Simple Rhubarb Pie Recipe: Classic & Delicious

Name: Simple Rhubarb Pie
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Ingredients: 4-5 cups rhubarb (cut into 1/2 inch pieces); 1 1/3 cups sugar; 6 tbsp flour; 1 tbsp butter; 1 double crust

We’re a big fan of simple rhubarb pie and missed it a lot when we lived on the east and west coasts of the US. Little did we know, rhubarb is a Midwest thing, and I couldn’t find it in other areas! I’ve shared several other rhubarb recipes that I LOVE to make during fresh rhubarb season and then with frozen rhubarb during the winter.

Make it the classic way with just rhubarb, or add strawberries for a sweet variation. Try it with a traditional pie crust or a crumble top to add a little more sweetness to the top of this delicious pie.

Grab this recipe if you’re looking for a tart pie using fresh or frozen rhubarb. You will not be disappointed! Check out the From Scratch Desserts for even more tasty dessert ideas.

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traditional rhubarb pie in glass pie dish

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Quick Summary of Simple Rhubarb Pie

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 450ºF.
Step 2: Put pie crust in pie dish.
Step 3: Prepare pie filling and add it to the dish.
Step 4: Dot with butter and top with the second pie crust.
Step 5: Bake and allow to cool before serving.

What You’ll Need:

Pie dish– this is my favorite simple pie dish
Pie Crust– homemade or store-bought
Rhubarb– the main attraction
Sugar– a little sweetness to pair with the tart rhubarb. I prefer to use raw, organic sugar
Flour– to thicken the pie. I prefer to use unbleached, organic flour.
Butter– makes the pie rich and helps the flour set

Health Benefits of Rhubarb

red and green rhubarb stalks on a wood table

Rhubarb has a lot of health benefits, so if you like this tart vegetable, it is worth snacking on! Of course, the sugar in this recipe doesn’t exactly make the pie a healthy snack option, but at least you’re getting a few of the rhubarb benefits while you’re enjoying the delicious rhubarb pie.

Rhubarb is high in vitamin K and calcium, making it good for bone health.
It contains vitamin K, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants so it’s good for digestion and your skin.
It also helps with heart health!

How to Make a Simple Rhubarb Pie

Preheat the oven to 450ºF. Wash and cut the rhubarb into 1/2-inch pieces. You can use fresh or frozen rhubarb. I love a fresh rhubarb pie, but in the dead of winter, my freezer rhubarb will do just fine! I love getting that taste of summer when it’s cold out. Take it straight out of the freezer and add it to the pie; don’t thaw it first.

In a medium bowl, combine flour and sugar. Roll out one pie crust and put it in a pie dish. Sprinkle about 1/3 of the sugar and flour mixture into the bottom of the crust. Add the rhubarb to the pie dish. Top with the remaining sugar and flour mixture.

Dot the top with butter and put the second pie crust on top. Cut vents and pinch the edges of the crust together to create a seal and a fun design. Bake the rhubarb pie for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350ºF and bake for another 40-45 minutes.

rhubarb pie with traditional crust in the glass pie dish

Alternate Rhubarb Pie Top: Rhubarb Pie with Crumble Top

The traditional pie crust top is really good on this classic rhubarb pie, but if you want to add extra sweetness, make a crumble topping. I love a good crumble top and especially like it for these berry bars. It goes on the top and the bottom of the fruity middle.

Here’s what you’ll need for the crumble topping:

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar divided
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg

Using a pastry blender, combine all ingredients until you have a crumbly mixture. Sprinkle it over the pie and bake as usual. I love this pastry blender. It is a simple tool, but without it, it’s a huge pain to combine butter with other ingredients. I used to do this recipe with a fork, and it’s so much easier with a pastry blender.

rhubarb pie and strawberry rhubarb pie with crumble tops in glass pie dish

Add Some Strawberries for a Sweet Variation

If you want to add more color and sweetness, add strawberries to your pie! This recipe calls for about 5 cups of rhubarb so if you want to add some strawberries, use 3 cups of rhubarb and 2 cups of strawberries.

Experiment with the ratio until you find the tartness and sweetness that you’re happy with. Be sure to try this Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble or if you want to put fresh fruit away to use in the cold winter, check out my Canned Strawberry Rhubarb Pie filling recipe!

Tips for a Delicious Pie

If you’re making your own crust, make sure to use cold ingredients! When you use cold butter, the crust will be flaky and delicious. If the butter is too warm, it can make a tougher crust.
Seal the edges so your filling doesn’t come busting out of the seams.
Cut vents in the top crust so steam can escape. If the steam gets trapped in your pie, it could make it more watery.
Follow the oven temperature directions of your recipe. Oftentimes, pie recipes start with a higher temperature to help set the crust, and then the temperature lowers so the filling will cook evenly.
Let it cool. I know, this is a tough one, and I don’t always follow my advice here. When you let the pie cool completely, the filling will set properly and won’t be watery when you take those first few delicious pieces out. It’s so difficult to wait sometimes, so if you don’t mind a little extra juice, go ahead and dig in!

More Delicious Pie Recipes

Pies are a yummy addition to any family meal and a crowd-pleaser at picnics and holiday gatherings. There are so many flavors and recipes to explore, and everyone will have their favorites. I’ve included some of my favorites here:

Canned Pie Filling Recipes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen rhubarb for the pie?

Yes! Fresh, frozen, or canned rhubarb can all be used for pie recipes. Frozen rhubarb can be substituted 1:1 with fresh rhubarb. Don’t thaw the rhubarb if you’re using it frozen; measure it out and add it to your pie.

How do I prepare the rhubarb?

Simply cut the rhubarb into small pieces. You do not cook the rhubarb before adding it to the other pie ingredients. It will soften in the oven!

How do I know when the pie is done?

Your pie should be done when the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling!

Can I add other fruit to my simple rhubarb pie?

Yes! You can add other fruits like strawberries, raspberries, or apples. In this recipe, there are 4-5 cups of rhubarb, so when you’re adding other fruits, make sure the total fruit + rhubarb is between 4-5 cups.