Today, it’s all about the best way to keep lemons and limes. Have you purchased lemons and limes and they look plump and perfect at the grocery store?
You bring them home and slice some to put in your glass of ice water? Or maybe in your cup of freshly brewed tea?
Where I live the cheapest place to buy lemons and limes is at Costco. I bet you can picture placing the citrus bags in your shopping basket, thinking of all the things you will do with these beautiful fruits.
Cold or hot drinks, drizzle some lemon on fish, squeeze some lime juice on those Mexican dishes, there are just so many uses for the juice from these two fruits.
Oh, the glorious fruit, maybe some zest here and there. The list is never-ending. Then, two weeks later you realize you still have ten lemons and limes in the refrigerator.
Are they still good? Are they still flavorful and juicy? All you need are colanders and jars to make sure they stay the way you want!
Here’s the deal, we forget the stuff we buy sometimes, unless it’s chocolate, in my case. I never forget the chocolate.
It’s frustrating, to say the least when we have all these lemons and limes and then one day you realize there has to be a better way to store them, right?
Grocery shopping is not my favorite thing to do, ever, but I love some lemons and limes when I need them. I remember my mother keeping her small citrus in jars covered with water. How did I forget this trick?
Table of Contents
The Best Way To Keep Lemons and Limes
What size jars can I use?
I tried using wide-mouth quart jars, but they weren’t quite big enough. To be honest, I vaguely remember my mom having jars that had those big dill pickles in them.
The jar was not too big and not too small, it was just the right size. So I went to Amazon and found the perfect jars.
They are reasonable in cost and I will have lemons and limes for a couple of months using these. These are the ones I purchased, Anchor Hocking 2-Quart Cracker Jar
How To Store Lemons and Limes
When you bring the fruit home, take the stickers off, if there are any on them. Now, you can put just lemons in jars or just limes. You can also put both lemons and limes in a jar together. Whatever works for you.
Step One
Wash the fruit after removing any stickers, if they have some attached. These are organic lemons, but I still like to rinse them with water. Here are the lemons.
Step Two
Now, wash the limes if you purchased some as well. Remove the stickers, if any are attached. These are organic limes but I still like to rinse them with water.
Step Three
After putting the fruit in the jars of your choice, completely cover the fruit with water to keep it fresh. I used my reverse osmosis water to be sure the water was pure and clean without a lot of chemicals.
Step Four
I tried to put some in a quart jar, but I think my lemons and limes are so fresh they are too plump, and very few fit inside a wide-mouth mason jar. But if you only buy two or three lemons and limes at a time that would work fine.
Refrigerate after the jars are filled
I store these JARS in the refrigerator for 2-3 months. I use the lemons and limes as needed.
Can I freeze Lemons?
Yes, you can, you can quarter the lemons or slice them and spread them out on parchment-lined cookie sheets. When frozen, place the frozen pieces in freezer bags for up to 3-4 months.
Can I freeze the juice from lemons or limes?
Yes, you can. Squeeze the fruit, remove the seeds, and use an ice cube tray to freeze the liquid. Pop them out after they are totally frozen and place them in freezer bags. I use these Silicone Trays.
Can I freeze the zest?
Yes, you can, use your Microplane or Fruit Zester and store it in ice cube trays. When frozen place the sections in freezer bags.
What’s the difference between lemons and limes?
We quote, Healthline, “Limes are small, round, and green, while lemons are usually larger, oval-shaped, and bright yellow. Nutritionally, they’re almost identical and share many of the same potential health benefits.
Both fruits are acidic and sour, but lemons tend to be sweeter, while limes have a more bitter flavor.”
Can I put the lemons and limes in a bowl of water in the refrigerator?
Yes, you can use a large bowl and cover them with water. My only concern is the water and the fruit picking up the flavors from other food items in the refrigerator. I’ve never tried this approach, so it may work great. Give it a try and see what happens.
How can I use lemons and limes?
- They add a dash of flavor to just about anything.
- Helps keep wrinkles away.
- They help your body’s cells do what they need to do.
- Great antioxidents.
- They help your baby in the womb (folic acid).
- Helps kill nasty bugs on fresh produce with a little vinegar.
- Lowers blood pressure (consult your doctor first).
- May keep you from getting free radicals.
- They may help keep the fats and sugars in your blood at healthy levels.
- May help reduce the effects of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.
- Use lemons in warm water with honey and green tea when you have a cold.
- Garlic and lemon juice may help lower your cholesterol.
Can I dehydrate lemons?
Mark and I have dehydrated lemons but not limes, yet. They are really easy to do: wash, slice, remove seeds, and place the slices on the dehydrator racks. In case you missed this post, Dehydrating Lemons And Make Lemon Powder
In case you missed this post, Lemons: Everything You Need to Know
Are There Very Varieties of Lemons and Limes?
There are dozens of different varieties of both lemons and limes. Many are found in different countries throughout the world, and many have some strange colors, shapes, and tastes. If you want to learn about any of these, you can find most of them discussed on the Internet.
Lemons:
- Lisbon
- Eureka
- Bearss
- Pink Variegated
- Meyer
- Primofiori
- Verna
- Buddha’s Hand
- Bush
- Avon
- Citron
- Dorshapo
- Greek Citron
- Ponderosa
- Baboon
- Bonnie Brae
- Santa Teresa
- Genoa
- Jhambiri
- Lamas
- Lemonade
- Assam
- Perrine
- Villafranca
- Volkamer
- Yen Ben
- Lumia
- Otaheite
Limes:
- Key
- Kaffir
- Bearss
- Limequats
- Finger
- Kusaie
- Australian Desert
- Tahiti
- Calamansi
- Blood
- Rangpar
- Omani Dried
- Ginger
- Limetta
- Mandarin
- Mary Ellen
- Merdeka
- Millsweet Limetta
- Spanish
- Castelo
- Lemon-Lime
Final Word
I hope you enjoyed today’s post about the best way to keep lemons and limes as fresh as possible. It’s all about cooking from scratch and teaching our kids and grandkids how to preserve food one way or another. Stay safe, stay well, and keep prepping, we must. May God Bless this world, Linda
FAQs
Do lemons last longer in the fridge or on the counter? ›
Storing lemons in the fridge is a great way to extend their shelf life. And if you want to keep lemons fresh for longer than a week, you'll definitely want to refrigerate them.
Should you refrigerate lemons and limes? ›Citrus Fruits
Lemons, limes, and oranges all do best in the fridge because the cooler temperature prevents them from drying out. They'll keep for up to two weeks when chilled and about one week at room temperature.
Freeze lemon slices.
Spread the slices on a baking sheet and flash freeze until they're solid. Transfer the lemon slices to a freezer bag and seal. Frozen lemons will keep for three to four months. You can use frozen lemons in cooking, baking, or as a garnish.
To freeze whole lemons, place them in freezer bags, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Use whole frozen lemons for juicing. To thaw, microwave for a few seconds, or place the lemons in cold water for 10 to 15 minutes.
How do you keep lemons and limes from getting hard? ›And this storage hack is simple: Submerge them in water and keep them in the fridge. Grab a reusable, sealable container—we recommend a glass container—and submerge the citrus fruits completely underwater. Then, seal the containers and put them in the fridge until you're ready to use them. It's that easy.
How long do limes last in the fridge? ›Finally, place bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. How long do limes last in the fridge? When refrigerated properly limes will stay fresh up to 3 weeks.
Why do people put half a lemon in the fridge? ›Left at room temp, lemons will dry out leaving you with less juice and a tough rind. Lemons are best kept in the fridge—period. Stashed in the fridge in the crisper drawer or on a shelf, fresh lemons will keep for two weeks or more.
What fruits should not be refrigerated? ›Fruits That Should Not Be Stored in the Refrigerator
Apricots, Asian pears, avocado, bananas, guava, kiwis, mangoes, melons, nectarines, papayas, passion fruit, pawpaw, peaches, pears, persimmons, pineapples, plantain, plums, starfruit, soursop, and quince will continue to ripen if left out on the counter.
The water in the bowl also helps in replenishing the moisture that gets lost over time from the lemons. When lemons lose moisture, they start to mold or rot. So, not only does it preserve them, but it also helps keep them juicy!
Should I wash lemons before storing in fridge? ›Do not immerse the fruit in water. Rather, dip a fruit scrubbing brush in the soapy water and gently scrub the fruit. Then rinse the lemons and limes under cool water. Dry the lemons and limes thoroughly with a clean dish towel before storing them.
Do lemons need to be washed? ›
Even though oranges, lemons and limes aren't part of the dirty dozen fruits and vegetables, you should still wash citrus—even if you aren't going to use or eat any of the peel. You want to make sure that no bacteria gets into the fruit as you're cutting it up.
Is lemon water better than Lime? ›The bottom line is that both citrus fruits are good for you.
They're only a slightly better choice for those looking for a true detox. Limes are slightly higher in calcium and Vitamin A, but experts suggest the amounts aren't significant enough to choose limes over lemons.
Lemon water can promote fullness, support hydration, boost metabolism, and increase weight loss. However, lemon water is no better than regular water when it comes to losing fat. That being said, it is tasty, easy to make, and can be used as a low-calorie replacement for high-calorie beverages.
What can I do with too many lemons and limes? ›- Lemon Doughnuts.
- Meyer Lemon French Toast.
- Lemon Curd.
- Lemon Meringue Pie with Gingersnap Crust.
- Lemon Chiffon Pie.
- Lemon Risotto.
- Pork Chops With Meyer Lemon.
- Artichoke and Lemon Fritto Misto.
Fresh, whole lemons can be stored at room temperature for up to one week. Lemons can also be stored in the fridge for 4-6 weeks or frozen for 3-4 months.
Can you vacuum seal lemons and limes? ›Simply put: Yes, you can vacuum seal fruit!
What does boiling lemons and limes do? ›What are the health benefits of boiling lemons? There is some anecdotal evidence to suggest that consuming boiled lemons can boost immunity, improve the skin, and even help people lose weight. However, scientific studies into the nutritional values and health benefits of boiled lemons specifically are scarce.
Can you freeze whole lemons and limes? ›Freezer to the Rescue!
UNTIL, that is, I learned that you can freeze whole citrus fruit. So go ahead and buy a whole bag without worry. Use one or two now, stash the rest in your freezer, and use them as needed.
Add lemon slices or lemon halves to a Mason jar or other airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks to keep fresh.
How do you preserve limes in a Mason jar? ›Storing them in the fridge will result in them drying out more quickly. There is a way around that though! Simply add your citrus to a jar, fill with water, and top with a lid. Your lemons and limes should be good for up to 3 weeks when stored like this.
How do you preserve lime for a long time? ›
Consider wrapping the lime wedges in plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out. 6. Refrigerating whole limes: Whole limes can last for a month in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container or a sealed plastic bag in the crisper drawer.
What is the best way to store citrus? ›Storing: Oranges and other citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, and grapefruits can be stored short-term (up to one week) at room temperature. To prolong the shelf life (up to 3-4 weeks) of citrus fruits, keep them in a bag in the refrigerator. Freezing: Citrus can be frozen in wedges, slices, zest, juice, or whole.
How do you keep cut limes from turning brown? ›Coating them with an acidic juice such as lemon, orange, or pineapple juice.
Why is it good to put lemon in your water? ›Like all produce, lemons contain phytonutrients, which protect your body against disease. These phytonutrients have powerful antioxidant properties, which prevent cell damage from oxidation, the same mechanism that causes rust. Juice half a lemon into your water and you'll add a mere 6 calories to your diet.
What does lemon and water do for your body? ›Headlines have linked drinking lemon water to many health claims, including weight loss, improved digestion, 'alkalising' effects on the body, improved skin and detoxification.
How do you store lemon juice for a month? ›Store It In Your Fridge: If you want to store lemon juice for 2-3 months, then mix 1/4 teaspoon salt in 2 cups of lemon juice. You can add salt according to the quantity of the lemon juice. This will help avoid making the lemon juice bitter. You can store it in a glass bowl in the fridge.
How much warm water with lemon should I drink in the morning? ›Drink the juice of one lemon in one cup of warm water first thing in the morning (on an empty stomach). 2. Make sure to wait 30 minutes before eating breakfast, as this will ensure your body gets the most energy and nutrients from the food you eat.
How do you store lemons in a jar? ›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 wrap a lemon in the fridge? ›Obviously, it's even more important to keep cut lemons in the fridge. To maximize their freshness, wrap the cut lemon in plastic wrap or beeswax and then wrap them again in aluminum foil.
Should mustard be refrigerated? ›While refrigeration will help maintain flavor, it's not necessary to refrigerate if you prefer to consume your mustard at room temperature. The recommended shelf life from the date of manufacture of French's Mustard is 18 months in a squeeze bottle, and 24 months in a glass jar.”
Which fruit lasts the longest out of the fridge? ›
Apples. Apples and pears last longer than any other tree fruits, according to the University of Maine, and can keep for up to 4 months under the right conditions.
Should I refrigerate ketchup? ›“Because of its natural acidity, Heinz Ketchup is shelf-stable. However, its stability after opening can be affected by storage conditions. We recommend that this product be refrigerated after opening to maintain the best product quality.”
Should apples be refrigerated? ›On your next shopping trip to Market Basket, notice how apples are displayed. They are unrefrigerated because apples do not need refrigeration until they began to soften slightly. Apples should be stored unrefrigerated for about 7 days after purchase. Apples refrigerated too soon lose flavor and sweetness.
How do you preserve lemons for years? ›- Add some salt to the jar: Put 2 tablespoons of kosher salt at the bottom of a sterilized 1-quart wide-mouthed canning jar. ...
- Scrub and cut the lemons: ...
- Sprinkle with salt: ...
- Add the lemons to the jar: ...
- Add more lemon juice (if needed) and salt: ...
- Seal and let sit, then refrigerate: ...
- Use the preserved lemons:
Fresh, whole lemons can be stored at room temperature for up to one week. Lemons can also be stored in the fridge for 4-6 weeks or frozen for 3-4 months.
How do you store lemons in a Mason jar? ›After cleaning place in a large container-I use wide mouth mason jars for just a few or larger glass containers for an entire bag. Fill with water to cover the lemons completely and seal the top! That's it!
How long do lemons last in a jar? ›There is a way around that though! Simply add your citrus to a jar, fill with water, and top with a lid. Your lemons and limes should be good for up to 3 weeks when stored like this.
How long does a jar of preserved lemons last? ›Three months—or even one—may seem like quite the time investment, but being, well, preserved, the cured lemons will last in the back of your fridge for up to a year.
Is there a way to preserve lemons? ›Freezer Lemons
An easy way to preserve whole lemons, lemon slices, lemon juice, and lemon zest is to simply pop them in the freezer. Although frozen lemons retain their mouth-puckering taste, when thawed out they can become a bit mushy.
Despite its acidic content, lemon juice has a tendency to promote bacteria growth if kept at room temperature. Avoid storing the juice in glass bottles as light will break down the juice more quickly. Rather, store it in a plastic container or glass container that is not transparent.
What is the difference between a Meyer lemon and a regular lemon? ›
A: Meyer lemons are a small, sweet hybrid, thought to be a cross between a regular lemon and a mandarin orange. They're much less tart than regular lemons, and smaller, with thinner skin that's almost sweet. They're in season in winter, but if you don't live somewhere that they're common, they can be quite expensive.
What does freezing lemons do? ›People do often use cooked lemon rinds in cakes and muffins but the cooking process can cause the lemon to lose up to 40 per cent of its properties. Freezing the lemon ensures that that all of the goodness lemons have to offer is conserved, plus lemon ice cubes taste pretty good.