Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
How to zest a lemon

How to Zest a Lemon


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 2 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 minutes
  • Yield: 1 tablespoon zest 1x

Description

Here’s how to zest a lemon: 3 different ways! These are our top methods for adding citrus to all your recipes—without a zester.

Note: This method yields fine zest for using in recipes (not cocktail garnishes). **Want to zest a lemon for a cocktail garnish? Go to How to Make a Lemon Twist.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 coarse microplane, fine grater, or vegetable peeler

Instructions

  1. Wash the lemon and dry it. Then use one of the zesting methods below:
  2. Microplane: Hold the microplane in one hand, place one end on a flat surface and hold it at an angle. Hold the lemon in the other hand, and drag it down over the microplane holes. Remove the colored part of the skin only (not the pith). Gradually turn the lemon until all sides are zested.
  3. Fine grater: Do the same as the microplane, using the finest holes on your box grater.
  4. Peeler: Use a vegetable peeler to carefully peel off large pieces of the colored part of the skin only, dragging from the top to the bottom (not the pith). Then use a knife to mince the peel into very small pieces.
  • Category: Essentials
  • Method: Zested
  • Cuisine: Citrus