30+ Handpicked Meyer Lemon Recipes You Need to Try (2024)

Sweeter and more fragrant than regular lemons, Meyer lemons are perfect for everything from preserves to desserts.Meyer lemon season is fleeting, so get them while you can and brighten the dark days of winter with these delicious Meyer Lemon Recipes today!

30+ Handpicked Meyer Lemon Recipes You Need to Try (1)
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  • What is a Meyer lemon, and what makes it so special?
  • FAQs
  • Meyer Lemon Recipes

What is a Meyer lemon, and what makes it so special?

Meyer lemons are thought to be a cross between a regular lemon and a mandarin orange. This uniquely balanced citrus infuses a bright, naturally sweet, slightly tart punch to everything they touch.

In addition to being sweeter than a regular lemon, Meyer lemons are generally smaller, with a scent that noses more civilized than mine describe as “a spicy bergamot* fragrance that tastes and smells more like an herb or a spice.”

(Like the Meyer lemon, a bergamot is "sweet lemon," somewhat orangey in color, with a flavor much sweeter than regular lemons. Bergamot essential oil is what makes that unique flavor in your cup of Earl Grey tea.)

Is there any interesting history behind the "Meyer" name?

Funny you should ask...

Once upon a time, there was a young man named Frank Meyer who grew up in Holland and later emigrated to the United States seeking a life of peace and harmony.

(So far, Frank sounds like my kind of guy.)

Frank loved plants and walking, and in 1905, he was hired by the US Department of Agriculture as an Agricultural Explorer. Basically, Frank's official assignment was to walk across China, and study, learn, and document the lessons and farming practices of this 4000-year old agricultural society as he observed them.

Being an Agricultural Explorer wasn't always easy, and the job was often fraught with danger. Frank was mauled, robbed, attacked by everything from bedbugs to bears, and even accused of being "the devil."

Nevertheless, Frank brought home a hundreds of hardy and novel plant discoveries from Asia, including soybeans, persimmons, wild pears, and asparagus. None of his discoveries, though, is so well known as the unique, seasonal citrus that now bears his name.

It all happened in 1907, in a small village near Beijing, when Frank Meyer spotted a small tree with bright yellow fruit in a doorway. Upon tasting the bright little citrus fruit, he found it to be sweeter than a lemon and more tart than an orange, and immediately knew it was something very special. Frank sent cuttings back to the US, where it soon became known as the Meyer Lemon.

[Read more about Frank's adventures in The Mysterious Life and Death of Frank Meyer, the Man Behind Meyer Lemons.]

FAQs

When can you find Meyer lemons?

Meyer lemons are a seasonal crop. In the United States, they start arriving in grocery stores around the end of November and disappear by late March.

Can you substitute a regular lemon for a Meyer lemon?

If you can't find Meyer lemons in the store,you can substitute regular lemons. Be sure to taste your recipe as you go, because regular lemons are much more tart than Meyer lemons. You may need to add a little additional sugar to your whatever you are making.

You can also substitute a tangerine for a Meyer lemon.

30+ Handpicked Meyer Lemon Recipes You Need to Try (2)

Meyer Lemon Recipes

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30+ Handpicked Meyer Lemon Recipes You Need to Try (3)

Small Batch Preserved Lemons with Bay Leaves & Cardamom

Photo Credit:feastinthyme.com

Take advantage of winter citrus season and add a bit of sunny brightness to your meals with a small batch of these quick & easy Preserved Lemons scented with Bay Leaves & Cardamom.

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Gluten-Free Lemon Curd Tart

Photo Credit:www.flavourandsavour.com

This luscious Meyer lemon curd tart is gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free! This lemon pie is made with a tender almond flour crust and garnished with fresh mixed berries.

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Meyer lemon roasted carrot strings with lemon garlic sauce

Photo Credit:www.runningtothekitchen.com

These roasted carrot strings are bright, fresh and lemony with a little bit of crunch; a really fun way to eat your carrots!

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Meyer Lemon Roast Chicken

Photo Credit:theviewfromgreatisland.com

Meyer Lemon Roast Chicken is a delicious way to perk up your weekly meal plan ~ the flavors are bright and sunny, and the whole dish looks as beautiful as it tastes!

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Meyer Lemon Glazed Blueberry Pound Cake

Photo Credit:swirlsofflavor.com

Start with a pound cake mix studded with fresh blueberries for a pop of summer berry flavor, enhanced with sour cream for extra moistness, drenched in a Meyer lemon syrup and finished off with a Meyer lemon glaze and candied Meyer lemon slices that complements the berry flavor, and every bite will be a taste of heaven!

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Meyer Lemon Ricotta Pound Cake (with video)

Photo Credit:theunlikelybaker.com

You don’t need frosting or glaze on this delightful Meyer lemon ricotta pound cake. Sweet and salty, soft and moist, it’s perfect with your coffee in the morning or your favorite tea in the afternoon.

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One Pan Meyer Lemon Chicken Bake

Photo Credit:www.crumbblog.com

This easy one-pan meal combines roast chicken, asparagus and baby potatoes with tangy Meyer lemons. It delivers loads of delicious, lemony flavour with minimal prep (and even better, minimal dirty dishes to clean up!)

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Pressure Cooker Easy Lemon Curd

Photo Credit:thisoldgal.com

Instant Pot and Pressure Cooker Easy Lemon Curd is sweet and tart and is delicious on cakes and cupcakes. It is ready in less than 15 minutes in your Pressure Cooker.

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Meyer Lemon Sablés

Photo Credit:pudgefactor.com

Meyer Lemon Sablés, with their characteristic “sandy” texture, are buttery rich with a delicate hint of lemon from lemon zest.

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Meyer Lemon Pie

Photo Credit:champagne-tastes.com

This easy lemon pie is a tart dessert made with whole Meyer lemons! Simply blend the filling ingredients together in a blender, bake, and serve!

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Meyer Lemon Cake with Homemade Candied Peel Topping

Photo Credit:hearthandvine.com

This Meyer lemon cake recipe has Meyer lemon flavor in the cake, and frosting, and is topped with candied Meyer lemon peel.

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Meyer Lemon Lavender Jelly

Photo Credit:homespunseasonalliving.com

Combine tart and slightly sweet Meyer lemons with floral lavender for this delightful winter jelly perfect on toast and scones.

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Meyer Lemon Shaker Pie for "Pi" Day

Photo Credit:www.baking-sense.com

Meyer Lemon Shaker Pie is an oldie but goodie. Lemon Shaker pie is simple, straightforward and beautiful, just like Shaker design.

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Meyer Lemon Olive Oil Cake

Photo Credit:www.baking-sense.com

This Meyer Lemon Olive Oil Cake is luscious, not too sweet, tangy and has just a little crunch of cornmeal.

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Meyer Lemon Margarita - A Twist On A Simple Margarita Recipe

Photo Credit:thedeliciousspoon.com

Meyer Lemons add a twist to a simple margarita recipe giving it a little bit of sweetness but with the same burst of citrus flavor every margarita is known for.

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Dried Citrus Zest (What to do With Citrus Rind/Citrus Peel)

Photo Credit:www.christinascucina.com

Dried citrus zest is a perfect way to save citrus rind/peel. When you grow organic citrus fruit, it’s a shame (or a sin) to throw away the beautiful peel!

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Three Citrus Vanilla Marmalade

Photo Credit:feastinthyme.com

Winter citrus is my favorite way to brighten the gloom of the season. Make this sweet, colorful, and highly adaptable Three Citrus Vanilla Marmalade any time you need a little pick-me-up on a cold day!

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Meyer Lemon and Ginger Marmalade

Photo Credit:dishnthekitchen.com

A bright and sunny 'beginner' marmalade for those who haven't quite been able to go full on Seville.

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Instant Pot Meyer Lemon Chutney

Photo Credit:twosleevers.com

Meyer lemons are just perfect for this chutney, made in a slow cooker. Their sweetness combined with the spices in this recipe makes this a one-of-a-kind dish to savor.

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Luscious Southern Meyer Lemon Bars

Photo Credit:www.gritsandpinecones.com

Luscious Southern Meyer Lemon Bars are fresh as sunshine and full of Vitamin C. These scrumptious lemon bars made with Meyer lemons are also guaranteed to brighten anyone’s day.

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Meyer Lemon Bars

Photo Credit:whatagirleats.com

These Meyer Lemon Bars are deliciously lemony on a crumbly shortbread crust.

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Surprise your Sweetheart with some homemade sunshine! TheseMeyer Lemon & Cranberry Shortbread Cookiesare perfect for Valentine’s Day – or any day!

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Meyer Lemon Mascapone Baked Cheesecake with Saskatoon Sauce

Photo Credit:dishnthekitchen.com

The ultimate creamy cheesecake, made with Mascarpone and brightened up with sunny Meyer Lemons. Don’t forget the Saskatoon Sauce!

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Pressure Cooker Meyer Lemon Cheesecake

Photo Credit:thisoldgal.com

A rich, dense and tartly sweet, New York Style Meyer Lemon Cheesecake is made with wholesome ingredients and makes a wonderful dessert.

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Meyer Lemon Tart with Gingersnap Crust

Photo Credit:www.gritsandpinecones.com

When life gives you Meyer lemons, you need an easy lemon tart recipe! One bite of this luscious, tangy Meyer Lemon Tart with its crisp, crunchy gingersnap crust will have your taste buds singing the Hallelujah chorus and wanting more.

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Meyer Lemon Zucchini Muffins

Photo Credit:www.carolinescooking.com

These Meyer lemon zucchini muffins are a bright citrusy taste of spring. Easy to make, relatively healthy and addictively good.

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Lazy Girl's Meyer Lemon Meringue Tart

Photo Credit:www.mykitchenlove.com

Making classic lemon meringue easier with puff pastry and tastier with Meyer Lemons!

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Meyer Lemon Tom Collins Cocktail

Photo Credit:wearenotmartha.com

This twist on the classic Tom Collins drink uses Meyer lemons for a slightly tart, slightly sweet Meyer lemon cocktail you can enjoy all winter long into spring.

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Sous Vide Homemade Limoncello

Photo Credit:www.savoringthegood.com

Homemade limoncello can take weeks to fully develop the flavors of the Meyer lemons. This easy recipe for sous vide limoncello will give you a delicious liquor in less time.

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Meyer Lemon and Rosemary Tom Collins

Photo Credit:www.mykitchenlove.com

Meyer Lemon and Rosemary Tom Collins is a refreshing seasonal recipe that has a hint of rosemary and the bright taste of Meyer Lemon.

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Meyer Lemon Old Fashioned

Photo Credit:www.rhubarbarians.com

Simple, meyer lemon old fashioned recipe! A bright and refreshing spin on the classic old fashioned cocktail with rye, bourbon, or whiskey.

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30+ Handpicked Meyer Lemon Recipes You Need to Try (2024)

FAQs

Are Meyer lemons stronger than regular lemons? ›

When it comes to taste, it's easy to tell a Meyer lemon from a regular lemon. They are less acidic and sweeter. In fact, when Cook's Illustrated conducted a pH test, they found standard lemon juice to be 1.3 times more acidic than Meyer lemon juice.

Why is Meyer lemon so expensive? ›

Their limited window of availability, coupled with their more fragile nature (which makes shipping them more difficult), naturally makes them more expensive than hardier, year-round regular lemons too.

Can you eat Meyer lemons raw? ›

Taste – While they're moderately acidic, Meyer lemons don't have the same tang as regular lemons. Instead, they're much sweeter — so much so that some people enjoy adding the raw segments to their salads or desserts.

Can you freeze whole Meyer lemons? ›

To freeze whole lemons, place them in freezer bags, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Use whole frozen lemons for juicing. To thaw, microwave for a few seconds, or place the lemons in cold water for 10 to 15 minutes. Slice the lemon and juice.

Can I freeze Meyer lemons? ›

Always wash lemons thoroughly before stashing them away in your freezer. You can also freeze lemon slices to add a spritz of lemon juice to drinks or dishes. To start, place the cut lemons on a freezer-safe parchment-lined tray and freeze until frozen.

What is so special about Meyer lemons? ›

Their mild acidity and lush fragrance make Meyer lemons a natural fit in desserts, but they're also great in savory dishes where you want brightness without astringency.

Which animals eat lemons? ›

I have seen, firsthand, squirrels and orioles eating citrus fruits right off the tree. I've many times seen hummingbirds feeding from their flowers. My neighbor had citrus trees and I saw skunks and opossums eating fallen fruit from them.

How long do Meyer lemons last? ›

For best results, store fresh Meyer lemons in a sealed plastic bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. Depending on how fresh they are, they will keep for a week or more. Kept at room temperature, the lemons will stay fresh for a few days.

What is the best tasting lemon in the world? ›

Amalfi lemons are one of the most impressive lemon varieties from Italy and among the most highly prized lemons in the world. This is not your common garden variety, Amalfi lemons are a unique breed native to this spectacular corner of the world.

Is Eureka lemon better than Meyer lemon? ›

Eureka lemons, which are the kind you're most likely to find in your grocery store, have a sour, tangy flavor. By comparison, Meyer lemons are more fragrant and a touch sweeter. Their brightly colored skin is smoother and more vibrant than that of Eureka lemons, which is thicker and textured.

What part of a lemon can you not eat? ›

You can eat any part of a lemon but the seeds, though the rind is bitter and is mostly grated into lemon zest to flavor dishes.

Can you eat the skin of a Meyer lemon? ›

The layer of bitter white pith that makes a thick protective coating for regular lemons is so thin on Meyers that they may be eaten in their entirety, peel included. Cut thin slices, remove the seeds and roast them with root vegetables, chicken or fish.

Can a Meyer lemon tree have too many lemons? ›

Be sure to look at the number of lemons you have growing. In order to prevent fruit overbearing, when your tree starts to fruit, you'll want to remove a few lemons in large clusters when they're pea sized. This will promote the growth of larger lemons when they reach maturity.

How long do Meyer lemons last in the refrigerator? ›

Lemons are best kept in the fridge. Stashed in the fridge in the crisper drawer or on a shelf, fresh lemons will keep for two weeks or more. If you really want your lemons to last, keep them in a sealed container (there are even specialty produce keepers for this purpose) or a resealable plastic bag.

Are Meyer lemons worth it? ›

In my opinion, Meyer lemons are definitely worth it! I'm so glad I did a little research and discovered that Meyer lemons are not just a “kind” of lemon, they're a whole new experience. Their sweeter, more delicate flavor adds a special touch to dishes that regular lemons simply can't match.

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