Have you ever wondered How to Zest a Lemon? There are so many delicious recipes that list lemon zest in the recipe card and we are here to show you just how easy it is! Follow this simple step-by-step tutorial to see how to zest a lemon in 5 easy ways.
Best Ways To Zest A Lemon
Table of Contents
Over the years we have found that adding a sprinkling of citrus fruit zest will lighten and brighten the flavor profile of so many different recipes. Using a variety of tools in our kitchen drawer, we have created orange zest, lime zest, and now the zest of a lemon. It is the simple process of grating the outside layer of a lemon. Perfect for adding bright citrus flavor to any lemon recipes, salad dressings, marinades, etc. Below we will outline 5 different ways you can do this with any kitchen tool!
Looking for more ways to use a lemon? Try cutting it into slices and make Grilled Lemons!
What You Will Need
- fresh lemons – a wonderfully refreshing fruit that can be used in so many different ways.
- microplane, cheese grater, knife, vegetable peeler, or zester – we will show you how to easily zest a lemon with any of these common kitchen tools.
How To Zest A Lemon With Grater & Microplane
One option for zesting a lemon is to rub the outside lemon peel on the little holes of a box grater until you reach the bitter pith. Another easy option for adding a little lemon zest, is to rub a microplane grater on the outside yellow peel. This is an easy trick to add a bust of citrus flavor with fine zest. Pro tip – the pieces of zest tend to stick to the backside of the grater so gently tap on a cutting board or plate to help release it.
How To Zest A Lemon With A Zester
Hold the lemon in one hand and the handle of the zester in another hand. Firmly run the citrus zester from the top of the lemon to the bottom. This will result in thin strips. Continue this process around the lemon until you have what you need. Option to chop these lemon strips into small pieces, if you want.
How To Zest A Lemon With A Knife & Vegetable Peeler
If you need large pieces of zest, hold a lemon in one hand and a vegetable peeler or simple paring knife in the other hand. Carefully run it across the outside of the lemon removing the yellow part and leaving the white part attached to the lemon.
Recipe FAQ
To remove the outer, yellow layer in a variety of different ways for the purpose of adding a tangy flavor to a variety of recipes, like lemon poppy seed muffins, lemon desserts or easy lemon pasta!
Yes, a recipe might call for a large piece of lemon zest or request that you turn the peel into small shavings before adding.
Instead of just tossing the zested lemons in a the garbage, we like to repurpose it. Simply cut it into large chunks and place them down the garbage disposal. Run cold water down the drain as you turn the disposal on (make sure all hands are clear before turning it on). The chunks of lemon will help bring a clean and refreshing scent to your disposal.
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Other How To Recipes You Might Like
How to Zest a Lemon
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: How-To
- Method: Counter Top
- Cuisine: American
Description
Learn how to zest a lemon 5 different ways with this simple tutorial! From microplane to paring knife this is a great cooking skill to know!
Ingredients
- 1 lemon (rinsed and dried)
- microplane, box grater, knife, vegetable peeler or zester
Instructions
Microplane:
- Hold a clean, fresh lemon firmly in one hand and the handle of the microplane grater in the other hand. At a slight angle, place the rough side of the microplane against the yellow part of the peel and rub back and forth until you start to see the white pith.
- Move to another side of the lemon, repeat, and continue this process around the outside until the desired amount of lemon zest is reached.
Box Grater:
- Place the box grater on a cutting board or flat plate. Locate the side with the smallest grates and hold the outside of a clean lemon firmly against that grate.
- Rub the lemon in an up and downward motion on the grate until you reach the white pith. Turn lemon and repeat around the outside until the desired amount of fresh lemon zest is reached.
Knife:
- Hold a clean, fresh lemon firmly in one hand and a small paring knife in the other hand.
- At a slight angle, carefully run the knife across the outside of the lemon removing a small strip of the outside, yellow peel. If you are getting lemon juice, you have cut too deep. You should just be able to see the white layer where the yellow skin was removed.
- Continue this process around the lemon until the desired amount is reached.
Vegetable Peeler:
- Hold a clean, fresh lemon firmly in one hand and the handle of a vegetable peeler in the other hand.
- Run the vegetable peeler down the outside of the lemon peel. It should remove the yellow part and leave the white pith on the lemon. Turn lemon and continue this process around the outside until the desired amount of lemon zest is reached.
Zester:
- Hold a clean, fresh lemon firmly in one hand and a lemon zester in the other hand.
- Tightly pull the end of the zester down the outside peel of the lemon with moderate pressure. This should result in thin threads of zest. Turn the lemon and continue the process around the outside of the lemon until the desired amount of lemon zest is reached.
- Option to use a sharp knife and cutting board to cut these long strips into smaller pieces, if desired.
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