• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Restless Chipotle

  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Start Here
    • Ingredients Substitutions
    • Tips for Measuring Ingredients Accurately
  • About
  • Shop
  • Your Recipe Box
  • Meal Plans
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • My Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Start Here!
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • My Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Start Here!
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
Γ—

Home Β» Recipes Β» Pie Recipes

Aunt B's Strawberry Rhubarb Pie πŸ“

Published: May 8, 2020 Last Updated: Aug 20, 2020 by Marye 1354 words. | About 7 minutes to read this article.

This old fashioned, strawberry rhubarb pie recipe was legendary in my family! Bright crimson filling is thickened with tapioca and covered in an all butter crust. No tapioca? I've got you with instructions for substituting with cornstarch! Difficulty level 4/10
Total time 3 hours 10 minutes
Jump to Recipe
A slice of pie with on a plate with a fork.

What we love about this pie? πŸ₯§ The tapioca thickens the juicy, crimson filling with no starchy gooey-ness, letting the bright, tangy strawberry flavor shine through.

Blackberry cobbler is another country fresh favorite!

Slice of pie on a white plate. Whole pie in background.
Jump to:
  • πŸ₯˜Ingredients
  • πŸ”ͺΒ Instructions
  • πŸ’­ Tips
  • Equipment
  • πŸ“– Recipe
  • πŸ’¬ Comments

πŸ₯˜Ingredients

The simple ingredients in this pie mean that it's doubly important that everything be as fresh and ripe as possible!

Labeled ingredients for strawberry rhubarb pie.
  • πŸ“Ripe strawberries carry most of the flavor so try to get the ripest you can find.
  • Rhubarb can be hard to find. You may be able to get frozen if you can't find fresh.
  • Tapioca is the thickener. Use the minute tapioca not the old fashioned pearl tapioca.
  • White sugar and brown sugar balance the tartness of the rhubarb beautifully.
  • Salt helps to bring out all the delicious flavor. I used kosher salt so if you use table salt use a little less.
  • Vanilla is a delicious addition. Very subtle.
  • Pie crust can be homemade or refrigerated - you'll need a double. Check out my flaky all butter pie crust recipewith video!
  • Butter helps to keep the fruit moist and delicious and adds flavor.
  • Milk is brushed on the top just before baking. It helps the crust brown.

πŸ”ͺ Instructions

This is such a simple pie to make.

Step by step images for making strawberry rhubarb pie.
How to make strawberry rhubarb pie step by step!
  1. Wash, stem, and slice the strawberries.
  2. Stir in the rhubarb.
  3. Mix the tapioca, sugar, brown sugar, and salt and stir into the fruit.
  4. Let stand at least 15 minutes.
  5. Fit the pie dough into the pie dish. Stir in the vanilla and add the filling to the pie crust.
  6. Dot with butter.
  7. Add the top crust and brush with milk.
  8. Sprinkle with sugar and bake.
  9. Let the pie cool before cutting and serving.

Expert Tip: Replace the tapioca called for in this recipe with an equal amount of cornstarch. The filling won't come out quite as thick and glossy but it will still taste amazing.

Just like Grandma's! Old fashioned strawberry rhubarb pie recipe is a perfect combination of sweet and tangy with a gorgeous bright crimson filling surrounded by buttery pastry. From RestlessChipotle.com

πŸ’­ Tips

I'm a little strange when it comes to strawberry pie because I like it to be a little runny and a little juicy.

I've seen tons and tons of information on how to keep them from spreading and seeping when you cut into the pie but for me that's part of the goodness of it all.

  • If you want a firmer pie add about a teaspoon more of the quick cooking tapioca and let it cool completely before serving.
  • If you've refrigerated it let it warm up a little or pop it in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.
  • If you're buying rhubarb in the store the leaves will probably be removed. Sometimes they're left on when it's sold at farm stands and farmers' markets. Be sure to remove the leaves and discard them. The leaves are poisonous if they are eaten.
  • Choose bright red, plump stalks with no obvious bruises or bad spots.
  • The redder the stalk the sweeter the rhubarb.
  • One pound of rhubarb is equal to about 3 cups sliced.
  • Like celery, rhubarb sometimes has tough strings running through it. You can remove them just like you do with celery. If the rhubarb is young and tender you don't need to worry about it.
  • Store fresh rhubarb in the refrigerator as it wilts pretty quickly.
  • Thaw in a colander before using if it's been frozen.
  • If you're using frozen rhubarb add an extra half tablespoon of tapioca.
Old fashioned strawberry rhubarb pie recipe is a perfect combination of sweet and tangy with a gorgeous bright crimson filling surrounded by buttery pastry. SO YUMMY! From RestlessChipotle.com

How to freeze rhubarb

Rhubarb is not generally available all year. You can freeze fresh rhubarb easily, though, so that you can have it any time. Use it in stewed rhubarb, strawberry rhubarb pie, rhubarb crisp... you name it.

  1. Slice it in Β½-inch slices.
  2. Blanch in rapidly boiling water for 1 minute.
  3. Drain quickly and plunge into a bowl of ice water.
  4. Leave in the ice bath for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Drain well and pat dry.
  6. Flash freeze in a single layer on a cookie sheet.
  7. When solidly frozen remove the pieces of rhubarb to a freezer container.
  8. Rhubarb keeps in the freezer about a year.
  9. Thaw it in a colander before baking with it.

Equipment

A lot of people ask me about the various baking dishes I use. I really love baking in glass. I think the flavor is better (could be my imagination), the crusts are more golden, and the baking more even. I use vintage Corningware and Pyrex pie plates in a 9 or 10-inch size.

Do you love an old fashioned, country look as much as I do? If so you need a couple of these ceramic pie birds! They vent the steam out of the pie and are SO CUTE!

What’s new? Check out my Restless Chipotle & Co. Store on Amazon where you'll find all kinds of nostalgic goodness!  Thanks so much for being a part of Restless Chipotle!

I am told that when I was two I had my first bite of strawberry rhubarb pie, a memorable concoction that my aunt created in her farmhouse kitchen with bright red strawberries still warm from her garden and home grown rhubarb from her deep freeze. Apparently my eyes got big and I dove in to the rest of the pie all hands and head.

At this point in my life there is no one to confirm nor deny the story so I'll just assume it is true.

It wouldn't surprise me - there's just something about the sweet-tangy combination in strawberry rhubarb pie that dances the ChaCha across your tongue before the rich, buttery pastry finishes the bite with a slow waltz of flavor.

It's perfect with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream but just as nice on its own, as far as I'm concerned. I may be a bit jaded but  my aunt's original recipe is blue ribbon worthy - the best strawberry rhubarb pie recipe ever.

πŸ“– Recipe

slice of strawberry pie on a plate with a fork to the side.
4.7 from 10 votes

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Print Pin Recipe Save Go to Collections
Prevent your screen from going dark
This old fashioned, strawberry rhubarb pie recipe was legendary in my family! Bright crimson filling is thickened with tapioca and covered in an all butter crust. No tapioca? I've got you with instructions for substituting with cornstarch! Difficulty level 4/10
Course Dessert- Pie
Cuisine Amercian Heritage
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Cooling: 2 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Servings:8 servings
Calories:344
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • Pie Pan

Ingredients

  • 9" Double Pie Crust, unbaked
  • β…“ cup light brown sugar
  • β…“ cup granulated sugar, a little more if you want a sweeter pie
  • 2 tablespoons tapioca, quick cooking (Minute) - use an extra half tablespoonful if your rhubarb has been frozen
  • ΒΌ teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups strawberries, stemmed and sliced
  • 3 cups rhubarb, sliced in Β½-inch slices
  • Β½ teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 tablespoons butter, cut in small cubes
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400F.
  • Mix the tapioca with the salt, light brown and granulated sugars until well blended.
  • Add the prepared strawberries and rhubarb to the sugar mixture and toss gently until completely coated.
  • Set aside for 15 minutes.
  • Stir the vanilla into the strawberry mixture.
  • Fit the pie dough into a 9-inch pie plate.
  • Fill with the strawberry  mixture.
  • Dot with the butter.
  • Cover with the other half of the dough, crimping the edges together.
  • Cut vents in the top crust to allow the steam to escape.
  • Brush pastry with milk and sprinkle with sugar.
  • Place on a cookie sheet to catch the drips the place the whole thing in the oven.
  • Bake at 400F for 15 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to 350F and cook for 45 to 55 minutes more, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
  • Remove from the oven and cool completely before serving.

Notes

  • ReplaceΒ the tapiocaΒ called for in this recipe with an equal amount ofΒ cornstarch. The filling won't come out quite as thick and glossy but it will still taste amazing.
  • If you want a firmer pie add about a teaspoon more of the quick cooking tapioca and let it cool completely before serving.
  • If you're buying rhubarb in the store the leaves will probably be removed. Sometimes they're left on when it's sold at farm stands and farmers' markets. Be sure to remove the leaves and discard them. The leaves are poisonous if they are eaten.
  • One pound of rhubarb is equal to about 3 cups sliced.
  • Like celery, rhubarb sometimes has tough strings running through it. You can remove them just like you do with celery. If the rhubarb is young and tender you don't need to worry about it.
  • Store fresh rhubarb in the refrigerator as it wilts pretty quickly.
  • Thaw in a colander before using if rhubarb has been frozen.
  • If you're using frozen rhubarb add an extra half tablespoon of tapioca.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 344kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 217mg | Potassium: 267mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 185IU | Vitamin C: 35.4mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 1.5mg

Sign up for the emails and never miss another recipe!!

    We'll never share your email or send you spam. Pinkie swear.

    First published August 30, 2017. Last updated May 8, 2020 to include step by step images, video, and better readability.

    « Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches
    Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie (No Bake) »
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    About Marye

    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tracy

      June 05, 2022 at 6:19 pm

      5 stars
      Fabulous recipe! Absolutely loved the crust. I did use cornstarch instead of tapioca and I did a crumble on top. Probably the best pie I have ever made.

      Reply
    2. carol barrett

      September 24, 2020 at 6:06 pm

      how do I get the recipe

      Reply
      • Marye

        September 24, 2020 at 7:11 pm

        It's at the bottom. If you click on the jump to recipe button you'll go right there.

    3. TanyaP

      May 14, 2020 at 1:51 am

      5 stars
      Thanks for an amazing recipe! It had just enough sweetness, not over done so you could appreciate the fresh strawberries and rhubarb. Mine did turn out a little soupy (still delish) so maybe next time I’ll add an extra tapioca. ❀️

      Reply
      • Marye

        May 14, 2020 at 10:38 am

        I am so glad you liked it! Yes, I think I may add a bit more tapioca to the recipe ... it's tough since some fruit is juicier than others!

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Love it? Give it 5 stars!




    Primary Sidebar

    Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

    Hey Y'all, I'm Marye.

    NY Times bestselling author. Written over 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Army veteran. Nothing fazes me & together we're going to get the kind of meals on your table that you (and your family) have been dreaming of. 

    More about me β†’

    Summer Fun

    • Patriotic Fruit Salad
    • Patriotic Jello Poke Cake
    • Plain Cheesecake Recipe- No Fail NY Style
    • How to Make a Watermelon Basket

    Newest Meal Plan

    • Meal Plan 29: July 9 - 15

    Popular Recipes

    • Crockpot Ranch Chicken (Easy Weeknight Recipe)
    • Southern Chicken Spaghetti with RoTel
    • Crispy Fried Potatoes
    • Sex in the Driveway: Bright Blue Cocktail
    • Saltine Cracker Recipe (Soda Crackers)
    • Copycat Red Robin Campfire Sauce Recipe
    • Chicken Casserole with Stovetop Stuffing
    • No Bake Lemon Icebox Pie: Grandma's Favorite

    Easy Breakfast Ideas for the 4th of July

    Easy 4th of July Breakfast Ideas

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Marye Audet-White
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy
    MaryeAudet Whiteandherchildren Dec

    Featured in:

    Companies that Marye Audet-White and Restless Chipotle have been affiliated with.

    Contact Marye

    • Contact
    Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

    Copyright Β©2021 Restless Chipotle Media, LLC