Lemons are one of the most versatile ingredients around. Handy for all kinds of savoury dishes, desserts, drinks and more, they're used all over the world. It's always a good idea to keep a few in your kitchen for adding a touch of zing to recipes — and if you freeze them, you'll never be caught short. Follow these tips to freeze lemons properly.
Why freeze lemons and how does it affect your fruit?
When you've got a glut of lemons on hand, it's a good idea to turn to the freezer. While lemons will usually last quite a while stored at room temperature, sometimes you just have too many to use up. Freezing them prolongs their shelf life without compromising nutritional value.
Frozen lemons have a softer texture than fresh ones. When frozen, they become sharper in flavour. Their mild sweetness is lost, and they develop a more intense, sour flavour. Keep this in mind when preparing lemon recipes. You may need less juice if you're using frozen lemons.
How to freeze lemons whole and in slices
Freezing whole lemons may seem strange, but it's actually a really good way to store them, as it locks in the juices. Sliced lemons freeze well, but they are more likely to dry out a bit in the freezer. This means that they're fine to use garnishing drinks, but they may not have enough juice for recipes like crispy lemon and herb basa.
To freeze whole lemons, simply scrub them briefly, dry them, then freeze them in freezer-safe bags. Lemon slices need more preparation. Slice them, remove pips, and gently pat them dry. Flash-freeze them briefly in a single layer to keep them from clumping, then tip them into an airtight container and freeze.
Juicing fruit: how to freeze lemon juice
Freezing lemon juice is an excellent idea. You're likely to use it in small quantities for recipes like Greek-style lemon and herb salmon salad, so freeze it in small quantities. The easiest way of doing this is with an ice cube tray. Simply squeeze lemon juice into the tray, remove pips, and freeze.
The grated frozen lemon hack and other ways to thaw lemons
Anyone who knows how to zest a lemon has grated lemons before, but when you freeze them, you discover something remarkable: you can grate the entire fruit, skin, pith, flesh and all. By using the finest holes on your grater, you'll end up with a pile of soft white "lemon snow". This makes an intensely flavoured condiment that can be sprinkled over food right before serving. Try it with grilled fish or chicken, or veggies like asparagus or broccolini.
Lemon snow can also be used in baking. Just keep in mind that it is more sour and less sweet than regular lemon, so you may need to add more sugar. A pinch of lemon snow stirred into a cup of tea adds a bright, citrus zing that's just the thing on a cold day.
Lemon recipes: using frozen lemons in cooking, baking and drinks
Grate whole lemons while still frozen, or defrost them. You can do this in the fridge overnight or in short bursts in the microwave. Defrosted lemons have a mushy texture. They're easy to juice, but shouldn't be used in any recipes where they need to hold their shape. Use the juice in baked goods, sauces, fruit recipes or savoury dishes like this creamy lemon and dill orzo.
Frozen slices of lemon can be added to drinks for a garnish. For stylish drinks, try freezing small twists of lemon zest, submerged in water, in ice cube trays. You'll end up with fun frozen garnishes that look incredibly impressive.
Lemon storage tips and shelf life
If you're not freezing lemons, keep them at room temperature. When they're put in the fridge, they become harder to juice. If you must store them in the fridge, take them out half an hour before you plan to use them, or microwave them for 10 seconds before juicing.
When you've got a glut of lemons to use up, try to store them in a single layer, so that they don't touch one another. This prevents mould from spreading if one lemon goes off. Cut lemons can be stored in the fridge, as they will go off more quickly.
To avoid having a huge number of lemons to use up, order vegetarian meal delivery kits. This way, you'll have just enough ingredients to make your chosen recipes, without any extras to go to waste.
Freezing lemons FAQs
How long do frozen lemons last?
Lemons will keep well in the freezer for about three months. After that, there's a risk that they'll develop freezer burn. Frozen lemon juice is less likely to get freezer burn, and it stays good for up to a year.
Is it better to freeze lemons whole or sliced?
Freezing lemons whole locks in moisture, so it's a better technique if you want the fruit for cooking or baking. However, slices are handy when you need garnishes for drinks or meals, so it depends on your plans.
Can you grate frozen lemons?
Yes. In fact, you can grate the entire lemon, including zest, pith, flesh and all. Finely grated, this creates "lemon snow", which has an intense flavour and tastes amazing sprinkled over dishes.
What can you do with a frozen lemon?
As well as grating frozen lemons to make lemon snow, you can juice them for lemonade or use in recipes. The texture is different from fresh lemons, but the juice is still just as good.
Do frozen lemons taste different?
Yes. Frozen lemons lose some sugar, so they have a more intensely sour flavour, without the natural mild sweetness of a fresh lemon. This means that a little frozen lemon juice goes a long way.