Preserving Lemons 7 Different Ways

There are so many ways to use and preserve lemons. Here I’m going to show you the 7 different ways I’m preserving lemons this year.

1. Freezing Lemons Whole
2. Freezing Lemons In Slices
3. Freezing Lemon Juice
4. Lemon Curd
5. Canning Lemon Juice
6. Canning Lemonade Concentrate
7. Lemon Vinegar Cleaner

I have a 35+ year old Meyer lemon tree that is large and vibrant in my backyard. I’ve been enjoying this lemons tree for over 12 years myself and during the winter I pick a lemon or two when I need them but now its towards the end of spring and it’s time for me to pick every lemon off the tree and preserve them so that the new blossoms can begin to grow new lemons for next winter.

Freezing Lemons Whole

Freezing Lemons whole, although first and simplest on my list, is usually the last thing I do. Once I’ve made all the recipes and preserving and I just don’t want them to go bad but I don’t have the time to do anymore with lemons. Just throw them in the freezer.

Lemons keep in the freezer for 6 months. You can zest them frozen or thaw them out to juice. They only take 10- 15 minutes to thaw. You can place them in a bowl of warm water or just an empty bowl and let thaw. Freezing your lemons will keep them very juicy and are great for lemonade.

Freezing Lemons in Slices

Freezing slices takes a couple extra steps but makes them a lot easier to use. I like to use the slices when cooking fish or chicken. I also love lemon water so I will grab a couple frozen lemon slices and now I have a refreshing glass of water, add some mint leaves from the garden and it’s magic!

To freeze lemons in slices you will want a cooking sheet and wax or parchment paper to freeze the slices on before placing them in a container or bag. If you skip this step they will freeze together and be very difficult to take apart for separate use.

Freezing Lemons Juice

I freeze my lemon juice in ice cube trays then store them in gallon Ziploc bags in the freezer. I use these for everything, lemonade, smoothies, lemon sauces, lemon cakes, lemons bars, lemon anything! I just thaw a cube or two and make my recipe. 1 lemon ice cube is approximately 3 tablespoons of juice.

You can also freeze your lemon juice in Ziploc bags or other containers but I prefer the cube trays. We use them practically everyday by simply adding them to our water.

Lemon Curd

My mother-in-law introduced me to lemon curd years ago and it’s a favorite in our house. I love it on toast, or shortbread cookies. Angel food cake with lemon curd is also a favorite combination not only because it’s DELICIOUS but because angel food cake is all egg whites, while lemon curd is mostly egg yolks. Add some strawberries and it’s a perfect summer dessert.

Easy Lemon Curd Recipe

Canning Lemon Juice

Water bath canning lemon juice is simple if you are already into canning. If you have never canned and don’t have the set up for it, then I would stick to freezing your lemon juice.  Canning does save you freezer space and lemon juice is very shelf stable. I often find myself freezing lemon juice more and canning lemonade.

Canning Lemonade Concentrate

I love having my lemonade concentrate. It’s just lemon juice and sugar. Lemonade mix from the store may be easy but lemonade concentrate from my own backyard lemons is SOOO much better. I can’t even… It’s just so wonderful!

This week I canned 23 pints of lemonade concentrate. I canned 3 batches of 10 cups lemon juice with 6 cups sugar. When you want to make lemonade just add three pints of water and done. I probably could have only put 4-5 cups of sugar in but my husband likes it sweet. I like it tart so I will just add an extra frozen lemon cube to my lemonade.

Lemonade Concentrate Recipe

Lemon Vinegar Cleaner

Last but not the least, lemon vinegar cleaner is actually made with the lemon peels from the lemons I just juiced. I put them in a jar with vinegar and let it sit on the counter for 2 weeks. After the 2 weeks I strain the lemons peels out and I can now dilute the vinegar with water. 1 part vinegar to 1 part lemon vinegar makes for a great cleaner.

Rubbing alcohol also makes for a great addition to your vinegar cleaners. I often will add 1 part rubbing alcohol to my water and lemon vinegar for more of a disinfectant cleaner. The lemon not only adds a great scent to offset the vinegar smell but adds acidity making it easier to get stubborn grime and watermarks off.

Is There More??

I know that there are so many more ways out there to preserve and use lemons. If there’s something else you think I should give a try and add to the list please comment below. I would love the suggestions.