Wondering how much juice is in one lemon? Look no further! Today we’ll uncover how much juice is in the average lemon, plus the best way to juice a lemon in the first place.
Table of Contents
- How Much Juice is in One Lemon?
- What is the Best Way to Juice a Lemon?
- 9 Ways to Use Fresh Lemon Juice
- 12 Lemon Recipes to Try
- Pomegranate Maple Cosmopolitan
- Frozen Strawberry Daiquiris
- Aviation Cocktail
- Bee’s Knees Cocktail
- Mango Lemonade
- Old Fashioned Lemonade
- Lemon Slice
- Blueberry Lemon Tea Cakes
- Sourdough Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
- Vanilla Budino with Strawberry Sauce
- Lemon Blueberry Semifreddo
- Lemon Bundt Cake with Matcha Glaze
If you’ve ever had a recipe that called for a specific amount of fresh lemon juice, you may find yourself wondering: how many lemons do I need to get that amount? A good question!
How Much Juice is in One Lemon?
The answer can vary depending on a few different factors. The size and ripeness of the lemon can impact how much juice it contains, as can the method used to extract the juice. On average, a single lemon contains about 2-3 tablespoons of juice. However, if the lemon is particularly large or ripe, it may contain more juice.
Quick Reference Guide
If we assume one lemon has about 2 tablespoons of juice, here’s a quick guide to how many lemons you’ll need for your recipe:
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice = 1/2 a lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice = 1 lemon
What is the Best Way to Juice a Lemon?
There are a few different methods for juicing a lemon, and the best method for you may depend on personal preference and the tools you have available. Here are a few tips:
- First, roll the lemon. To get the most juice out of a lemon, first roll it on a hard surface before cutting it open. This will help loosen the insides of the fruit and make it easier to extract the liquid.
- Extract the liquid with a citrus juicer. A handheld citrus juicer is a great tool for juicing lemons (and other citrus fruits). Cut the lemon in half and place one half cut-side down in the juicer. Squeeze the handles of the juicer to extract the juice.
- Or, squeeze the lemon by hand. Cut the lemon in half crosswise, then use your hands to squeeze the juice out of each half. This method works well if you only need a small amount of juice, and it’s also quick and easy.
Whichever method you choose, it’s a good idea to strain the lemon juice through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any seeds or pulp. This will give you a smoother, more consistent juice.
While a lemon may not contain a ton of juice on its own, it can be a powerful flavoring agent in cooking and baking. Just a small amount of lemon juice can add a bright, acidic flavor to a dish or recipe.
9 Ways to Use Fresh Lemon Juice
- As a finishing touch: A squeeze of lemon juice can brighten up many dishes, from grilled meats to roasted vegetables, right before serving.
- Salad dressings: Lemon juice is a key ingredient in many homemade salad dressings, such as Caesar dressing or vinaigrette.
- Salads: Lemon juice can be used to dress salads on its own or as part of a larger dressing. It pairs well with bitter greens like arugula or radicchio, as well as with hearty grains like quinoa or farro.
- Marinades: The acidity in lemon juice can help tenderize meat, and it pairs well with a variety of herbs and spices. Use it as a base for marinades for grilled chicken, fish, or pork marinades.
- Sauces: Lemon juice can be used to make a variety of sauces, such as a classic hollandaise sauce or a tangy chimichurri sauce.
- Desserts: Lemon juice is a common ingredient in many desserts, including lemon bars, lemon meringue pie, and lemon sorbet. It can also add a bright, citrusy flavor to baked goods such as lemon cakes, muffins, and scones.
- Beverages: Lemon juice is a popular addition to many beverages, from lemonade to cocktails like the whiskey sour or the margarita.
- Seafood: Lemon juice pairs particularly well with seafood, and can be used to add flavor to dishes like grilled shrimp, fish tacos, or ceviche.
- Soups and stews: A splash of lemon juice can add a bright, acidic flavor to soups and stews. Use it to balance out the richness of dishes like chicken noodle soup or beef stew.
12 Lemon Recipes to Try
Want to put your new found knowledge about lemon juice to work? Try one of these easy recipes! They all use lemon juice and are super tasty.
Pomegranate Maple Cosmopolitan
This Pomegranate Maple Cosmo is sweetened with pure Vermont maple syrup. It’s an easy cocktail recipe with gorgeous colors and incredible flavor!
Frozen Strawberry Daiquiris
If summertime heat is kicking into high gear in your neck of the woods, might I suggest a frozen cocktail? This Strawberry Daiquiri only needs a handful of simple ingredients and is ready in minutes thanks to your handy-dandy blender.
Aviation Cocktail
This Aviation Cocktail is a gin-based drink that gets its color from crème de violette liqueur. It’s an elegant sip that hearkens back to the early days of luxury air flight.
Bee’s Knees Cocktail
This Bees Knees Cocktail only needs a few simple ingredients and is a bright, flavorful drink with a hint of sweetness. Enjoy it on a warm day while you soak up some sunshine!
Mango Lemonade
This refreshing Mango Lemonade is perfect for scorching weather and takes minutes to make! If you add generous amounts of ice to your pitcher you don’t even have to wait for the lemonade to chill in the fridge.
Old Fashioned Lemonade
This simple lemonade recipe makes a big, refreshing pitcher of homemade lemonade. Chill it in the fridge, then pour over ice and enjoy it on the deck on a hot day.
Lemon Slice
This Lemon Slice recipe is one of my most requested desserts. It’s an incredibly easy no-bake treat that’s bursting with lemon flavor and only needs a few simple ingredients.
Blueberry Lemon Tea Cakes
These mini lemon tea cakes are light, fluffy, and stuffed with blueberry jam. They’re perfect with a cup of tea or a steaming mug of coffee.
Sourdough Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
These easy Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins are made with sourdough discard! The sourdough gives them a subtle tang and a fluffy, tender texture. We love these simple muffins topped with crunchy bakers sugar and loaded with lots of lemon flavor.
Vanilla Budino with Strawberry Sauce
Vanilla budino with strawberry sauce is a gorgeous and creamy Italian dessert, delightfully wobbly and topped with fresh, juicy strawberries.
Lemon Blueberry Semifreddo
This classic Lemon Blueberry Semifreddo is one of our favorite desserts to enjoy while the blueberries are in season! An easy Italian recipe bursting with zesty citrus and blueberry flavor in every spoonful.
Lemon Bundt Cake with Matcha Glaze
This moist Lemon Bundt Cake has the most tender crumb and is bursting with bright lemon flavor. A vanilla-matcha glaze adds a touch of Spring color that almost makes this cake too pretty to eat! (Almost, this cake is really good.)
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