Best Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Recipe (2024)

by Mary Neumann · 39 Comments

I’ll be heading back to Alaska this summer and can’t wait tohave my sister’s Strawberry Rhubarb Pie! This is one of my favorite summer desserts. I shared this recipe years ago and wanted to share it again for my new readers. This is the absolute BEST Strawberry Rhubarb Pie recipe. A family favorite for generations.

Best Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Recipe (1)

In Alaska, the rhubarb are huge! I’m guessing all the extra hours of sunlight have something to do with the size. The rhubarb pictured below are from my sister’s backyard. These were picked fresh from her garden to make her famous Strawberry Rhubarb Pies. Pretty big huh?!

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PINNABLE IMAGE

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STEP BY STEP DIRECTIONS AND PHOTO TUTORIAL BELOW FOR STRAWBERRY RHUBARB PIE

Here is the recipe for ONE Strawberry Rhubarb Pie –You’ll want to start with the crust first:

9 INCH PIE CRUST (TWO CRUST PIE RECIPE)

Our grandma’s recipe, perfect crust every time!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour (all-purpose)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cups shortening
  • 6 Tablespoons of ice water (very important)

Directions

Mix flour, salt and shortening with two knives, cutting into the dough until it resembles small peas/crumbs. Add the ice water and mix gently until dough is formed. Divide into two equal balls. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 20 minutes. Roll out crusts on floured surface.

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(Once your crust is ready, set aside and start to make your pie filling)

STRAWBERRY RHUBARB PIE

(Adapted from Joy of Cooking – 1997 edition)

Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups strawberries, sliced
  • 2 1/2 cups rhubarb, cut into 1-2 inch pieces
  • 1 cup sugar, plus extra tsp. to decorate crust
  • zest of one orange (use less if you like)
  • 1/4 cup quick-cooking tapioca
  • dash of salt
  • 1 – 2 tablespoons butter (use real butter)

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Mix the first six ingredients in bowl. Set aside for 15 minutes. Line the pie plate with the bottom crust and fill with the rhubarb mixture. Slice the butter and dot the pie mixture (see picture below). Cover with top crust, fold and pinch seams together. Brush crust lightly with milk or cream and sprinkle with sugar. Cut at least four slits into top of pie to vent while baking.

Bake at 425 F for 30 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 F for an additional 30-35 minutes. Be sure to place a cookie sheet or foil on the rack beneath the pie, the juices will likely bubble over.

Remove and cool. This pie is best served warm with a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream!

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Happiness on a plate. So good.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheers!

More Grandma's Pie Crust

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Debbie

    You can buy it frozen year round

    Reply

    • SHERRY OLNEY

      Where r u from, I have never seen any frozen??

      Reply

  2. Dale

    This pie looks fabulous, can I use frozen rhubarb and strawberries?

    Reply

    • Mary Neumann

      Hi Dale, Yes you can! Measure the fruit, allow the frozen rhubarb and strawberries to thaw then drain in a colander (do not press). Happy baking!

      Reply

  3. cynthia nelson

    Does the shortening need to be cold?

    Reply

    • Mary Neumann

      No, Cynthia. Happy baking 🙂

      Reply

  4. Pat Zeinert

    It looks like the rhubarb was not peeled when cut and put in the pie shell. We always peeled the rhubarb first.

    Reply

  5. Bernie Hassinger

    If you want to speed up the process, put your fully assembled pie in your microwave on high for 8 minutes and 40 seconds. Transfer to a 425° oven and bake for exactly 14 minutes. Voila, a beautifully baked pie with a beautiful crust. This method only works on two crust pies.

    Reply

  6. Pat

    I always put a lattice crust on top of this pie. Makes it look very pretty.

    Reply

  7. Dee

    I thought I remember my Grandmother cooking the filling some before putting it in the crust. Does anyone do this?

    Reply

    • barbara

      I do that..I like the way the pie turns out much better..if it is apple, the apples do not hold the crust up so that it gets hard…

      Reply

    • sylvia

      I always cook my fruit fillings a bit, that way there are no lg gaps in the crust.

      Reply

  8. Patty

    Do you have a recipe for strawberry rhubarb CUSTARD pie?

  9. Ruth Wehner

    this is my family’s favorite dessert. I buy rhubarb when it’s in season in Calif., cut it up and freeze in ziplocks in the size I will use it. It’s wonderful!

    Reply

  10. Deb Chapman

    Can you use corn starch instead of tapioca?

    Reply

  11. Fran

    Is the recipe only for one pie? The picture shows 2 pies.

    Reply

  12. Wendy

    The pastry recipe is the same as I have used for 50 yrs. I know some just can’t make it ( not sure why ) . But I have found it to be no fail. And the filling is delicious !

    Reply

  13. Charletta

    This is my favorite, but no one else likes it.

    Reply

  14. Robin

    Looks delicious

    Reply

  15. janet

    love this pie but hard to find rubarb in north Texas.

    Reply

  16. janet

    love this pic but hard to find rubarb in north Texas.

    Reply

    • Trish

      Sprouts Farmers Market carries frozen rhubarb and it works great!

      Reply

    • Toad

      Facts. Texas is not the best place to live.

      Reply

  17. Sharon Baker

    I have always wanted to bake a strawberry/rhubarb pie. The pie crust and pie recipe will actually allow me to do so. Thank you for sharing!!!

    Reply

  18. colette davison

    Been making strawberry rhubarb pies for 4o years. I would leave out the tapioca and ad a heaping tablespoon of cornstarch as it absorbs the juice from the fruit.

    Reply

    • Unknown

      Instead of cornstarch, use 1 sleeve of Saltine crackers, crumbled, and about 3/4 of the sugar. Delish.

      Reply

    • DJ

      That’s what the tapioca does – it thickens the juices… have been making pies with since the 60’s… its the only way I bake a fruit pie

      Reply

  19. noelle

    I am curious if frozen rhubarb would work as I have a lot in my freezer that i would love to use up.

    Reply

    • marysweetlittlebluebird

      Hi Noelle, YES, you can use frozen rhubarb!

      Reply

    • SHERRY OLNEY

      Send me some, wish I had enough for just a pie!

      Reply

  20. Kevin Barnes

    I have one in the oven right now and hope it comes out well. I just need to say that my crust making skills still have a lot to be desired.

    Reply

    • marysweetlittlebluebird

      I hope it turned out wonderful, Kevin!!! As for the crust…when it's not perfect, it's best…that means it homemade…and good!

      Reply

  21. Mel@Mellywood's Mansion

    Oh Mary you've brought back memories of my childhood with my Nana cooking the rub urn my Grandpa grew, I loved it yet I have not made or eaten it as an adult. This has to be made next Summer 🙂

    Reply

    • Mary

      Mel, Rhubarb reminds me of my grandma and great grandma too. Great memories from my childhood, only I didn't care for rhubarb until I was an adult…now it's my favorite summer pie. I hope you make some next summer!

      Reply

  22. Danni Baird @ Silo Hill Farm

    I'm envious that you are going back to Alaska! I loved this post then and I love it again! I miss rhubarb from Montana! It just doesn't do well here…too hot I guess.

    Reply

    • Mary

      🙁 That sticks you can't grow it…can you buy Rhubarb at your local store?

      Reply

      • Sue

        My local amish market has frozen rhubarb here in Indiana. Really love the strawberry-rhubarb combination in a pie.

        Reply

    • Viv

      I grow it in upper Michigan, so you should be able to there also!

      Reply

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Best Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Where is strawberry rhubarb pie most popular? ›

The most uniquely searched pie is the one that the state searches for more than the rest of the country, and for most of the Northwest, that's strawberry rhubarb. Fruit pies in general were big in the west — except for Nevada, which seems to like candy cane pie the most (who knew?!).

How do you keep a rhubarb pie from being runny? ›

Thankfully the science of baking has an easy trick up its sleeve to deal with this, and all it involves is tossing your rhubarb with some sugar. Mixing your fresh fruit with sugar and letting it sit is called maceration, and it helps draw excess liquid out of your rhubarb before it cooks out and leaves your pie soggy.

How do you keep rhubarb pie from getting soggy? ›

Often, blind-baking solves this problem. If you're making a single crust custard-filled pie, like a pumpkin pie, bake the pie dough first before adding filling to allow some of the moisture in the crust to evaporate. You can also totally blind-bake fruit pies.

Why is my rhubarb pie soupy? ›

Rhubarb pie fillings are often soft and runny. The rhubarb contains so much water, you either have to add too much thickener or coax the rhubarb to release its liquid before thickening it.

What is the number one selling pie? ›

The clear winner for the United States as a whole was (not surprisingly) apple pie with more than 27% of sales going to the traditional flavor.

What is the number one favorite pie? ›

Apple pie is arguably one of the most popular pie flavors. A symbol of America, the apple pie was actually invented by the British. Apple pie is simply made with sliced apples on double-crusted pastry dough.

What is a thickening agent for rhubarb? ›

Add 1 cup of granulated sugar to the fruit, along with 3 tablespoons of cornstarch or tapioca starch. Tapioca starch is best for fruit pies, because it sets clear.

How do you thicken rhubarb stalks? ›

In autumn or early spring, a general-purpose fertiliser or mulch of well-rotted manure or organic matter can be applied thickly around the crown of the plant, which will give it a boost for the growing season ahead.

Why is my rhubarb strawberry pie runny? ›

Typically when a strawberry rhubarb pie filling (or really any fruit pie) is runny it has to do with either the pie not cooking long enough or it not cooling long enough before slicing.

Should I bake the bottom pie crust first? ›

Pre-baking is a must if you're looking for a flaky pie crust. It's especially helpful for recipes with a wet center. Recipes for most tarts, pies, and quiches call for pre-baking to ensure that the final product doesn't end up soggy.

Should I egg wash the bottom pie crust? ›

You've spent time and effort putting the pastry together, so don't sell yourself short by skipping the final step—the egg wash for the pie crust. The truth is that cream and egg washes are a simple but vital step to improving the appearance and flavor of pies and other baked goods.

How do you get a crispy crust on the bottom of a pie? ›

Choose the Right Rack in the Oven

Which rack you use in the oven can help ensure a crisp crust. Baking the pie on a lower rack will concentrate heat on the bottom of the pie and help the crust crisp.

How do you get the most Flavour out of rhubarb? ›

"Once you let it simmer, and it's soft, let it sit overnight. Now you have these tender ribbons that you can jar up, or you can put them on anything." Removing the first layer of skin will take away its "rubbery taste" and bring out the stalk's most appealing flavors, and the brown sugar will temper the tartness.

What thickens fruit pie filling? ›

Cornstarch has thickening power similar to Instant ClearJel. Like flour, it lends a cloudy, semi-transparent look to filling. It can also give filling a starchy taste. For full effectiveness, make sure the pie filling is bubbling up through the crust before removing your pie from the oven.

Where did strawberry rhubarb pie originate? ›

Rhuarb originated in Europe (Germany and UK), and introduced to the United States in the late 18th century. It's unclear when the addition of strawberries came about, but many are glad that it did. Strawberry Rhuabrb pie has become a spring and summer staple in many households.

Where is the rhubarb pie capital of the world? ›

Sumner, Washington – Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World.

Is Strawberry rhubarb pie regional? ›

This pie is a traditional dessert in the United States. It is part of New England cuisine. Rhubarb has long been a popular choice for pies in the Great Plains region and the Midwest Region, where fruits were not always readily available.

Where is rhubarb most popular? ›

It was always more popular in Britain and the U.S. than elsewhere but rhubarb also achieved noteworthy popularity in Australia and New Zealand. Culinary uses also spread to northern Europe.

References

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