How to Store Lemons So They Stay Juicy and Vibrant

Every time you walk into a grocery store, you’re likely greeted by a mountain of bright yellow lemons anchoring the produce section. The vibrant citrus fruits are in season all year long, which means you can whip up fresh lemonade, Lemony Linguine With Olives and Feta, and Lemon-Pistachio Bars, whenever you feel like it. Not to mention, lemons are a particularly useful cleaning agent and can cleanse everything from a cutting board to your bathtub.

However, just because you can find lemons from January to December, doesn’t mean you can toss ‘em in any old bowl or refrigerator drawer once you return home with your groceries. In fact, while lemons might not be the most fickle of fruits, there are some storage tips and tricks to keep in mind if you want to keep them flavorful and juicy for as long as possible. Keep reading for tips on how to store lemons, including how to store whole lemons, how to store lemon juice, and more.

How to Store Whole Lemons

How you store whole lemons depends on two factors—how ripe the lemons are when you bring them home, and when you intend to use or cook with them. You can always pop lemons in the refrigerator, but if you’ve purchased a bunch of ripe lemons that you plan to use within a day or two, the counter is a fine place to stash them. Just make sure the lemons are kept out of direct sunlight, and away from ethylene-producing fruits, such as bananas. Heat and ethylene will cause lemons to ripen more quickly, and can potentially alter their texture and flavor.

Similarly, if you’ve purchased unripe lemons (those with a green tinge) feel free to store them on the counter as well. Again, just be mindful to keep the lemons out of direct sunlight, and far from any other produce that releases ethylene gas. When stored properly, whole lemons can stay fresh on the counter for up to one week. If they start to feel mushy, put them in the refrigerator.

If you’ve purchased whole lemons that you don’t intend to use right away, or you would simply like them to last for more than seven days, go ahead and make room in your refrigerator. Lemons thrive in the fridge, and the cooler temperature will slow the ripening process. The best way to store whole lemons in the refrigerator is to put them in a sealed, airtight food storage container, and place that in the crisper drawer of your fridge. As we noted earlier, lemons should be kept away from foods that emit ethylene gas, including apples, and pears. Keeping lemons in a sealed container within your crisper drawer adds a layer of protection from these fruits, which may be stored nearby. When stored properly, whole lemons can stay fresh in the refrigerator for at least one month.

How to Store Lemon Wedges and Lemon Halves

Whether you’re garnishing a cocktail or adding a pop of color to a plated meal, it’s not uncommon to cut a lemon into wedges or slice it in half. And, more often than not, you may have a piece or two leftover. If that’s the case, there's no need to toss those wedges or halves in the trash. Instead, cover the exposed fleshy areas of the lemon with plastic wrap or a produce saver, and put the pieces into a sealed container. When stored this way, lemon wedges, halves, or slices will stay fresh for a few days before drying out.

How to Store Lemon Juice 

Lemon juice is, of course, a key ingredient in lemonade and several cocktails, but it can also be used to brighten up a salad or to degrease a pot or pan. Should you find yourself with some leftover lemon juice, the best way to store it is to put it in a sealed bottle or container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for several days, and can be used for drinks or dressings. After a few days, however, lemon juice is best used in something that will be cooked or baked, such as these Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins. It will keep for approximately two weeks.

To extend the life of your lemon juice even further, go ahead and freeze it. The easiest way to do this is to pour any leftover lemon juice into an ice cube tray and place the tray in the freezer. Once the lemon juice cubes have frozen, pop them out of the tray and put them in another freezer-safe container. Add these lemon ice cubes to iced tea, cocktails, or even a glass of water for a boost of flavor and freshness. 

How to Store Lemon Zest

Lemon zest is great for adding plenty of fresh, bright flavor to dishes such as Farfalle With Lemon, Shrimp, and Kale, and Lemony Fish With Orzotto. That’s why you should never throw out a lemon that hasn’t been zested first, even if you don’t have any immediate need for lemon zest. To effectively store lemon zest, simply keep it in a sealed container in the refrigerator or freezer. It will last in the fridge for about six days, and in the freezer for approximately three months. Toss lemon zest (even from the freezer) directly into salad dressings, marinades, and cake batters whenever you’re ready to use it.

Can You Freeze Lemons?

Contrary to what you might think, you can freeze lemons, and they actually freeze quite well. Your best bet is to freeze whole lemons. According to Glad, start by washing the lemons and drying them  thoroughly. Then, place them in a freezer-safe plastic bag or food storage container. If you opt for a plastic bag, be sure to squeeze as much air out of the bag as possible before sealing it. Stored this way, lemons will stay fresh in the freezer for up to four months.

You can also freeze lemon wedges, slices, or halves, but that process is a bit different. First, you’ll need to freeze the lemon pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to keep them separate. Then, once the pieces have frozen, remove them from the baking sheet and place them in a freezer-safe storage container or plastic bag, and put that container back in the freezer. Just note that any whole lemon or lemon piece that has been frozen will have a different texture than a fresh lemon, and will likely be mushier than you’re used to. However, you can still use the juice and zest from a lemon that has been frozen, though it’s best to juice or zest any lemons before you freeze them for the highest quality.