Health + Wellness

10 Creative Ways to Use Lemons

Lemons are something we always seem to grab at the store - definitely a pantry staple in our house. They are so versatile, especially as we move into the warmer months and crave light, refreshing things. Here are ten ideas for getting creative with this adaptable citrus - feel free to grab the whole bag of lemons next time!

By Lauren Moreno

March 2021

1. All Natural Cleaning

Lemon is a great all-natural antimicrobial, and can be used in all sorts of DIY cleaning products. I love this Lemon Furniture Polish from The Kitchn and this microwave cleaning tip from Good Housekeeping.

2. Dehydrated Wheels for Garnish

A great way to reduce waste, and to have a fancy cocktail at home, I love the idea of dehydrating lemon wheels as a garnish for your cocktails. Dehydrated wheels can be stored in a glass jar and left at room temperature and will keep for about a month. Here's a method that couldn’t be easier.

3. Lemon Simple Syrup

Having a small mason jar full of this is great for whipping up a quick glass of lemonade, perking up your tea or making a Gin Fizz.

Photo credit: <u><a href="https://www.loveandlemons.com/lemon-vinaigrette/" target="_blank">Love and Lemons</a></u>

Photo credit: Love and Lemons

4. A Basic Lemon Vinaigrette

There are so many recipes for this, but I love keeping a batch of this around for easy salads for lunch or dinner. It saves time to not have to make a new batch of dressing each time you want a salad!

5. Lemon Curd

If you love the taste of lemons, this is a delicious way to be able to spread it on everything.

6. Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes

There’s something so satisfying about the lemon + poppyseed combo - it feels somehow fancy but old fashioned too. Pancakes are a weekend staple in our house and this recipe sounds amazing.

Photo credit: <u><a href="https://www.healthygrocerygirl.com/blog/coconut-lemon-pops/" target="_blank">Healthy Grocery Girl</a></u>

Photo credit: Healthy Grocery Girl

7. Coconut Lemon Pops

Making DIY popsicles is a fun activity with the kids, and is a great way to satisfy sweet cravings. The coconut + lemon combo is light and creamy - perfect for warming weather.

8. DIY Citrus Salt

Don’t forget about the zest! The juice is usually what we use most, but zest mixed with sea salt is a great way to use more of the lemons before you toss or compost them. You can mix in different flavors also (dried herbs, spices, other citrus zest).

Photo credit: <u><a href="https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/lemon-rosemary-sun-tea" target="_blank">Food and Wine</a></u>

Photo credit: Food and Wine

9. Sun Tea

What’s great about sun tea, is there are so many variations you can play with. I love this basic recipe, but you can test out others like this Lemon & Rosemary Sun Tea from Food & Wine.

10. Salmon with Lemon & Fennell

This recipe is perfect for spring, and meets all of the criteria for a super easy weeknight meal.

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