20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (2024)

Winter’s gray skies can get you down, but in-season citrus reminds us all that there’s hope for sunnier days ahead. While we’d never turn away from a citrus-inspired dinner recipe or using lemons to clean the house, Meyer lemons in particular pair well with the, ahem, sweeter things in life. Keep scrolling for 20 recipes where the citrus, first introduced to the United States from China in the 20th century by Frank Meyer, is the star.

Meyer Lemon, Raspberry, Goat Cheese Waffles

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (1) Waffles should never come from a box. After all, why go with something plain and drab when you could go with something fab, like these waffles made with Meyer lemon, raspberry and goat cheese? (via Kneading Home)

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (2)

2. Meyer Lemon and Thyme Hearth Bread: Crispy on the bottom and fluffy inside, this hearth bread is similar to focaccia. It’s extra tasty in this recipe, thanks to a topping of thinly sliced Meyer lemons and a sprinkle of rosemary. (via Food Gal)

Meyer Lemon Danish Braid

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (3) We love any excuse to eat dessert for breakfast, and a Danish basically fits the bill. Here, it’s filled with cream cheese and Meyer lemon curd, then drizzled with a Meyer lemon glaze for an extra tasty fanfare. (via Tutti-Dolci)

Meyer Lemon Olive Oil Cake

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (4) If you love lemon and olive oil in savory dishes, this could be the dessert for you. They work to make this cake extra moist and flavorful, with a light sweetness that helps balance the bold, citrusy flavors. (via Baking Sense)

Meyer Lemon Poppy Seed Scones

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (5) Lemon poppy seed muffins are one of our favorite snacks to enjoy with coffee. But these scones, loaded with Meyer Lemon flavor and poppy seeds and covered in a thick lemony glaze, really take the cake. (via Baker by Nature)

Preserved Meyer Lemons

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (6) Preserve your citrus now, and you’ll be patting yourself on the back come summer when you have the perfect addition to all of your fresh, veggie-filled meals. All it takes is some quartered Meyer lemons, lots of salt and a jar, and you’ve basically got bottled sunshine. (via Wicked Spatula)

Meyer Lemon Shaker Pie

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (7) If you’ve only had lemon pies that involve meringue, hold on to your hats. This pie incorporates slices of Meyer lemon, peel-on, for a decadent dessert that’s equal parts bracingly sweet and tart. (via Baking Sense)

Meyer Lemon and Thyme Ice Cream

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (8) Think of this dessert as sherbet for adults. Meyer lemon and thyme are churned into an ice cream that’s surprisingly light, and will make you think longingly of warmer days ahead. (via I Ate the Whole Thing)

Meyer Lemon Crumb Bars

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (9) Just one bite of these bars and you’ll be hooked. First, it’s the tangy lemon curd, second, the buttery crumbles, and next thing you know, you’re ready for another helping. (via Tutti-Dolci)

Meyer Lemon White Chocolate Cheesecake

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (10) White chocolate cheesecake is delicious on its own, but this recipe has a secret ingredient. Fragrant Meyer lemon cuts through the richness, making for a more complex dessert than what you might be used to. (via Contemplating Sweets)

Vegan Meyer Lemon Macaroons

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (11) Lemony treats aren’t just for the gluten-heads among us. This Meyer Lemon macaroon recipe is vegan, grain-free and gluten-free, so that everyone can enjoy them. (via The Clean Dish)

Chilled Meyer Lemon Soufflés

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (12) When the snow is falling all around, nothing perks us up like a Meyer lemon. That’s especially true with these light and fluffy soufflés. (via Just a Little Bit of Bacon)

Citrus Madeleines

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (13) Madeleines make even the drabbest coffee break feel a little more fabulous. This recipe, flavored with Meyer lemons and cara cara oranges, will whisk you away to a Parisian cafe — even if you’re actually just sipping some instant coffee in your cubicle. (via Tutti-Dolci)

Meyer Lemon Upside Down Poppy Seed Cake

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (14) Caramelized to a lovely golden hue, nothing beats a freshly turned upside-down cake. This recipe makes for an especially pretty reveal, thanks to a layer of Meyer lemon slices that add a pleasant tartness to the moist poppy seed cake. (via Cups + Spoonfuls)

Meyer Lemon and Blueberry Ricotta Muffins

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (15) If you have trouble getting up in the morning, here’s the breakfast for you! Rich ricotta muffins, flavored with Meyer lemon and blueberries, are just the thing to get you to crawl out of bed. (via Just a Little Bit of Bacon)

Meyer Lemon Margaritas

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (16) A well-made co*cktail is a delight any time of year. This take on the margarita swaps Meyer Lemon juice for lime, for a co*cktail that just might take the place of the classic. (via Freutcake)

Meyer Lemon Bars

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (17) Ooey, gooey and slightly chewy, get ready to fall in love. These fragrant Meyer Lemon bars are all about the filling, though the buttery shortbread crust is worth drooling over too. (via Foodiecrush)

Walnut Meyer Lemon Shortbread Cookies

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (18) If you’re the type of person who shies away from overly sweet treats, check out this recipe. Buttery, nutty and flavored with plenty of Meyer Lemon juice and zest, these cookies make for a fine snack with a cup of tea. (via Mom Foodie)

Meyer Lemon Rosemary Bread

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (19) The smell of this Meyer lemon rosemary bread fresh out of the oven is intoxicating, but it doesn’t end there. Slather a slice with European salted butter and a drizzle of honey or shmear of marmalade, and you’ll never want to buy store-bought bread again. (via Sweet Cayenne)

Meyer Lemon Pudding Cake

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (20) The best part of this dessert isn’t just the Meyer lemon flavor and blueberries dotting the top. It’s the texture, which features a silky pudding and fluffy cake, so you feel like you’re eating two desserts in one. (via Floating Kitchen)

Justina Huddleston

Justina Huddleston is a food writer living in Los Angeles. When she's not busy writing, she spends her time in the kitchen creating both virtuous and decidedly junky vegan food. Buffalo chickpea pizza, anyone? She's also been known to eat a plain block of tofu or beans straight out of the can for lunch, but somehow those culinary adventures don't make it to her Instagram. You can follow Justina on Twitter or see what's cooking in her kitchen on her blog, A Life of Little Pleasures.

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (2024)

FAQs

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter? ›

Temperature

Meyer Lemon Trees are very cold hardy and can withstand temperatures down to about 20 degrees. If your area gets colder than that, your tree will need to be planted in a container and brought inside when the temperature drops. But when they're inside, winter heat can dry them out.

What is the lowest temperature a Meyer lemon tree can tolerate? ›

Temperature

Meyer Lemon Trees are very cold hardy and can withstand temperatures down to about 20 degrees. If your area gets colder than that, your tree will need to be planted in a container and brought inside when the temperature drops. But when they're inside, winter heat can dry them out.

How long does it take for a Meyer lemon tree to bear fruit? ›

As for fruit, the Meyer lemon tree should produce citrus every year after it reaches maturity—i.e., around four years old. Growing a citrus tree on your own may sound daunting—most of us aren't farmers—but we promise it's just as easy as caring for your favorite houseplant (and maybe easier in some cases).

What is the difference between a lemon tree and a Meyer lemon tree? ›

Grafted semi-dwarf Meyer lemon trees are more compact than standard lemon trees. They can reach a height of about 8-12 feet when grown in the ground, and smaller in containers. The leaves are glossy and green, and the tree produces fragrant white and purple flowers.

Can you freeze Meyer lemons whole? ›

To freeze whole lemons, place them in freezer bags, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Use whole frozen lemons for juicing. To thaw, microwave for a few seconds, or place the lemons in cold water for 10 to 15 minutes. Slice the lemon and juice.

How do you take care of Meyer lemons in the winter? ›

Meyer lemons prefer temperatures between 50°F and 80°F degrees. Once temperatures drop below 50°F, prepare to bring your tree inside and stop feeding. Place your lemon tree near a south facing window in a sunny location.

Are coffee grounds good for lemon trees? ›

Citrus trees, such as oranges, lemons, and limes, thrive in slightly acidic soil. Coffee grounds have a mild acidic nature, making them an ideal amendment to help balance the pH levels around your citrus trees.

Can a lemon tree survive a cold winter? ›

Among the citrus types most easily killed or damaged by freezing weather are citrons, lemons and limes. Temperatures in the high 20s will kill or severely damage these plants. setting flower buds as temperatures started to warm.

Should I cover my lemon tree in winter? ›

In-ground citrus planting is recommended for areas that do not typically see freezing temperatures in the winter. 1. Covering: Use frost cloths, blankets, burlap, or specialized tree covers to shield the trees from freezing temperatures. Make sure the cover extends all the way to the ground to trap heat effectively.

What is the best fertilizer for lemon trees? ›

Use Ammonium Sulfate, Ammonium Phosphate or Citrus Food fertilizer. The amount of fertilizer needed per year depends on the age, the size, and the type of tree. For example, a medium-sized adult tree 5-6 years after planting needs 6.2 pounds of Ammonium Sulfate per year (split into three applications).

Why is my lemon tree blooming but no lemons? ›

Some reasons for this would be incorrect cultivation, lack of nutrients, insufficient water and bad rootstock. If the plant does bloom but still fails to fruit, this might be because the tree is not old enough. Lemon tree fruiting occurs at three to five years old, depending upon the rootstock.

Why is my lemon tree flowering but no fruit? ›

Lemon trees need some time to grow before they are ready to fruit. Most citrus trees won't come into maturity for about three years. If your lemon tree isn't fruiting, it might just need some more time! Water your lemon tree when 50% of the soil volume has dried.

What is the easiest lemon tree to grow? ›

Dwarf Improved Meyer – The easiest indoor lemon tree, this cross between lemon and mandarin orange offers sweet, tangy lemons. Dwarf Ponderosa – Another popular indoor choice, this lemon and citron cross bears large lemony fruit.

Do Meyer lemon trees like sun or shade? ›

Meyer lemon trees thrive in full sunlight, requiring 8-12 hours of direct sunlight per day, preferably from the southwest, whether indoors or outdoors. If this isn't possible inside, consider investing in grow lights.

Do Meyer lemon trees like lots of water? ›

If you can feel moisture, hold off on watering your plant. If the soil feels dry, thoroughly water the plant. As a general rule, this means that you should water your Meyer lemon tree about once every week or every two weeks during most parts of the year.

Can Meyer lemons be used for regular lemons? ›

Yes, in most cases. Both Meyer lemons and regular lemons can be used in the same ways. You can juice them for co*cktails, spritzers, or a vinaigrette, and use the pulp or zest for an array of sweet and savory dishes alike. Just remember that regular lemons lack the sweetness of Meyer lemons.

Can I leave Meyer lemons on the tree? ›

Meyer lemons don't ripen any further once picked, so if it's the milder taste you want, then it's best to leave the fruit on the tree as long as possible.

How do you store an abundance of lemons? ›

Lemons are best kept in the fridge. Stashed in the fridge on a shelf, fresh lemons remain fresh for a week or more. If you really want your lemons to last, put them in a sealed container or a zip-top bag.

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