What Is Lemon zest and How Can I Use It?
Lemon zest is easier to cook with than it looks. Here's how to choose, use, and store it, what to substitute, and 1,532 recipes to get you started.
What is lemon zest?
Lemon zest is the oil rich outer skin of a lemon. The volatile oils in the zest make it extremely flavorful and many recipes call for the addition of lemon zest along with lemon juice or lemon extract.
The process of removing lemon zest is known as “zesting,” and there are a number of kitchen tools designed to remove lemon zest. Such tools are called "zesters".
Versions of stainless steel wood rasps (normally used in carpentry) have been finding their way into kitchen and restaurants across the world. The rasp creates a very fine textured zest extracting a large amount of flavor.
Other citrus fruits can be zested for an infusion of intense flavor in a wide range of dishes.
In baked goods, lemon zest can be used to add a lemony flavor to the finished food product. The natural oils in the zest will slowly leach out through the cooking process, infusing the food with flavor.
Individual pieces of the lemon zest will also crack open when chewed and produce a burst of lemon flavor.
Lemon zest can also be used as a food seasoning, or it can be added to various mixed drinks and beverages.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 tbsp (6g)Where found
Lemon zest is usually found in the produce section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group
Lemon zest is a member of the Fruits and Fruit Juices US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
How much does lemon zest weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 tbsp | 6 grams |
| 1 teaspoon | 2 grams |
Related
Fruits and Fruit Juices
| In Chinese: | 柠檬皮 | |
| British (UK) term: | ||
| en français: | zeste de citron | |
| en español: | ralladura de limón |
Recipes using lemon zest
There are 1532 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Tomato & Orange Soup
Creamy tomato and orange soup with fresh tomatoes, orange juice, orange zest and a swirl of cream. A British-style soup that's bright, velvety and full of citrus warmth.
Chocolate Raisin Poppyseed Cookies
Eastern European chocolate poppyseed cookies with milk-soaked poppy seeds, melted unsweetened chocolate, raisins, lemon zest, and warm cinnamon-clove spice. A tea-time treat unlike any other cookie.
Favorite Linzer Cookies
Crisp nut cookies sandwiched together with a raspberry filling, which peeks through the cutout in the top cookie.
Turkey-Cheddar Burgers
Juicy turkey cheddar burgers seasoned with sage, thyme, lemon zest, and sauteed garlic onions, with melted cheese stuffed right inside the patty. Grill or broil in 40 minutes for a lighter burger that still oozes with flavor.
Cheescake Pancakes with Berry-Lemon Syrup
Cheesecake pancakes fold small-curd cottage cheese and vanilla into buttermilk pancake mix for protein-rich, slightly tangy breakfast stacks. Topped with a warm raspberry-lemon zest syrup that mimics cheesecake's classic berry sauce.
Muffins, Blueberry
Light blueberry muffins use egg whites, egg substitute, and fat-free spread for tender, fruit-packed muffins with lemon-bright flavor. Two cups of fresh blueberries in every batch.
Lemon Yogurt Cookies
Tangy yogurt and bright lemon zest blend into soft oatmeal cookies with crisp edges, then get showered with powdered sugar for a lighter twist on classic cookies.
Mini Roasted Leek, Onion & Navy Bean Galettes
These rustic pie like galettes were so delicious. Buttery crust and a delicious filling made with roasted leek and onion, and creamy navy beans. It didn't last long. Yum.
Mom's Baklava
Mom's baklava layers buttery phyllo with a blend of ground almonds and walnuts, soaked in cinnamon-lemon honey syrup. The cool-syrup-over-hot-pastry trick keeps every flaky layer crisp.
Easter Fun Sugar Cookies
Easter sugar cookies: rolled and cut sugar cookies with lemon zest, perfect for Easter bunny and egg shapes. Two dozen pale, tender cookies ready to decorate.
Sugar Cookies/Cut-Outs
Classic cut-out sugar cookies with lemon zest and vanilla that hold their shape beautifully. Buttery, crisp-edged, and ready for decorating with royal icing.
Breakfast Lemon Pancakes
Lemon pancakes lightened with club soda and whipped egg whites. Tiny silver-dollar size, fragrant with fresh lemon zest, fluffy as a cloud.
Lemon Blueberry Cake
Moist lemon blueberry cake with cornmeal, buttermilk, and fresh lemon zest. Bursting with 3 cups of blueberries, this from-scratch sheet cake has a golden crumb and bright citrus flavor in every slice.
Favorite Chewy Spice Cookies
Chewy spice cookies are low-fat molasses cookies sweetened with applesauce, scented with ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice, then drizzled with lemon icing. Holiday spice cookies without butter or eggs.
Amazing Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
Lemon poppy seed cake builds a tender tube cake with butter, cream cheese, lemon juice and zest, whipped egg whites, and poppy seeds, finished with a tart lemon glaze.
Raspberry Streusel Muffins
Whole-wheat raspberry muffins folded with fresh berries and lemon zest, crowned with a brown-sugar pecan-cinnamon streusel. Hearty breakfast muffins that lean nutty and lightly sweet.
Raspberry Streusel Muffins
Whole-wheat raspberry muffins folded with fresh berries and lemon zest, crowned with a brown-sugar pecan-cinnamon streusel. Hearty breakfast muffins that lean nutty and lightly sweet.
Cream Cheese Topping for Hot-Cross Buns
Learn how to make hot cross buns frosting with cream cheese, butter, and lemon zest. This frosting is a delightful and zesty twist on the traditional hot cross bun glaze.
Lemon-Pepper Glazed Udon Noodles with Snow Peas & Coconut
A modern Asian twist brings this pasta salad to new heights. Udon noodles with crunchy snow peas glazed with a lemon-pepper coconut dressing and bursting with fresh basil and cilantro.
Pasta Shells with Salmon, Tomatoes & Toasted Bread Crumbs
This easy and simple recipe also came out delicious. Lemon juice added a touch of refreshing taste, and the overall flavour was well balanced. Giving this dish a five star.
Ambrosia's Pound Cake
Classic pound cake the old way: a pound each of butter, sugar, flour, and eggs, separated and folded for a tall, tender, golden loaf. Serve with berries and toasted almonds.
Moist Orange Pumpkin Bread
Give the traditional pumpkin bread a new twist by adding some freshly grated lemon zest and freshly squeezed orange juice. They add some deliciously citrus taste to the moist pumpkin bread. Be sure to make enough, because everyone will ask for a second slice.
Strawberry Crepes
Strawberry crepes flambe fresh berries in a citrus-butter-brandy syrup, then fold them into delicate crepes glazed with the reduced sauce. Showy New Orleans-style dessert ready in 30 minutes.
Lemon Pudding Cake
A magical dessert that separates into two layers as it bakes: fluffy cake on top, tangy lemon pudding underneath. Serve it warm for the full comfort-food experience.
