This easy rhubarb jam perplexes us in the best possible way. It tastes far lovelier than you’d expect given that it’s derived from a funky-looking plant with gangly stalks and floppy leaves. It’s also ridiculously easy to make—more so than we’d ever imagined. All you need are a mere four ingredients and an occasional stir to whip up this easy old-fashioned rhubarb jam.–David Leite
Rhubarb Jam FAQs
Rhubarb season runs from April to July, and at its peak, you don’t need to peel rhubarb for jam, strawberry-rhubarb crumbles, pies, or crisps. The stalks are tender-ish and crunchy. Later in the season, in July, the stalks tend to get fibrous and tough. Peeling the stalks will make for a tastier more pleasant mouthful.
Rhubarb, which is a vegetable (yes, vegetable!), is low in pectin. But all isn’t lost. While there’s no added pectin in this recipe, aside from what comes from the lemon, it’s created to give you a soft, luscious preserve without the hassle of pectin.
In case you want to whip up a small batch of rhubarb jam, or size things up, there are 4 cups of cut rhubarb to a pound
Rhubarb preserves can be spooned into mini jam tarts (below), spread between layers of Victoria sponge, swirled into pound cake, dolloped onto pavlovas, added to petit fours. 
Easy Rhubarb Jam
Equipment
- Canning jars and lids
Ingredients
- 4 pounds rhubarb, preferably red, trimmed, rinsed, and cut into small chunks (about 16 cups)
- 4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups cold water
- 1 lemon, halved and juiced, seeds reserved
Instructions
Prepare the jars
- Sterilize the jars and lids for canning by boiling them in a large pot of water. Place a small plate in the freezer.
Make the jam
- In a large bowl, place the rhubarb, sugar, water, lemon juice, spent lemon halves, and lemon seeds (which provide the necessary pectin for thickening), and let rest on the counter for 1 hour. (If you want to make your life easier later on, tuck the lemon seeds in a tea ball or tie them in cheesecloth to make for simple retrieval.)
- After 1 hour, dump the rhubarb mixture into a pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Continue to cook, stirring the jam constantly, for about 15 minutes. Skim any foam from the surface of the jam as it arises.
- After 15 minutes, reduce the heat to medium to keep the jam at a constant simmer, stirring frequently, to make sure the jam isn't scorched at the bottom of the pot.
- After a total of 30 minutes simmering, check to see if your jam has set by taking the plate from the freezer and dolloping a small spoonful of the jam on the plate. The jam is set when it holds its shape on the cool plate rather than turning into a blob. If it seems a little runny, continue cooking over medium-low heat until set.
- Remove the lemon halves and seed bag and toss them in the compost or trash.
Store the jam
- If using the rhubarb jam within a week or two, ladle the jam into the sterilized jars, filling them to the bottom-most ring at the top of the jar. Gently tap the bottom of each jar on the counter to release any air bubbles. Using a damp clean towel, wipe the rims of the jars and secure the lids and rings. Place in the refrigerator and use to your heart's content.
- If canning the rhubarb jam and using it over the next year, ladle the jam into the sterilized jars, filling them to the bottom-most ring at the top of the jar. Gently tap the bottom of each jar on the counter to release any air bubbles. Using a damp clean towel, wipe the rims of the jars and secure the lids and rings. Continue with the following steps.
- Process the jars of rhubarb jam in a water bath for 5 minutes if using pint jars, 10 minutes if using quart jars. [For more information on canning, see our handy Guide to Canning below.] Use tongs to remove the jars from the pot and let them cool on the counter.
- When the jam is room temperature, remove the metal rings, check for proper seals, and label with the date and contents. Store in a cool, dark pantry for up to 1 year.
Notes
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- Storage–Canned jam can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year. If any of the seals break during storage, toss out the jam, as it’s not safe to eat.
- Freezing–The jam can also be frozen in jars or resealable bags for up to 6 months. If you choose to freeze it, you do not need to process it in a water bath. Thaw in the refrigerator and use within 1 week.
- Scaling–The recipe can be halved or quartered. Reduce the ingredient amounts and follow the recipe as directed.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Our Guide to Canning Rhubarb Jam and Other Preserves
1. Prepare the canning jars
Be sure to set up your jars and workspace before making the jam. Wash your jars and lids in hot soapy water and set them to dry completely on a rack or on a clean dish towel. Sterilize jars by placing them in a canning pot, filling it with water, and bringing it to a simmer. Hold jars in water or in a 225° F (107°C) oven until ready to use. (This latter oven trick is not recommended by the USDA, but I’m still alive to give you the option.)
2. Fill the jars
All canned goods need headspace to allow for expansion of the food and to create a vacuum in cooling jars. As a general rule, leave 1/4 inch of headspace on all jams and jellies. When placing lids and rings on canning jars, do not overtighten the rings. Secure just until rings have tension and feel snug. Overtightening will not allow for air to vent from the jars—a crucial step in canning.
3. Process the jars
Fill a canning pot or a deep stockpot half full of water and bring to a low boil. Hold the liquid at a very low boil until ready to use. If using a canning pot, place prepared jars of food on the rack in the canner. If using a deep stockpot, best only for small-batch preserving, line the bottom of the pot with a dish towel and place jars on top. This helps them from clanging around on the bottom of the pot or tumbling over onto their sides. This form of canning is not universally recommended or endorsed by the USDA, although I have seen plenty of farmers and European country folk use this old-school technique, and I’ve adapted their laissez-faire ways.
Do not stack the jars, as you need to allow for the circulation of water for proper sealing. Lower jars into the pot and add enough hot water to cover the jar tops by an inch or more.
Cover the pot and return to a boil. Processing times begin once the canning pot water is brought back to the boil. This can take as long as 15 minutes, so be sure to keep an eye on your pot and a timer nearby.
4. Remove the jars
Using a jar lifter or a set of kitchen tongs, remove jars from the canner when the processing time has elapsed. Set them aside on a folded towel to cool. Make sure you do not press on the tops and create an artificial seal.
5. Know when the canning jars are properly sealed
You’ll hear the sound of can tops popping shortly—a sign that a secure seal has been made. Once the jars are cool, check the seal by removing the outer ring and lifting the jar by holding only the lid. If it stays intact, you have successfully canned your food. If the seal is loose or broken, you may reprocess it in the water bath within 24 hours. Be sure to replace the lid and check the jar rim for cracks or nicks and replace it if necessary. Alternatively, you can refrigerate the jar immediately and use it within 2 or 3 weeks.
Recipe Testers’ Reviews
This was delicious jam. It was tart and sweet with good consistency. It came together quickly and easily, and the longest part of the process was waiting for the rhubarb to macerate with the sugar.
I worried that a rhubarb jam without pectin wouldn’t set up well, but it was fine. The recipe also scales down very well, as I made only a quarter of it without any problems. I also didn’t can it, but instead made a “refrigerator” jam that I ate within a week. It was delicious on biscuits—and made one of the best peanut butter and jelly sandwiches I’ve ever had.
There is such beautiful color, tart flavor, and a hint of lemon in this recipe for rhubarb jam.
I cut the recipe in half for a smaller portion of jam–kind of a small batch rhubarb jam–and was quite happy with the results. The jam set up easily on the frozen plate.
The easy rhubarb jam worked very well, even though I made only a quarter of the amount. My only variation from the recipe was that after mixing all of the ingredients, I didn’t have a chance to cook it immediately, so the mixture was left on the stove overnight.
Personally, I found this to be very sweet. Later I used 1 pound of rhubarb with 3/4 cup sugar. This was a better ratio, but I’d still like to adjust the sugar so that the sour and sweet tastes are in just the correct balance.
I must confess, I didn’t go through all of the canning steps for this recipe. I’m storing it in the fridge because I don’t expect it to last long. I love the addition of the lemon. I even snacked on the “candied” lemon peels after I fished them out of the jar. Tastes just like an old-fashioned rhubarb jam.
I just planted some rhubarb. I’ll get to try this recipe in two years when I get a crop. Might have to buy some so I can try it sooner.
Or beg some from a neighbor…? Although we envy you that crop of stalks beneath floppy leaves you’ll have in a couple years…
I just found this recipe again & my comment. Unfortunately, the rhubarb didn’t over-winter. I’ve had to rely on small bags from the grocery store for my “fix.”
Ah, that’s so sad, Doittie. The store-bought stuff does work in a pinch for a fix, though! And this recipe is exceptionally forgiving. Promise. Best of luck with next year’s rhubarb.
I just had to buy some rhubarb at the farmers market this week. It was so pink and shiny! Before today, I had never used it, so luckily I stumbled across this site as I googled rhubarb recipes. I substituted an orange for the lemon since I was all out. Boy was this YUMMMMMM!!!! Amazing on a whole wheat English muffin.
Ashley, we couldn’t be happier to hear about your rhubarb experience! And we agree, this recipe is a definite keeper. Stay tuned, we have some additional rhubarb recipes to share in the weeks to come…
One correction: if a jar does not seal, it is not safe to merely put it through the water bath again. You need to assume that the lid is not functional and throw it away. You need to put your food contents of that jar back into a pot and bring it back to a boil and put it back into a hot sterilized jar with new lid, screw back on a band, and reprocess it in the water bath for the same amount of time as specified in the recipe. (I find this very cumbersome as well as wasteful of resources; I simply put a jar that hasn’t sealed into the refrigerator and have the family use it right away.) I am also very particular about lids and make very sure ahead of time that my lids are all use-able; I therefore rarely have a failed seal.
Many thanks, Jeanne. I think by “replace” the lid Amy actually meant toss it and replace it with a new lid rather than simply put the same lid back in place. And yes, as you so articulately point out, it’s always, always, always better to be safe than sorry. Terrific reminder. And yes, we’re big fans of refrigerator, or immediate gratification, jam…