Is Rhubarb Poisonous?

The respond is more complicated than yous retrieve.

Like most people in the Midwest, I actually expect forward to spring. After all, there'due south a lot to beloved: warm temperatures, blooming plants and—my personal favorite—spring produce.

Ane of the nearly iconic spring fruits (well, technically information technology's a vegetable, simply nosotros use it like a fruit) is rhubarb. The pretty pink stalks are a delicious addition to pies, muffins, jams and more. (These rhubarb recipes are gear up for jump!)

Even so, rhubarb has a piffling bit of a shady side. I was always warned to stay abroad from rhubarb leaves because they're poisonous. But is the rumor true? Here's what we found.

Did you lot know you lot should never eat these foods raw?

Is Rhubarb Poisonous?

Yeah and no. The stalks are totally safe to eat. Y'all tin can even bask them raw—but be warned, they're very tart!

The leaves are a different story. They contain a chemic called oxalic acid which, when consumed in big quantities, can be fatal. According to National Geographic, oxalic acid binds to calcium ions in your blood and makes them ineffective. This procedure can pb to kidney problems or even death.

The Verdict

As scary as this procedure sounds, don't panic. You would have to swallow several pounds of rhubarb leaves to achieve a toxic level—so don't experience like you need to toss the whole batch if tiny leaf scraps finish up in your rhubarb muffins. But do avoid eating the leaves whole—even a few tin make you feel sick.

And, if you larn how to grow rhubarb in the garden, keep Fido away from the patch. Most pets are a lot smaller than humans, so it takes very few rhubarb leaves to do harm. Give your pup 1 of these dog-friendly foods instead.

Effort These Sweet and Savory Rhubarb Recipes

Winnie's Mini Rhubarb & Strawberry Pies

Every spring, nosotros had strawberries and rhubarb on our farm outside Seattle. These fruity hand pies remind me of those times and of Grandma Winnie'due south baking. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California Get Recipe

Strawberry Rhubarb Cheesecake Bars

These cheesecake bars layer a buttery pecan shortbread crust with a rich and creamy filling and sweet-tart strawberry rhubarb jam. For larger squares, cut into nine bars instead of 16. —Amanda Scarlati, Sandy, Utah

Pork Loin with Strawberry-Rhubarb Chutney

I love strawberry-rhubarb pie, so I thought the aforementioned flavor combination could work equally a chutney—and it does! This makes a succulent and festive accompaniment to a succulent pork roast. The chutney can exist made a day ahead and kept in the refrigerator. —Deborah Biggs, Omaha, Nebraska

Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake

It ever seems similar my rhubarb goes bad in a hurry, then I was looking for a simple mode to combine two of my favorite flavors in an incredibly easy dessert. I added extra spices to enhance the season of this strawberry-rhubarb dump cake for a sugariness treat my whole family loved! —Jessica Bridge, Grand Junction, Colorado

Rhubarb Strawberry Pie

This strawberry rhubarb pie with frozen fruit recipe has go a favorite with us. My married man never liked rhubarb until he tasted this pie...at present he asks me to make it ofttimes! — Sandy Dark-brown, Lake Worth, Florida

Pinkish Rhubarb Punch

Rhubarb is the featured ingredient in this chroma-colored dial. A friend passed the recipe on to me, and we enjoy information technology so much that I thought others might, likewise. —Rebecca Mininger, Jeromesville, Ohio

Rhubarb Crumble

To tell y'all the truth, I'thou not certain how well my strawberry rhubarb crumble keeps—nosotros unremarkably eat information technology all in a day! You can skip the apples and strawberries in the recipe, which I do sometimes. But they do make this quick, like shooting fish in a barrel dessert extra good. —Linda Enslen, Schuler, Alberta

Nut-Topped Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins

A sweet, crispy topping highlights these tender muffins that are filled with two favorite spring foods, rhubarb and strawberries. They're perfect for a brunch or a catch-and-go breakfast. —Audrey Stallsmith, Hadley, Pennsylvania

Strawberry Rhubarb Cake with Orange

I came upwardly with this strawberry rhubarb cake when I wanted to brand something with rhubarb and strawberries that wasn't a pie. If yous know someone who hasn't tried rhubarb earlier, this is a great way to introduce them to it. —Theresa Kreyche, Tustin, California

Pecan Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler

Chock-full of berries and rhubarb, this pretty cobbler is the perfect finale for a dinner for two. Pecans in the topping and the delicious dessert sauce make it extra special. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

Berry Rhubarb Fool

A "fool" is a British dessert that's commonly fabricated with custard. This is a modified, quicker version I created. My kids beloved it considering it doesn't taste similar rhubarb—and so I gauge information technology's well named! —Cheryl Miller, Fort Collins, Colorado

Lemon Rhubarb Tube Cake

For a gustatory modality of summertime, try this dessert. The cake's fresh lemon flavor and tart rhubarb topping are and so refreshing. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

Drupe-Apple-Rhubarb Pie

I brand this family favorite every year for a gathering at my sister's, where the recipe is known equally "Uncle Mike's pie." I use but fresh berries, apples and rhubarb that I grow myself. —Michael Powers, New Baltimore, Virginia

Strawberry Rhubarb Cream

A friend gave me this recipe a long fourth dimension ago. It's rich and creamy yet refreshing. I make this oftentimes in early on summer when rhubarb is readily bachelor. —Norma DesRoches, Warwick, Rhode Isle

Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake

Although my coffee cake makes a large pan, information technology never lasts very long! It's swell for a Sunday brunch after church and nice to bring to family unit reunions, besides. —Dorothy Morehouse, Massena, New York

Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

This tangy Strawberry Rhubarb Jam recipe is a favorite with my family. They'll put it on almost annihilation, simply especially like it on muffins or buttermilk biscuits. —Deb Kooistra, Kitchener, Ontario

Winning Rhubarb-Strawberry Pie

While being raised on a subcontract I often ate rhubarb, and then it's natural for me to utilise it in a pie. I adopt to use lard for the flaky pie crust and thin, cerise rhubarb stalks for the filling. These ii little secrets helped this recipe win peak honors at the 2013 Iowa Country Fair. —Marianne Carlson, Jefferson, Iowa

Rhubarb Strawberry Cobbler

Mom's yummy cobbler is a truly wonderful finale to any meal. This family unit favorite is sweet and tart, chock-full of berries and rhubarb, and the thick crust is so piece of cake to make. —Susan Emery, Everett, Washington

Rhubarb Strawberry Crunch

Garden-fresh rhubarb is put to great utilize in this easy recipe. It's wonderful with ice foam. —Barbara Foss, Waukesha, Wisconsin

Strawberry-Rhubarb Cream Dessert

A neighbor shared this recipe with me, and I created my own variation using garden-fresh rhubarb and strawberries. The shortbread crust and creamy sweet-tart layers went over big at a family party—non a nibble was left! —Sara Zignego, Hartford, Wisconsin

Rhubarb Berry Coffee Cake

I rely on a cake mix to speed the prep for this moist streusel-topped dessert that pairs tart rhubarb with sweet strawberries. It's corking all by itself, but feel free to add some frosting or ice cream. —Jackie Heyer, Cushing, Iowa

Rosy Applesauce

I ever end upwardly with lots of rhubarb each summertime, but many of the recipes use a lot of sugar. This one lets the fruit sweeten upwardly the rhubarb instead. I refrigerate the sauce overnight to assistance the flavors blend. —Amy Nelson, Weston, Wisconsin

Rhubarbecue

This simmered sauce is a roller-coaster ride for your tongue. It'due south a wonderful blend of complex flavors that goes with any meat. — Rd Stendel-Freels, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Wearisome-Cooker Rhubarb Strawberry Sauce

We recently started growing our own rhubarb, and nosotros alive in a function of Oregon where strawberries are plentiful. I created this to drizzle over ice cream and filled a well-baked with the rest. —Kim Banick, Salem, Oregon

Strawberry-Rhubarb Ice Pops

These absurd, creamy pops are a deliciously dissimilar way to use upwards the compensation from your rhubarb patch. —Donna Linihan, Moncton, New Brunswick

Rhubarb Berry Cheesecake Pie

My grandparents grew a ton of stuff in their garden, including rhubarb and strawberries. Nosotros typically baked information technology into pies and cobblers, simply then Mom found this recipe and information technology became a fresh, new favorite. —LeeAnn McCue, Charlotte, North Carolina

Rhubarb Raisin Marmalade

At a retreat in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, I sampled a marmalade combining rhubarb and raisins. I loved information technology so much that I went dwelling house and tried to duplicate it. I added the strawberries to make the marmalade even sweeter. —Carmen Tuck, Airdrie, Alberta

Rhubarb and Strawberry Java Block

Vanilla cake with cream cheese filling and strawberry rhubarb sauce brand a grand finale for a Mother's Day brunch. I fabricated this to honor our moms and grandmothers. —Danielle Ulam, Hookstown, Pennsylvania

Ho-hum-Cooked Strawberry Rhubarb Sauce

This tart and tangy fruit sauce is excellent over pound cake or ice cream. I have served this topping many times and accept gotten rave reviews from friends and family. —Judith Wasman, Harkers Island, North Carolina

Strawberry/Rhubarb Nibble Pie

Everyone seems to accept a rhubarb patch here in Maine. This pie won first prize at our church fair; I hope it's a winner at your house, also! —Paula Phillips, Eastward Winthrop, Maine

Strawberry-Rhubarb Flip Cake

My friend Dave ever brought two strawberry rhubarb cakes to work to celebrate his birthday. He'd utilize upwards rhubarb growing in the yard and care for his co-workers. —Charlene Schwartz, Maple Plain, Minnesota

Strawberry Rhubarb Compote

This quick compote will exist a striking for your family. I honey to add together it to water ice foam.—Fay Bellgardt, Montrose, Colorado

Rhubarb Crisp

I establish this strawberry rhubarb crisp recipe on a box of Quaker Oats about 20 years agone. It's quick and easier to make than pie. Information technology's versatile, as well, because y'all can add strawberries in spring or apples in fall. I usually pop it into the oven shortly before nosotros sit down to eat and so it'southward yet warm for dessert! —C.E. Adams, Charlestown, New Hampshire

Rhubarb Fool with Strawberries

A fool is a classic British and Irish dessert that'southward usually made with whipped foam and cooked fruit. Endeavor my quick version with rhubarb and berries. —Cheryl Miller, Fort Collins, Colorado

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