soon as possible.
What can I serve with rhubarb chutney?
When it comes to pairing food with this rhubarb chutney, there are plenty of options:
- Hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts or any type of nuts
- Nut butters, such as almond butter, hazelnut butter or macadamia nut butter
- Black pudding
- Cucumber
- Lamb, chicken, beef or pork
- Oily fish, such as salmon or mackerel
- Cream cheese
- Sour cream
- Served with cheddar cheese on sandwiches with cold meats
More delicious chutney recipes
Follow up this wonderful recipe with some other more delicious chutney recipes:
- Black grape chutney – wonderfully fruity with a herby twist, we also have this grape chutney
- Strawberry chutney – add a little zing to your favorite foods with this lightly spiced fruit chutney
- Mrs Balls chutney – a South African favorite, this peach and apricot chutney has a mild fruity flavor that goes so many different dishes
- Damson chutney – with its deep rich plum flavor and warming, earthy spices make this chutney so incredibly tasty
- Marrow chutney – fresh, fruity with a hint of spice, this is the perfect recipe to use up a glut of marrows
- Nectarine chutney - you can't find it at the shops but you can easily make your own!
- Orange chutney - an aromatic chutney that balances the vibrant citrus flavors of oranges with a blend of spices.
- Apricot chutney - the perfect chutney to bring along on a summer picnic
More rhubarb recipes
Are you a rhubarb fanatic? Check out these other recipes that make the most of this underrated ingredient:
What is your favourite way to enjoy rhubarb?
Print📖 Recipe
Rhubarb Chutney
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 1.5 L (6 cups)
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Learn to make this easy and delicious homemade Rhubarb Chutney. Best served as part of a cheeseboard, and even meat!
Ingredients
- 1kg (2.2lb) rhubarb, chopped
- 2 onions, chopped
- 600g (3 cups) brown sugar
- 240g (1 ½ cups) sultanas
- 625ml (2 ½ cups) apple cider vinegar
- 6g (2 tsp) curry powder
- 3g (1 tsp) cayenne pepper
- 11g (1 tbsp) white mustard seed
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a large, heavy-bottomed pan and bring to the boil.
- Lower the heat to a simmer, then continue to cook, uncovered, for 1½ hours, or until the chutney has thickened.
- Pour into hot sterilised jars, seal and label. Enjoy!
Notes
- The onions should altogether weigh roughly around 225g (½lb).
- You can substitute the onions with 450g (1lb) sultanas.
- A different vinegar, such as white or white wine, can be used instead of cider vinegar.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Chutney
- Method: Boil
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 59
- Sugar: 12.9 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14.4 g
- Fiber: 0.6 g
- Protein: 0.4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Jane says
I made a batch of rhubarb chutney last week and it was delicious! I'm looking forward to making more soon.
Sara says
Sooo good!! Made this to serve with sausage curry that we had for dinner last night. We loved it!
Gina says
What a great unique way to use up rhubarb. I made bread and jam this year with my bounty but still froze some for later use and was so excited to find this recipe to use it up. Delicious! Love it paired with meats.
Erin says
Thank you for listing the onion weight! I hate nothing more than seeing things like "3 apples" or whatever. I need proper measurements. 😆 This chutney was amazing. I wasn't sure about the rhubarb, but I had some to use up, so I thought - why not! It was a winner.
Elizabeth S says
This was unexpectedly delicious. I served mine on a charcuterie board of meats, cheeses, and crackers. So good! Will make again next rhubarb season.
Rebecca Beesley says
I love rhubarb and ice cream!
Amy Jo says
In a crumble!
fiona d says
I've always loved a rhubarb crumble, I used to make them with my Mum when I was little using the rhubarb from Dad's allotment.
Lucy Robinson says
I love rhubarb crumble, especially with custard.
Victoria Bazley says
Definitely in a crumble! I love our homemade rhubarb crumble in the winter.
Ian Yates says
In a Rhubarb & Ginger Fool.
Stephanie says
Apple crumble
Lucy says
In a crumble for dessert
Amanda Botterill says
I love stewed rhubarb with vanilla icecream
Deborah Hambleton says
Rhubarb pie reminds me of my childhood as my mum was always making it
Jeanette Leighton says
Definitely a rhubarb crumble my dad used to grow in the garden i remember having plenty of rhubarb as a girl
Erica Hughes says
A rhubarb fool and served with homemade ginger biscuits.
Herbert Appleby says
In rhubarb crumble with loads of custard is my fave way to have rhubarb.
Lucy Carter says
My mum makes an amazing rhubarb fool
Sarah Robinson says
I love rhubarb crumble
Patricia Barrett says
I don't think I've ever had rhubarb in anything other than a crumble before.
sharon martin says
i like a rhubarb crumble with custard
Jayne K says
Rhubarb crumble and custard. Absolutely love it!!!!
Alison Barker says
Rhubarb crumble
julie cook says
Roasted then served with creme fraiche
Claire Hamilton says
Apple and rhubarb crumble with custard.
Mandy Betts says
I love a rhubarb crumble
Rebecca Roberts says
I absolutely love rubarb crumble it's so nice
Mary Baldwin says
Rhubarb crumble is my favourite, cooked with ginger in it and lashings of custard. I bought a crown a couple of years ago and now have it growing in my garden so I can have more of it.
Leslie Evans says
Rhubarb Crumble and Custard.
Debra Walker says
Rhubarb Crumble
Emilia Nastaly-Howard says
Rhubarb pie
Adrian Bold says
I love rhubarb in a crumble.
Sharon Chapman says
My Mum makes an amazing chutney with rhubarb peices
Steve Miles says
In a crumble
Deborah Preston says
Love rhubarb crumble and custard
Alison says
In a rhubarb pudding, its a family recipe
Patricia Avery says
I love rhubarb jam
Claire Lawrenson says
It's got to be Rhubarb Crumble for me! Very lucky in that my father in law grows rhubarb, so we always get a good amount each year.
JAMES HOLYLAND says
A classic rhubarb and crumble
Corinne Peat says
It has to be a warm and crunchy rhubarb crumble.
Carole Nott says
Its best in a crumble served with cream
Aaron Milne says
Rhubarb crumble
christine westlake says
Rhubarb has to be crumble with lovely warm custard
Emma Davison says
Home made rhubarb crumble with rhubarb from the garden.
shellyg says
A nice crumble with lots of sugar is my fave way
Anna Craig says
I enjoy Rhubarb in a crumble
CAROLINE WATSON says
I love homemade rhubarb crumble
Katie J says
I love it in a crumble!
Ann Calland says
I grow it in my garden but give it away as I don't enjoy rhubarb but I know my friends and family love it and make pies and crumble with it.
Anthea Holloway says
I love Rhubarb Crumble which I make regularly once the rhubarb crop is ready in my garden.
Suzanne Croft says
I love a rhubarb crumble with cream 😋
Glen Bailey says
Rhubarb crumble
Laura Walker says
I love rhubarb and ginger crumble
Lauren Old says
I like an apple and rhubarb crumble
Dale Dow says
My favourite way to enjoy rhubarb is not eating it at all. Can't stand it. The rest of my family however love a crumble
Laura Green says
got to be in a crumble, yum yum so nice
Valerie Seal says
I love rhubarb fool.
Lucinda P says
I really enjoy a homemade rhubarb crumble
Donna W says
I love stewed rhubarb with natural yoghurt and a drizzle of honey.
Jennifer Rhymer says
I love rhubarb! I stew it & make my own rhubarb pies. It's lovely with custard or ice-cream x
Susan Bennett says
In a crumble with custard
Rebecca Whatmore says
as a crumble with custard
Victoria Prince says
Rhubarb crumble! So nostalgic for me as well - when I was very young we always used to go over to my grandmother's for Sunday lunch, and she would always make a crumble for pudding. She had an apple tree, and a small fruit/veg patch where she used to grow rhubarb...so it would usually be rhubarb crumble or apple crumble! I think sometimes she may have done apple and rhubarb too. Still love it.
Sheri Darby says
Rhubarb crumble with custard is so good
Troy Easton says
Rhubarb Crumble.
Angie Jackson says
Rhubarb crumble and custard there is no better way!
Emma Wolski says
Rhubarb crumble! I need to make one now!
dana says
rhubarb in a batter mix
James Travis says
In a Crumble with custard
Adrian Clarke says
Rhubarb Crumble is lovely
Helen Southam says
Rhubarb fool
TonyG says
Rhubarb and ginger crumble
Glen Bailey says
Rhubarb crumble 😎
Tammy Tudor says
Within a crumble and with a side of custard on top!
cat says
I love to make a rhubarb cordial , so I can flavour my drinks as summer
Emma England says
Rhubarb crumble is usually the only thing I do with rhubarb so love the idea of making rhubarb chutney.
Patricia Mccaffery says
Has to be a rhubarb crumble.
Eileen Hindley says
Rhubarb pie and custard
Margaret Mccaffery says
I like my rhubarb in a shortcrust pastry pie.
Ruth Harwood says
Love it in a crumble xx
Mark Mccaffery says
In a traditional rhubarb crumble.
MichelleD says
A rhubarb crumble loaf cake!
Jennifer Tosl says
Stewed with custard
Keith Hunt says
stewed with ice cream
Rachael Sexey says
I love rhubarb crumble
Claire Driver says
In a crumble
Rena Plumridge says
Crumble
Kim Murray says
Rhubarb Pie and custard x
Natalie Burgess says
Rhubarb crumble xx
MICHELLE O'NEILL says
rhubarb crumble
Mark R says
Has to be rhubarb crumble, made with ginger in the crumble, served with vanilla icecream
Sare Davies says
In a crumble with vanilla ice cream
Julie Ward says
Only had it once in a crumble, it was ok
Sheena Batey says
Simply with vanilla custard
pete c says
gotta be either in a crumble or in yogurt
Charlotte isobelle says
My mum makes a great upside down rhubarb cake.
Claire Eadie says
My nana's apple and rhubarb flan
Martina Pichova says
I love rhubarb crumble too. Or rhubarb and apple combined.
Kevin Honey says
Rhubarb Crumble
Joo Dee says
stewed in a crumble with hot custard!
Kathy Cakebread says
in a crumble with apple and custard
Matilda Mummery says
in a crumble!
claire woods says
in a crumble
Roger Bufton says
rhubarb tart.
Alice Dixon says
I enjoy it stewed and served with custard
Susan B says
Also a crumble fan but it must be served with lashings of double cream.
Ben Audsley says
rhubarb and custard of course!
Tracy Nixon says
Rhubarb gin!
Iain maciver says
traditional rhubarb crumble
Peter Nickson says
Can't beat a but of crumble
Valerie Brown says
I like it made into a rhubarb fool and served with homemade ginger biscuits
Kim Carberry says
I enjoy it in a crumble x
R Amison says
Crumble
Michael Fisher says
Just with custard or in a crumble. This is very interesting though.
Carly Belsey says
I love to make a rhubarb crumble, and serve with custard or ice cream. Delicious.
lynn neal says
I like a traditional rhubarb crumble and custard!
Annabel Greaves says
I enjoy it in a crumble
Tammy Neal says
Rhubarb crumble and custard x
Samantha says
rhubarb crumble is my fave