If you’re like me, you always have extra lemons lying around. And while you can freeze the lemon juice, what do you do with the zest? Well, it turns out that you can freeze lemon zest too! Here’s how…
Quick Answer
Yes, you can freeze lemon zest. The impact on taste will depend on how long it’s been frozen for. The impact on texture will depend on how finely it’s been chopped. It will last for around 6 months in the freezer.
Can You Freeze Lemon Zest?
Lemon zest is a great way to add flavor to your food, but sometimes you might not use all of it before it goes bad. So can you freeze lemon zest and how will it affect the taste and texture?
Yes, you can freeze lemon zest. The impact on taste will be minimal, but the impact on texture will be more noticeable. The freezing process will make the lemon zest a bit harder and more brittle. It will also cause some of the flavor to be lost. However, frozen lemon zest will last for several months.
How To Freeze Lemon Zest?
Lemon zest can be frozen for future use in recipes. To freeze, follow these simple steps:
1. Cut the lemon in half and remove the seeds.
2. Cut off the skin of the lemon in thin strips using a zester or paring knife.
3. Spread the zest out on a baking sheet and freeze for 2 hours or until solid.
4.
Precautions to Take When Freezing Lemon Zest
When freezing lemon zest, there are a few things to keep in mind. The first step is to prep the lemon zest. Make sure to remove all of the pith (the white part) and cut off any excess peel. Then, freeze the lemon zest in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once it’s frozen, transfer it to a resealable bag or container. That’s it! You can now add the frozen lemon zest to your favorite recipes.
How To Thaw Frozen Lemon Zest
Thawing frozen lemon zest is simple. Just follow these steps:
1. Put the frozen lemon zest in a bowl and place it in the refrigerator overnight.
2. Microwave the lemon zest for about 10 seconds, or until it’s soft enough to be grated.
3. Grate the lemon zest with a fine grater and use it in your recipes immediately.
How Long Does Lemon Zest Last (Stays Fresh) Outside at Room Temperature?
Lemon zest will last about a week if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to store it for longer, put it in the fridge or freezer. Just be sure to thaw it before using.
Zesting lemons is a great way to add flavor to dishes without adding too much sugar or salt. The only downside is that lemon zest can go bad quickly, so be sure to use it up within a week.
How Long Does Lemon Zest Last (Stays Fresh) in the Fridge?
Lemon zest is the outermost layer of the lemon peel and contains volatile oils that impart a lemon flavor to food. It can be added to food before or during cooking, or used as a garnish.
Zest can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Discard any zest that has turned brown or appears dry.
How To Use Up Extra/Leftover Lemon Zest?
Ideas:
-Add it to your morning coffee or tea.
-Sprinkle it on top of oatmeal or yogurt.
-Incorporate it into a salad dressing or marinade.
– Throw a pinch into a pot of soup or stew.
– Mix it into a batch of muffins, bread, or cookies.
– Add it to chicken or fish recipes.
– Use it as a topping for ice cream or pudding.
