Lemon Curd (2024)

Expiration & Storage Tips

When does lemon curd expire?

Unopened commercial jars of lemon curd can last up to a year past the printed date, if stored in a cool and dry place. However, once opened, they should be stored in the fridge and consumed within 2-3 weeks. Homemade lemon curd has a much shorter shelf life, typically it lasts for 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator. Unfortunately, it is not commonly recommended for freezing as it can affect the texture and taste when defrosted.

How do you tell if lemon curd is bad?

Firstly, check for mould — this is the most obvious sign that your lemon curd has spoiled. Mould can appear in a variety of colors (white, blue, green), often in fuzzy patches. Another sign that your curd has gone bad is if it's started to darken or if the texture has altered and it's no longer smooth. Additionally, a sour or off smell is a good indicator that it has turned bad.

Tips for storing lemon curd to extend shelf life

• Always store unopened jars of lemon curd in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.• Once opened, immediately refrigerate and make sure the lid is tightly sealed when not in use.• For homemade lemon curd, refrigerate it as soon as it cools. Make sure to use clean jars when storing to minimize the risk of bacterial growth.• Always use a clean spoon when scooping out lemon curd to avoid introducing bacteria into the jar.• Don't keep opened lemon curd in the door of the fridge as temperature fluctuations can encourage bacteria growth. Choose a stable spot in the fridge, avoiding any areas where the temperature fluctuates, such as near the door.

Lemon Curd (2024)

FAQs

What do you eat lemon curd with? ›

There are so many ways to eat lemon curd. You can use it to fill cakes, cupcakes, and crepes, or spread it on toast, muffins, crumpets, make lemon bars, lemon tart, etc.

What is lemon curd made of? ›

Lemon curd is a spread made out of fresh lemon juice, eggs, sugar, zest, and butter. The eggs in the recipe thicken the mixture, giving it a custard-like consistency. It's often used as a dessert topping or spread for cakes, cookies, tarts, etc. Serve this over Sponge Cake, with Strawbery Scones or Crepes.

Can you buy lemon curd in the grocery store? ›

It's kept in jars and sold in the jam aisle of the supermarket. Yet technically, lemon curd is more of a thick custard than a traditional preserve.

How long does lemon curd last? ›

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.

Can you eat lemon curd straight from the jar? ›

I was a little skeptical since it comes in a jar, ready-made, and I wasn't sure how it would handle being baked, but it held up well. I tasted it straight from the jar and I liked it, it's definitely very sweet.

How do you eat Trader Joe's lemon curd? ›

Drizzle it on pancakes, or ice cream, or cheesecake.

What is the best store-bought lemon curd? ›

The Wilkin & Sons curd was the clear winner for its smooth and creamy texture and "real lemon flavor," but the price tag raised eyebrows. The Wilkin & Sons curd was the clear winner for its smooth and creamy texture and "real lemon flavor," but the price tag raised eyebrows.

What is the difference between curd and yogurt? ›

Curd typically has a looser texture and a milder flavour, as its fermentation process is less controlled. Yoghurt, on the other hand, undergoes a more controlled fermentation, resulting in a thicker, custard-like consistency and a distinct tangy taste.

What is a good substitute for lemon curd? ›

If you don't want to use lemon curd then we would suggest using an alternative flavour of fruit curd. We have seen passionfruit, rhubarb and tart orange (or Seville orange) curds being sold online in the UK. All of these flavours would go well with summer berries.

How much is lemon curd at Aldi? ›

Aldi Grandessa Lemon Curd costs £0.45 for 411g, it's available in shops only. This Aldi lemon curd has a mild but delicious lemon flavour, but it lacks the desired richness.

Is lemon curd the same as lemon pudding? ›

It was also called lemon cheese. While curd resembles pudding or custard, the difference lies in the way it's thickened. Custards and puddings rely on cornstarch, milk and cream, while eggs are the primary thickener for curd, making it lighter and brighter.

Can you buy lemon curd in a jar? ›

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

Why did my lemon curd turn green? ›

If your lemon curd turned green, it likely had a reaction to something metal. Avoid using a copper or aluminum pan as those will react with the lemon juice and cause the discoloration in the lemon curd, and could even cause a slightly metallic aftertaste.

What do I eat lemon curd with? ›

As a topping: On scones, pancakes and waffles, French toast, ice cream, cheesecake, other cakes (Vanilla/white/lemon/nutty), cookies (ginger cookies are a great match), or even plain toast! In a recipe: See this whole list of lemon curd recipes below!!

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.

What to eat with curd? ›

However, curd should not be eaten alone; it is best paired with other ingredients, such as moong dal, honey, sugar, etc., to unlock its hidden health benefits. In addition, it should be noted that curd is not recommended during summer because it can lead to indigestion.

Can you eat lemon curd on toast? ›

This beautifully tart citrus curd is the perfect filling for cakes and tarts or quite simply, spread generously on toast. One of my favourite ways to eat it, has to be spooned on top of greek yoghurt with a handful of blueberries and a scattering of mint leaves.

Does lemon curd go in the fridge? ›

Cover the lemon curd immediately with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming and it can be stored in the refrigerator for about a week. For the best flavor, lemon curd should be made with freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Is curd and lemon good to eat? ›

Curd is used for several health remedies, while lemon is also used for weight loss and digestion process. Hence the combination of both cannot harm the body. In fact this combination improves the digestion process, used for eliminating stress, reducing body weight, balancing cholesterol level etc.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rubie Ullrich

Last Updated:

Views: 5893

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rubie Ullrich

Birthday: 1998-02-02

Address: 743 Stoltenberg Center, Genovevaville, NJ 59925-3119

Phone: +2202978377583

Job: Administration Engineer

Hobby: Surfing, Sailing, Listening to music, Web surfing, Kitesurfing, Geocaching, Backpacking

Introduction: My name is Rubie Ullrich, I am a enthusiastic, perfect, tender, vivacious, talented, famous, delightful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.