How to Preserve Lemon Juice

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If you have extra lemon juice on hand and you're not sure what to do with it, try preserving it. That way, it will stay good until you're ready to use it. Freezing the juice in ice cube trays is the easiest way to preserve it, but canning is a great option if you have a lot of lemon juice. Either way, you’ll have fresh lemon juice that you can enjoy year-round!

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Freezing Juice into Cubes

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  1. Carefully tilt your container of lemon juice and fill the squares in your ice cube tray until they’re almost all the way full. However, avoid overfilling the tray, because the juice will expand a little as it freezes. [1]
    • By freezing your lemon juice in cubes, it will be easy to grab what you need for a recipe.
    • If you’d like, you can even portion out your lemon juice so you’ll know exactly how much is in each cube. For instance, you might measure 2 US tbsp (30 mL) of lemon juice into each cube. [2]
  2. It can take several hours for the lemon juice to freeze. The best way to ensure that the cubes are frozen completely solid is to leave them in your freezer for 8 hours, or overnight. [3]
    • If you try to take the cubes out of the tray before they’re frozen, they’ll break, which could cause you to spill any unfrozen lemon juice.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Lemon Juice
    Bend the tray so it bows up in the middle. If the cubes don’t pop free right away, twist the tray slightly, first in one direction, then the other. You should hear the cubes separate from the tray when they’re released. [4]
    • If some cubes come free but some stay in the tray, remove the loose ones, then twist the tray again.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Lemon Juice
    In order to free up your ice cube trays, it’s best to move all of the lemon juice cubes to another container. A resealable plastic bag is perfect because you’ll be able to open the bag, grab what you need, and return any unused cubes to the freezer. [5]
    • You can also use a hard-sided container as long as it has a tight-fitting lid.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Lemon Juice
    To make sure you don’t forget when you froze your lemon juice, use a permanent marker to write the date on the bag. If you think you may freeze other kinds of juice in the future, it may be a good idea to add “Lemon Juice” to the label so you don’t forget what’s inside. [6]
    • Use your lemon juice ice cubes within 3-4 months for the best taste, but they’ll remain good for at least 6 months. [7]
  6. If you want to add a little fresh lemon flavor to a drink or a dish, grab a few ice cubes from the bag. If you're adding them to a cold drink or to a recipe that's being heated, you can put the frozen cubes into whatever you're making without thawing them. If you'd prefer liquid lemon juice, place the cubes in a bowl in your refrigerator to thaw overnight. [8]

    Tip: Try throwing a couple of cubes of lemon juice into a glass of water or iced tea for a refreshing drink that's perfect on a summer day! [9]

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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Canning Fresh Lemon Juice

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Lemon Juice
    Either place your jars and lids in the dishwasher and run a sanitizing cycle, or boil the jars for 10 minutes in your canner or a large stockpot fitted with a rack. If there’s any bacteria present in the jars, your lemon juice could spoil inside the jars. [10]
    • You’ll need 1 half-pint jar for every 1 cup (240 mL) of lemon juice that you want to can. [11]
    • Make sure you use canning jars with a lid and a band to ensure a proper seal.
    • If you'd like, you can leave the cans in the hot water until you're ready to pour the juice.

    Tip: If you live at an altitude of more than 1,000 ft (300 m), boil for 1 additional minute for each additional 1,000 ft (300 m) of elevation.

  2. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Lemon Juice
    Over medium heat, boil your lemon juice for about 5 minutes. This will help the cans come up to temperature more quickly in the canner. Also, it can help prevent breakage caused by lowering a cold jar into boiling water. [12]
    • If you don't want any pulp in your juice, strain it before you bring it to a boil.
  3. The easiest way to can lemon juice is in a water bath in a canner. [13] However, if you don’t have a canner, you can use a stockpot with a rack on the bottom. Fill it about halfway with water as well, and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat on your stove.
    • If you’re using a stockpot, it’s important to make sure the cans don’t touch the bottom of the pot. If they do, the heat from your stove may cause the glass jars to shatter.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Lemon Juice
    It’s important to fill the jars almost all the way full, because air in the jar could cause the lemon juice to spoil. However, the juice may expand during the canning process, and the pressure could cause the jars to explode, so leave about 1 ⁄ 4  in (0.64 cm) of space at the top of each jar. [14]
    • To seal the jars, place the flat lid over the mouth of the jar, then screw on the ring tightly.
  5. If you have a jar lifter, use that to grip each jar around its neck, then lower the jar into your canner or stockpot. If you don’t have one, use a dish towel or a potholder instead. However, be very careful not to let the cloth touch the hot water, as you could get scalded. Either way, lower the jars slowly so the hot water doesn’t splash up and burn you.
    • A jar lifter is an inexpensive tool that you can buy wherever canning supplies are sold. It looks similar to a pair of tongs, but it’s designed to securely hold a round canning jar.
    • If your canner has a rack with handles, load the jars onto the rack, then lower the rack into the canner by the handles. However, you should still take care not to burn yourself. [15]
    • Once you’ve added all the jars, the water should cover them by about 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm). If it doesn’t, add more hot water.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Lemon Juice
    The water in the canner should remain at a boil for the entire 15 minutes. This will create a seal that ensures your lemon juice stays fresh inside the cans. [16]
    • After the 15 minutes, turn off the heat and wait for the water to stop boiling before you proceed.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Lemon Juice
    After you’ve processed your jars and the water has stopped boiling, use your jar lifter or dishcloth to carefully remove the jars from the canner. The jars and lids will be very hot, so take care not to burn yourself. Place the jars in a draft-free place, and set them at least 2 in (5.1 cm) apart to help prevent them from shattering as they cool.
    • It will take several hours for the jars to cool completely.
  8. Write the date and “Lemon Juice” on the lid of each jar so you don’t forget when you canned the juice or what’s inside the jar. Then, move the jars somewhere they won’t be disturbed, like your pantry or a cabinet.
    • If you sanitized your jars and sealed them correctly, the juice should stay good for 12-18 months.
    • To ensure the jars are sealed, press down on the bubble in the middle of the lid. If it makes a popping sound, or goes down then comes back up, the jar isn’t sealed. In that case, put it in the refrigerator and use the juice within 4-7 days.
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The Takeaway: Storing Lemon Juice

Store fresh lemon juice in an airtight container in the fridge for 4–7 days. To preserve for 12–18 months, pour the juice into glass jars and make an airtight seal using a canner, then store in a cool, dry place like a pantry or cabinet. Or, freeze lemon juice in an ice cube tray and use within 3–4 months.

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  • Question
    How small can the jar be?
    Community Answer
    There are really no size limitations, it just depends on how much you make. Or, if you want to divide it into more jars to give to friends or family members.
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  • Question
    How long will the lemon juice keep using the "old fashioned method"? Does it need to be refrigerated before you open it?
    Community Answer
    Once you are ready to preserve the lemon juice, place it in the refrigerator. You can always use it and put it back for re-use. The lemon juice will last a couple of months, if kept in a cool, dark place, especially refrigerated. This method was once used on ship travel to preserve lemon juice in the 1800s.
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  • Question
    Does freezing it change the nutritional value of lemon juice?
    Community Answer
    No, freezing lemon juice shouldn't alter the nutritional value in any significant way.
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      Things You'll Need

      Freezing

      • Ice cube trays
      • Resealable plastic bag
      • Permanent marker
      • Freezer

      Canning

      • Canner or large stockpot with rack
      • Half-pint jars with lids and rings
      • Jar lifter or dish cloth

      Tips

      • If you have any lemon juice you don’t want to preserve, refrigerate it for up to 2 weeks.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/ikxZzkwHWpw?t=38
      2. ↑ https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/tips-on-freezing-lemon-and-lime-juice/
      3. ↑ https://www.doesitgobad.com/does-lemon-juice-go-bad/
      4. ↑ https://www.doesitgobad.com/does-lemon-juice-go-bad/
      5. ↑ https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/tips-on-freezing-lemon-and-lime-juice/
      6. ↑ https://www.doesitgobad.com/does-lemon-juice-go-bad/
      7. ↑ https://stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/17533
      8. ↑ https://www.doesitgobad.com/does-lemon-juice-go-bad/
      9. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/15-things-you-should-start-freezing-in-ice-cube-trays-now-218873
      1. ↑ https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/food-nutrition/home-canning-fruit-and-fruit-products
      2. ↑ https://practicalselfreliance.com/canning-lemons-three-ways/
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/iKjiC7Wg7uA?t=27
      4. ↑ https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/food-nutrition/home-canning-fruit-and-fruit-products
      5. ↑ https://www.healthycanning.com/the-role-of-headspace-in-home-canning/
      6. ↑ https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/food-nutrition/home-canning-fruit-and-fruit-products
      7. ↑ https://thesurvivalmom.com/how-to-can-citrus-juice/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To preserve lemon juice by freezing it, start by pouring fresh-squeezed lemon juice into each compartment of an ice cube tray. Then, place the trays in the freezer. After 1-2 hours, take the trays out of the freezer and remove the cubes from them. To tell if the cubes are done, test to see if they are solid, but don't expect them to be as hard as regular ice cubes. Finally, transfer the frozen juice cubes to a resealable plastic freezer bag and store the lemon juice in the freezer for several months.

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