🍋 Homemade Lemon Powder
“Making lemon powder is very easy: just a pinch is enough to enhance your desserts and dishes!” ✨
📝 Description:
Lemon powder is a fragrant, tangy seasoning made by drying and grinding lemon peels (or whole slices). It captures all the bright citrus notes of lemon in a shelf-stable, easy-to-use form. Just a pinch adds an intense lemony punch to cakes, marinades, salad dressings, spice blends, and more. Naturally vibrant and free from additives, this pantry essential is a must for every home cook or baker.
🍽 Ingredients:
- Lemons (as many as you like, preferably organic)
Optional: A pinch of salt (if making a savory version)
👨🍳 Instructions:
Option 1: Using Lemon Peel Only
- Wash & Dry Lemons:
Scrub lemons well (especially if not organic), then pat completely dry. - Peel Carefully:
Use a vegetable peeler or paring knife to remove the zest in thin strips, avoiding the white pith. - Dry the Zest:
- Oven: Place peels on a baking tray and bake at 170°F (75°C) for 1.5–2 hours until brittle.
- Air Dry: Leave peels in a dry, sunny spot for 2–3 days, turning occasionally.
- Dehydrator: Dry at 95–115°F (35–45°C) for 6–8 hours.
- Grind into Powder:
Once fully dry, blend or grind in a spice grinder or high-speed blender until fine. - Store:
Transfer to an airtight jar and store in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.
Option 2: Whole Lemon Powder (Zest + Pulp)
- Slice lemons into very thin rounds and remove seeds.
- Dry slices using a dehydrator or in the oven at 170°F (75°C) for 6–8 hours, flipping halfway.
- Blend into a fine powder.
📝 Notes:
- For desserts, use powder from just the zest for a cleaner, sweeter flavor.
- For savory uses, you can add a pinch of salt or grind dried lemon slices (with pith) for more complexity.
- A little goes a long way — start with 1/8 to 1/4 tsp in recipes.
💡 Tips:
- Blend with other spices like thyme, pepper, or ginger to make citrus spice blends.
- Mix into powdered sugar for lemon glaze.
- Add to salt for lemon finishing salt.
- Sprinkle over roasted veggies, fish, or popcorn for a zesty twist.
- Add to tea or cocktails for extra flavor without acidity.
🍴 Servings:
Yield: From 5–6 lemons, you’ll get about 3–4 tablespoons of powder.
Serving size: ~¼ tsp per use
🔍 Nutritional Info (Per ¼ tsp – approx.):
- Calories: 1
- Carbohydrates: 0.3g
- Vitamin C: trace (most is lost in drying)
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
No added sugar or preservatives
🌿 Benefits:
- Citrus bioflavonoids and limonene in the zest support detoxification and may reduce inflammation.
- Concentrated lemon flavor without added liquids — great for dry mixes or spice rubs.
- A clever way to reduce waste by using lemon peels.
- Helps enhance flavor without salt or sugar.
❓ Q&A:
Q: Can I use store-bought lemons?
A: Yes, but try to use organic lemons since you’ll be using the peel. Wash thoroughly to remove wax and pesticides.
Q: What’s the best way to grind the peels?
A: A spice grinder, bullet blender, or coffee grinder works best. Sift the powder if you want a super-fine texture.
Q: Can I use lemon powder instead of lemon zest in recipes?
A: Yes! Use about ⅓ the amount of lemon powder as you would fresh zest.
Q: Why is my powder clumping?
A: Make sure the peels are completely dry before grinding. Add a food-safe desiccant pack to your jar if needed.
Q: Can I make lime or orange powder the same way?
A: Absolutely! Follow the exact same method using lime or orange peels.