How to Store Lemon Curd So It Lasts for Months (2024)

Casey Barber

Casey Barber

Casey Barber is a food writer, illustrator, and photographer;author of Pierogi Love: New Takes on an Old-World Comfort Food and Classic Snacks Made from Scratch: 70 Homemade Versions of Your Favorite Brand Name Treats; and editor of Good. Food. Stories.. When she’s not road-tripping across the U.S., Casey lives in New Jersey with her husband, two hungry cats, and a freezer full of sour cherries.

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published Mar 18, 2022

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How to Store Lemon Curd So It Lasts for Months (1)

Even if you don’t have a full gallon of lemon curd on hand after testing eight different methods of making it, there might be a moment when you’re not ready to polish off an entire batch of lemon curd in one sitting.Or you might want to stash some lemon curd for edible holiday gifts, or as a pick-me-up for your future self. (That, my friends, might be the best gift of all.)

Whatever your reasons for leaving lemon curd uneaten, you never need to fear it will go to waste. Here are three different ways to store lemon curd.

1. How to store lemon curd in the refrigerator.

You’re already putting your freshly cooked lemon curd in the refrigerator to thicken, so you can simply leave it there if you’re not ready to use it right away. Just be sure to put it in a tightly sealed glass or plastic container so it doesn’t pick up any aromas from other things in your fridge. Fresh lemon curd will keep for one to two weeks when stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

2. How to store lemon curd using the water-bath canning method.

According to food preservation expert Leda Meredith, you can can lemon curd using the water-bath canning method, as long as you refrigerate the sealed jars after canning. Why? Acidity levels can be tricky to gauge with fresh lemon juice, which is why shelf-stable canned lemon curd recipes use bottled lemon juice. And who wants to make homemade lemon curd with bottled juice?

Unopened canned jars will keep for up to three months in the refrigerator. Once opened, the jars should be used within a week.

3. How to store lemon curd in the freezer.

Yes, you can freeze lemon curd! Once your fresh curd is chilled, just pop the airtight, freezer-safe container in the freezer. Lemon curd can be stored in the freezer for up to one year. (Better put a reminder on your calendar so you don’t forget about that golden deliciousness.)

Thaw the lemon curd in the refrigerator before using; I usually just pop mine in the fridge night before I want to use it. And how might I want to use it, you ask?

What to Do with Leftover Lemon Curd

Whether you’re using fresh, water-bath canned, or previously frozen lemon curd, there are so many delicious options. For starters, just spread it in a pie or tart shell and voila! Dessert is ready.Try a cookie crust, whether classic graham cracker or gingersnap, or a shortbread tart crust. Don’t forget the whipped cream! You can also spread lemon curd on cookies, cakes, biscuits, or scones; swirl it into ice cream or yogurt; serve it with fresh fruit; or just eat it right out of the jar.

How to Store Lemon Curd So It Lasts for Months (2024)

FAQs

How to store lemon curd for a long time? ›

Allow the curd to cool to room temperature. To prevent a 'surface skin' from forming while it cools, place a clean piece of plastic food wrap down onto the surface of the curd or cover the bowl. Fill cooled curd into freezer container(s), leaving ½-inch headspace, and freeze immediately.

How long can lemon curd be stored in the fridge? ›

Just be sure to put it in a tightly sealed glass or plastic container so it doesn't pick up any aromas from other things in your fridge. Fresh lemon curd will keep for one to two weeks when stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

How to store homemade curd? ›

In order to preserve the curd for a few days, store it in the fridge. The curd becomes watery when the milk isn't boiled enough or if too much water is added to the milk. Heat is required for the curdling process to happen. In our weather conditions, the room temperature is enough.

Should you freeze lemon curd? ›

Shelf Life: Prepared lemon curd can be frozen for up to 1 year without quality changes when thawed. To thaw, place container in a refrigerator at 40°F or lower for 24 hours before intended use.

Can you freeze lemon curd in a Mason jar? ›

Allow lemon curd to cool thoroughly before freezing. Divide into useable portion sizes and pour into freezer grade bags, plastic containers or jars. I like using half pint (8 0z, 1 cup, 150ml) glass canning jars. Tip: – using smaller jars makes it easy to thaw and use just what you need.

Does lemon curd expire if unopened? ›

Unopened lemon curd typically has a shelf life of 1-2 years when stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Manufacturers often print a "best by" date on the packaging, which should be used as a guideline for optimal quality.

What is the shelf life of homemade lemon curd? ›

Cool and store. Store lemon curd in a jar or airtight container, and keep in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks. You can freeze lemon curd for a month or more, letting it thaw in the fridge before using.

What is the shelf life of curd? ›

Upto 5 days and 11 days dahi could be stored at room temperature (24°C) and refrigeration temperature (7°C) was in good condition with acceptable quality respectively. ... Products like yoghurt are known more for their therapeutic significance than nutritional value [11] .

Does lemon curd last? ›

Because of its high sugar content, lemon curd already has a reasonably long shelf life and can be kept in the fridge for up to a week. And yes, lemon curd can also be frozen. Transfer the curd to a freezer bag and remove excess air. Seal and freeze for up to six months.

Which container is best for storing curd? ›

Use airtight containers to store your curd / yoghurt from strong odur. You can use pot with lid instead of foil sheet.

Which is not the correct method for keeping curd? ›

Curd should not be stored in brass or copper vessel as curd is a uduc substance. Acid from the curd combines with the metal from the vessel and produces salt and hydrogen gas. Due to these toxic reactions, the container is corroded and the curd in it gets spoiled.

How long can curd be preserved? ›

How to store Curd, Yoghurt, Dahi? Store in fridge. It can be stored at low temperatures (less than 5 degrees C) for several weeks. You can usually store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks but it becomes much stronger at the end of that period.

How do you store lemon curd long term? ›

If you anticipate needing to store lemon curd for longer than two weeks, it is best to freeze it to increase its longevity; you won't have to worry about the curd changing in flavor or texture as long as it is frozen properly.

How to tell if lemon curd has gone bad? ›

If the curd changes color, has a significant change in texture (such as lumpiness or wateriness), or if it has an unpleasant smell, you should assume that it has gone bad and dispose of the remaining curd instead of eating it.

What happens when you freeze curd? ›

Impact on texture

After freezing and defrosting, yogurt tends to get grainy or thinner. This is due to water and milk solids parting ways. As a result, it feels different in your mouth. But, the nutrition stays more or less the same.

Is it OK to reheat lemon curd? ›

Remember that curd will thicken more once cooled. If your cooled curd is not thick enough, you can reheat it to thicken. Put it over a low heat, stirring constantly. Ensure it coats the back of a spoon before taking it off the heat.

How long can curd last in the fridge? ›

Buy the freshest curds that you can. Eat what you want, but if you can't finish the bag right away or if you intend to keep it for a while put it into the refrigerator. Once refrigerated, you can usually keep the curds about two weeks.

Can you freeze lemon curd in a cake? ›

Can you freeze a sponge cake with a lemon curd filling? Hello, Yes, you can. I would freeze either whole or sliced on a tray until frozen solid, then wrap individually in freezer film or bags for up to 3 months.

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