When life gives you lemons, there's plenty more you can do with them than just make lemonade. Juiced, sliced, or zested, this sunny citrus imparts a pop of brightness to any dish, from desserts and beverages to salads and pastas. If you like cooking with lemon or adding it to drinks, you probably find yourself tossing a few into your cart whenever you visit the grocery store, but what's the best way to store lemons once you get home? What's more, what should you do when you have a cut lemon, extra juice, or leftover zest? To answer these questions, we consulted the experts.
- Anina von Haeften, co-founder of the food delivery service Farm to the People
- Maddy Rotman, head of sustainability at Imperfect Foods
Why It's Important to Store Lemons Correctly
Lemons aren't as perishable as, say, berries or bagged salad, so do you really need to bother with specific storage? Yes, because storing lemons properly keeps them fresh for longer and also maintains the soft texture of the rind and keeps their flavor intact. "When lemons are fresher, they are sweeter and less acidic than when they start to dry out, which happens quicker at room temperature," says Maddy Rotman, head of sustainability at Imperfect Foods.
Is the Refrigerator or Counter Best for Whole Lemons?
Whole lemons can be stored on the countertop but our experts prefer to store their citrus in the refrigerator because this keeps the lemons fresh for longer. "You can keep them on the counter but they won't last as long and will start to dry out," says Anina von Haeften, co-founder of the food delivery service Farm to the People. "On the counter, they will last about a week, and in the fridge, they can last up to a month."
Take It to the Next Level
You can simply stash lemons in the crisper drawer, but von Haeften says to pop them into a sealed, airtight container first, as this will help them stay juicier and keep their moisture for longer.
One Exception: Unripe Lemons
If you happen to have unripe (green) lemons, however, she recommends stowing them on the counter until they turn yellow, then putting them in your crisper drawer in the refrigerator.
Storing Cut Lemons, Juice, and Zest
Now you're clear on how to store whole lemons, let's turn our attention to leftover lemons and the right way to store half a lemon, lemon juice, or lemon zest.
Half a Lemon
If you only use half a lemon, Rotman recommends covering the exposed end of the other half with plastic wrap, placing it in a sealed container, or using a Food Hugger or other produce saver to preserve it when you store it in the refrigerator. She says it's best to use it within a few days, before it dries out.
Lemon Juice
To preserve leftover lemon juice, Rotman recommends keeping it in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Stored like that, it will keep its fresh flavor for a couple of days. "After that, it's best to use lemon juice for cooking or baking or freeze the rest by pouring it into ice cube trays and storing in a container when frozen."
Lemon Zest
Most of the time, we want lemons for slicing or juicing so it's all about lemon flesh, but don't overlook the rind. While we don't usually eat it straight (unless we candy it), the rind has a useful component—lemon zest. Rotman urges home cooks to never throw away a lemon rind without zesting it first. "Lemon zest is so versatile in cooking and baking. Even if you don't need it right away, you can pop it in a sealed container and store it in the freezer. Thaw when you're ready to make the lemony desserts you've been dreaming about."
