Where to keep rhubarb, how long it lasts, and how to wash it
Quick answer
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Fridge
Keeps for 3-7 days
Store rhubarb in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, and use it within 3 to 7 days of buying it.
Fresh rhubarb lasts 3 to 7 days in the refrigerator, counted from the day you buy it. Store it in a clean fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below. Rinse it under plain running water before you prepare or eat it, and throw away rhubarb that looks rotten.
Buying rhubarb this week?
On a Listonic list, every item gets the amount you need and a note on when to use it by.
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Fresh rhubarb lasts 3 to 7 days in the refrigerator, according to USDA FoodKeeper. That time counts from the day you buy it, so plan to use rhubarb soon after you bring it home.
Good rhubarb starts at the store. Choose stalks that aren’t bruised or damaged, as the FDA advises for all produce.
How to store rhubarb
Store rhubarb in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below. That’s the FDA’s advice for perishable fresh fruits and vegetables.
Rhubarb you buy pre-cut or packaged belongs in the fridge as well. The FDA says to refrigerate all produce bought that way.
Do you need to refrigerate rhubarb?
Yes, keep fresh rhubarb in the fridge. The USDA FoodKeeper time for rhubarb, 3 to 7 days, is a refrigerator time, and the FDA advises refrigerating perishable fresh produce.
How long does rhubarb last in the fridge?
Rhubarb lasts 3 to 7 days in the fridge, counted from the date of purchase. The count starts on the day you buy it, not the day it goes in the fridge. Plan to use it within a week of buying it at the latest.
Is rhubarb still good after a week?
A week is the longest USDA FoodKeeper gives rhubarb in the fridge, since its time is 3 to 7 days from purchase. Check the stalks before you use them, and throw them away if they look rotten.
How to tell if rhubarb has gone bad
Rhubarb that looks rotten has gone bad, so throw it away, the FDA advises. If only part of a stalk is bruised or damaged, cut that part away before you prepare or eat the rest.
How to wash rhubarb
Wash rhubarb under plain running water before you prepare or eat it, gently rubbing the stalks as you rinse. Do it before you cut or peel the rhubarb, so dirt and bacteria on the surface aren’t carried along.
Skip soap, detergent, and commercial produce wash. Produce is porous and can absorb them, as the FDA’s guide to selecting and serving produce safely explains.
Dry the stalks with a clean cloth or paper towel to reduce bacteria further. Washing lowers the amount of bacteria but doesn’t eliminate them.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature should the fridge be for rhubarb?
Keep the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below, the FDA's advice for perishable fresh fruits and vegetables.
Should you refrigerate pre-cut rhubarb?
Yes, the FDA says to refrigerate all produce bought pre-cut or packaged. At the store, pick pre-cut rhubarb only if it's refrigerated or surrounded by ice.
Can you eat rhubarb with a bruise?
Yes, once you cut the bruised or damaged areas away, as the FDA advises. Throw the rhubarb away if it looks rotten.
Do you need soap to wash rhubarb?
No, there's no need for soap or produce wash. Rub the stalks gently under plain running water instead.
Does washing rhubarb remove all bacteria?
No, washing reduces bacteria but doesn't eliminate them. Drying the rhubarb with a clean cloth or paper towel reduces them further.
