93 lemon recipes

What to do with lemons

• Transform a simple dish with their juice, adding freshness to creamy pasta sauces and colourful salads.
• Whip or whisk their zest can be whipped into desserts, adding a delicate flavour.
• You can even preserve them whole and use the salty flesh to balance out the flavours in a rich stew or tagine. Find out more about what to do with preserved lemons.

Cook's tip: Got a wooden chopping board that needs a good clean? Use some coarse salt and half a lemon to gently scrub, leave for a few minutes then rinse thoroughly and dry. The lemon will help remove stains and get rid of any odours.

Health benefits of lemons

Sunshine yellow lemons are packed with vitamin C, as well as fibre and protective plant compounds, which means they contribute to a healthy heart. They also contain citric acid – this can help to prevent kidney stones. Many people believe drinking lemon water to be good for your digestion and skin, although this may be down to the hydrating water as much as the lemon.

Sweet lemon recipes

Lemon tart

Spend time making a lemon tart from scratch – with its citrussy, creamy custard filling and golden, flaky pastry, it’s a richly rewarding project. A bright, sunshine dessert that's perfect for summer.

See more sweet tart recipes.

Lemon drizzle cake

Bake our classic lemon drizzle cake for an afternoon tea. treat This foolproof bake combines a delightfully moist sponge with a citrusy icing topping.

Lemon trifle

Make this luscious lemon curd trifle in just 15 minutes (plus a little soaking time). Layered with vanilla custard, dark chocolate and madeira cake, it's the ultimate summer dessert.

You've got to try our rich chocolate trifle.

Lemon curd

Making your own lemon curd is easier than you think with this recipe. Spoon onto warm crumpets, stir through greek yogurt, or use to sandwich meringues together.

Thyme, elderflower and lemon ice lollies

These thyme, elderflower and lemon ice lollies are a great grown-up treat to help you cool down in the warmer months. You can make this into a cordial too, just reduce the water to 750ml and strain into sterilised jars.

Lemon and pistachio bakewell tart

Got a jar of lemon curd in the cupboard? Put it to excellent use in this zingy riff on a bakewell tart, studded with pistachios and flavoured with cardamom.

We've also got a classic bakewell tart.

Lemon cake

A showstopping, lemony sponge cake with a delicious lemon curd icing and beautiful edible crystallised violets and primroses on top.

Nail the basics with our recipe for classic soft cheese frosting.

Lemon posset

The perfect way to get ahead for dinner parties or entertaining. Get the shots of limoncello ready to really take this pudding to the next level.

We've got lots more easy desserts to try.

Lemon meringue pie

A classic, impressive lemon meringue pie with crisp pastry, tart curd and fluffy meringue that's easy to make. What more could you want?

Vegan lemon sheet cake

Use olive oil in place of butter and chia seeds instead of eggs in this beautiful grown-up take on a classic lemon cake. It makes for a much lighter (and totally vegan) bake.

Next, try our vegan chocolate cake.

Lemon pavlova

Top glossy meringue with yogurt rippled with lemon curd and pillowy double cream, plus citrussy zest and edible flowers for a pretty finish.

Lemon cheesecake

Feed a crowd with our classic no-bake creamy lemon curd cheesecake filling on a crumbly digestive biscuit base with browned butter.

Lemon self-saucing pudding

Lemon self-saucing pudding, also known as lemon surprise pudding, is easy to whip up and can be ready in an hour. Make one simple mixture and as it cooks, it separates into a light sponge on top and zesty lemon curd beneath.

See our best ever bread pudding recipe.

Lemon and vanilla cheesecake

The best family recipe for cheesecake. Rich and creamy, with lemon and vanilla flavoured filling this is designed to impress your friends and family. Plus, it uses a ready-made sponge base to make it even easier to make.

Check out our classic vanilla cheesecake.

Lemon drizzle crumpets

We've taken these crumpets and given them a zingy makeover. Drenched in lemon and sugar they are great with your afternoon tea.

Lemon curd, yogurt and almond cake

Bursting with fresh citrus and nutty almonds, this is one you'll want to have waiting in the wings for when friends drop by.

Vegan lemon loaf cake

A delicate, zingy vegan lemon cake made without eggs, milk or butter! The key to that lemony tang is a decent lemon extract (we use Nielsen-Massey).

Lemon and elderflower almond cake

Serve up a pretty, seasonal bake this Easter with elderflower cordial soaked almond sponges, creamy lemon curd filling and edible flowers to decorate.

Lemon curd and blueberry roulade

Crisp on the outside, marshmallowy on the inside and packed with flavours of the summer, this is a surprisingly easy yet showstopping summer dessert.

Lemon margarita with raspberry

Easy, speedy and pink-tinged thanks to Chambord liqueur, this is a deliciously refreshing drink to enjoy all summer long.

Citrussy Chelsea buns

Fiori di Sicilia is a citrus extract that tastes of lemon, orange, bergamot and vanilla, with hints of liquorice – it's what gives these sticky Chelsea buns a zingy edge.

Gluten-free lemon cheesecake

You'd hardly guess this simple cheesecake is gluten-free – silky lemon with a crisp stem ginger base. It takes only 15 minutes to prep and doesn’t require cooking.

Lemony panna cotta with toasted milk crumbs

Dry-roasted milk powder lends a hazelnutty taste to the sweet crumbs used in this recipe. Serve topped with lemon curd for a zesty dinner party dessert.

Peach cake with lemon and thyme

The peaches retain their floral aroma in this summery cake and match perfectly with the soft, fragrant thyme and zingy lemon.

Lemon and elderflower maritozzi with pistachio and raspberry

Pillowy soft brioche buns are bursting with lemon zest and elderflower cordial-spiked cream, topped with freeze-dried raspberries and chopped pistachios.

Lemon blackberry cake

This beautifully light, summery bake combines tart blackberries and lemon with a hint of sweetness from icing sugar. It's great with a drizzle of cream or ice cream, too.

Italian lemon cake

Give our Italian almond and Amalfi lemon cake a go. The Amalfi lemons have a strong intense lemony aroma, and are slightly sweeter. This light summery cake is seriously moreish, a real crowd pleaser.

Lemon and passion fruit verrines

A verrine is a small glass layered with various fillings and can be sweet or savoury. This version is tangy, sweet and crunchy.

Lemon meringue cupcakes

Show some love with these lemon meringue cupcakes - easy to make and perfect for sharing.

Rose ripple lemon nougat

Inspired by Italian torrone, this citrussy nougat recipe is dotted with roasted almonds and pistachios, and drizzled with sweet rose syrup.

Lemon soft cheese pie

Our fuss-free lemon soft cheese pie makes a perfect dessert for al fresco gatherings. Simply cut into six squares or 12 fingers to serve.

Be inspired by our more effortless entertaining ideas.

Lemon and orange swiss roll

Simple citrus flavour combinations makes this swiss roll really light and refreshing. An airy lemon sponge is layered with tart marmalade and a rich vanilla and orange cream.

Check out Chetna Makan's golden syrup cake.

Lemon and blueberry poke cake

This lemon and blueberry poke cake is sure to be a hit with the whole family. It's easy to make but tastes and looks delicious.

Lemon and blueberry bars

These simple lemon and blueberry bars are seriously moorish, gooey on the inside and crunchy on the out, the ideal summertime picnic treat.

You've got to try our blueberry shortcakes.

Amalfi lemon syllabub

Check out this refreshing lemon dessert from Italian restaurant Bancone in Covent Garden. Bancone's easy recipe makes more lemony granita than you’ll need – store any leftovers in the freezer.

Check out more of our Italian dessert recipes.

Lemon and lime tart

Make your next lemon tart an epic one with Edd's Kimber's coconut macaroon tart case, filled with a zesty lemon and lime curd. It's the perfect make-ahead pud for a special occasion.

Next, give Edd's indulgent devil's food cake a go.

Amalfi lemon drizzle loaf cake

Lemon drizzle cake is a classic and it's a favourite for a reason. Amalfi lemons from Italy have an intense aroma and flavour that makes this cake even better, but you can use regular ones too. Dress it up even further with some tart candied peel.

Limoncello

The ultimate zesty infusion, try this simple homemade limoncello as an aperitif or digestif alongside an Italian-inspired feast.

See all our cocktails made with limoncello.

Lemon biscuits

Bake a batch of our easiest ever lemon biscuits. With a buttery, crumbly texture and creamy mascarpone filling, these citrusy melting moments are hard to beat.

Lemon mousse with lemon and pink pepper shortbread

This dessert is easy to make and an impressive way to end your dinner party. Native to South America, pink pepper is an entirely different plant to black/green/white pepper, which all come from the same vine, piper nigrum. Pink peppercorns have an almost citrussy zing to them and they pair brilliantly with this lemon-scented recipe.

Lemon sandwich cookies

If you’re a Jammie Dodgers fan, you’ll love these lemon cookie sandwiches, combining crunchy poppy seeds and a creamy, zesty lemon curd filling.

Spend some time baking our delicious biscuit recipes.

Vegan lemon meringue pie

A few swaps turns classic lemon meringue pie into an impressive vegan dessert everyone can enjoy.

Lemon and poppy seed cake

This moist, moreish cake from Petersham Nurseries is finished with a citrus-flavoured icing. Poppy seeds add a satisfying crunch.

Lemon and poppy seed shortcakes with peaches

Lemon and poppy seed makes a classic combination in cakes and bakes. Try our easy recipe for this classic American scone-cake hybrid. We have filled these shortcakes with refreshing peaches and vanilla cream for the ultimate teatime treat.

Redcurrant and lemon bundt cake

This beautiful cake is made in a Heritage bundt tin, which is made by Nordic Ware, an American company. It isn’t cheap but will last forever and works like a dream - the cakes release perfectly every time.

Savoury lemon recipes

Baked lemon chicken

Lemon is the star of the show in this easy chicken dish the whole family will love. Bake whole chicken thighs in a creamy lemon sauce infused with rosemary.

Have a look at our healthy chicken recipes.

Sriracha and lemon spaghetti

Spicy sriracha, zingy lemon and salty parmesan turn a simple spaghetti dish into an easy yet delicious midweek meal, ready in just 20 minutes.

Browse our best spaghetti recipes.

Courgette, parma ham and lemon ricotta lasagne

This summery twist on lasagne is packed with courgette, zesty ricotta and folds of delicate parma ham – a light but flavour-packed take on the classic.

Chicken tagliatelle with lemon and tarragon

Turn your roast chicken leftovers into this zingy tagliatelle dish, flavoured with lemon, fresh tarragon and parmesan. It's great for a midweek meal.

Add a few new dishes to your repertoire with our roast chicken recipes.

Lemon chicken with orzo

This chicken tray bake with lemon, olives and orzo is a great midweek meal for all the family. It's super simple, full of flavour and low in calories.

See all our easy low-calorie meals.

Spring veg and lemon broth

This recipe for spring veg and lemon broth is a quick, easy and healthy meal to make midweek – plus it's under 300 calories. Use lemon zest and juice to add lots of flavour to the broth while keeping the dish light.

Next, try our spring risotto.

Lemon and garlic trout parcels

Lemon is always a great choice to pair with fish. This recipe for lemon and garlic trout parcels with asparagus is quick and easy to make, paleo-diet friendly and under 500 calories – perfect for a midweek meal.

Try our easy trout and new potato tray bake.

One-pot lemon and spinach ravioli

Ready in a flash, this creamy pasta one-pot uses shop-bought ravioli as a base for a nutritious vegetarian meal for two. Use lemon juice to add a tangy flavour to the creamy sauce.

Next, see our butternut squash ravioli.

Fennel pasta with a chilli citrus crumb

The caramelised fennel adds a mellow sweetness to this pasta recipe, while lemon zest and chilli add a little zing.

Wholewheat spaghetti with long-stemmed broccoli, chilli and lemon

This vegan recipe for wholewheat spaghetti with long-stemmed broccoli, chilli and lemon is quick and easy to make, plus, it's pasta for under 500 calories - yes please.

Charred artichokes with preserved lemon aïoli

These charred artichokes with preserved lemon aïoli make a great veggie starter or snack. Adding preserved lemon to the aïoli gives it a great, zesty kick.

Stir-fried spicy prawns with garlic, chilli and lemon

This delicious low calorie prawn dish is perfect for a quick and easy midweek meal. The key to this dish is not using any water as the tomatoes will provide the moisture and make a spiced tomato gravy to coat the prawns.

Artichoke, courgette and lemon farro salad

This recipe for artichoke, courgette and lemon farro salad is quick and easy to make, vegan and low-calorie, making it great for a midweek meal.

Tiger prawns with garlic, chilli and lemon

Buying really good, shell-on tiger prawns makes an impressive starter that can be whipped up at the last minute with no fuss and minimal prep. They look restaurant-worthy when served with chilli, garlic and charred lemon for classic Mediterranean flavours.

Roasted carrot and spelt salad with dukkah and preserved lemon dressing

This zesty carrot and spelt salad is fresh, vibrant and super easy to make. The dukkah gives this salad a delightful nutty flavour, perfect for a meat free Monday meal

Lemon sole with beurre noisette and caper berries

Try chef Pip MacDonald's quick and easy sole recipe. Douse with butter, lemon and caper berries for a light, gluten-free starter or main.

Giant champagne and lemon prawn vol-au-vents

Vol-au-vents are back! Prep ahead the pastry shells for an easy starter, then load up with the luxurious, yet seriously speedy, champagne-spiked prawns just before serving.

Pea and halloumi fritters with charred lemon dip

Use fresh or frozen peas to make these quick and easy halloumi fritters, flavoured with mint and chilli flakes for a little kick.

Carrot salad with chickpeas and lemon

Zesty and full of contrasting textures and fresh ingredients, our easy recipe for carrot salad with chickpeas and lemon is ready in just 15 minutes.

Lemon, spinach and cherry tomato pilaf

Packed with subtle perfume flavours and zesty preserved lemons, this vegan pilaf is a hearty all-in-one midweek meal for the family to enjoy.

Find lots more ways with tomatoes.

Whole braised chicken with lemon and olives

Cooked with ginger, turmeric, cumin and saffron in a bath of stock and olive brine, this chicken by Sofian Msetfi is juicy, tender and infused with subtle flavour.

Lemon and mint courgettes

Use lemon juice in a simple veggie side dish to pair with a variety of mains. Lemon and mint pair together beautifully for a fresh, flavourful result.

For an easy lunch, try our courgette frittata.

Pork schnitzel with green beans and warm lemon sauce

Add plenty of texture to pork escalopes with a crunchy breadcrumb coating and a punchy green bean bed, an easy midweek meal for two. The creamy lemon sauce brightens up this easy dish.

We also have a fantastic chicken schnitzel recipe.

Roast courgette, chickpea and lemon salad

Check out this quick and easy vegan salad recipe with roasted courgettes and crunchy chickpeas tossed in punchy harissa and zesty lemon. It's ready in 20 minutes and low in calories, too.

For a seasonal supper, try courgette curry.

Ravioli with buttered lemon greens

This recipe is super zesty, buttery and great when you're short on time. Low-calorie and meat-free, this is a nourishing start to the week.

We've got lots more ravioli recipes.

Braised spring onions with lemon and capers

Braise spring onions with lemon and herbs, and you have a spotlight-stealing side dish for a roast.

Danish potato crunch with preserved lemons

Celebrate the potato as a worthy staple in this spectacular dish that delivers a satisfying crisp crunch.

Pork chop with lemon salsa

This zesty pork recipe makes for an impressive midweek meal for two, and comes straight from the kitchen at Barnaby’s in Padstow.

Preserved lemon poussin with tabbouleh and saffron yogurt

This easy dish makes a great alternative to any weekend roast recipe. Serve with freshly chopped tabbouleh salad and a smooth saffron yogurt.

Halloumi with caper and lemon dressing

This recipe for halloumi with caper and lemon dressing is easy, vegetarian and ready in under 30 minutes. Lemon complements the herby dressing for a bright and flavourful meal.

Love halloumi? So do we. Try adding it to spicy halloumi fajitas.

Preserved lemon dip

Made with moscatel vinegar, preserved lemon, peas and cumin, this chunky dip packs in the flavour but only takes 15 minutes to whip up.

Baked crab and lemon gnocchi

This recipe for baked crab and lemon gnocchi feels indulgent but is really quick and easy to make, making it a great option midweek.

Coffee-rubbed steak with lemon coriander butter

Packing a real flavour punch, this on-trend steak rub is guaranteed to change your life. Our tender T-bone steak is really quick and easy to make but the real challenge is trying not to drool as the herby butter discs slowly melt into the coffee-infused meat...

Lamb neck, preserved lemon, white beans and harissa

This Lebanese-inspired lamb dish comes from the kitchens of Sohaila, a restaurant in Shoreditch created by social enterprise Fat Macy’s.

Fried lemon with crab salsa

For a unique way to serve lemon, try frying slices with a crab salsa on top. The crunch of the breadcrumbs and zest of the lemon works really well with soft and sweet fresh crab.

For another starter idea, try our devilled eggs.

Lemon pasta

Try this lemon, garlic and parmesan linguine for a quick midweek meal for two. The zesty lemon ensures that this dish isn't too heavy, so you can enjoy it all year round.

You'll also love our fettuccine alfredo.

One pot chicken with dates and caramelised lemon

Jammy lemons and plump roasted dates are cooked with this chicken for an easy yet alternative whole chicken dish.

Hanger steak, braised greens, wild garlic, lemon and olive oil

Check out this super succulent steak with crunchy garlic greens. This easy dish comes from Little Duck The Picklery restaurant in Dalston, and it's perfect for a quick date night dinner.

Roast cauliflower with herby lemon pangritata

There’s a careful balance of flavours here – a sweetness from the honey, a warming spice from the harissa, a freshness from the lemon – and they’re all soaked up by the cauliflower, becoming a wonderfully hearty and warm salad.

Check out our healthy chickpea stew.

Salmon tartare with lemon and capers

Try a modern smoked salmon starter to use up some extra lemons. Finely chop the salmon and toss it in a fragrant dressing of lemon, shallots and capers. The lemon juice adds a zesty brightness.

Check out more salmon recipes.

Chicken marsala with lemon, caper and caramelised butter sauce

Easy to make and ready in under 30 minutes, this pan-fried chicken with lemon, caper and Marsala caramelised butter sauce is great for a midweek meal that feels like a treat.

Moroccan tuna kebabs with herb and lemon grains

Midweek menu falling flat? Lift your appetite with these Moroccan-spiced tuna kebabs ready in 15 minutes, served with nourishing grains and punchy harissa yogurt.

Mackerel, celeriac and lemon

Check out this simple mackerel recipe with warm lemony celeriac. This impressive starter recipe comes from chef Johnnie Crowe of Nest in Hackney.

Lemon chicken and kale stew

This recipe for lemon chicken and kale stew with couscous is a really easy midweek meal. It is low in fat and ready in less than 30 minutes.

To keep it veggie, try our nourishing turmeric, ginger and butter bean stew.

Chargrilled tuna with crunchy lemon bulgar salad

Check out this flavour-packed tuna steak with zingy lemon bulgar wheat salad. Ready in 30 minutes, this low calorie recipe is a quick and easy midweek meal for two.

Spiced radishes on preserved lemon yogurt

Make the humble radish shine in this summery dish, flavoured with cumin and dill. The preserved lemon yogurt base is the perfect accompaniment.

Tuna steak with bean salad and preserved lemon dressing

This low calorie recipe takes 20 minutes to make and comes in under 400 calories per serving.

Preserved lemons

Preserved lemons are available in most bigger supermarkets, but they're really easy to make at home, too. They can be used in a lot of different dishes, but are predominantly used in North African cuisine. They will keep for up to a year without refrigeration.