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Canning Rhubarb Pie Filling

Make and preserve this delicious rhubarb pie filling recipe for tasty desserts all year long!

Rhubarb tends to be on the first harvests after winter in the north and it’s productive, making it an ideal preservation project.

Whether you’re interested freezing or canning it, this rhubarb pie filling is a versatile thing to have on hand for quick desserts throughout the year.

        Three jars of canned rhubarb pie filling rest on a rustic wooden surface. Text across the image reads "How to Can Rhubarb Pie Filling." The Roosty logo graces the bottom left corner, capturing both tradition and taste.

Ingredients

This is a very simple recipe with just a few ingredients. Before you get started, make sure you have everything on hand.

Rhubarb

Obviously, rhubarb is needed. A full 5 pounds of rhubarb is called for in the recipe and that makes just a bit over 3 quarts.

Harvest bright red, ripe rhubarb from the garden. Clean it well and slice into 1 inch chunks. It makes for a nice texture to have a mixture of stalk sizes from thin to thick.

Fresh rhubarb stalks are placed on a wooden cutting board next to a knife, ready for exploring various ways to preserve and use rhubarb. Some chopped pieces are scattered nearby on a rustic wooden table, inviting creativity in the kitchen.

Sugar

The recipe as written has plenty of sugar while also keeping the natural tartness of the rhubarb in tact. Feel free to add more or less sugar based on your own personal preference.

Lemon Juice

In water bath canning, the addition of lemon juice helps balance PH and keeps everything safe. It also helps balance sweetness.

Further, lemon juice adds to some of the thickening power by helping rhubarb’s own pectin gel more.

A jar of homemade canned peach salsa, brimming with diced peaches and other fresh ingredients, is sealed with a metal lid. It sits on a wooden surface alongside a jar of canning rhubarb pie filling, both proudly featuring the "Rootsy" logo at the bottom right.

ClearJel

For canning, clear jel, a type of modified cornstarch is the safest way of thickening pie fillings. It is not considered safe to use regular flour or cornstarch and results can’t be guaranteed. Keeping a jar of Clearjel on hand for canning is always a good idea.

Adding Other Fruits

This recipe was specifically tested only with rhubarb. It is likely that other fruits could be added. Just have a total of 5 pounds of fruit to begin. Strawberry rhubarb is always a favorite combination, you may want to add less sugar to account for the natural sweetness of the berries.

Prep Time

Start making the pie filling early in the day. The rhubarb does need to sit in some sugar for a bit to release juice. This takes a couple of hours, at most. While that time is hands-off time, do plan to have that time set aside and be ready to finish the process once the juice has been released.

Three glass jars filled with homemade fruit preserves, resembling a vibrant rhubarb pie filling, sit on a rustic wooden surface. The jars contain a colorful mixture of diced fruit, including shades of red and orange, sealed with metal lids - perfect for canning enthusiasts.

Can or Freeze

Can this recipe in a water bath canner to keep it shelf stable. As with all home canned goods, use it up within 1 year.

If you want to skip the rhubarb canning process, freeze it instead. Simply put the filling into bags or jars, leaving 1″ headspace and freeze.

Thaw in the refrigerator before using in recipes. Use up frozen pie filling within 6 months for optimal freshness.

Larger Batch

This recipe does make just a bit over 3 quarts. Unlike jam, you can feel comfortable making a double batch assuming you have a large enough pot for 10 pounds of sliced rhubarb.

Jar Size

A quart jar is just enough to make one 9″ pie in my opinion. With that in mind, I canned the pie filling in quart jars.

However, one could can this in pint jars to use for other things, if desired.

How to Use

Obviously, canning rhubarb this way is ideal for making homemade pies. Simply pour a quart into an unbaked pie shell, top with another pie crust and bake.

That isn’t the only way to use it however.

Consider using the pie filling as a base for a type of cobbler or crisp.

Use the pie filling in some old-fashioned rhubarb oatmeal bars.

A rhubarb oatmeal bar sitting on a white plate with a fork and napkin next to it.

Warm the pie filling up just slightly and serve on top of poundcake or ice cream.

Make milkshakes with ice cream and rhubarb pie filling.

Slather pancakes or waffles with the pie filling as a special breakfast treat.

Mix some into oatmeal or yogurt for added flavor and sweetness.

Try using the rhubarb pie filling instead of the apple pie in this cake recipe.

Do give this pie filling as gift to friends and family. It’s a welcome change to the standard jam or jelly and has potentially more use depending on the recipient.

Three mason jars filled with homemade rhubarb pie filling sit on a rustic wooden surface. Below the jars, text reads, "How to Make & Can Rhubarb Pie Filling," Rootsy.org. Perfect for beginners interested in canning rhubarb pie filling at home.

Looking for more rhubarb recipes?

If you have a bunch of rhubarb, you’re trying to use up, consider making some strawberry rhubarb jam with this tasty and low sugar recipe.

If you just want to get the rhubarb canned up simply now and be creative with it later, this basic rhubarb canning recipe will get you on your way.

Be sure to freeze rhubarb if you have a bunch of it to to enjoy throughout the year.

To enjoy fresh rhubarb in season, be sure to check out these easy, from scratch rhubarb recipes.

Tried this recipe? Please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. We always appreciate your feedback. You can also save the recipe for later by pinning it or clicking on the heart in the lower right hand corner.

Yield: 3 Quarts

Rhubarb Pie Filling

Three glass jars, showcasing vibrant diced fruit preserved in liquid, rest on a rustic wooden surface. Sealed with metal lids, the mix features red, orange, and yellow hues. Explore creative ways to preserve and use rhubarb by adding its vibrant stalks to your own fruity concoctions.

Make this wonderful homemade rhubarb pie filling for a sweet and tart treat from the pantry shelves even when rhubarb isn't in season!

Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 15 minutes
Processing Time 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 5 Pounds Rhubarb, sliced
  • 2 1/2 Cups Sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
  • 1/2 Cup Clearjel

Instructions

  1. In a large stainless steel bowl, combine the rhubarb and sugar. Stir well to coat the rhubarb completely with the sugar.
  2. Let the fruit sit at room temperature and release its juice. About 2 hours should be sufficient.
  3. Meanwhile, get boiling water going for the canner and prepare jars, lids, and rings.
  4. Strain the fruit from the juice. Set the rhubarb slices aside.
  5. Measure out 3 cups of juice. If it's a little short, add water to make 3 cups of liquid.
  6. In a large pot, whisk together the rhubarb juice, lemon juice and clear jel.
  7. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. The mixture should thicken after about 1 minute of boiling.
  8. Add the rhubarb slices to the mixture, stirring to coat. Return the mixture to a boil, making sure to stir to prevent scorching.
  9. Remove from heat.
  10. If choosing to freeze, ladle into freezer safe containers, leaving at least 1 inch headspace.
  11. Seal and let cool to room temperature. Place in freezer.
  12. If choosing to can, ladle into prepared jars, leaving 1 inch headspace in jars.
  13. Remove air bubbles and wipe jar rims. Place lids and rings.
  14. Process quart jars for 20 minutes (pints need just 15 minutes), adjusting processing time for elevation.
  15. When done, remove from canner and let jars sit and cool.
  16. Check seals, remove rings, and store.
  17. Put any jars that didn't seal in the refrigerator or freezer to use up.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

48

Serving Size:

1/4 Cup

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 50Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 2mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 1gSugar: 11gProtein: 0g

We try but can not promise the accuracy of these nutrition results.

Recipe Source

This pie filling recipe was developed from the instructions from Washington State University Extension Service’s directions for adaptation of the USDA’s Peach Pie Filling into Rhubarb Pie Filling.

Thanks for sharing!

Sue duchene

Tuesday 10th of September 2024

Can I elimate the clear gel while caning but add a thickening before baking? I can’t find the clear gel .

Dian Edgar

Wednesday 28th of August 2024

Is it possible to use potato starch instead of clear gel in Denmark where I live we don't have clear Gel We have corn and potato starch

Angi Schneider

Friday 6th of September 2024

No, it's not. Clear Jel is specially modified for canning and has been tested. Just leave out the thickener when canning. You can add the thickener when you make the pie.

Rose

Sunday 11th of August 2024

just finished canning 8 quart of pie filling. yum. What is the best way to bake it when ready? just wanted to also mention that the last 4 quart I only used 1 1/4 cup sugar initially to get juices out, then added stevia after but before I added it to clear jel. It appears to have set up just fine.

Kathie Lapcevic

Monday 12th of August 2024

I just dump into a raw pie shell and cover with another pie shell - bake like you would any fruit pie. 425 for about 15 minutes reduce heat to 350 for about 30 minutes...

Sandra

Tuesday 21st of May 2024

I made this yesterday, followed the recipe exactly and it's perfect - not too sweet and I love that it's not mushy like stewed rhubarb. I had a dish of it for breakfast this morning topped with some granola. It tasted like more!

Angi Schneider

Tuesday 25th of June 2024

Thank you so much! We're thrilled that you like it.

Jean Chapman

Monday 29th of April 2024

How much does it take to make a pie? A quart?

Judy

Wednesday 25th of September 2024

@Angi Schneider, how many quarts will this recipe make?

Angi Schneider

Tuesday 25th of June 2024

One quart will make a pie but it will be thin. If you want a thicker pie use 2 quarts.

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