Can you freeze lemons? – A couple of cooks

Can you freeze lemons? If you have a surplus, here’s how to preserve this popular citrus fruit.

Got some fresh lemons and want to keep them? Lemons last up to 1 month refrigerated, so the refrigerator is a great way to store this citrus fruit. But don’t you think you can use your lemons in time? The freezer is your next best bet! We often have fresh lemons on hand, as fresh juice is crucial for recipes and cocktails (no bottled substitutes here!). So these conservation tips have been a game changer for us. This is what you should do!

Can you freeze lemons?

Lemons can be frozen for up to 3 months, either whole or grated and juiced. Frozen lemon juice or zest is ideal for adding to recipes that call for fresh lemon, from bars, breads, muffins, dips, cocktails and more. You can use frozen lemon zest in cooked or mixed dishes without thawing it, although you will need to thaw the juice.

Freezing lemons works for long-term storage. But if you’re simply trying to extend the life of your lemons by a few weeks, there’s an easy trick: the fridge.

How long are lemons good for?

Stored on the counter at room temperature, whole lemons keep for about 1 week. But in the fridge they last about 1 month! Refrigerating lemons is one of the best ways to extend their life. If you want to keep the lemons longer than 1 month, you can freeze them for 3-4 months.

How to freeze lemons

Lemons are easy to freeze, once you know a few tricks for preserving them. You can freeze them whole or freeze them grated and juiced. In our opinion, it is preferable to grate and squeeze the lemon first so that you do not have to do it after defrosting it. But either way it works! Here’s what you should know:

1. To freeze whole lemons: Place the lemons in a resealable plastic bag and place in the freezer.
2. To freeze juice and zest: Zest the lemon and place the zest in a resealable plastic bag. Squeeze the lemons and place the juice in a small container or ice cube trays (the volume of each cube in a standard tray is about 2 tablespoons). Once the ice cubes are frozen, transfer them to a resealable plastic bag.
3. Mark the expiration date. Use a permanent marker to label with an expiration date 3 months in the future.
4. Freeze. Place the container or bag in the freezer and freeze for up to 3 to 4 months. For best results, use within 3 months.

defrost lemons

Frozen lemon zest can be used straight from the freezer, but you will need to thaw the whole lemons or the juice. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Cheer up: You can use the frozen zest without thawing.
• Juice: Thaw frozen lemon juice by placing the container in the refrigerator overnight. Or, place ice cubes in a bowl and microwave for a few seconds at a time.
• Whole lemons: To thaw a whole lemon, place it in the refrigerator overnight, or for a quicker method, microwave the lemon in 20-second bursts until thawed. To zest a whole frozen lemon, first rinse it under warm water, then pat dry and zest. Whole lemons become soft after thawing, so only use the zest and juice (not the slices).

lemon recipes

Frozen lemon zest and juice work in so many lemon recipes! Here are some ways to use them: