Posts may contain affiliate links. Read our full disclosure policy here.

An Easy Preserved Lemon Recipe and How to Use Them

Recipes

Posts may contain affiliate links. Read our full disclosure policy here.

This easy preserved lemon recipe is a great addition to many recipes. It can sometimes be difficult to find in stores, but it is so incredibly easy to make. It will also last in your fridge for up to 6 months. I use this ingredient often in my Moroccan Lemon Chicken recipe, but it has a handful of other great uses.

Preserved-Lemon-Recipe
This easy preserved lemon recipe is a great addition to chicken, fish, sauces, and many ethnic and middle eastern dishes. With preserved lemons, you can eat the entire lemon without any bitterness from the lemon rind.
4.87 from 29 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

I was first introduced to this ingredient when I started learning Moroccan recipes from my family. Since then, I use this preserved lemon recipe a few times a year and always keep a jar in my fridge to have on hand. They are a great enhancement to so many dishes and once you begin using them, you”ll never use a regular lemon in your cooking again!

What are preserved lemons and why should you use them?

Preserved lemons are a traditional ingredient used in a lot of middle eastern cooking. The preservation process gets rid of the bitter taste caused by the lemon rinds. They really add an incredible zesty flavor to dishes and sauces because it makes the entire lemon completely edible. Typically when you put lemon in a dish, you remove the lemon before eating. In the case of using preserved lemons, you eat them in their entirety. It’s nice to have a little piece in each bite.

Preserved-Lemon-Recipe

 

How to cook with preserved lemons and preserved lemons uses

There are a handful of dishes that really shine with this preserved lemon recipe. Here are a few you can experiment with.

  • Roast Chicken: Try adding them underneath the skin prior to baking.
  • Fresh Fish: These can be used in the center of a whole fish when baking along with other herbs such as basil.
  • Preserved lemons are an amazing addition to recipes such as chicken piccata
  • As a garnish: if you’re making a recipe with salmon, for example, you can place a few slices of preserved lemon over the top before serving. What is nice about using preserved lemons as a garnish instead of a regular lemon slice, is that the entire lemon can be eaten. Since they are preserved with salt, they also add a nice salty zesty punch of flavor.
  • Use in sauces: In any sauce that calls for lemon juice, you can finely chop the rind of a preserved lemon and add it to your sauce. It will really enhance the flavor.
  • Dressings: if you often make your own dressings at home I highly recommend adding 1/4 teaspoon of finely chopped preserved lemon rind.

Easy Preserved Lemon Recipe with 3 Simple Ingredients

Below is my easy preserved lemon recipe which uses only 3 simple ingredients. They are sliced organic lemons, salt, and fresh lemon juice. I always prefer to use pink Himalayan salt as the one found here at Trader Joes. I have not used regular table salt in over 6 years.

An Easy Preserved Lemon Recipe and How to Use Them 1
An Easy Preserved Lemon Recipe and How to Use Them 2

Benefits of using Pink Himalayan Sea Salt

Pink Himalayan Sea Salt benefits are abundant and they persuaded me years ago to get rid of my standard iodized table salt. Since then I have not looked back. Using Pink Himalayan Sea Salt will actually improve the flavor of your dishes, in addition to its many health benefits. Below is a list of some of the many Pink Himalayan Sea Salt benefits that might persuade you as well!

  • rich in mineral content
  • lower in sodium
  • helps aid in hydration
  • can help prevent acid reflux
  • aide in muscle cramping
  • improve metabolism
  • increase bone strength
  • lower blood pressure
  • assist in the absorption of nutrients in the intestines
  • improve circulation
  • free of additives and minimally processed
  • can also improve skin and aid in sore muscles when used in baths
Preserved-Lemon-Recipe

Preserved Lemon Recipe

This easy preserved lemon recipe is a great addition to chicken, fish, sauces, and many ethnic and middle eastern dishes. With preserved lemons, you can eat the entire lemon without any bitterness from the lemon rind.
Sondra Barker
4.87 from 29 votes
Save
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Special Ingredients
Cuisine Middle Eastern
Servings 5 servings
Calories 8 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 3 tbsp Sea Salt I prefer pink Himalayan
  • ¾ cup lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 2 whole lemons organic

Instructions
 

  • Add 3 tbsp Pink Himalayan Sea Salt to a Mason Jar
  • Slice 2 organic lemons and layer them inside your Mason Jar
  • Freshly squeeze about 5 lemons and pour inside mason jar until the lemon juice is covering the top of the lemons, be sure to leave a small amount of space at the top.
  • Close the lid and turn the jar upside down several times to mix the salt
  • The lemons will be preserved after about 1 week and you can leave them in your fridge for up to 6 months

Notes

I prefer the use of Pink Himalayan Sea Salt over table salt for its many health benefits. Also since we are eating the entire lemon, I prefer to use organic lemons.

Nutrition

Serving: 2.5slices | Calories: 8kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4186mg | Potassium: 39mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg | Net Carbohydrates: 2g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Moroccan-Lemon-Chicken-Recipe

Try My Moroccan Lemon Chicken Made with Preserved lemons

The Best Moroccan Lemon Chicken for the Instant Pot or Slow Cooker

Find Delicious Recipes By Category

CHEERS!

DSC_1770 cropSondra Barker
I created this site for purveyor of exceptional eats and escapes; our team is always on a journey to find the perfect bites in the most wonderful places.

Amazon Affiliates Disclosure

Sondra Barker of Cuisine and Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to recommendations on Amazon.com. All Products recommended are from my own opinions and experiences.

17
0
Don't be shy. Leave a comment and tell us your thoughts!x