How to Zest a Lemon (5 Ways!)

To Zest with a Microplane:

1. Move the lemon back and forth over the grates of the microplane, rotating it as you go. Pay close attention to the placement of your fingers.  (A microplane has very sharp edges and can easily cut you!) Continue zesting the lemon until the lemon peel has been removed.

To Zest with a Citrus Zester:

1. Place the fine, sharp-edged holes on one end of the citrus, following the curvature of the fruit. Push slightly into the fruit and pull down to the other end. Repeat this process until the entire lemon peel is removed and only the pith remains.

To Zest with a Boxed Cheese Grater:

1. Place the lemon on side of the cheese grater that has the smallest holes. Move it back and forth, paying close attention to the placement of your fingers. Continue zesting the lemon until the entire yellow part is removed.

Using a Vegetable Peeler:

1. Place the sharp edges of the peeler on one end of the citrus and push slightly into the fruit. Pull down to the other end, paying close attention not to cut into the fruit too deep. You want to remove as little of the white part as possible. Repeat this process until the entire peel is removed and only the pith remains.
2. Optional: If you would like to have smaller pieces of peel, finely chop until your desired size is reached.

To Zest with a Knife:

1. Cut off one end of the lemon. Place the lemon cut-end down on a cutting board. Or you can skip this step and just hold the lemon steady on a cutting board. 
2. Carefully cut into the fruit at an angle and remove the bright, yellow peel, avoiding the white pith. Remove any white pith that remains.
3. Optional: If you would like to have smaller pieces of peel, finely chop until your desired size is reached.