Can You Freeze Lemons?

If you love having fresh lemons in your kitchen at all times, you’re not alone! Lemons are one of the most versatile ingredients, and can also really shine in dishes like pasta al limone. While whole lemons can stay fresh on the countertop or in a cabinet for at least a week, you might wonder if you can freeze lemons to make them last even longer. After all, freezing is a common method for preserving meat products and vegetables for months on end!

Yep, you can freeze lemons! In fact, you can freeze multiple types of citrus fruit. If you buy a bunch of lemons at the store, but won’t use all of them right away, you can stash them in the freezer to save them for later. You can also freeze lemons in various forms, including whole and sliced. 

To properly freeze lemons, you’ll need to prep them, just as you would with any other fresh produce. The FDA recommends cleaning fresh produce, like lemons, with just running water.

To freeze whole lemons, wash them first using running water from the sink, then thoroughly dry them with paper towels. Label the bag with the date you’re storing them in, if desired. Transfer the lemons to a large, plastic zip-top bag, and use your hands to compress the plastic bag and remove as much air as possible. Place the bag of lemons in the freezer and store for up to four months (which Glad recommends).

You don’t have to leave lemons whole to freeze them. You can freeze lemon slices, wedges, and even the peels. To freeze lemon slices, wedges, and peels, follow the steps described above. Transfer the lemon slices, wedges, or peels to a large, plastic zip-top bag, pressing out as much air from the plastic bag as possible before transferring to the freezer.