Go Back
+ servings
A close up of a jar of homemade lemon curd with a spoon scooping some out
Print Recipe
5 from 5 votes

Lemon Curd

Homemade Lemon Curd is made in less than 30 minutes with just 6 ingredients! This easy recipe is bursting with bright, citrusy flavor and just the right amount of sweetness!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Chill Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours 30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1 quart
Calories: 2136kcal

Ingredients

  • Zest of 3 lemons
  • 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 5 large eggs
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter cut into 1 tablespoon squares

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, whisk together the lemon zest, sugar, lemon juice, eggs, and salt.
  • Turn the burner on to medium heat.
  • Whisk the curd continuously for 15 minutes. You’ll notice the mixture is starting to thicken after about 10 minutes.
  • Remove the saucepan from the heat and begin to add the butter 1-2 tablespoons at a time. Continue to add butter, whisking until it has all been melted and fully incorporated.
  • Pass the curd through a fine mesh strainer to remove the zest and any partially cooked egg.
  • Transfer the curd to an airtight glass jar or container. Chill for at least 4 hours. The curd will continue to thicken as it cools.

Notes

WHAT IF MY CURD DOESN’T THICKEN?
In this recipe, both the large, room-temperature eggs and the low-and-slow cooking are responsible for the thickening of the curd. If you rush the curd and it boils too soon, it might not thicken properly.
Don’t sweat it though! If your lemon curd is not thickening after it has been brought to a boil and cooled, there’s a little hack you can give a try.
Mix 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with 2 teaspoons of very cold water or lemon juice, then bring the curd back to a boil and add in the mixture. Continue to whisk constantly. The chemical reaction of the cold cornstarch to hot lemon curd should thicken everything right up.

Nutrition

Calories: 2136kcal | Carbohydrates: 264g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 113g | Saturated Fat: 65g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 32g | Trans Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 1062mg | Sodium: 329mg | Potassium: 524mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 255g | Vitamin A: 4035IU | Vitamin C: 71mg | Calcium: 164mg | Iron: 4mg