How to Zest a Lemon

Ready to add some lemony goodness to your cooking? Zesting lemons is simple and frugal, and the flavor can't be beat!

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time: 2

Cook Time: 4

Total Time: 6

Servings: tablespoons

Author: Kris Bordessa, National Geographic author

Wash and dry a whole lemon.
With a citrus zester: Hold the lemon in one hand and drag the zester across the skin of the lemon. This results in long, slender curls.
With a microplane: Drag a whole lemon over the microplane, rotating the lemon slightly as the zest is removed. Continue in this manner until all of the lemon color is removed. It’ll take just a few minutes to zest an entire lemon.
With a box grater: Drag a whole lemon over the smallest holes on the grater, rotating the lemon slightly as the zest is removed.
With a vegetable peeler: Carefully remove just the yellow portion of the skin, creating lemon ribbons. You can use the ribbons in strips, or make smaller pieces by chopping them with a knife.

This flavorful ingredient is best used fresh, but if you have more than you can use, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze for up to a month.
1 lemon nets 2-3 tablespoons of zest.