Servings
Font
Back
0 from 24 votes

Preserved Lemons

Preserved Lemons are very easy to make at home, and a delicious addition to any salad, or any Mediterranean recipes with fish or chicken.

Prep Time
20 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 4 medium jars
Calories: 64 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 8 to 10 lemons Meyer lemons are best for this recipe, but you can use any that you have on hand
  • 1 cup kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon saffron
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/4 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 1/4 teaspoon red peppercorns
  • 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice or more

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. First, sterilize the jars that you will be using. I have described in the blog post how.
  2. Next, wash well and the lemons. Cut off any stems and bout 1/4 inch from the tip of the lemons.
  3. After that, slice them int wedges. Arrange them on a plate or cutting board, flesh side out, and sprinkle generously with salt.
  4. Add 2 tablespoons of kosher salt to the bottom of a sterilized 1-quart canning jar. And arrange the lemon wedges tightly in the jar. Press them down so the juices come out and rise to the top. It's ok if some lemons breakdown.
  5. Also, add some saffron, a bay leaf, and distribute the peppercorns between the jars.
  6. Add more lemon juice if needed to submerge the lemons. And add about one tablespoon of salt on top of the lemons.
  7. Close the lid tightly and let it sit at room temperature for a few days. During this time, make sure to turn the jar upside down a few times.
  8. After a few days, about 4-5, transfer the jar to the refrigerator for at least 3 weeks, until the rinds of the lemons soften. Turn the jar upside down occasionally during this time.
  9. To use the preserved lemons, remove as many as you need from the jar, and rinse it to remove the salt. Discard the seeds, remove the pulp, and thinly slice or chop the preserved lemon rind to use in a recipe.
  10. Preserved lemons can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.

Nutrition Information

Calories 64kcal (3%) Carbohydrates 21g (7%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 0.1g (1%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g Monounsaturated Fat 0.03g Sodium 28298mg (1179%) Potassium 308mg (9%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 49IU (1%) Vitamin C 115mg (128%) Calcium 76mg (8%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4medium jars

Amount Per Serving

Calories 64

% Daily Value*

Calories 64kcal 3%
Carbohydrates 21g 7%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 0.1g 1%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g 1%
Monounsaturated Fat 0.03g 0%
Sodium 28298mg 1179%
Potassium 308mg 7%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 49IU 1%
Vitamin C 115mg 128%
Calcium 76mg 8%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.