7 ways to use lemon zest or peel in kitchen and cooking

Lemon zest, the bright outer part of the peel, adds a fresh, tangy taste to food, while the peel itself has many surprising uses. Before you throw away that lemon peel, pause for a second. It can do much more than you think. There are plenty of clever cooking ideas and flavour tricks you can try. Here are seven simple ways to use lemon zest and peel to lift your dishes and add a burst of citrusy flavour.

Infuse your oils and vinegars

This is an easy gourmet twist you can give your cooking oils and vinegars by infusing them with lemon peels. Just drop a few strips of lemon peel into a bottle of olive oil or vinegar, let it sit for a few days, and the flavours will come alive. Lemon-infused oil is great for drizzling over salads, pasta, or grilled veggies, adding a fresh citrus touch to any dish.

Brighten up baked goods

Lemon zest is actually the baker's best secret that gives depth to baked sweet treats. A sprinkle in cookies, cakes, muffins, or scones can add the right amount of zest in flavour without overpowering the dish. The zest adds a zesty tang to pound cakes and cupcakes and pairs beautifully with flavours like vanilla, blueberry, and almond.

Create a flavorful sugar or salt blend


Make your lemon-flavoured sugar or salt to sprinkle on top of baked goods, rim cocktail glasses, or add a pinch to savoury dishes. To make lemon sugar, combine zest with sugar and spread on a baking sheet to dry. Store in an airtight container and to make lemon salt, mix the zest and coarse salt. Both work well for instant bursts of flavour as desired.

Add zing to marinades and dressings


Lemon zest and peel work well in marinades and dressings. They add a bright citrus taste to meats, poultry, and seafood that feels fresh and pleasant. Lemon zest lifts vinaigrettes and gives salads a light, zesty flavour. Just mix lemon zest with olive oil, herbs, and spices, and you’ve got a quick marinade that softens and adds flavour to your proteins.

Create your own lemon pepper seasoning

Lemon zest and freshly ground black pepper create a classic seasoning blend that complements a wide range of dishes. Dry the zest by leaving it out for a day or using a low-temperature oven, then mix it with black pepper and a touch of salt, then toss in everything from grilled chicken to seafood, veggies to popcorn for that extra burst of flavour.

Enhance soups and stews


Lemon peel, especially the zest, adds a vibrant lift to stews and broths. Add to a heartier vegetable soup or some slow-cooked stew right at the end of your cooking time, and that deepened flavour will come alive. It also works well in creamy soups, balancing the flavours and cutting through the richness, giving each spoonful a subtle, refreshing kick.

Make homemade limoncello or lemon extract

If you’re up for a little DIY, lemon peels can be the star ingredient in homemade limoncello or lemon extract. Steep the peels in alcohol (like vodka) for a few weeks, and you’ll have a beautifully aromatic, lemony liqueur to enjoy as a digestif or to use in baking and cocktails.