Cured Lemons

By
John Mitzewich
John Mitzewich
John Mitzewich is a food writer, recipe video producer, and culinary school instructor with more than 20 years of experience in the food industry.
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Updated on 01/19/23
Bowl of lemons
Brian Yarvin/Photographer's Choice/Getty Images
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Standing Time: 72 hrs
Total: 72 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 1 cup

Preserved lemons are a popular ingredient in Moroccan and North African cooking and are often used in tagines made with lamb and vegetables. They are pickled in their own juices, along with salt and sugar, offering a strong, lemon flavor to a variety of dishes. Many recipes for preserved lemons call for using whole lemons, which can take weeks, but this version uses thin slices of the citrus meaning they'll be ready in just a few days.

The lemon slices are cured in salt and sugar, creating a very interesting and versatile preserve. Try to use as thin-skinned lemons as possible, and standard Eureka lemons will work better than the much sweeter Meyer lemons. 

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Ingredients

  • 3 lemons

  • 1/2 cup kosher salt

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

Steps to Make It

  1. Wash the lemons very well in hot water. Cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices and pick out any seeds from the lemon slices.

  2. Mix the salt and sugar together in a bowl.

  3. Cover the bottom of a small glass container with a layer of the salt and sugar mixture.

  4. Top with one layer of the sliced lemons and cover with another layer of the salt-sugar mixture.

  5. Repeat layering until all of the lemon slices and salt-sugar mixture is used.

  6. Seal the container and let stand at room temperature for three days.

  7. Enjoy.

How to Use

Preserved lemons can be used as an ingredient or condiment in a variety of recipes, including dressings, marinades, stews, lamb tagines, and Moroccan roasted chicken. They pair well with olives, artichokes, fish, potatoes, roasted vegetables, and even pasta dishes. You can use the entire lemon slice, pieces of the peel, or the juice.

How to Store

The mixture can be stored in a Mason jar and refrigerated where it will keep for several months.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
218 Calories
1g Fat
59g Carbs
3g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 218
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 1%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 7563mg 329%
Total Carbohydrate 59g 21%
Dietary Fiber 7g 26%
Total Sugars 41g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 143mg 716%
Calcium 68mg 5%
Iron 1mg 8%
Potassium 507mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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