How to Zest a Lemon (5 Easy Ways!)

Learn How to Zest a Lemon, with or without a microplane or zester, using the utensils you have on hand. You’ll learn 5 easy ways to quickly get that flavorful peel for recipes, and none of the white pith!, by simply using common kitchen tools. (Yes, we’re even pulling out the box grater for this one!)

What is Lemon Zest?

Lemon zest is a recipe ingredient that consists of the colorful, yellow outer layer of the fruit and is obtained by scraping or cutting the top of the lemon with a sharp utensil. It is full of lemon flavor and adds a burst of freshness to your favorite lemon recipes.

Unlike lemon juice, the zest contains essential oils, more flavor, and is not nearly as acidic or tart.

When zesting lemons, limes, or oranges, you want to make sure and only remove the brightly colored flesh of the peel.  Avoid the white part, or pith, directly underneath the peel as this is quite bitter.

How to Zest a Lemon (5 Easy Ways)

The two most common methods for zesting a lemon is to use either a microplane or a citrus zester. These are the quickest and best ways, but do require an extra kitchen gadget.

If you do not have a citrus zester laying around, there are a few other ways you can still get this flavorful ingredients, and I’ll go over those below.

1. Microplane

I think using a microplane is the best way, and also the easiest way, when you want finely grated lemon zest.

A microplane grater is a specific kitchen tool that is used to remove the brightly colored flesh from citrus without cutting too far into the pith.

How to Zest Lemons with a Microplane:

1. Hold the lemon in one hand and the microplane in the other.
2. Move the lemon back and forth over the grates of the microplane, rotating as you go.  Pay close attention to the placement of your fingers.  (A microplane has very sharp edges and can easily cut you!)
3. Continue zesting the lemon until the yellow peel is removed.

2. Citrus Zester

The next method for zesting lemons is to use a citrus or lemon zester. Using this tool will give you longer strands of peel versus the smaller pieces produced by a microplane.

How to Zest Lemons with a Citrus Zester:

1. Place the fine, sharp-edged holes of the citrus zester on one end of the citrus, following the curvature of the fruit.
2. Push slightly into the fruit and pull down to the other end.
3. Repeat this process until the entire lemon peel is removed and only the pith remains.
4. (Optional) Finely chop the longer strands of zest if you want it to resemble what you get from a microplane.

3. Cheese Grater

A boxed cheese grater is a secret weapon that most home cooks already have in their cabinet. Make sure you use one that has the small holes for grating cheese, and not the larger holes for shredded cheese.

How to Zest Lemons with a Cheese Grater:

1. Place the lemon on the side of the cheese grater that has the smallest holes.
2. Move it back and forth, paying close attention to the placement of your fingers.
3. Continue zesting the lemon until the entire yellow part is removed and the white pith remains.

4. Vegetable Peeler

A vegetable peeler is another quick way to zest a lemon if you don’t have a zester or microplane handy. It’s what you see the bartenders make when garnishing an Old Fashioned!

While this method is a little more technique sensitive, you will still be able to get a good bit of lemon zest if you’re in a pinch.

How To Zest Lemons with a Vegetable Peeler:

1. Place the sharp edges of the vegetable peeler on one end of the citrus and push slightly into the fruit.
2. Pull down to the other end, paying close attention not to cut into the fruit too deep.  You do not want to remove as little of the white part as possible.
3. Repeat this process until the entire peel is removed and only the pith remains.
4. Finely chop the lemon peel to make lemon zest.

5. Knife

Much like the vegetable peeler method, using a sharp knife is a bit more technique sensitive.

But the best part?  Everyone has a knife on hand!

It’s easiest to use a paring knife when peeling citrus.  However, you can always use a very sharp chef’s knife if that is all you have on hand.

How to Zest Lemons with a Knife:

1. Cut off one end of the lemon using a paring knife and then place the lemon cut-end down on a cutting board.
   • Or you can skip this step and just hold the lemon steady on a cutting board.  (Pictured above.)
2. Carefully cut into the fruit at an angle and remove the bright, yellow peel, avoiding the white pith.
3. Remove any white pith that remains.
4. (Optional) If you would like to have smaller pieces of peel, finely chop until your desired size is reached.

After you’ve picked one of these methods, don’t forget to use that fresh lemon juice!

FAQs

The Best Lemons to Zest

Most non-organic lemons contain a wax coating on the exterior of the fruit to preserve it and keep it looking fresh. While the wax coating is technically safe to eat, you may still opt to de-wax them before zesting.

How to de-wax lemons:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and pour hot water over lemons in a colander.
2. Immediately scrub lemons with a vegetable brush to remove the wax coating.
3. Dry the lemons thoroughly before zesting.

Alternatively, you can buy organic citrus which are either not covered in wax at all or have an organic beeswax coating.

Recipes with Lemon Zest

Now that you’ve got your zesting skills down, you need to check out these lemon recipes next!

On the savory side, this Roasted Asparagus, Pasta Primavera, Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes, Lemon Vinaigrette, and Lemon Dill Salmon are all incredible!

If you’re craving something sweet then these Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins, Lemon Zucchini Bread, and this Blueberry Lemon Chia Pudding.

What something to cool you down? Check out this Lemon Sorbet and Frozen Lemonade!