Lemons and limes have endless uses, not just for eating or flavoring! These two fruits are widely used around the world. You can feel the taste of acidity in your mouth when you say the name. What a powerful fruit! So, it is great to find out how to store lemon and lime for 3 months.
Lemons and limes must be in your kitchen any time. Therefore, people store them in a different ways. I have various perfect lemon and lime storage hacks that will help keep your lemons fresh and wrinkle-free! Let me show you how to store lemon and lime for 3 months!!!
Fresh Lemon and Lime Can Be Stored Up to 3 Months!
Buying the Perfect Lemon and Lime to Store Up to 3 Months
Lemons and limes are definitely a kitchen grocery staple. They are used for so many different delicious dishes and so much more. So, buying the perfect lemons and limes is important because it affects flavor and longevity.
What to Look for When Buying Lemon or Lime that You Want to Store
When you head to the supermarket to buy groceries for the next months, you definitely have to get some lemons and limes. So, head to the vegetables department. Let’s be smart and picky! We need the best lemon and lime to store for 3 months.
First, make sure that the lemons and limes you choose do not have bruises, wrinkly skin or moldy areas. Then, go ahead and press each one you choose. Lemons should not be spongy nor very soft. It has to be little firm when you press it, but not rock-hard.
Also, it is better to look for lemons with thinner skin since they are juicier. If you felt that the lemon is too light, do not take it. This means it does not have much juice. In fact, good lemons and limes are a bit heavier for their size.
Choose the Best Lemon and Lime to Store!
Best Way To Store Lemon and Lime up to 3 months
There is more than one way to store lemons and limes. I’m going to give you an idea of the most popular, beginning with my own way of storing lemon and lime for 3 months!
Clean the Lemon and Lime to Store for the Next 3 Months
But before I delve into the details of how to store lemons and limes for 3 months, let’s talk a little about cleaning them. Before storage, you should ensure that you’ve appropriately cleaned them. Lots of citrus fruits have a layer of wax on the outside, either naturally or sprayed on.
Firstly, you should wash your hands with soap and warm water before handling lemons or limes. You can wash them in two ways. First, you can put them into a bowl with a drop of dishwashing soap and fill the bowl half way with water.
Then, you start scrubbing them with a fruit brush one by one and put them under running water. Finally, you can put them in a strainer to dry or dry them with a hand towel.
The second way is simply to soak them in water and vinegar for a few minutes. Then, scrub them with your hands under cool running water one by one. One process is a little longer and maybe a bit more tedious while one is simple and quick. Your choice!
Wondering how to store lemon and lime for 3 months? Keep reading!
Green Fresh Lime Is Just What You Need for Savory Dishes!
How To Store Lemon and Lime for 3 months
In fact, I store my lemons and limes in a bowl submerged in water in my fridge! It’s the perfect way to store lemons because it ensures they stay wrinkle-free and fresh. They can last up to three months stored this way in your fridge. This duration is much lot longer than other lemon and lime storage hacks!
This is a great way since most storage methods ask that you don’t pile lemons on top of each other to avoid bruising or squishing. This will require more space in the drawers or compartment. In water, they basically float around or at least don’t have their weight bearing down on each other even if they were touching.
The water in the bowl also helps in replenishing the moisture that gets lost over time from the lemons. When lemons lose moisture they start to mold or rot. So, not only does it preserve them, but it also helps keep them juicy!
Other Lemon and Lime Storage Methods
If you are sure that you will use the lemons and limes soon, you can simply devote a compartment or drawer just for lemons. Then, store by placing them next to each other. If it’s not in the fridge, make sure it’s an airy space. This way, they may last about 7 to 10 days.
You fridge might be small or there is no space for the coming lemons. No worries! You can store in an airtight container or closed plastic bag in room temperature with the air sucked out. You can remove air from the plastic bag by placing a straw in the side of the bag and sucking out the air before closing. Lemons and limes in airtight containers might last for nearly a month.
Keep your Limes and Lemons Fresh and Shiny!
Check This out! Half a lemon, Lemon Zest and Lemon Juice Can Also Be Stored!
How to Store a Half Lemon
If you have a small bowl of salad, you might need to squeeze a complete lemon. So, you can use a half and then put the other half in an airtight container. You can also cover it with food wrap. You have to use it is as soon as possible. If not, you can keep it in the refrigerator up to a week.
How to Store Lemon Zest
Do you have a shiny bright lemon? Does it smell wonderful? Well, you should not loose that fragrance. So, go ahead and zest it before you throw it. Don’t throw the lemon peels without zesting them even if you do not need them right away. They are great for cakes and tarts.
Zest is a great adding to your veggie dishes. When you zest your lemon, it can stay fresh up to a week in the refrigerator. If you want to keep them for longer, put them in a zip lock and toss them in the freezer. You never know when you might need them!
How to Store Lemon Juice
If the lemons do not look so well, why not to squeeze them? Go ahead ad squeeze the lemons. Put the juice in the fridge. They stay fresh for two days. After that, it is better to use them for baking or cooking. If you d not use them, you can put them in the ice cube trays. Once hardened, put them in a zip lock or an airtight container in the fridge to use them when needed.
Squeeze your Lemon Without Cutting It!
Do you know that you can squeeze the lemon without cutting it? It is a great way if you do not need a whole lemon juice. It is also less messy! You can keep the lemon fresh for a longer time.
All what you need is a skewer! You can poke the non-stem end if the lemon with the skewer. Head it over the bowl or glass. Then, squeeze it to get a stream of juice. It is better to roll the lemon on the counter first. But, you do not have to use much force.
In fact, if the lemon still has juice, you can out it back in the fridge. Even if it doesn’t, you can keep it for zesting when you need to.
Uses for Lemons and Limes outside of cooking
Now that you know my secret for storing lemon and lime for 3 months, you can buy a little extra lemons and keep them stored for their many uses! Sure, we love the zest of citrus in many different dishes we eat, but lemons are much more versatile than just for flavoring foods.
Surprisingly, you can use lemons to wash your hands. Then, you can remove grease or oil from your hands along with killing bacteria. You can also scrub greasy pots and pans to get them clean and shiny again.
When you have a dirty walls or countertops, you can cut the lemons and limes up and put them with water in a bowl and microwave. Use the water in getting things clean and shiny.
Lastly, you can use lemon juice on the stains of white linens and let them dry in the sun for a bleach-type affect. For dirty glasses, you can add lemon juice to vinegar to make a cleaning spray.
Keep your Limes and Lemons in your Fridge up to 3 months!
How Long Does Lemon Last
Lemons should last about a week if you store them on the counter top and a few days longer in the pastry! If you transfer them to the refrigerator, you can expect them to last about 3-4 weeks. Now, if you take the extra step and seal the lemons tightly, they can last for about 5 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have stored enough lemons and you still have more, you can make some lemonade. It is an easy refreshing drink especially in summer.
Both are acid fruits. While lemons are usually yellow and a bit sourer, limes are green and more bitter. Also, limes are usually smaller than lemons with a thicker rind.
There are two ways to get extra juice from lemon or lime. You can preheat it in the microwave for around 20 seconds. Another way is to roll it on the kitchen counter for around 10 seconds. You do not need much force.
When you need to use a frozen lemon or lime, you can simply thaw it in the microwave for 20 seconds or run some warm water over it. In fact, it will give more juice.
Some Enjoyable Recipes Using Lemons or Limes
- The Best Way To Store Lettuce
- Orange Lemonade Drink
- Perfect Lemon Parmesan Spaghetti
- BEST Fattoush Salad with Dressing
- Lemon Mint Garlic Chicken Stew
- Roasted Eggplant Salad
- Vegetarian Grape Leaves
- Easy Lebanese Spinach Pies
- Mloukhieh
- Easy Creamy Hummus with Tahini
How to Store Lemons and Limes
Ingredients
- lemons/limes
Instructions
- Soak and wash well. Best to soak in vinegar for about 15 minutes to cleanse and remove dirt.
- Submerge in water in a bowl or an airtight container.
- Put the container in the fridge.
- Lasts up to three months wrinkle free and fresh!
Video
Notes
Other Lemon and Lime Storage Methods
- Devote a compartment or drawer just for lemons and store by placing them next to each other. If it’s not in the fridge, make sure it’s an airy space. Lasts about 7 to 10 days.
- Store in an airtight container or closed plastic bag in room temperature with the air sucked out. You can remove air from the plastic bag by placing a straw in the side of the bag and sucking out the air before closing. Lasts nearly a month.
- If you ask me, it is BEST to store your lemons and lime in the fridge. I never store them outside since they will go bad much faster.
Hice says
Very good idea thanks for the tip
Lama says
Glad you think so!
Joseph says
Do the lemons and limes need to be covered in the fridge when stored in water?
Lama says
Not necessarily! I do recommend changing the water often, about once a week.
Holly Benter says
Omg thank you
Janis says
Good article. made me smile. Thanks
Lama says
aww 🙂 Thank you Janis
Mila says
Thanks for the beneficial tips!!!
Lama says
So welcome!! 🙂
Ashley says
Thanks for the tip! Can both the lemons and limes be submerged together in the same jar or do they need to be stored in separate containers?
Lama says
Hi Ashley! My pleasure 🙂 yes you can soak both. Changing water once a week is suggested.