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The Sur La Table Guide to Using Lemons
Whether you’ve got a bag, a fridge bin or a tree full of ‘em, lemons add brightness to dishes, cocktails and baked goods, and even serve as an all-natural cleaning agent.
From whipping up a delicious lemon dessert to freshening up your home, lemons are more versatile than you think.
Hungry for more? Celebrate citrus season with our Citron Dinnerware Collection! From napkins and serving dishes to mugs and accent pieces, you’ll find the perfect complement to your recipes.
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How To Get the Most Out of Your Lemons
Every recipe has a different technique to extract flavor from lemons. Here are the techniques we see the most and the tools you’ll need to do them.
Zesting
Lemon zest packs a punch that can enhance both sweet and savory dishes. Using a microplane or fine grater, scrape just the outer yellow layer of the lemon’s peel—avoiding the bitter white pith underneath. This zest can be used in baked goods, marinades or as a garnish.
Juicing
Fresh lemon juice is always superior to the bottled varieties at the grocery store. To get the most juice out of a lemon, roll it firmly on the counter before cutting it in half. Use a reamer or juicer to extract the juice while avoiding seeds. Lemon juice can be added to dressings, sauces, desserts and beverages for a bright, aromatic finish.
Freezing
If you have an abundance of lemons, freezing them is a great way to ensure none go to waste. Freeze lemon juice in ice cube trays for easy portioning in recipes. Lemon zest can also be frozen in an airtight container for later use. For a quick way to preserve whole lemons, slice them and store them in the freezer for a refreshing addition to drinks.
What To Bake and Cook with Lemons
Lemons bring more to the table than just acidity. They can:
- Enhance the flavors of both sweet and savory dishes.
- Act as a natural tenderizer for meats.
- Provide a bright, fresh contrast in creamy or rich dishes.
- Add moisture and fluffiness to baked goods.
Here are some of our go-to lemon recipes:
Lemon Curd
The pastry kitchen would be incomplete without the tart, tangy freshness of lemon curd. Use it to flavor soufflés. To fill thumbprint cookies, tarts, cakes and turnovers. To dollop on scones and biscuits and alongside cake slices. To spoon over fresh berries. To fold into whipped cream. And even to spread on morning toast. One taste and you’ll be starting your list as well.
Classic Lemon Bars
Eyes light up at the sight of these. A soft, puckery lemon filling atop a vanilla-scented shortcrust is a mainstay for lemon lovers—and these are surprisingly easy to make.
Get the Classic Lemon Bars recipe!
Meyer Lemon Yogurt Cake
The perfect balance of bright citrus flavor and rich, moist texture. Made with a combination of Greek yogurt, almond flour and Meyer lemon olive oil, this loaf cake is light yet so indulgent.
Get the Meyer Lemon Yogurt Cake recipe!
Lemon Poppyseed Cookies
Soft, buttery and bursting with citrus flavor, these cookies are a delightful treat with your afternoon tea. Baked with fresh lemon zest and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting infused with lemon extract—they’re quite irresistible.
Get the Lemon Poppyseed Cookies recipe!
Lemon Cacio Pepe
This simple yet elegant twist on the classic Italian dish brings a citrusy brightness to creamy, peppery pasta. Bucatini or spaghetti is tossed with Pecorino Romano cheese, black pepper and fresh lemon zest and juice, creating a luscious, silky sauce that clings to every strand.
Get the Lemon Cacio Pepe recipe!
Cedar Plank Salmon with Lemon-Dill Hollandaise
Salmon and lemon are a match made in heaven. The cedar plank injects the salmon with a smoky, woodsy flavor, while the creamy lemon sauce adds a nice brightness to the dish.
Get the Cedar Plank Salmon with Lemon-Dill Hollandaise recipe!
Creamy Lemon Chicken & Orzo with Spring Vegetables
Asparagus, snap peas, radishes and fresh basil elevate this citrusy chicken dish and will have you thinking of the warmer days ahead with bright, refreshing flavors.
Get the Creamy Lemon Chicken & Orzo with Spring Vegetables recipe!
Roasted Carrots with Preserved Lemon and Feta
The tart and briny flavor of preserved lemons provides a great contrast to sweet, caramelized carrots and crumbled feta.
Get the Roasted Carrots with Preserved Lemon and Feta recipe!
Beyond Cooking: How To Clean with Lemons
Lemons aren’t just for eating—they’re also a powerful natural cleaner, from cutting board sanitizers to all-purpose cleaners.
Deodorize Your Home
Simmer lemon slices with cloves in water for an all-natural air freshener, or place lemon peels in your garbage disposal to eliminate odors.
Clean Your Cutting Board
When slicing garlic or chopping onions, tough stains and smells can be left behind. To clean it naturally, take a cut lemon, rub it on the surface and allow the cutting board to soak for 20 minutes before rinsing.
Sanitize the Microwave
Microwave 4 tablespoons of lemon juice with 1 cup of water for 3–5 minutes on high. The steam will loosen dried food particles and allow you to easily wipe them away.
Polish Copper & Remove Rust
Rub a lemon half dipped in salt over tarnished copper to restore its shine. Similarly, lemon juice can help remove surface-level rust from kitchen tools and knives.
Brighten Whites & Remove Stains
Soak linens in a pot of water with lemon slices before washing to naturally brighten whites. Lemon juice can also help lift berry, coffee and tea stains from fabrics.
Hungry for more? Celebrate citrus season with our Citron Dinnerware Collection! From napkins and serving dishes to mugs and accent pieces, you’ll find the perfect complement to your recipes.
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