How To Store Lemons and Keep Them Fresh for a Month (2024)

When life gives you lemons, give your lemons some life.

By

Sarra Sedghi

How To Store Lemons and Keep Them Fresh for a Month (1)

Sarra Sedghi has more than 10 years of experience as a food writer. She covers cooking, restaurants, and food culture, as well as travel, design, and lifestyle.

Published on January 10, 2022

How To Store Lemons and Keep Them Fresh for a Month (2)

Lemons are an ingredient seldom used all at once — recipes often only utilize the lemon's juice or zest, or a few wedges rather than the entire fruit, which undeniably leaves you with leftovers. But if you're not storing those extra lemon halves or leftover zest or juice properly, then you're cutting its life short. Read on for the best ways to store whole lemons, cut lemons, lemon juice, and lemon zest.

How to Store Lemons

The best way to store lemons is in an airtight container in the refrigerator — stored this way, whole, uncut lemons will last up to one month.

Alternatively, whole lemons can last on the countertop at room temperature for up to one week. They won't need to be placed in a container, but they should be kept away from fruits that release ethylene gas as they ripen, such as apples and bananas, so they won't ripen too quickly.

How to Store Cut Lemons

Tightly wrap cut lemons in plastic or food wrap, or store in an airtight container or zip-top bag and place them on a refrigerator shelf or in the crisper. Use within 3 to 4 days.

How to Store Lemon Juice

Store freshly-squeezed lemon juice in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. If you are using the lemon juice in a salad dressing or beverage, use it within 3 days. After 3 days, lemon juice is best used for cooking and baking.

How to Store Lemon Zest

Store lemon zest in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week.

How Long Do Lemons Last?

Whole lemons will last up to a week at room temperature or in the fridge. However, lemons will last up to one month when refrigerated and stored in an airtight container.

How to Tell If Lemons Are Bad

As they decompose, bad lemons will develop brown spots, become squishy and slimy or, if left out long enough, will grow mold on the rinds. Refrigerated lemons may shrivel up as they become dehydrated and develop brown spots and a squishy texture.

How to Freeze Lemons

  • Whole lemons: Stash whole lemons in an airtight container, such as a zip-top bag with the air squeezed out, before placing them in the freezer. Use within 4 months, and don't forget to label the container.
  • Cut lemons: Place cut lemons on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for an hour to prevent them from freezing to one another. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 months.
  • Lemon zest: Store lemon zest in an airtight container before placing it in the freezer. Use within 4 months.
  • Lemon juice: To freeze lemon juice, squeeze or pour lemon juice into an ice cube tray. Use within 4 months.

How to Thaw Lemons

Remove lemons, zest, or juice from the freezer and microwave for 15 to 20 seconds, or place in bowl of room-temperature water for 10 to 15 minutes.

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How To Store Lemons and Keep Them Fresh for a Month (2024)

FAQs

How To Store Lemons and Keep Them Fresh for a Month? ›

Keeping lemons in a sealed container within your crisper drawer adds a layer of protection from these fruits, which may be stored nearby. When stored properly, whole lemons can stay fresh in the refrigerator for at least one month.

How to store fresh lemons long term? ›

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.

Can lemon stay in the fridge for a month? ›

Whole lemons can last for a month in the refrigerator if you store them in an airtight container or a sealed plastic bag in the crisper drawer. 3. Wrap up cut lemons. You can refrigerate lemon halves and lemon slices in the fridge for five to seven days in an airtight container or a zip-top bag.

How to store lemons so they don't get moldy? ›

Don't store in plastic

Instead, store them in paper or reusable mesh bags as they're more breathable and allow the air to circulate around the lemons, keeping them fresher for longer.

Is it better to freeze lemons whole or sliced? ›

Lemons can be frozen whole but they will be mushy when defrosted although the juice will be fine. You can also freeze lemon slices the same way. The juice can be frozen in ice cube trays for use layer as well as the zest.

Is it better to store lemons in fridge or counter? ›

Whole lemons are best kept in the fridge. It can be tempting to store lemons in a pretty bowl on your countertop or kitchen table, but avoid the urge to decorate with fresh fruit. Left at room temperature, lemons will dry out, leaving you with less juice and a tough rind.

Can lemons last 3 months? ›

How Long Does Lemon Last. Lemons should keep for about a week on the counter and a few days longer in the pantry! If you transfer them to the refrigerator, you can expect them to last about 3-4 weeks. Now, if you take the extra step and seal the lemons tightly in a sealed bag, they can last for about 5 weeks.

How do you know when lemons go bad? ›

Lemons that have gone bad typically become very soft. They may become slimy, look shriveled, or contain visible mold. If your lemons display any of these signs, it's best to just toss them out.

Are lemons still good after 2 weeks? ›

Whole lemons will last up to a week at room temperature or in the fridge. However, lemons will last up to one month when refrigerated and stored in an airtight container.

Should you wash lemons before storing them? ›

Always wash lemons thoroughly before stashing them away in your freezer. You can also freeze lemon slices to add a spritz of lemon juice to drinks or dishes.

How long will lemons last on the counter? ›

How long lemons last depends on how they're stored. At room temperature, they stay good for about a week. In the fridge, however, their life is lengthened by two to three weeks. That means you can keep store-bought lemons fresh for about one month.

What to do with a surplus of lemons? ›

Our Best Lemon Recipes
  1. Lemon Bars.
  2. Preserved Lemon Crinkle Cookies From Jesse Szewczyk.
  3. Lemon Curd.
  4. Grilled Lemon Margarita.
  5. Lemon Buttermilk Cake.
  6. Meyer Lemon Rice With Candied Garlic From Michael W. Twitty.
  7. Lemon Cream Pie.
  8. Lemony Broccoli & Mozzarella Sandwiches.
Jan 6, 2022

Does freezing lemons change the taste? ›

While frozen lemon zest won't have the same fragrance or depth of flavor that fresh lemon zest offers, it can still be used in any recipe that calls for it.

Why does storing lemons in water make them last longer? ›

As you might be able to guess, keeping citrus at its peak is all about moisture. So how do you keep that moisture inside the porous fruit before it seeps into the air? To prevent this process, citrus should be kept in an environment with high humidity. Keep citrus in a bowl of water in your fridge, sayeth the hack.

How to keep lemons from getting slimy? ›

Tightly wrap cut lemons in plastic or food wrap, or store in an airtight container or zip-top bag and place them on a refrigerator shelf or in the crisper.

Is it safe to store whole lemons in water? ›

Another simple trick to keep lemon fresh is to store them in a glass jar full of water. Add all the lemons in a jar, put water and place them in the refrigerator. Lemon juice could be kept in the fridge for a few days. After a few days, the juice is best used in cooking or baking, but not in fresh lemonade.

How do you preserve lemons without refrigeration? ›

Not ready to give up your bowl of lemons as decor? If you'd like to store the citrus at room temperature, be sure to store them away from sunlight. Again, be sure not to store them around other ripening fruits, and they can last up to two weeks on your counter.

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