How to Store Lemon Curd So It Lasts for Months (2024)

Casey Barber

Casey Barber

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.

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published Mar 18, 2022

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How to Store Lemon Curd So It Lasts for Months (1)

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.

How to Store Lemon Curd So It Lasts for Months (2024)

FAQs

How to Store Lemon Curd So It Lasts for Months? ›

Make-Ahead/Freezer-Friendly Instructions: Lemon curd will keep in an air tight container in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks. To freeze for longer storage, transfer the lemon curd to a freezer-safe container, leaving about ½ inch of space at the top to accommodate expansion. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How to store lemon curd for a long time? ›

Allow the curd to cool to room temperature. To prevent a 'surface skin' from forming while it cools, place a clean piece of plastic food wrap down onto the surface of the curd or cover the bowl. Fill cooled curd into freezer container(s), leaving ½-inch headspace, and freeze immediately.

How to preserve curd for a long time? ›

Store the curd in an airtight container in the refrigerator at temperatures between 1.6°C to 4.4°C, and always use a clean spoon for serving to prevent contamination. If necessary, freeze small portions in ice cube trays for longer-term storage. Discard any curd that develops an off smell, taste, or appearance.

How long can lemon curd be stored in the fridge? ›

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.

Can you freeze lemon curd in a Mason jar? ›

Ladle lemon curd into clean jars to fill line. Chill until set, about 1 hour. Twist on lid. Label and freeze up to 1 year.

What is the shelf life of homemade lemon curd? ›

Lemon curd will keep in your refrigerator for up to a month according to the National Center for Home Food Preservation. You can also store it in the freezer for up to 1 year. To thaw, transfer your curd from the freezer to the fridge 24 hours before you need it.

Should you freeze lemon curd? ›

Yes, lemon curd freezes quite well.

Which container is best for storing curd? ›

If you live outside and do not have a fridge, store the curd in an airtight container or bottle. This prevents growth of microbes.

How to tell if lemon curd has gone bad? ›

If the curd changes color, has a significant change in texture (such as lumpiness or wateriness), or if it has an unpleasant smell, you should assume that it has gone bad and dispose of the remaining curd instead of eating it.

How do you preserve yogurt for months? ›

Yogurt can be stored in the refrigerator (40 ºF) one to two weeks or frozen (0 ºF) for one to two months. Soft cheeses such as cottage cheese, ricotta or Brie can be refrigerated one week but they don't freeze well.

Why is my lemon curd not yellow? ›

Use Sufficient Egg Yolks

Lemon curd has traces of yellow in it naturally, but its striking golden colour comes from the yolks. Also, incorporating whole eggs is not preferred since the egg whites cause the lemon curd to become lighter.

Is it OK to reheat lemon curd? ›

Remember that curd will thicken more once cooled. If your cooled curd is not thick enough, you can reheat it to thicken. Put it over a low heat, stirring constantly. Ensure it coats the back of a spoon before taking it off the heat.

Is lemon curd perishable? ›

Lemon curd is perishable because of the eggs, so don't store it for more then two weeks.

Can you buy lemon curd in a jar? ›

Amazon.com: Tiptree Lemon Curd, 11 Ounce Jars (Pack of 3) : Grocery & Gourmet Food.

What happens when you freeze curd? ›

Freezing yogurt is possible and can extend its shelf life for longer storage. The effects of freezing on yogurt include changes in texture and maintaining probiotic content. Thawing yogurt should be done in the refrigerator to maintain food safety.

Does lemon curd in a cake need to be refrigerated? ›

The curd in this lemon curd cake does not need to be refrigerated within the first 24 hours but should be after that. Although it may be possible to keep your lemon curd fresh at room temperature, it will last longer, and you'll avoid growing mold or bacteria when it's stored in the fridge.

Can you freeze lemon curd in a cake? ›

The lemon curd can be made up to a month in advance and stored in the fridge. Just be sure you save the egg whites to make the Swiss meringue buttercream. The cake layers can also be made in advance and frozen for up to a month. They taste just as great when they're frozen as when they're freshly baked, I promise!

What happens if you overcook lemon curd? ›

Your lemon curd could get chunky and grainy if you let it overcook. One thing you should remember while making lemon curd is that you should never let it reach a point where it starts boiling. The ideal temperature for lemon curd is 170 degrees Fahrenheit, and it shouldn't cross that.

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