Did You Know You Can Eat Lemon Peels? Here's The Best Recipes

Not many people know you can eat lemon peels, but you can! Lemon peels are delicious and highly nutritious. Here are some of our favorite lemon peel recipes. 

Did you know that you can eat lemon peels?

While most people love the taste of lemons, their tough exteriors often wind up tossed in the trash. And, that's a shame! 

There are plenty of exciting global recipes that call for lemon peels. And, they aren't only delicious. They're highly nutritious as well. 

Keep reading to learn what you can do with leftover lemon peels, rather than letting them go to waste. 

How to Eat Lemon Peels

If your lemon tree has produced a bumper crop, you'll likely spend the summer enjoying traditional treats like lemon curd, lemon bars, and lemonade. Rather than discarding your peels, try one of these exciting lemon recipes.

Candied Lemon Peel

Garnish cakes and cocktails with this sweet treat. 

• 3 lemon peels cut into 1/4 inch thick strips
• 8 cups cold water
• 2 cups white sugar

1. Bring 2 cups of cold water and lemon peels to boil in a small pan. Then, drain and repeat with fresh cold water. Repeat this step a total of three times.
2. Combine your remaining 2 cups of water with 2 cups of sugar. Bring this mixture to a boil, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar. Then, reduce your heat to low and stir in the lemon peels. Simmer until their white pith or interior lining is translucent.
3. Store your peels refrigerated in their syrup, or tossed in additional sugar and in an airtight container at room temperature.

Salt Preserved Lemon Peel

Add an extra burst of flavor to dishes, marinades, and dressings with this exotic condiment.

• The peels of lemons used for juicing flattened with the palm of your hand
• Table salt

1. As you juice your lemons, set their peels off to the side.
2. Properly clean a large, sealing jar.
3. Beginning with a 1/4 inch layer of salt, alternate the two ingredients pushing the layers firmly down as you fill the jar.
4. Seal your jar and store it in a cool, dry place.
5. Your preserved lemons will be ready in around 6 weeks. If liquid begins to form at the bottom of your jar, don't worry. The salt and acid will keep bacteria from forming.

Limoncello

Sip on this sweet summer cocktail, reminiscent of an afternoon in the Italian countryside.

• The peel of 11 lemons cut into strips
• 1750 ml bottle of vodka
• 3 cups of sugar 
• 3 cups of water 

1. Combine lemon peels and vodka in an airtight container, and let stand at room temperature at least 2 days. 
2. 2 days to one week later, stir together your sugar and hot water until the sugar is completely dissolved. Allow this mixture to cool, then combine with your vodka and lemon peels. Refrigerate in an airtight container for 1 day before serving.

Get Cooking

Now that you have some lemon peel recipe inspiration, you're probably excited to eat lemon peels for the first time. 

Don't forget to wash your lemons thoroughly before using them, and keep a few on hand for cleaning up the kitchen after you make a few of these delicious recipes.

After all, those peels are good for more than just eating! Check out what you can do with lemons here including unique lemon rind uses.

If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out our Citrus Simplified blog. It's packed with delicious recipes and helpful tips on all things citrus.

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