Five ideas for preserving Meyer lemons (recipe: Meyer Lemon Finishing Salt) (2024)

Winter is spilling over into its sixth month, bringing snow and freezing temperatures once again to our northern city.

At dinner yesterday I tried to look on the bright side: “At least we don’t have to mow the lawn”, then slumped back into my chair, sighing over the elusive spring and her warm winds.

Last month I collected myself and resolutely embraced winter salads, but early March found me longing for fruit other than lackluster apples.

Spurred on by fellow home preserving enthusiasts, Marisa and Autumn, I treated myself to a box of Meyer lemons from Lemon Ladies Orchard in California.

In record time the lemons arrived in good shape, and opening the box was better than unwrapping a Christmas present. The sweet smell perfumed my kitchen instantly and almost as quickly, my head began to swirl with ideas.

I was smitten.This small shipment was just the inspiration I needed in the kitchen and the prefect antidote to winter blahs.

I set aside most of the Meyer lemons for preserving, but zested a few into madeleines for breakfast, and roasted a couple others with potatoes. I had grand ideas for cheesecake and custards, but alas, my stocks dwindled quickly.

Five ideas for preserving Meyer lemons

On Friday I baked my Meyer Lemon Bundt Cakeand on Saturday, after a pancake breakfast, I started on my preserving projects.

Here’s a look at the results which hopefully provide inspiration for your own lemon party. Maybe it can take your mind off of Spring, and her delayed arrival.

These ideas and recipes can work with regular lemons as well, so don’t be stalled if you can’t find Meyer lemons in your area.

Meyer Lemon Marmalade

It’s been two whole years since I’ve made a batch of marmalade. What-the-what? That’s just crazy. As this was spread on toast and enjoyed loooong ago, I was the most excited about revisiting marmalade, and chopped my lemons with gusto.

I followed Marisa’s Meyer Lemon Marmalade recipe in her cookbook Food in JarsFive ideas for preserving Meyer lemons (recipe: Meyer Lemon Finishing Salt) (6), and as per usual, the results were perfect: a thick, pretty golden spread that is bursting with flavor and full of deliciously chewy, candied lemon rind.

If you don’t yet own the Food in Jars cookbook but want to make Meyer lemon marmalade, Marisa says you can follow this recipe, just swap in Meyer lemons for the blood oranges. Strawberry Meyer Lemon Marmalade is another great alternative if you are a fan of mixed fruit spreads.

Meyer Lemon Sugar

I’ll be rationing out this perfumed Meyer lemon-scented sugar in the weeks to come, sprinkling it over yogurt, poached fruit, and pancakes, as well as baking it into delicate cakes and soft shortbread cookies. It’s so simple to make, I’m considering gifting jars of it to Noah’s school teachers come June and school end.

I used about 1 cup of sugar per lemon, zesting the citrus right into the bowl of sugar. The lemons are small though, so depending on the size of your lemons, you could probably have more of a 1.5 cups of sugar/zest of lemon ratio.

To finish the sugar, massage the zest and the sugar together until combined, then spread it on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Place in a very slow (150F) oven for about 10 minutes or until the zest has dried. Cool, then crumble the lemon sugar in your hands until it is free of lumps. Transfer to an airtight jar and store at room temperature.

Meyer Lemon Infused Vodka

Right now, this is just a quick infusion of three Meyer lemons, quartered, and covered in about a cup of vodka. I’ll let it sit for a month or so, then perhaps add sugar, or maybe try this limoncello recipe. Anyway, I’ve got time to decide. This project can only result in something good!

Salt-Preserved Meyer Lemons

Preserved lemons are a wonderful way to insert a small burst of flavor into pastas, salads, fish plates and appetizers. Marisa recently shared a recipe for Spiced Preserved Lemons, which is simple and uses the whole lemon, but I like to juice a few lemons, add that to the salt to make a sort of slurry, then pack the lemons in it. Both methods yield good results.

I haven’t made preserved lemons in years, so I’m looking forward to cooking with these in a few months.

READ: How to use preserved lemons in cooking and baking – A recipe round-up.

Meyer Lemon Finishing Salt

Next to my precious marmalade, I was the most tickled about my small batch of lemon salt for finishing dishes like whole roast fish and salads, garnishing grilled foods, or just simply sprinkling on popcorn. It’s fast to make and absolutely wonderful to have on hand; I’m including the recipe in hopes that you give it a try.

Five ideas for preserving Meyer lemons (recipe: Meyer Lemon Finishing Salt) (12)

Meyer Lemon Finishing Salt

The natural oils from the Meyer lemon zest perfume the sea salt making it a beautiful finish for fish, popcorn, vegetables, or grilled foods. Recipe adapted from Food in Jars cookbook.

5 from 11 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Condiments

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Calories: 1kcal

Author: Marisa

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup sea salt I used gray
  • 2 small Meyer lemons scrubbed

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 150F.

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and measure salt into the middle of the paper.

  • Zest the lemons directly onto the salt, then rub the zest into the salt with your finger tips.

  • Spread the salt evenly around the pan and place in the oven.

  • Bake for about 15 minutes until the salt feels dry and the zest looks dehydrated.

  • Remove pan from oven and let cool completely. Break apart any chunks with your fingers, then transfer to a jar and seal

Nutrition

Calories: 1kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 56587mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 1.1mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 0.5mg

BONUS! Make and freeze Meyer Lemon Curd

Yes you can freeze lemon curd – any citrus curd, actually. I use this recipe for Orange Curd, and swap in any fresh citrus juice I have. It works for grapefruit, lemons, Clementines…all citrus.

Citrus curd is so delicious for tarts and pavlova, English trifle and Eton mess.

How do you like to use lemons and other winter citrus?

Five ideas for preserving Meyer lemons (recipe: Meyer Lemon Finishing Salt) (2024)

FAQs

What is the best salt for preserved lemons? ›

I use kosher salt (my go-to salt in the kitchen) because it tastes great and is inexpensive. A sterilized glass jar. Pick your jar size depending on how many lemons you want to preserve. The lemons will get smashed down and packed in tightly, so the jar will hold more lemons than you think.

What can I do with my Meyer lemons? ›

Their mild acidity and lush fragrance make Meyer lemons a natural fit in desserts, but they're also great in savory dishes where you want brightness without astringency. Try them in dishes like Pasta al Limone, Chicken Piccata, or lemony white fish.

Do you wash the salt off preserved lemons? ›

For even more control, rinse the preserved lemons with cold running water to tame their salinity. If a recipe calls for preserved lemon paste, it's as simple as blitzing whole preserved lemons (seeds removed) in a food processor or blender until you achieve uniform consistency.

What happens when you put salt in lemon? ›

The alkalising actions of lemon and salt are extremely beneficial for controlling your body's sensitive pH balance, which is critical for healthy system functioning.

How do you use salt cured lemons? ›

Pop them whole into stews; add thin-sliced slivers into drinks; or mince them up for earthier pasta sauces. Before use, rinse to tame the saltiness and be sure to discard the seeds; because of the fermentation process, the rind and pith are fine to consume and will taste the same as the flesh.

What's special about Meyer lemons? ›

The flesh and juice are sweeter than a regular lemon and can be used raw or cooked. Because the peel is thin and lacking in a thick, bitter pith, the whole lemon (minus the seeds) can be used. Because Meyer lemons are considered a specialty item, they can be up to twice the price of regular lemons.

How do you protect Meyer lemons from freezing? ›

More elaborate protection can be provided by erecting a frame structure of wood or PVC pipe over the plant to facilitate the use of plastic or large tarps during particularly severe cold weather. Supplemental heat can also be provided under the covers; incandescent heat lamps and Coleman lanterns are useful."

Can you eat lemons from a Meyer lemon tree? ›

Meyer Lemon fruits are safe to eat. Packed with juice, these citrus gems are a culinary favorite, not a health hazard.

Can preserved lemons be too salty? ›

Since preserved lemons are brined in salt, giving them a quick rinse before using them is a sound way to remove any excess saltiness. The rinsed lemons will still be quite salty; you aren't losing out on any of their flavor by rinsing them.

Can you use iodized salt for preserved lemons? ›

Scrub lemons well before preserving, and use good salt (never iodized, as it can add an acrid quality to the brine).

What do salt preserved lemons taste like? ›

What Do Preserved Lemons Taste Like? Preserved lemons have a tangy, umami, not-quite-sweet, fruity bite that satisfies two essential elements of cooking at once: salt and acid. Both the preserved lemon peel and flesh are edible.

Can I use iodized salt for preserved lemons? ›

Scrub lemons well before preserving, and use good salt (never iodized, as it can add an acrid quality to the brine).

What kind of salt do you put in lemon water? ›

Himalayan salt is a natural source of essential minerals like sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium that are needed to keep the electrolyte balance in the body right. Himalayan salt and lemon water could be mixed to make a refreshing electrolyte drink that helps prevent dehydration, cramps, and nerve damage.

Does table salt react with lemon? ›

Why this thing happens? Because salt contains starch when lemon juice is added into it. It changes to blue-black, because of iodine present in lemon juice.

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