Casey Barber is a food writer, illustrator, and photographer;author of Pierogi Love: New Takes on an Old-World Comfort Food and Classic Snacks Made from Scratch: 70 Homemade Versions of Your Favorite Brand Name Treats; and editor of Good. Food. Stories.. When she’s not road-tripping across the U.S., Casey lives in New Jersey with her husband, two hungry cats, and a freezer full of sour cherries.
published Mar 18, 2022
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Even if you don’t have a full gallon of lemon curd on hand after testing eight different methods of making it, there might be a moment when you’re not ready to polish off an entire batch of lemon curd in one sitting.Or you might want to stash some lemon curd for edible holiday gifts, or as a pick-me-up for your future self. (That, my friends, might be the best gift of all.)
Whatever your reasons for leaving lemon curd uneaten, you never need to fear it will go to waste. Here are three different ways to store lemon curd.
1. How to store lemon curd in the refrigerator.
You’re already putting your freshly cooked lemon curd in the refrigerator to thicken, so you can simply leave it there if you’re not ready to use it right away. Just be sure to put it in a tightly sealed glass or plastic container so it doesn’t pick up any aromas from other things in your fridge. Fresh lemon curd will keep for one to two weeks when stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container.
2. How to store lemon curd using the water-bath canning method.
According to food preservation expert Leda Meredith, you can can lemon curd using the water-bath canning method, as long as you refrigerate the sealed jars after canning. Why? Acidity levels can be tricky to gauge with fresh lemon juice, which is why shelf-stable canned lemon curd recipes use bottled lemon juice. And who wants to make homemade lemon curd with bottled juice?
Unopened canned jars will keep for up to three months in the refrigerator. Once opened, the jars should be used within a week.
3. How to store lemon curd in the freezer.
Yes, you can freeze lemon curd! Once your fresh curd is chilled, just pop the airtight, freezer-safe container in the freezer. Lemon curd can be stored in the freezer for up to one year. (Better put a reminder on your calendar so you don’t forget about that golden deliciousness.)
Thaw the lemon curd in the refrigerator before using; I usually just pop mine in the fridge night before I want to use it. And how might I want to use it, you ask?
What to Do with Leftover Lemon Curd
Whether you’re using fresh, water-bath canned, or previously frozen lemon curd, there are so many delicious options. For starters, just spread it in a pie or tart shell and voila! Dessert is ready.Try a cookie crust, whether classic graham cracker or gingersnap, or a shortbread tart crust. Don’t forget the whipped cream! You can also spread lemon curd on cookies, cakes, biscuits, or scones; swirl it into ice cream or yogurt; serve it with fresh fruit; or just eat it right out of the jar.
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