When life gives you lemons … use them!
Fresh lemons bring a satisfying sour taste and zestiness to savory dishes, salads, tart desserts, baked goods, and refreshing beverages.
Furthermore, lemons make delicious condiments like jam, marmalades, pickles, and dips.
Our list of lemonlicious Summer recipes showcases breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, baked treats, beverages, and condiments.
Let’s jump in!
18 Creative and Delicious Fresh Lemon Recipes | Make the Most of Your Lemons
Breakfast Lemon Recipes
Lemon Ricotta Pancakes – Tart yet Sweet (Vegetarian)
Your Sunday morning breakfast pancakes with a tart meets creamy twist.
Nothing is better than a stack of freshly made pancakes, drizzled honey or syrup, and a dollop of cream.
This recipe takes it up a notch with creamy ricotta cheese in the actual recipe and on the side.
We recommend you finish off the dish with a few fresh blueberries. Doing so may make these pancakes the new family favorite.
Allergy information: gluten, eggs, dairy
Lemon Blueberry Muffins – Moist and Morish (Vegetarian)
What would your morning cup of coffee be without the perfect muffin?
The ingredients include Greek yogurt, which keeps the muffins moist without the yogurt taste. Blueberries bake beautifully, adding a subtly juicy texture.
The best part is the streusel crumb topping! These muffins make excellent lunch box treats. However, we wonder if they will make it past breakfast. (*)
Pro Tip:
Allergy information: gluten, eggs, dairy
Fresh Lemon Poppy Seed Scones – Buttery and Flaky (Vegetarian)
Enjoy a splendid high tea in the garden with these texture-rich scones.
Poppy seeds and fresh lemon work well together in recipes. Typically, these two ingredients are used in muffin mixes.
Yet, this lemon recipe boldly blends crunchy poppy seeds, zesty lemon flavor, and a touch of ginger into a buttery and flaky scone.
The light lemon glaze is the perfect finishing touch to enhance the zestiness.
Pro Tip:
Allergy information: gluten, eggs, dairy
OMG Vegan Lemon Muffins – Fluffy and Crumbly
Have you tried a muffin with a streusel crumb topping AND a glaze?
We recommend you step out of your “regular” muffin zone and bite into these fluffy, buttery, crumbly vegan muffins drizzled with a lemon glaze.
This recipe might change your mind if you thought vegan muffins could not be “buttery” and delicious.
Pro Tip:
Allergy information: gluten
Learn more: What to do with coconut cream?
Lunch and Dinner Lemon Recipes
Easy Lemon Orzo (Pasta) Salad with Feta – Healthy and Refreshing (Vegetarian/Vegan)
Summertime calls for garden-fresh salads. So, here’s the best salad to enjoy as a meal or side dish.
The ingredients include orzo, a form of short-type pasta similar to rice in appearance. The cucumber, red bell pepper, purple onion, feta, herbs, and fresh lemon create a colorful and scrumptious salad.
There is a honey ingredient. However, substituting honey with agave nectar or syrup accommodates the vegan diet. Also, you can use vegan-based cheese instead of feta.
Pro Tip:
Allergy information: gluten, dairy (if following the original recipe)
Lemon-Basil Spaghetti – Flavorsome and Filling (Vegetarian/Vegan)
Pasta is a great go-to for a quick and healthy lunch or dinner.
This recipe uses readily available ingredients, including fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, and parmesan cheese.
The lemon zest enhances the dishes’ overall flavor and is complemented by the fruity meets nutty parmesan notes.
Pro Tip:
Allergy information: gluten
Creamy Lemon Salmon – Healthy and Creamy (Fish)
We love the combo of Summer and Salmon!
Salmon is quick to prepare, tastes delicious, and is high in omega-3 fats. This lemon recipe produces a light meal bursting with zesty goodness and creaminess.
The dijon mustard and white wine ingredients pair perfectly with salmon creating a mouthwatering eating experience.
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Allergy information: fish, gluten, dairy
Greek Lemon Chicken – The best Mediterranean-style chicken
In Mediterranean cuisine, where there is chicken, there is lemon.
The chicken is grilled to perfection, and the combination of thyme, rosemary, basil, and oregano complements the lemony tang.
We suggest you double up on this recipe and use the leftover fillets to make chicken mayonnaise sandwiches for lunch boxes the following day.
Pro Tip:
Allergy information: none
Ok, we know what you are thinking: how could you possibly have space for a dessert?
Let us show you how.
Dessert Lemon Recipes
Lemon Mousse – Light and Refreshing (Vegetarian)
Chocolate mousse may be a popular choice. Yet, this invigorating and zesty lemon mousse is the ideal dessert to serve on a hot summer’s evening.
It is light and creamy and bursting with lemon flavor. To add a little chocolate flair, grate some dark chocolate and sprinkle on top before serving.
Pro Tip:
Allergy information: eggs, dairy
No Bake Lemon Cheesecake – the perfect zesty slice every time (Vegetarian)
Be sure to plan in advance when preparing this fresh lemon cheesecake recipe, as it is best when set in the refrigerator overnight.
It is super lemony with just the right amount of crunchy crust. The firm texture ensures it slices perfectly, making it easy to plate and look “oh-so” professional.
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Allergy information: gluten, dairy
Lemon Delicious Pudding – Fabulously lemony hot or cold (Vegetarian)
We love this light and lip-smacking lemon dessert recipe. Â
It is airy, yet not dry, and the creamy lemon sauce base sets it apart from an ordinary baked sponge cake.
Elegantly dusted with icing sugar and served with whipped cream or ice cream, your guests may return for a second helping.
The best part is you can serve this dessert hot or cold with equality palette pleasing results.
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Allergy information: gluten, eggs, dairy
Easy Vegan Lemon Tart – Light and Zesty
When we think of a “tart,” automatically, a light and zesty lemon tart comes to mind.
This super easy vegan lemon tart recipe has only 6 ingredients and is delightful with every bite. It is fun to prepare, sets in 3 hours, and lasts up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Think about it; you can enjoy a slice or two every day for a whole working week!
Pro Tip: Finish this tasty vegan tart with whipped coconut cream and fresh raspberries. Delicious!
Allergy information: gluten
Now, something for the bakers!
Baked Lemon Recipes
Lemon Sugar Cookies with Lemon Frosting – Soft and Chewy (Vegetarian)
Are friends coming over for afternoon tea? Make these soft and chewy lemon sugar cookies with lemon frosting.
The cookies offer a hint of lemon, while the luscious lemon frosting makes the flavor pop. These morish cookies pair perfectly with hot coffee or herbal tea.
Even better, your children can enjoy these zesty treats with friends for a tea-party play date.
Pro Tip:
Allergy information: eggs, gluten, dairy
Whole Lemon Cake – The Best Cake using Whole Lemons (Vegan)
If you have an abundance of lemons. This recipe is the way to go.
The secret to the moist texture and robust, zesty flavor is the lemon pulp made in the food processor. Who knew you could leave out butter or oil and achieve such incredible results with pulp!?
By the way, it only has 5 ingredients, making it the most straightforward and moist lemon cake you have ever tasted.
ProTip from Baker Anthea:
Allergy information: none
We’re not through yet!
Check out this fabulous Lemon Sorbet and Blue Berry Lemon Iced Tea to wash your meal down.
Healthy Fresh Lemon Sorbet – The Ultimate Healthy Summer Cooler (Vegetarian/Vegan)
We can not think of anything better than a cool and refreshing citrus sorbet on a hot and humid day.
This silky smooth and zesty sorbet recipe brings the summer heat down a notch. The choice of sweetener is honey, and you can add a dash of vodka to give it a fresh lemon cocktail vibe.
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Blueberry Lemon Iced Tea – Pure Fruity Refreshment (Vegetarian)
Are you planning a summer garden party? If so, you have to include this green-tea based ice cold beverage.
Blueberries and lemons complement one another exceptionally well. The slight sweetness in the blueberries balances out the super sour lemon flavor.
Decidedly, the ideal cool beverage for your guests.
Pro Tip:
Do you still have a pucker of lemons left?
Let’s preserve them!
Preserving Lemon Recipes
How to can Lemons – quick and simple (Vegan)
Preserving lemons is easier than you may think and makes a thoughtful gift.
You can use preserved lemons in tea, baking, stews, and curries. Moreover, preserved lemons can be kept in the refrigerator for up to one month.
Get slicing and make a few gifts for those summer birthdays coming up!
Allergy information: none
Three Ingredients Lemon Marmalade – the perfect Summer condiment (Vegan)
Making a lemon marmalade is not complicated at all. As with preserved lemons, it makes a tasty handmade gift.
This recipe has only 3 ingredients. When cooled, use it as a condiment on a cheese platter or a spread on sourdough toast.
Finally, remember to serve this zesty marmalade alongside the Lemon Poppy Seed Scones recipe!
Allergy information: none
Last Lemony Thoughts
So, here’s the deal. Choose your perfect lemonlicious 3-course meal combination and use your abundance of lemons wisely.
Which combo did you decide on? We would love to hear from you. Get in touch!
(Important note: Allergy information covers eggs, dairy, gluten, and fish only)
