Freezing Lemons

Freezing Cut Lemons

I have no idea how anyone else does this, in fact I thought I was alone in this area. It is funny some of the thrifty tips we tend not to "tell" in case it's too much. I live where there are beautiful lemon, lime, and avocado trees everywhere, however not in my back yard. Sometimes people who have a bunch share so you get a lot at one time.

I love lemons, if for nothing else other than for a facial astringent and putting down my garbage disposal. I also like to use them on my salmon (fish) and in water. Once they get too ripe, that's what I use for cleaning.

With all of this in mind, this is how I freeze them. Slices need to be cut, put on microfiber or paper towels to soak up not all the wonderful juice but the extra that makes it almost impossible to enjoy once you take them out of the freezer. I make a slit in those before I freeze one. That way if you want to use it on a glass it's easy; I put it there before they are totally thawed out (some get limp if too thin).

The ones you are using in quarters or halves do exactly the same thing. Don't squeeze them after you cut, just let them rest a couple minutes on something that absorbs. This way it's not sticky and messy when getting out of the freezer.

Like I said, I never knew others did this so this is how I do it. Of course wash before starting to get ready for freezing. I find using before totally thawed lemon is best. Unless you are going to just squeeze them over salmon (fish) or for lemonade in the winter, then you can just wash, cut in two and put in a bag. I cut off a corner of a baggie and squeeze right through the bag to avoid any extra mess. You still can go back for the pulp.

If someone has better technique please share. Hope this helped. It does work for me now for many years of beautiful California lemons. You can do the same with limes.

By Luana M. from San Diego, CA

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Freeze Lemon Slices

I slice all my lemons. Then I will wrap two or three slices together in Sarah Wrap. You can wrap more if you like. When I need lemon slices I just take out one of the little packages and the lemons are as fresh as when I sliced them.

Do not wrap all your lemon slices together because you will have one big frozen lemon ball.

By Ce from CA

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Freezing Lemon Juice and Zest

Fresh lemon juice and lemon zest can be pretty pricey most of the year, but I eliminate this consideration by freezing the juice and zest when lemons are on sale.

1. Roll the lemons briefly on a hard surface to release all the juice.

2. Then use a zester tool to harvest the zest.

3. Next, cut the lemons in half and juice into a strainer to remove the pulp and seeds.

4. Pour the juice into a plastic ice cube tray, freeze hard and then release the individual cubes into a plastic freezer bag for long-term storage.

   Hint: If you will take the time to use a measuring spoon and water to know exactly how much your ice cube tray holds in one of the partitions, you won't have to guess if you have enough for a recipe.

5. Freeze the zest in a recycled yogurt container. Then, throughout the year when you need fresh lemon juice or lemon zest in a recipe, you already have it.

By Ronsan from Southwest Missouri

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How do I freeze lemons?

By Kathy from Englewood, FL

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By schyresti 12/22/2011

I take the lazy way out - I freeze lemons and limes whole, untouched. I find that when I thaw them, they are easy to squeeze, and give a lot of juice. I buy them when they are on sale, and then I have them on hand at all times. I have never had a problem with doing it this way. It's so much easier than juicing a dozen or more lemons or limes, and I think I get a lot more juice out of them this way.

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Can you freeze lemons?

By Jen from Rio Rancho, NM

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By BMA1 02/01/2010

I juice my lemons and put one cup at a time in zip lock bags for lemonade and recipes. If you freeze lemon juice in ice cubes, and then take the cubes and put a number of them in a zip lock bag, you can take out small amounts when you need them.

I also freeze the rinds in a bag. If I need lemon zest, it's easier to grate when the rind is frozen. I also put the flush frozen lemon rinds down my disposal with hot water to fresh my disposal and kitchen. If you freeze your lemons, you'll have them available whenever you want them.
Hugs, Bobbie

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