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Learn all the tips and tricks for how to freeze lemons to build a freezer stash of this versatile fruit. Freezing lemons is a great way to preserve without needing to know any special kitchen skills.
While lemons are available year-round in every grocery store, it doesn’t mean you want to run to the store for just one of these incredible citrus fruits.
If you find a great deal on some lemons, it’s so simple to freeze them to use and enjoy anytime.
Looking for other citrus preserving tutorials? Check out our post on how to freeze oranges and how to dry limes.
Can You Freeze Lemons?
Yes! Lemons can be frozen whole, halved, sliced, sectioned, zested, and juiced. In the printable recipe card below, I will walk you through all the different methods for freezing lemons.
Frozen lemons will still work if used when thawed, but the appearance won’t be exactly the same as a fresh lemon.
Just something to keep in mind if the appearance of the lemons is important to your particular recipe.
How to Use Frozen Lemons
Frozen lemons are such a versatile ingredient, and you can use them in so many recipes!
Use whole lemons to make lemonade concentrate or rose lemonade.
Use lemon juice in blackberry and apple crumble, Instant Pot potato salad, sheet pan chicken thighs, or homemade tartar sauce.
For lemon zest, try it in whipped feta dip, lemon garlic pasta, or cheesy green bean casserole.
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How to Freeze Lemons
Ingredients
- lemons
Instructions
How to Freeze Whole Lemons
- Wash the outside of the lemon and dry off excess water.lemons
- Place lemons in a freezer-safe bag, seal, and remove excess air.
How to Freeze Lemon Halves
- Wash the outside of the lemon and dry off excess water.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper.
- Cut the lemon in half down the middle (not end to end).
- Place lemons cut side down on the parchment. Freeze for 4 hours.
- Remove frozen lemon halves and place in a freezer-safe bag, seal and remove excess air.
How to Freeze Lemon Slices
- Wash the outside of the lemon and dry off excess water.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper.
- Cut the ends off of the lemon.
- Make additional vertical cuts into the lemon. Depending on the size of the lemon and the width of your slices, you'll get ~3-10 slices. Remove seeds if desired.
- Place the lemon slices on the parchment and freeze for 4 hours.
- Remove frozen lemon slices and place in a freezer-safe bag. Seal, and remove excess air.
How to Freeze Lemon Juice
- Transfer lemon juice to wide-mouth glass jars (leaving 1-inch of headspace) fitted with a lid, or carefully pour into freezer bags, ice cube trays, or silicone freezer trays.
- (If using bags), carefully remove excess air, and seal completely. Place flat on a baking sheet and freeze for 4 hours.
How to Freeze Lemon Zest
- Wash the outside of the lemon and dry off excess water.
- Zest lemon, making sure you only zest the peel and not the pith (white part).
- Mix zest with a tiny bit of water, to create a "paste".
- Press the paste into ice cube trays and freeze for 3 hours.
- Remove frozen zest cubes and place in a freezer-safe bag. Seal, and remove excess air.
Notes
- Store whole or sliced lemons for up to 12 months in the freezer. Lemon juice and lemon zest are best used within 6-9 months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
You’re a genius! I’ve juiced and grated jest and then frozen lemon juice. In all my born days, I’ve never thought of freezing the whole lemon. Thanks for the ‘grate’ tip.
Oh, Melissa, you know I love a pun. Well done on that!!!