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Home > Blog

01.19.12 Appetizers

Savory Rhubarb Salsa with Chipotle

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Savory Rhubarb Salsa with Chipotle

This recipe is one that started me down a path of savory rhubarb recipes. If you've only experienced rhubarb in sweet desserts, you're missing out. Rhubarbs natural tartness is the perfect companion for spice, like the chipotle used in this salsa. This salsa eventually morphed into an enchilada sauce (also not to be missed.)

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Savory Rhubarb Salsa

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★★★★

4 from 1 reviews

  • Author: Erin Alderson
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 40 mins
  • Yield: 6 to 8 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ medium onion
  • 4 cups diced rhubarb
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup golden raisins
  • ½-1 teaspoon chipotle powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat a large pot over medium heat, add olive oil. Stir in onions and sauté until the onions become translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in rhubarb and continue to cook until rhubarb softens , time varies depending on if you are using fresh or frozen.
  2. Next, add remaining ingredients. I start with ½ teaspoon of chipotle and taste at the end to see if I want more heat. Stir and bring salsa to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Let cook for 15-20 minutes. If you want smoother salsa, use an immersion blender (or a regular one) to puree.
  3. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Serve warm or store in refrigerator for up to a week.

Notes

This salsa sits on the tart/spicy side. You may need to adjust the brown sugar- this recipe is very forgiving in that nothing really needs to be exact.

Did you make this recipe?

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Spring Rhubarb

Featured Ingredient: rhubarb

As mentioned above, rhubarb makes for a great savory treat. If you find yourself with a few stalks, skip the pie and try out one of these savory rhubarb recipes.

Beet Root and Rhubarb Salad
Curried Lentils with Rhubarb Chutney
Noodles with Kale and Spicy Rhubarb Sauce

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  1. Sarah says

    January 19, 2012 at 8:23 am

    What a happy accident! I am the same way with rhubarb...strawberry rhubarb pie is my favorite! But, this looks like the perfect recipe for me to get out of my comfort zone a bit. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  2. Fresh and Foodie says

    January 19, 2012 at 9:05 am

    Frozen rhubarb! Great idea. My husband loves the stuff, but I can only get my hands on it for a short period of time.

    Love the flavors in this. Bookmarking for next time rhubarb shows up at the market.

    Reply
  3. Jacqui says

    January 19, 2012 at 10:09 am

    I was just thinking about all my rhubarb in the freezer from last spring too and that I should really use it up so0n. Thanks for the reminder and the inspiration!

    Reply
  4. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says

    January 19, 2012 at 10:28 am

    This is so unique and sounds so yummy!

    Reply
  5. Zo @ Two Spoons says

    January 20, 2012 at 9:50 pm

    Awesome, we're in summer in New Zealand and I just got a massive bunch of rhubarb. Thanks for this!

    Reply
  6. Heather Connor says

    May 18, 2013 at 12:08 am

    Would this can well?

    Reply
    • Sandy says

      July 22, 2017 at 3:53 pm

      Would this can well?

      Reply
      • Erin Alderson says

        July 23, 2017 at 11:08 am

        I don't know- I'm not good with canning and knowing the right acidity. I know there's this recipe that does have canning instructions! http://www.sbcanning.com/2011/05/canning-rhubarb-now-for-something.html

        Reply
  7. Cody says

    September 20, 2023 at 5:33 am

    Thank you! Always adding savory rhubarb recipes for my for Nnual dinner parties. Want savory to avoid sweets with entree course. To make desserts stand out. Yet, like to incorporate my homegrown organic rhubarb into the menu.
    Great use for the arrival cocktail & nibbles half hour.
    Splendid refreshing idea!

    ★★★★

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Chocolate & peanuts, unite! « Two Spoons says:
    01.21.12 at 10:13 pm

    [...] Chipotle rhubarb salsa @ Naturally Ella [...]

    Reply
  2. Noodles with Kale and Spicy Rhubarb Sauce | Naturally Ella says:
    04.9.12 at 9:56 pm

    [...] since I made Chipotle Rhubarb Salsa, I’ve been craving savory rhubarb again.  I have to warn you though, this meal isn’t [...]

    Reply
  3. Rhubarb Week: Grilled Flank Steak Tacos with Chipotle Rhubarb Salsa | From Away says:
    05.28.12 at 1:31 pm

    [...] Grilled Flank Steak Tacos with Chipotle Rhubarb Salsa Makes 12 tacos; Adapted from a recipe by Naturally Ella. [...]

    Reply

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I'm Erin and this is my space for all things vegetarian food inspired by California and my love of cooking.



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