Lemon is a versatile citrus fruit that can enhance and complement a wide variety of dishes. Its bright, tart flavor pairs well with many ingredients, from seafood to poultry to vegetables. When used thoughtfully, lemon can amplify other flavors and really make them sing. But what exactly goes well with lemon? Let’s take a closer look at how to make the most of this zesty citrus fruit.
Savory Foods That Complement Lemon
Seafood
Lemon brightens up the flavor of fish and shellfish beautifully. Its acidity cuts through richer flavors and brings out the brininess of seafood. Squeeze lemon over grilled fish fillets or shrimp skewers, or stir lemon zest and juice into seafood stews and chowders. Lemon also pairs wonderfully with shellfish like scallops, mussels, and oysters. Try cooking the shellfish with white wine, garlic, and lemon. The lemon will accentuate the sweetness of the seafood.
Chicken
Lemon works magic with poultry as well. Its tartness balances out chicken’s richness. Marinate chicken breasts in lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and herbs before grilling or baking. Or rub chicken wings with lemon-infused seasoning before roasting. The heat of the oven will release the lemon’s bright flavor. For a quick weeknight dinner, sauté chicken cutlets in a pan with olive oil, capers, and fresh lemon juice. The lemon will cut through the chicken’s fattiness.
Vegetables
From artichokes to zucchini, lemon juice and zest add vibrancy to cooked vegetables. Try roasting cauliflower or broccoli with lemon, garlic, and olive oil. Or blanch green beans, asparagus, or carrots briefly and toss them with a lemony vinaigrette while they’re still warm. This helps the vegetables absorb the lemon flavor. Lemon also pairs well with bitter greens like kale, collards, spinach, and chard. Add lemon juice and zest to mellow out their earthiness.
Pasta
Lemon makes a bright, flavorful addition to pasta dishes. Toss hot pasta with Parmesan cheese, olive oil or butter, lemon zest, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving. The heat helps the pasta absorb the lemon flavor. Lemon also pairs well with seafood pasta recipes. Make a lemony white wine sauce with clams or shrimp. Or combine lemon zest, juice, garlic, and olive oil for a quick pasta topper. The possibilities are endless with lemon and pasta.
Rice and Grains
Lemon accentuates the flavor of plain grains like rice, quinoa, farro, and couscous. Stir in some lemon zest and juice after cooking for a burst of citrus flavor. Lemon also pairs well with hearty whole grains like barley and wheat berries. For a simple side dish, cook grains with chicken or vegetable stock and finish with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and parsley. The brightness balances out the hearty, earthy grains.
Salads
A squeeze of lemon can liven up salad dressings and marinades. Whisk lemon juice with olive oil, Dijon mustard, and herbs for a tangy vinaigrette. Drizzle over mixed greens, grains, roasted veggies, or grilled chicken. You can also use lemon juice as a bright, low-calorie alternative to vinegar in oil and vinegar-based salad dressings. For fruit salads, pair lemon with berries, peaches, apples, and melon. The acidity of lemon balances out the sweetness of the fruits.
Baked Goods and Desserts That Complement Lemon
Cakes
Lemon is a classic cake flavor. It adds moisture, tang, and complexity to batters and frostings. Bake lemon juice and zest right into the cake for the fullest flavor. Or add a lemon glaze, lemon curd filling, or lemon buttercream frosting. Lemon pairs particularly well with sweet flavors like vanilla, almond, and berries. Popular lemon cake recipes include lemon pound cake, lemon bundt cake, and lemon drizzle cake.
Cookies
Brighten up sugar cookies, shortbread, and butter cookies with some lemon zest. Sandwich lemon cookies together with lemon curd or lemon buttercream. Lemon also makes an amazing pairing with ginger in gingersnap cookies. For lemon bars, mix lemon juice and zest into the sweet shortbread crust and top with a tangy, smooth lemon curd filling.
Pies
Vibrant lemon meringue pie is a classic choice. Or opt for a lemon tart in a buttery shortbread crust topped with fresh berries. For a tropical twist, try lemon coconut cream pie or lemon banana cream pie. Meyer lemons also make amazing lemon pies with their floral, sweeter flavor.
Custards and Puddings
Lemon brightens up creamy desserts like panna cotta, crème brûlée, rice pudding, and chia pudding. Infuse the cream or milk with lemon zest before cooking and top the finished custard with a spoonful of lemon curd or fresh berries. Lemon also complements tropical flavors like coconut and mango in puddings and custards.
Fruit Desserts
Lemon juice and zest amplify the flavor of fresh fruit. Use in fruit tarts, crisps, and crumbles. Toss berries, stone fruits, or apples with a squeeze of lemon before roasting or baking into desserts. This prevents oxidation and highlights the fruit’s natural sweetness. Lemon also pairs wonderfully with tropical fruits like pineapple, mango, and coconut.
Beverages That Complement Lemon
Water
Add slices of lemon to water for refreshing, flavored water. Chilled lemon water is a great alternative to sugary drinks. For hot lemon water, squeeze fresh lemon juice into hot tea or warm water. This makes a comforting, immunity-boosting beverage.
Iced Tea
Lemon is a key ingredient in traditional iced tea. While the tea is still hot, stir in fresh lemon juice to taste. Then chill and serve over ice with lemon slices. For a fun twist, try lemon iced tea combined with fruit flavors like peach, raspberry, or blueberry.
Hot Tea
Lemon brightens and elevates many varieties of hot tea. For black tea, add freshly squeezed lemon to taste. Lemon also complements herbal teas like mint, chamomile, and ginger. A squeeze of lemon balances out the earthiness. You can also add lemon zest to the tea leaves while brewing.
Coffee Drinks
A splash of lemon can enhance coffee flavor and cut through bitterness. Add freshly squeezed lemon to hot black coffee or iced coffee. Lemon also works well with coffee-based drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and mochas. Use lemon zest to accent the foamed or steamed milk.
Cocktails
Lemon juice adds acidity that balances sweetness and alcohol in cocktails. It’s an essential ingredient in drinks like lemon drop martinis, Tom Collins, whiskey sours, lemonade cocktails, and spritzers. Muddle fresh lemon wedges into cocktails for the brightest flavor. You can also moisten the rims of cocktails glasses with lemon to accentuate the citrus.
Smoothies
For tangy, refreshing smoothies, start with a base of Greek yogurt and lemon juice. Then blend with your choice of fruit like berries, pineapple, or mango along with honey, mint, or ginger. Lemon juice helps extract vitamins and antioxidants from the fruit and greens in smoothies as well.
How Much Lemon Juice Equals One Lemon?
The amount of juice in a lemon depends on the size and can range quite a bit. Here are some general juice yields to expect:
| Lemon Size | Juice Yield |
| Small (2″ diameter) | 1-2 tablespoons |
| Medium (3″ diameter) | 3-4 tablespoons |
| Large (4″ diameter) | 5-6 tablespoons |
To get the maximum amount of juice, roll the lemon firmly on the countertop before juicing. This helps break down the pulp inside. Store leftover lemon juice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Tips for Cooking and Baking with Lemon
– When a recipe calls for zest, use a microplane or fine grater to remove just the thin, outermost layer of the lemon peel. The white pith beneath is bitter.
– Warm lemon juice slightly before adding to batter. This prevents the acidity from curdling dairy or reacting with chemical leaveners.
– For the strongest lemon flavor in baked goods, add both juice and zest. Zest provides lemon oil while juice gives tartness.
– If a recipe uses buttermilk, you can substitute with milk and lemon juice. The acidity mimics the tang of buttermilk.
– Adding a pinch of salt to lemon desserts balances out tartness and enhances overall flavor.
Conclusion
With its fresh, lively flavor, lemon has an incredible versatility in cooking and baking. It pairs wonderfully with fish, chicken, vegetables, salads, pasta, and grains to add brightness. Lemon complements desserts like cakes, cookies, custards, and fruit desserts by providing moisture and a tart counterpoint to sweetness. It’s also a flavorful addition to drinks ranging from lemon water to cocktails. Just a spritz of lemon can elevate flavors and make dishes sing. Keep lemons stocked in your kitchen, and take advantage of this citrus workhorse whenever you need a splash of sunshine.