Lemon Curd
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This is the BEST recipe for lemon curd! It’s rich, buttery and tart. And you won’t need a double boiler, immersion blender or any special kitchen tools. Discover how to make lemon curd the easy way. In just 20 minutes you’ll have a smooth, luscious mixture that thickens up beautifully in the fridge.
2022 RECIPE UPDATE: This lemon curd recipe was originally published in August 2017. Five years and 50 batches later, the recipe has evolved and become perfected. It’s now richer, thicker and more flavorful. I’ve come back to share that goodness, along with learn-by-doing expertise and new tips. Updates include fresh photography and a helpful user-friendly format.
When Meyer lemons are in season, it’s wonderful to use fresh lemon juice and zest for this recipe. The taste, aroma and color are bright and beautiful, just like California sunshine. However, when lemons are not in season it’s okay to use bottled lemon juice and no zest.
Along with measuring cups and spoons, all you’ll need for this easy recipe are 4 kitchen staples: microplane zester/grater (or box grater, or vegetable peeler and knife), 2-quart saucepan, silicone whisk, fine mesh sieve. (If no strainer, no problem. See “Recipe FAQ” section for instructions.) For refrigerating the mixture, use a glass jar with lid or any small bowl.
🛒 INGREDIENTS
- Whole Eggs: Give lemon curd a light texture. But we’re not using too many whole eggs as we don’t want the mixture to have an eggy taste.
- Egg Yolks: Help the mixture to set and thicken while providing it with extra richness. Egg yolks are also more resistant to curdling during the cooking process, and have less of an eggy taste.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds an element of sweetness to the recipe. And while you might want to reach for caster sugar because it dissolves more quickly, it’s not recommended. Instead of a beautiful sunshiny-bright yellow, caster sugar will give the mixture a dull yellow tone.
- Sea Salt: Enhances the flavor of the other ingredients.
- Lemon Juice: Meyer lemons are highly recommended. They’re sweeter than regular lemons, and provide lemon curd with its signature lemony flavor. If using bright-yellow lemons, add in more sugar to taste.
- Lemon Zest: Enhances the citrusy lemon flavor.
- Butter: Adds creaminess, buttery flavor, and a smooth satisfying mouthfeel. It also helps the mixture to thicken. Use room temperature butter so it can easily incorporate into the mixture.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Enhances the sweetness and lemony flavor. Use the clear type, rather than amber-colored vanilla, if you have it on hand.
🔖 BEST TIPS FOR PERFECT LEMON CURD
- Use Meyer lemons for a classic lemon curd taste. Small and round, they have a deep yellow skin that’s darker and smoother than other lemons. They’re also much sweeter than bright-colored lemons. Look for plump fruit with no blemishes.
- Zest lemons first before juicing them. When zesting lemons, avoid extracting the white pith (underlying membrane) with the zest. It has a bitter unpleasant taste.
- Use good-quality butter for richness and flavor.
- Be patient during the cooking process. Keep whisking the entire time.
- Don’t raise the heat to speed things up. If the temperature is too high the mixture will split and the eggs will scramble.
📖 RECIPE STEPS
- STEP 1: In a small saucepan, whisk egg yolks and whole eggs. Add granulated sugar and salt. Whisk 1 minute or until the mixture is well combined and pale yellow. Add lemon juice and lemon zest. Whisk to combine.
- STEP 2: Set the pan on stovetop over medium-low heat. Cook, whisking constantly about 2 minutes. Raise the heat to medium and cook about 5 minutes more, or until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. It should be the consistency of pudding. It’s very important not to raise the heat too high, and to keeping whisking the entire time so the lemon curd doesn’t scorch or curdle.
- STEP 3: Once it’s thick, remove the pan from heat. Add butter and vanilla extract. Whisk well to incorporate. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the lemon zest and any bits of egg that may have scrambled during cooking. During straining the mixture will shed some heat. Stir briefly to allow more heat to escape.
- STEP 4: Transfer lemon curd to a bowl. Cover the surface with a buttered piece of plastic wrap. Press down to make sure the plastic is in direct contact with the surface to block out all air. Refrigerate mixture for 2 to 3 hours before using so it has time to cool and thicken.
👩🏻🍳 WAYS TO USE LEMON CURD
The ways it can be used are endless. Lemon curd is so versatile. But here are the best ideas for using this tasty recipe.
- FILLING: Use it as a savory tart filling for a variety of desserts. Think lemon tarts, cream puffs, lemon bars, layered cakes, lemon pop tarts, stuffed donuts, lemon curd cookies, and lemon-filled cupcakes.
- SPREAD: Just like jam, slather it over scones, whipping cream biscuits, warm toast, muffins, crumpets, and crepes.
- TOPPING: Drizzle it over pancakes, French toast, waffles, oatmeal, granola, yogurt, and ice cream. Swirl it on the top of cheesecakes.
But that’s not all! Make a lemon yogurt parfait, or a homemade version of Hostess lemon fruit pies. It can be used in salad dressings and smoothies, or as a tasty dip for fresh fruit. Add it to breakfast buns. Fold it into homemade whipped cream and it becomes a tangy lemon mousse.
🧑🏼🍳 RECIPE FAQ
These are the most commonly-asked questions when making lemon curd, and the most helpful answers for recipe success.
Yes, but you may need to add some additional sugar to balance out the flavor, as Meyer lemons are much sweeter than other lemons. Another way to correct the flavor imbalance: add a splash of orange juice.
If lemon curd is made with whole eggs only, the consistency would be light and custardy, not as thick. If only yolks are used, the mixture would be super rich and gelatinous. But used together, whole eggs and yolks deliver the ideal texture combination: lightness and richness.
Absolutely. The mixture won’t be as tart, but you can still make a delicious batch of lemon curd without the zest. When lemons aren’t available, I’ll make lemon curd with bottled lemon juice and no zest.
Yes, absolutely. As you crack each egg, pinch off and discard the white cordlike fibers attached to the yolk sac. Do not use lemon zest. Remove all lemon seeds before juicing so seeds don’t end up in the lemon curd. Thicken the mixture on stovetop over low heat to make sure the eggs don’t scramble. These recipe tips will prevent the need for straining.
If the heat is too low the lemon curd will not thicken. The setting I use on my gas stove is medium-low. Don’t cook on high heat or the mixture may split and the eggs will scramble. If you’re cooking a large batch (with constant whisking) it may take 30 minutes to thicken. Be patient. Keep cooking and whisking until it thickens. The end result is worth it.
If your lemon curd is too thin, it’s most likely because the mixture was not cooked long enough. You can fix this by reheating the mixture on stovetop, while whisking constantly. You may need to add in another egg yolk while whisking on stovetop, and later add a bit more butter.
Lemon curd thickens as it cools. A layer of plastic wrap applied directly to the surface of the mixture helps block out air and prevents a thick layer of skin from forming on top. This keeps the mixture smooth.
There are several reasons. The zest of Meyer lemons is a darker color than bright-yellow lemons. The color of egg yolks vary. The colors range from a soft yellow to a bright orange depending on a hen’s diet. Granulated sugar maintains the mixture’s sunshiny yellow, but if caster sugar is used it will greatly dull the color.
When stored in the fridge in an airtight container, homemade lemon curd can stay fresh for up to 4 weeks.
Yes, it freezes well. Cool lemon curd completely. Transfer to a freezer-safe container with tight-fitting lid. Leave 1/2 inch of space at the top so there’s room for expansion. Put a layer of plastic wrap in direct contact with the surface to lock out air. Freeze up to 3 months. When ready to use, defrost in the fridge overnight. Don’t try to speed up the thawing process as the curd can split and become grainy.
🍋 RECIPES THAT USE LEMON CURD
There are so many uses for lemon curd! During the spring and summer months I keep this ingredient on hand in the fridge. Add these tangy desserts with lemon curd to your recipe arsenal.
RECIPES TO ENJOY WITH LEMON CURD
- Lemon Blueberry Crepes
- Whipping Cream Biscuits
- Lemon Blueberry Pancakes
- Lemon Blueberry Scones
- Lemon Bundt Cake
- Lemon Blueberry Muffins
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Taste testers agree – this is the BEST lemon curd recipe. It’s rich, thick and decadent, and easy to make. If you agree it’s super delicious, give it a 5-star rating in the comments. Then be a recipe hero! Share it with a friend.
Lemon Curd
- Total Time: 20 Minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
Lemon curd is thick, rich and luscious. Use it as a filling for desserts, or as a tea-time spread for baked goods. Make this easy recipe in a saucepan, no double broiler needed! This recipe’s a keeper.
Ingredients
- 4 large egg yolks (no whites)
- 2 large whole eggs
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, or more if desired
- 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice (from Meyer lemons)*
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, cut into small cubes
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (the clear type)
*MEYER LEMONS: You’ll need about 4 or 5 large Meyer lemons to extract 2/3 cup lemon juice. It just depends on their size and how juicy they are. Always have extras on hand, just in case.
Instructions
MESSAGE FROM THE KITCHEN: Lemon curd thickens while cooking on stovetop. But it will continue thickening in the fridge while it cools. After 2 to 3 hours it will be beautifully thick and luscious.
- In a small saucepan, whisk egg yolks and whole eggs. Add granulated sugar and salt. Whisk 1 minute or until the mixture is well combined and pale yellow. Add lemon juice and lemon zest. Whisk to combine.
- Set the pan on stovetop over medium-low heat. Cook, whisking constantly about 2 minutes. Raise the heat to medium and cook about 5 minutes more, or until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. It should be the consistency of pudding. It’s very important not to raise the heat too high, and to keeping whisking the entire time so the lemon curd doesn’t scorch or curdle.
- Once lemon curd has thickened, remove the pan from heat. Add butter and vanilla extract. Whisk well to incorporate. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the lemon zest and any bits of egg that may have scrambled during cooking. During straining the mixture will shed some heat. Stir briefly to allow more heat to escape.
- Transfer lemon curd to a bowl. Cover the surface with a buttered piece of plastic wrap. Press down to make sure the plastic is in direct contact with the surface to block out all air. This will prevent a skin from developing. Before using, refrigerate 2 to 3 hours so the mixture can thicken and cool.
IMPORTANT: Store lemon curd in an airtight container and refrigerate. It can last up to 1 month.
Notes
BEST TIPS FOR LEMON CURD
- Use Meyer lemons for a classic lemon curd taste. Small and round, they have a deep yellow skin that’s darker and smoother than bright-colored lemons. They’re also much sweeter than other lemons. Look for plump fruit with no blemishes.
- Zest lemons first before juicing them. When zesting lemons, avoid extracting the white pith (underlying membrane) with the zest. It has a bitter unpleasant taste.
- Use good-quality butter for richness and flavor.
- Be patient when cooking lemon curd. Keep whisking the entire time.
- Don’t raise the heat to speed things up. If the temperature is too high the mixture will split and the eggs will scramble.
- Store lemon curd in a container with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for up to 4 weeks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Condiments, Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: English
HOW TO MAKE LEMON CURD > JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Have you ever made lemon curd from scratch? How would you like to enjoy this delicious recipe? As a filling, spread, or topping? Share your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!
Am bookmarking this recipe because it looks delicious! Plus I love lemons!
I absolutely love lemon and this is no exception!
Such a great and easy recipe. I have a few recipes that use lemon curd I need to dig out.
This is perfect! I never even thought of trying to make lemon curd, but you make it look so easy!
I bookmarked this recipe because I could never say a sunshine sweet lemon curd. Your inspirational food photography just makes it look even more enticing!
I have never tried lemon curd before… I love anything with lemons in it :D… I would definitely love to try this recipe :)
Yummy! My mom used to make lemon curd for her lemon cream puffs. I like that whisk you use, since I have a lot of nonstick pots.
Oh how I love lemon curd. I had always thought that it was always so difficult to make but II am so pleased to hear that it is not. Totally want some in some pie right now x
Lemon curd is a big thing in the UK, but I bet this is better. So simple, even I could try and make it, ha!
Wow, its delicious! I am definitely going to try this recipe, I love lemon and lemon curds it sounds really good. Best recipe for summer and spring. Love it. Thanks for sharing.
I have never had lemon curd but I totally want some. Your recipe sounds super tasty!
Oh yum! I love all things lemon so I’d enjoy this. I’ve never tried to make lemon curd before.
i love anything with lemons and sfter reading this, i might run to the grocery shop and get the ingredients! u got me craving now!
This looks so good! Perfect for the late summer afternoons. I´ll definitely going to try this
I have never even had lemon curd let alone make it. I am going to have to try it now :)
Guess I’ll be in the kitchen soon. That lemon curd recipe looks deliciously perfect for Spring and Summer. Have you tried spiking it with other flavors like orange?