Use fresh or frozen rhubarb to make this easy sugar-free rhubarb compote, then use it in a variety of recipes! Try it in smoothies, on a cake, in desserts, in overnight oats and more! This post includes instructions for how to cook rhubarb without sugar. It also lists 10 healthy stewed rhubarb recipes.
❤️ Why you'll love this healthy stewed rhubarb recipe
- It's so quick and easy to make on the stovetop.
- You can easily make it sugar-free by using a natural sweetener or a 0-calorie sugar substitute.
- It's a great way to use garden rhubarb or to use frozen rhubarb.
🛒 Ingredients
rhubarb: you can use fresh stalks or frozen chopped rhubarb. This is a good way to use frozen rhubarb that may have been buried in your freezer from last year!
sweetener: your choice. I've made this compote many times using 0-calorie Monkfruit sweetener or maple syrup. Of course, you can use granulated sugar, too. All types of sweeteners work well.
water: or orange juice.
🔪 Easy instructions for sugar-free rhubarb compote
- Wash fresh rhubarb stalks and remove the leaves (which are toxic.) Chop into pieces about ½ to ¾ inch long.
- Place the rhubarb and ½ cup water in a medium pot over medium heat. (NOTE: if you're using frozen rhubarb, you may not need to add any water at all.)
- Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down to a simmer. Stir in the sweetener and simmer for about 10 - 15 minutes.
- The rhubarb will begin to break down on its own, or you can use a wooden spoon or a potato masher to break it up a little.
- Once it has thickened to your liking, it's done!
🔁 Possible Variations
You can easily vary the flavour of your stewed rhubarb compote. Try any pf the following additions:
- You can add a tablespoon of lemon juice or a teaspoon or two of lemon zest.
- Vanilla goes well with rhubarb. Add ½ teaspoon of either vanilla paste or pure vanilla extract.
- Like a little zing? Add ¾ inch knob of fresh ginger, finely grated.
- Spice it up with a teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Elevate it to your adult tastes! Add 1 - 2 Tablespoons of orange liqueur, like Cointrea, Triple Sec or Gran Marnier.
❓Common questions about stewed rhubarb
There are different varieties of rhubarb. They all taste the same, but some are green and some are red. Their colour is not an indication of ripeness. It is simply due to its variety.
There is no need to peel it. Sometimes at the end of the season, it may become a little tough. Using a sharp knife to slice it usually helps to avoid having strings of peel.
Stewed rhubarb freezes beautifully. Store it in airtight containers in the freezer for 6 months or maybe even longer.
I like to store mine in small Mason jars. Label it with the date and you'll have the makings of a quick dessert in the fall! Warm rhubarb compote over vanilla ice cream is a treat!
🍽 10 Ways to use no-sugar rhubarb compote
You'll find so many ways to use stewed rhubarb!
- Add it to your morning smoothie. This Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Smoothie is a healthy and delicious way to start the day.
- Layer it in a yogurt parfait. Try this Skinny Strawberry Rhubarb Yogurt Parfait.
- Have it for breakfast. It's a delicious addition to these Creamy Strawberry Rhubarb Chia Overnight Oats.
- Add it to a cocktail! This Rhubarb Bellini Prosecco Cocktail is fun, fizzy and refreshing!
- Serve it over vanilla bean ice cream. Sweet and tart at the same time!
- It's delicious with this One-Bowl Flourless Lemon Almond Cake or Flourless Lemon Almond Ricotta Cake with a little whipped cream on the side!
- Enjoy it in this Easy Raspberry Rhubarb Fool--a pretty, layered dessert.
- Make a Rhubarb Eton Mess! Follow this recipe for Traditional Strawberry Eton Mess, replacing the strawberries with rhubarb compote.
- Serve it over Pavlova. Replace the berries with rhubarb compote in this recipe for Mini Pavlova with Berries. A perfect balance of sweet and tart!
- Make rhubarb shortcake! Simply replace the strawberry sauce with rhubarb compote in either Gluten-free Strawberry Shortcake with Vanilla Cupcakes or Sugar-Free Keto Strawberry Shortcake.
⏰ How to store stewed rhubarb
To store: Store in a jar in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
To freeze: Rhubarb compote freezes beautifully. Label with the date and store it in airtight containers in the freezer. It will last for 6 months.
🗒 More rhubarb recipes
You'll find more ways to use rhubarb in this recipe round-up. All recipes are gluten-free! 10 Ways to Use Rhubarb
When you make this no-sugar rhubarb compote recipe, please leave a comment and a rating below. I love hearing from you! Thanks in advance. Subscribe to my newsletter and receive new recipes delivered straight to your inbox.
More easy recipes for rhubarb
📖 Recipe
Sugar-Free Rhubarb Compote (Stewed Rhubarb)
Ingredients
- 4 cups rhubarb, chopped
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup sweetener, 0-calorie Monkfruit sweetener, or maple syrup
Instructions
- Wash fresh rhubarb stalks and remove the leaves (which are toxic.) Chop into pieces about ½ to ¾ inch long.
- Place the rhubarb and ½ cup water in a medium pot over medium heat. (NOTE: if you're using frozen rhubarb, you may not need to add any water at all.)
- Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down to a simmer. Stir in the sweetener and simmer for about 10 - 15 minutes.
- The rhubarb will begin to break down on its own, or you can use a wooden spoon or a potato masher to break it up a little.
- Once it has thickened to your liking, it's done!
Susan
Great idea. I used rhubarb, strawberries and orange juice fresh squeezed. Sweetened with mock fruit and maple syrup. Delicious!!
Susan
Heidi Britton
Great recipe. Thank you.
I mix a dash of cinnamon to the rhubarb and put it over brown rice which has some vanille, dash of nutmeg and monk sugar in it.
Peggy
I made this yesterday for my greek yogurt. Deeelishiouse!!!
I used half rhubarb and half strawberry, a dash of cinnamon. Very good. I'm glad I found this recipe. I'm sharing it with my WW group.
Pamela
Tried a different rhubarb recipe and it had too much sugar. I am using your recipe, witch I like allot better, to combine with the other recipe not to waste the rhubarb.
Thank you Elaine
Looking forward to more of your recipes.
Terri
I love that this is sugar - free! I'm going to share it with my Dad, as he's a diabetic.
Elaine
I think you and I are both big fans of rhubarb! I've discovered that there's little difference in taste when using Monkfruit sweetener instead of sugar.
Asha
Love this healthy version of a delicious treat! I enjoyed it with a scoop of much less healthy vanilla ice cream to balance it out haha
Elaine
Thanks Asha, Love that combo of tart and sweet!
Emma
Wow that was too sweet. Will use half the sweetener next time.
Colleen
I made this with last year's frozen rhubarb and it was perfect. We had it on ice cream, and now I want to try rhubarb shortcake. Great idea!
Elaine
Happy to hear that! It's a great way to use up your freezer stash!
Vanessa
I used this as a topping for breakfast yogurt bowls and it was delicious! Love all the other ideas in the post for how to use it as well....guess I need to make more!
Elaine
Thanks Vanessa, Great idea--I love it for breakfast as it's not too sweet. Thanks for stopping by!
Bernice
Stewing rhubarb is one of the easiest ways to prepare it and you're right...then you can use it in a variety of ways. I like to separate the rhubarb from the juice and use the juice in cocktails. YUM.
Elaine
Great idea, Bernice!
nancy
thanks for sharing how to use rhubarb compote! and how easy it was to make it without sugar.
Joss
I was looking for ways to use up my rhubarb and came across this recipe. I used maple syrup and it turned out really good!
Elaine
Happy to hear that Joss! Thanks for taking the time to comment!