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This simple rhubarb compote recipe requires only three ingredients and takes just 15 minutes to make! Tart, tangy, and simply sweet it's the perfect simple dessert recipe to enjoy during Midwestern rhubarb season! Serve it over vanilla ice cream, waffles, or a slice of delicious pound cake.
This is one of my favorite rhubarb recipes. Of course, I love rhubarb cheesecake squares, an oatmeal-topped rhubarb crisp, or a glass of rhubarb lemonade, but this is such a quick treat to whip up you really can’t beat it!
What is fruit compote?
Fruit compote is a fancy, French term to describe a sauce made of whole fruit or pieces of fruit cooked in a sugar syrup. It is less time intensive than a jam and contains no pectin or thickeners.
This recipe is a quick and easy version that combines the sugar, fruit, and a bit of citrus juice all at once to create a sauce that is thick, luxurious, and perfectly balanced between tangy and sweet.
Ingredients for this recipe
- Rhubarb (fresh or frozen rhubarb)
- Sugar
- Lemon
How to make rhubarb compote
This is just a brief overview. Find full, detailed instructions in the recipe card below!
- Combine the ingredients. In a shallow saucepan and place over medium heat.
- Boil the fruit and sugar. Stirring occasionally, until it’s thick and gorgeous and the rhubarb pieces have broken down naturally. Only about 15 minutes!
- Remove from heat, cool, and enjoy! You’ll love pouring this sauce over vanilla bean ice cream.
It’s really that simple!
Storage and Freezing
This compote is a quick and simple sauce, not a jam recipe, so it is not preserved or shelf stable as a jam recipe could be.
The compote can be stored in a container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Alternatively, it can be frozen. Here’s how:
Fill a quart-sized, freezer-safe plastic bag with rhubarb compote. Squeeze out any excess air. Properly label and date the bag with the contents. Lay flat in the freezer until solid (you can then store the bag upright, if desired).
Compote can be frozen for up to six months. Thaw in the fridge before using.
How many cups is 1 pound of rhubarb?
A little over 3 cups, depending on the size of your pieces. If the rhubarb is cut between ½ and 1 inch, you’ll need 3 heaping cups for this recipe.
If you don’t have a kitchen scale, I highly recommend buying one! They’re so useful!
Citrus Juice Substitutions
You can use 3 tablespoons of bottled lemon juice if you don't have fresh lemons on hand.
Alternatively, a fresh lime or orange can be used in place of the lemon if that’s all you have or prefer. The key is to add a bit of acid via citrus juice to balance the sweetness of the compote.
Watch the recipe video!
Simple Rhubarb Compote
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Rubber Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 pound rhubarb pieces, fresh or frozen (a little over 3 cups)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
Instructions
- Combine 1 pound rhubarb pieces, 1 cup granulated sugar, and the zest and juice of one lemon in a medium saucepan. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil.
- Boil rapidly for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until rhubarb has released its natural juices, broken down, and reduced to a beautifully silky sauce.
- Remove from heat and cool to room temperature before storing in refrigerator.
- Serve compote over vanilla ice cream, waffles, or a slice of pound cake!
Video
Notes
- Compote can be stored in refrigerator for up to five days.
Bernie says
My rhubarb plant is growing very strong and we needed some recipes to help use it up. Google came up with this one and well its quick and easy! Just what you need when you have little ones running around. Speaking of the kids - they love this with pancakes and even in oatmeal! Great recipe thanks for publishing it online!!