{"id":1513998,"date":"2022-03-09T13:03:50","date_gmt":"2022-03-09T18:03:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=1513998"},"modified":"2023-09-20T12:15:32","modified_gmt":"2023-09-20T17:15:32","slug":"how-to-store-lemons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/how-to-store-lemons\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Store Lemons the Right Way"},"content":{"rendered":"I have a tendency to buy lemons in bulk. I grab the biggest bag at the store dreaming of the lemony desserts<\/a> I'll bake, the refreshing cocktails<\/a> in my future and how great fresh lemon zest is going to taste in these citrus-infused dinners<\/a>.\r\n\r\nBut sure enough, after a few too many days I'll find a dried-out lemon in the bottom of the crisper drawer. It's always disappointing since that fruit could have been part of a cool Chilton cocktail<\/a> after a long work week.\r\n\r\nSo what's the best way to store lemons to keep them fresher for longer?\r\n

How to Store Lemons<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

Whole lemons<\/h3>\r\nWhole lemons are best kept in the fridge. It can be tempting to store lemons in a pretty bowl on your countertop or kitchen table, but avoid the urge to decorate with fresh fruit. Left at room temperature, lemons will dry out, leaving you with less juice and a tough rind.\r\n\r\nYou can also freeze whole lemons. Once solid, pop them into a sealed container for best results. Defrost the lemons at room temperature.\r\n\r\nLemons that have been frozen won't taste exactly the same as a fresh lemon, so use them for baking or cooking\u2014not for your favorite lemon martini<\/a>.\r\n

Half a lemon<\/h3>\r\nIf you've sliced into a lemon (or lime), you can definitely preserve the rest of it. Used just half a lemon? Cover the exposed end with food wrap or put the whole thing in a sealed container. Use it within a few days.\r\n

Lemon wedges<\/h3>\r\nLike a halved lemon, lemon wedges and slices should be stored in a sealed container and used within a few days.\r\n

How to Store Lemon Zest and Juice<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

Lemon zest<\/h3>\r\nDon't throw out a lemon rind without zesting it first! Even if you don't have an immediate need for lemon zest, keeping some on hand is always a good idea. (This is\u00a0how to zest a lemon<\/a>.) A little zest livens up\u00a0vegetable sides<\/a> and adds zip to baked goods. Use fresh lemon zest within a week. If you want to preserve it for longer, store it in a sealed container in the freezer.\r\n

Lemon juice<\/h3>\r\nYou can keep fresh lemon juice in the fridge for a few days without any diminished quality. After a few days, the juice is best used in cooking or baking (not a fresh lemonade). Use it up within two weeks or freeze the rest. Pour the juice into ice cube trays, then remove them from the trays when frozen and store in a sealed container.\r\n\r\n[dam-video dam-id=\"50561\"]\r\n

Tips for Buying and Storing Lemons<\/h2>\r\n

What should you look for when choosing lemons?<\/h3>\r\nLike any fresh fruit, look for lemons that are free from bruises, soft spots and any noticeable scars. A good lemon is vivid yellow and will have a little bit of give when squeezed.\r\n

What fruits shouldn't be stored with lemons?<\/h3>\r\nSimilar to onions and potatoes<\/a>, there are some fruit combinations that shouldn't be stored together. Don't store apples, bananas, stone fruit<\/a> or pears with other types of fruits, including lemons. Certain fruits emit a gas as they age that can cause other fruit to ripen (and then spoil) more quickly. To keep lemons as fresh as possible, keep them in the crisper on their own or with other citrus fruits.<\/span>\r\n

Do lemons last longer in the fridge or on the counter?<\/h3>\r\nLemons are best kept in the fridge. Stashed in the fridge in the crisper drawer or on a shelf, fresh lemons will keep for two weeks or more. If you really want your lemons to last, keep them in a sealed container (there are even specialty produce keepers<\/a>\u00a0for this purpose) or a resealable plastic bag. This extra step will prevent lemons from drying out and keep them fresh for a month.\r\n\r\nIf you really want to store your lemon on the counter, use it within four to five days. The same advice applies to limes. Learn how to store ginger<\/a> the right way.\r\n

Can you store lemons in water?<\/h3>\r\nIf you've ever tried storing fresh herbs in water<\/a>, then you might be wondering whether storing lemons in water could produce the same results. It turns out, submerging lemons in water and refrigerating them can help them last for one to three months.\r\n\r\nNow that you know how to store lemons, it's time to stock up on a few extra. I'll be using mine to make these lemon-basil recipes<\/a> followed by a\u00a0lemon sour cream poundcake<\/a>.\r\n

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Our Favorite Lemon Recipes from Sweet to Savory<\/div>\t\t\t\t
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