Fruits · Citrus
Lemon zest
The finely grated yellow outer skin of a lemon, rich in aromatic oils; adds citrus fragrance without acidity.
Also called: lemon peel, grated lemon rind
A kind of lemon
Photo: Rebecca Siegel, via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-2.0)
What it is
Lemon zest is the thin, coloured outermost layer of lemon peel, grated or pared without the bitter white pith underneath. It carries the fruit's fragrant oils, so it gives a strong lemon aroma with little sourness. Wash or scrub the fruit first; unwaxed lemons are preferred.
How it’s used
- Grated into cakes, biscuits and sweet doughs
- Stirred into gremolata, risotto and pasta
- Rubbed into sugar for curd and syrups
- Added to marinades and dressings for fragrance
Characteristics
Storage
Frozen. Best zested just before use; extra zest can be frozen in a small sealed container and used from frozen.
Diet, allergens and safety
No major allergens in typical versions.
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Dairy-free
- Egg-free
- Gluten-free
- Nut-free
- Soy-free
- Caffeine-free
Nutrition per 100 g
- Energy
- 47 kcal
- Protein
- 1.5 g
- Carbohydrate
- 16 g
- Fat
- 0.3 g
- Fibre
- 10.6 g
- Sugars
- 4.17 g
USDA FoodData Central: Lemon peel, raw.
Substitutes
Optional — what works if you don’t have it, and how it changes the dish.
- Orange or lime zest — Swap 1:1; changes the citrus character.
Related ingredients
Recipes with lemon zest
See all 29Alfajores de maicena
Argentine · 1 h 50 min · 170 kcal · Contains eggArroz doce
Portuguese · 1 h 55 min · 278 kcal · Contains egg
Blueberry Muffins
American · 47 min · 220 kcal · Contains eggBuchty
Czech · 2 h 30 min · 245 kcal · Contains egg
Chicken souvlaki
Greek · 2 h 27 min · 370 kcal
Chocolate babka
Polish · 15 h 25 min · 349 kcal · Contains eggCocada amarela
Angolan · 1 h 40 min · 352 kcal · Contains egg
Crema catalana
Spanish · 3 h 30 min · 288 kcal · Contains egg
Dresden Christmas stollen
German · 16 h 45 min · 275 kcal · VegetarianGalaktoboureko
Greek · 3 h 30 min · 421 kcal · Contains eggGremolata
Italian · 8 min · 5 kcal · Vegan
Grilled Garlic Prawn Skewers
Mediterranean · 35 min · 196 kcal
17 more
- Grilled Lemon-Herb Salmon · International
- Hot cross buns · British
- Lemon drizzle cake · British
- Lemon Garlic Baked Salmon · International
- Lemon-Olive Oil Vinaigrette · Mediterranean
- Madeleines · French
- Mashuai · Omani
- Meggyleves · Hungarian
- Melting moments · Australian
- New York cheesecake · American
- Osso buco alla milanese · Italian
- Papanași · Romanian
- Pastéis de nata · Portuguese
- Potica (walnut roll) · Slovenian
- Stracciatella alla romana · Italian
- Tarta de Santiago · Spanish
- Versunkener Apfelkuchen · German
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