How To Make Preserved Lemons [Plus Benefits & Substitutes] (2024)

Meet your new favorite condiment! Whether you’re new to preserved lemons or have been a fan for quite some time, we know you’re going to love how easy it is to make them at home.

Preserved lemons are lemon peels that have been preserved or fermented using salt. The difference between preserved lemons and fresh lemons is preserved lemons have been treated with a concentrated brine made of salt and lemon juice.

Fresh lemons are quartered and rubbed with salt, then packed tightly into a jar where they are left to ferment for 3 weeks. During the fermentation process, the lemon peels undergo a chemical process that results in their softening, and the flavor of the lemons changes. We like to think of it like food magic!

What do preserved lemons taste like? Preserved lemons taste like lemons — tart and slightly sweet, but salty and briny at the same time. Their lemon flavor is more mellow than that of fresh lemons, and the brine gives them a savory umami quality.

Preserved lemons are a delicious way to add tangy acidity to salad dressings, salads, soups, or stews and are a bright and welcome addition to any charcuterie board. We love to top our 5-Ingredient Garlic Hummus with finely minced preserved lemons and a drizzle of olive oil for an instantly elevated snack or appetizer.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Fresh lemons: Regular lemons or Meyer lemons will both work. We recommend using organic lemons if possible, since you’ll consume the peel and rind (which are more exposed to pesticides than the inside of the lemon).
• Sea salt: Use unrefined salt without added iodine or Kosher salt .
• Glass jar: You can use a one-quart mason jar, canning jar, Weck jar, or upcycled pickle jar with a lid.
• Fermentation weight or small plastic zip-top bag: The weight is used to keep the lemons submerged in the brine during preservation.

What kind of lemons are best for preserving?

We recommend buying organic Eureka (regular lemons) or Meyer lemons for this recipe, since you will be consuming the lemon peel.

Learn more about preserved lemons and how to use them after the recipe card below

Best Ways To Use Preserved Lemons

Preserved lemons are a great way to add a bright, flavorful punch to many dishes. We love to dice them finely to add to a salad, soup, or stew and they are delicious blended into salad dressings that call for lemon juice.

• The rind of the lemon is meant to be enjoyed as a flavorful condiment (think pickle on a charcuterie board) or added to dressings or marinades or even stirred into soup or stew.
• For slow-cooked dishes such as tagines, soups, or stews, we recommend adding preserved lemons during the cooking process.
• For sheet pans meals with Mediterranean flavors, we suggest adding them at the table as a condiment.

While many recipes, including our own, call for you to discard the pulp and use only the lemon peel and rind, it is possible to use the pulp. Be warned that the pulp is exceptionally salty, so it’s best to use just a little bit and add more as you go.

What else can you make with Preserved Lemons?

Our method for making preserved lemons is just lemons, salt, and lemon juice. But there are many recipes to add coriander, black peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, or a bay leaf that add complexity to preserved lemons.

Here are a few yummy ways to use preserved lemons:

• Quinoa Kale Salad with Blueberries and Feta
• Sheet Pan Veggie Shawarma with Lemon-Tahini Dressing
• Saucy Beef and Lentil Meatballs
• Sheet Pan Mediterranean Chicken and Veggies
• Curry Chicken Salad
• Ranch Dressing
• Mediterranean Salmon Bowl
• Honey Mustard Sauce
• Lemon Chicken Marinade
• Pickled Onions
• Sauerkraut
• Tzatziki Sauce

Health Benefits

Preserved lemons are fermented, which makes them a rich source of vitamin C and a healthy dose of probiotic bacteria. The fermentation process increases the already high level of vitamins.

A diet rich in vitamin C is fantastic for building and sustaining the immune system. Probiotic bacteria, particularly naturally occurring in food, promote a healthy gut. Your gut impacts the health of your entire body, so we’re big fans of a happy gut!

A Brief History

Preserved lemons are believed to have originated in north Africa. This recipe then spread widely across the world to places such as India, the Mediterranean, Middle East, and even southeast Asia.

Thinly sliced or minced bits of preserved lemon are often added to dishes inspired by Middle Eastern or North African Cuisines. They are also a key ingredient in chicken tagines, a traditional dish from Morocco that features chicken braised with flavorful spices, garlic, onions, and olives.

Unlike other fermented foods, preserved lemons are not meant to be consumed on their own. Instead, they are used to season dishes where they add layers of salt, acid, and umami flavors to your home cooking, giving you a more restaurant feel without having to leave a tip.

Should you buy preserved lemons or make them yourself?

There are several brands to choose from at the grocery store or from online retailers. But making preserved lemons at home is easy to do.

The hands-on time is less than 30 minutes, but you will need to wait another 21 days or so for the fermentation magic to happen before your preserved lemons are ready to enjoy. If you’re new to fermenting or preserving foods, preserved lemons are a great place to start.

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