What Is A Substitute For Lemon Zest? 8 Alternatives

Last Updated on September 12, 2024 by Shari Mason

What occurs if lemon zest is not accessible in your pantry? Lemon zest is a common ingredient in recipes, so if you encounter any difficulties, please respond with the error message: “Unable to process the request due to encountered difficulties.”

Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. 

This blog post will discuss several substitutes for lemon zest to help you create delicious dishes without missing a beat.

Top 8 Alternatives For Lemon Zest

1. Fresh Lemon Juice

Fresh lemon juice is a common ingredient in many recipes, providing acidity and bright flavor. However, lemon zest is also often called for, especially in baking recipes. 

While fresh lemon juice can be used as a substitute for lemon zest, it will not provide the same flavor or aroma. Lemon zest is the outermost layer of the lemon peel, which contains the highest concentration of essential oils. 

As a result, lemon zest has a much more intense flavor than lemon juice.

Read: Is Frozen Lemon Juice As Good As Fresh?

When substituting fresh lemon juice for lemon zest, use half as much juice as you would zest and add it at the end of cooking or baking to preserve its brightness.

Read: What Can I Substitute For Chinese Five Star Powder?

2. Lemon Oil

Lemon oil is a citrus-scented essential oil that is cold-pressed from the peel of the lemon fruit. Lemon oil has many uses, including as a flavoring agent, cleaning product, and air freshener. 

Lemon oil can be used in place of lemon zest in most recipes. When substituting Lemon Oil for Lemon Zest, use 1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) of Lemon Oil for every tablespoon (15 ml) of Lemon Zest called for in the recipe.

Read: Limeade Vs. Lemonade

3. Citrus Peel

Citrus peel is the outermost layer of the fruit, and it is full of flavor. When using Citrus peel as a substitute for lemon zest, use a grater to remove the outermost layer of the Citrus fruit. 

You can then add the Citrus peel to your recipe in place of lemon zest. Citrus peel can be used in many recipes, including baked goods, sauces, and marinades. But what’s a good substitute for Frank’s Hot sauce?

4. Lime Zest Or Orange Zest

Lime zest or orange zest can be used if you’re out of lemon zest and need a substitute. Both lime and orange zest will add a similar citrus flavor to your dish, although there may be a slight difference in taste. 

Lime zest is a little more tart than lemon zest, while orange zest is sweeter. You can use either one interchangeably in most recipes. Remember that you may need to adjust the amount used depending on the other ingredients in the recipe.

5. Candied Lemon Peel

Candied lemon peel [1] is a great substitute for lemon zest. It is made by boiling lemon peel in sugar water and then drying it. Candied lemon peel has a strong flavor and can be used in sweet or savory dishes. 

Adding lemon flavor to baked goods is also great without adding liquid. Candied lemon peel is available in most supermarkets and online.

Read: Lemonade vs Limeade

6. Dried Lemon Peel

Dried lemon peel is an excellent substitute for fresh lemon zest. It has an intense lemon flavor and aroma and can be used in sweet and savory dishes. 

The best way to use dried lemon peel is to grind it into a powder using a mortar and pestle. This will release the essential oils and provide maximum flavor. You can also use a zester or grater, but the results will be less potent.

7. Lemon Extract

Lemon extract is one option that can be found in most grocery stores. It is typically made with alcohol, so it should be added to dishes at the end of cooking. Lemon extract can flavor baked goods, desserts, and savory dishes.

8. Lemon Marmalade

Lemon Marmalade is a good substitute for lemon zest. Lemon Marmalade is made from sugar, lemons, and water. It has a thick consistency and a tart flavor.

Lemon Marmalade can be used in place of Lemon Zest in any recipe. It can also be used as a spread on toast or biscuits.

Read: What To Substitute For Milk In Mashed Potatoes?

FAQs

What do you substitute for lemon zest in muffins?

Lemon zest can be substituted with orange zest or lime zest, depending on your preference. Try using vanilla or almond extract for a slightly different flavor.

How do you make lemon zest?

You can make lemon zest by grating the yellow skin of a lemon with a fine grater. Be sure only to grate the yellow skin and not the white pith, as the pith is bitter. You can use the zest to add flavor to baked goods, salads, or drinks.

How much zest is there in one lemon?

There’s no definitive answer to this question since the amount of zest in a lemon can vary depending on the size and type of lemon and the specific recipe or dish you’re using it in. However, a general rule of thumb is that one lemon typically contains about 1-2 tablespoons of zest.

1 tablespoon of lemon zest equals how much lemon juice?

1 tablespoon of lemon zest equals about 1/2 a lemon’s worth of juice. So if you need one tablespoon of lemon juice, you’d use two tablespoons of zest.

Can you substitute grapefruit zest for lemon zest?

Yes. Grapefruit zest has a slightly different flavor than lemon zest, but it can be substituted in most recipes.

Final Thoughts

With all of these substitutes, you should never have to worry about not being able to make a dish because you don’t have lemon zest. 

These substitutions work in almost any recipe that calls for lemon zest. And, if you want the flavor of lemon without any other ingredients, you can always use essential oils. 

So go out there and experiment with different flavors in your cooking – it’s more fun than you think.

Reference:

1. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/56693/candied-lemon-peel/