I had been wanting to try a Moroccan tagine with preserved lemons for a while but I was not able to as I could not find the preserved lemons anywhere. When I saw that lemons were plentiful and cheap at the grocery stores I thought that it was finally time to just try to make my own lemon preserves. Luckily the preserved lemons turned out to be really easy to make. You pretty much just cut them open, salt them heavily, pack them in a jar and wait. While looking for recipes for the preserved lemons I came across a variety that included spices like cinnamon, cloves, star anise, etc. For my first batch I decided to just stick with the basic preserved lemons and not worry about which spices to use. Some recipes called for waiting up to 2 months for the lemons to do their thing but others said that 3 weeks would be enough. One rule of thumb that I came across was that they would be ready when the white pith was no longer white. I was a bit impatient and I decided that the pith was no longer white and cracked open one of the jars just after the three week mark and I made the tagine with preserved lemons. I quite liked the preserved lemons! The rind had softened up nicely and it had a really nice texture. Of course the preserved lemons retained their lemony good flavour. Now I am looking forward to enjoying my preserved lemons and I am also thinking that I am going to have to make a spiced batch to try as well.
Preserved Lemons
ingredients
- 8 lemons (washed and dried)
- 1/2 cup sea salt or kosher salt or canning salt
directions
- Pour 2 tablespoon salt into the bottom of the jar.
- Cut the tip and the ends from the lemons exposing some of the white pith.
- Quarter the lemons from top to bottom stopping just before the end leaving the quarters attached.
- Generously sprinkle salt all over the inside of the lemons.
- Pack the lemons into a sterilized 1 quart jar so tight that the juice is squeezed from them and fills up the jar.
- Seal the jar and let sit at room temperature for three days, flipping every once in a while.
- Move the jar to the fridge and let sit for a minimum of three weeks, flipping every once in a while.
- Rinse the preserved lemons and remove the pulp before slicing or chopping the rind for use in your dish.
Anonymous says
May 16, 2009 at 2:16 amHere’s a link to a recipe using preserved lemons. I have made this sumerous times and we really like it.
Israeli Couscous with Roasted Butternut Squash and Preserved Lemons
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Israeli-Couscous-with-Roasted-Butternut-Squash-and-Preserved-Lemon-102250
Luisa Vacaville
Ciao Chow Linda says
May 16, 2009 at 2:19 amI’m so glad you posted this. I’ve been wanting to try this for some time.Yours turned out great.
Rebecca says
May 16, 2009 at 3:37 amThanks for this, your blog is looking great–I like the changes! And I haven’t had luck with this before, so I’ll try yours–this and the tagine, look fabulous!
Julie says
May 16, 2009 at 3:45 amCan’t wait to see all the things your make out of these!
Street Foodie says
May 16, 2009 at 3:49 amI’ve been meaning to preserve some lemons for a while but have never got round to it, will have to give it a go!
Nina Timm says
May 16, 2009 at 6:30 amI have lemons, I have jar, I have arecipes…nothing is stopping me now….I’m on my way to the kitchen!!
Ammu says
May 16, 2009 at 6:42 amFirst time to ur blog. It looks awesome. Nice informative entry.
Sophie says
May 16, 2009 at 9:56 amThanks a lot for this beaty of a recipe, Kevin!!
I just wanted to ask if you preserved your lemons yourself! So, now I have some work to do,….!!!
Jessica says
May 16, 2009 at 11:09 amI thought I’d share another recipe with you as well –
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/saffron-chicken-boiled-lemon-and-green-bean-salad-recipe/index.html
Culinary Cory says
May 16, 2009 at 12:03 pmGreat idea. I wonder if preserved lemons would make for a unique twist on a lemon drink.
Pam says
May 16, 2009 at 12:46 pmThose are so pretty! I like just looking at them.
Cookin' Canuck says
May 16, 2009 at 12:56 pmThank you for this recipe! I often have difficulties finding preserved lemons as well, but it has never occurred to me to make my own.
Netts Nook says
May 16, 2009 at 1:51 pmThanks for sharing they look great.
Chris says
May 16, 2009 at 1:59 pmThanks for the post – I am on week 3 (I think – now I can’t even remember) of making preserved lemons and was wondering how to tell when they were done.
I also wonder – how can you tell if they’ve gone bad? This whole preserving thing is making me nervous!
Natashya says
May 16, 2009 at 2:46 pmWonderful, Kevin! This is something I have always wanted to make.
Gloria says
May 16, 2009 at 3:10 pmNice,nice Kevin and a wonderful recipe!!! thanks Gloria
Anonymous says
May 16, 2009 at 3:33 pmI have kept them for a year. If they have mold you can scrape it off if you are bold. Or just toss it. By then it’s lemon season again and you can make a new batch! I have one new (full jar) batch now and one from last year that is still good.
Jessica: thanks for the additional recipe!
Luisa Vacaville
La Table De Nana says
May 16, 2009 at 4:38 pmI recently made these also and will never be without!
My friend/neighbour used them for a lovely pepper salad that I have been making ever since.Yours look great!
Marta says
May 16, 2009 at 5:42 pmThanks for sharing the recipe with us! I can’t wait to see your spiced preserved lemons and what other things you do with them 🙂
unconfidential cook says
May 16, 2009 at 6:09 pmThanks for this–the tangine looks fantastic!!! I can’t wait to see all the yummy things you’re going to make with them.
Kati says
May 16, 2009 at 7:40 pmI love how you worded step 5.
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) says
May 16, 2009 at 8:16 pmI always have homemade preserved lemons in the fridge; they’re a great substitute for capers in many dishes. One thing I would recommend, tho, is to swap those metal lids for plastic ones (you can buy them in stores where canning jars are sold). The metal will corrode from the acid in the lemon juice, and will impart an off flavor to your lemons.
Cakebrain says
May 16, 2009 at 9:09 pmThese look like a good thing to have on hand in your cupboard! yummy!
Heather says
May 16, 2009 at 9:58 pmthose sound just delicious! i definitely want to try them! when i was in morocco, i had the chicken and lemon tagine every night. it was my favorite!!! so delicious 🙂
Holler says
May 16, 2009 at 10:12 pmWell I have to say, that is so easy and handy to know!
Amber says
May 16, 2009 at 11:10 pmI just wanted to tell you that I love reading your food blogs! You always have yummy looking recipes. Thanks for your ideas. 🙂
Anonymous says
May 17, 2009 at 12:02 amI’m convinced. I’ve got to make some of these. My passion for lemons can stand it no longer.
Karen says
May 17, 2009 at 12:51 amI love to do fun things like this… and I suppose the preserved lemons can be used in so many ways. I’m going to look into some recipes!
Anticiplate says
May 17, 2009 at 1:10 amI was really wanting to make the moroccan chicken with preserved lemons! I am so impressed that you actually preserved your own. Wow.
Tangled Noodle says
May 17, 2009 at 2:12 pmThanks for this recipe! I haven’t tried looking for any preserved lemons at the store but this looks so easy to do at home.
Anonymous says
May 18, 2009 at 7:22 amLooks really good. Something different 🙂
Jamie says
May 19, 2009 at 5:17 amVery cool! We easily find preserved lemons here in France at the marketplace and hubby makes both fish and chicken tagines with preserved lemons (and lemon-scented green olives, which is traditional). Yet we have so wanted to try preserving our own. This is definitely a must-try!
noobcook says
May 19, 2009 at 6:26 amlooks fantastic and I luv the bright cheery yellow hue.
sami lucas says
May 30, 2009 at 10:50 pmI’m looking forward to trying this.
angela@spinachtiger says
June 1, 2009 at 4:00 amI saw something similar to preserved lemons (lemons confit) in the Tribeca Grill cookbook. Both are intriguing. Thanks for sharing.
Jeni Q says
December 9, 2009 at 12:11 amThe Joy of Cooking has a recipe for Greek Preserved Salted Lemons. I love this recipe, but find it to be a bit of a labor of love. Too much work for lazy me.
So I was *delighted* to discover a jar of preserved lemons at my local Middle Eastern store for the low, low price of $3.99. Now I can eat one whenever I want!!
Anonymous says
July 21, 2010 at 1:32 amHi Culinary Cory
Just came across your reply this year.
I am a chinese from malaysia, lived in NZ, for the first time I have the chance to try preserved lemon when my bf made some.
I love to use it to make juice especially in summer, just cut small piece of the lemon, add honey and fresh lemon juice and top with ice cubes, voila, the best drink for summer. We have something similar back home hence it doesn't taste weird to me, but my bf doesn't like it at all. In addition, we drink a lot of it when we have sorethroat, but normally serve it warm. Hope that you get to see this reply.
Organic lemons says
June 29, 2011 at 7:24 pmKevin,
Thank you very much for sharing this preserved lemons recipe. I too am impressed that make your own preserved lemons. One question I have is this, does it matter what kind of lemons you use? Lisbon lemons? Eureka lemons? Would Meyer lemons work?
Buckets of good cheer to you,
Megan
Kevin says
July 1, 2011 at 1:21 pmMegan I normally use lisbon or eureka lemons but the last batch I made with meyer lemons and they turned out quite nicely!
JM says
August 2, 2013 at 9:34 pmHello – I live in Venezuela. We don't get the big yellow lemons, just "limones" which are really limes, smaller and green. Would they work? or do you think the taste would be too strong?
Anahi says
August 2, 2013 at 9:37 pmI have a question? don't these come out bitter?…..thanks!…and by the way you have great recipes!!!
kevin says
August 2, 2013 at 9:45 pmJM: They would not be the same but I am sure that they would be good!
kevin says
August 2, 2013 at 9:47 pmAnahi: You normally only use the rind/skin and not the pith or the brine so it is not bitter at all. It can be a bit salty but you can easily rinse the excess salt off leaving a super tender rind with an amazing lemon flavour.
schmooette says
August 2, 2013 at 10:53 pmI have been looking to try preserved lemons, so thanks for the recipe! I will probably try a smaller jar.
Do you need to use a special type of salt? like canning salt or kosher salt… or can you use iodized table salt.
kevin says
August 2, 2013 at 11:00 pmschmooette: Sea salt, kosher or canning salt is best. Enjoy!
Renee Smith says
May 14, 2019 at 4:50 pmThis looks great! When you say seal the jar, do you mean just putting the lid and ring on, or seal in a canner? How long should these stay preserved with this method? Thanks!
kevin says
May 18, 2019 at 7:41 amI just use a regular jam style jar without proper canning procedures and I store it in the fridge to use within a couple of months.