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How to Make Freeze Dried Lemons (3 ways!)

January 31, 2023 by Brianna Leave a Comment

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Learn to how to make freeze dried lemons with three different methods so you’ll never run out of ways to preserve the harvest!

freeze dried lemons pinterest graphic

This post contains affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

We are right in the middle of winter here on the homestead, and are living off of oranges and lemons (when it comes for fruit!) I love that citrus coincides with a fresh new start of the new year…it’s so fitting! All of the lemons are ready at about the same time, so we have a flush of them all at once.

lemon slices sitting on cutting board

Since lemons aren’t necessarily an eating fruit, I love getting creative with new ways to use and preserve them. We usually like to freeze the lemon juice to use throughout the year. Since we’ve had our freeze dryer, I have really been enjoying trying out new methods to put up the bounty! I have found three main ways that lemons do best when freeze dried: lemons slices, lemon powder, and lemon juice.

lemons in freeze dryer
lemon squeezer by homegrown lemons

What you’ll need to freeze dry lemons

Depending on the method of freeze dried lemons you choose to make the tools needed will vary. For every method you will need:

  • A sharp knife
  • A freeze dryer
  • A cutting board
  • Container to store the lemons in mason jar, freezer bag, or mylar
  • Oxygen absorber

Along with the above items, if you are making freeze dried lemon powder you will also need:

  • A powerful blender
  • Rolling pin, coffee grinder, or food processor

If you are making the freeze dried lemon juice you’ll also need:

  • Lemon squeezer or juicer
freeze dried lemons on tray
freeze dried lemon slices

How to Make Freeze dried lemon slices

  1. Wash the lemon slices with a tablespoon of baking soda and warm water. This will remove any debris from the rinds before slices.
  2. Dry the lemons.
  3. Turn on your freeze dryer to allow the chamber to cool, while you slice the lemons.
  4. Slice the lemons trying to keep the slices as even as possible. This will help them freeze dry at the same rate.
  5. Lay the lemons on the freeze dryer trays.
  6. When the freeze dryer is ready, load the trays, shut the door (making sure the valve is shut) and press start.
  7. Let the freeze dryer run a full cycle.
  8. After one full cycle, test the lemons. They should be completely dry. The slices should be crisp and not bend at all if you try to snap them in half.
  9. If you are unsure whether they are dry or not, you can add more time.
  10. When the lemons are finished, quickly transfer them to an airtight container with an oxygen absorber.
  11. Store in a cool, dry, and dark location.
lemon chunks sitting on cutting board
lemon puree in blender
lemon puree on freeze dryer tray
freeze dried lemon powder
freeze dried lemon powder in jars

Freeze dried lemon powder

  1. Wash the lemon slices with a tablespoon of baking soda and warm water. This will remove any debris from the rinds before slices.
  2. Dry the lemons.
  3. Turn on your freeze dryer to allow the chamber to cool down, while you prepare the lemon puree.
  4. While the freeze dryer chamber is cooling, cut the lemons into 1-2 inch chunks. In small batches, puree the lemons (even the peel!).
  5. Pour the lemon puree onto the freeze dryer trays. Spread it evenly with a spoon. Make sure to not to fill a tray to over the rim.
  6. When the freeze dryer is ready, load the trays, shut the door (making sure the valve is shut) and press start.
  7. Let the freeze dryer run a full cycle.
  8. After one full cycle, test the lemon puree. They should be completely dry. The puree should be crunchy and not soft.
  9. If you are unsure whether they are dry or not, you can add more time.
  10. When the lemon puree is finished, break it up for storage.
  11. You can break up the freeze dried lemon puree by using a food processor, coffee grinder, or even just crushing it with a closed freezer bag and rolling pin.
  12. When the puree is turned to powder pour into an airtight container with an oxygen absorber
  13. Store in a cool, dry, and dark location.
knife slicing lemons in half
lemon juice on freeze dryer tray
freeze dried lemon juice
freeze dried lemon juice powder

Freeze dried lemon juice

  1. Turn on your freeze dryer to allow the chamber to cool down, while you prepare the lemon juice.
  2. Cut each lemon in half and squeeze the juice into a mason jar or pitcher.
  3. When the freeze dryer is cooled down, load the trays.
  4. Carefully pull one tray at a time halfway to pour the lemon juice onto the tray. This will helps avoid spilling.
  5. When the trays are full, shut the door (making sure the valve is shut) and press start.
  6. Let the freeze dryer run a full cycle.
  7. After one full cycle, test the lemon juice. It will significantly shrink down. It should be completely dry.
  8. If you are unsure whether they are dry or not, you can add more time.
  9. Once the lemon juice is dry, take a bench scraper or metal spatula, and scrape the freeze dried lemon juice from the tray.
  10. Pour freeze dried lemon juice into airtight container with an oxygen absorber.
  11. Store in a cool, dry, and dark location.
freeze dried lemon juice 3 ways

How to use freeze dried lemons

There are many uses for freeze dried lemons, here are some of our favorites!

  • Drop some freeze dried lemon juice or slices, into some tea or ice water.
  • Put a tablespoon of freeze dried lemon puree into muffins, cookies, or other baked goods to enjoy a lemony treat.
  • Sprinkle onto ice cream!
  • Put the freeze dried lemon juice into homemade whipped cream to make a lemon whipped cream. This would be great with strawberry shortcake or lemon curd cake!
  • Rehydrate the juice for salad dressings, vegetable dishes, or any other recipe that needs lemon juice.
  • Use the lemon puree to make homemade cleaning products
freeze dried lemon slice in tea

Freeze dried lemons FAQ

Can you freeze dry lemons?

Yes! Lemons can be freeze dried a variety of different ways. You can freeze dry lemons with or without the peel. It is an excellent way to preserve lemons and give them a long shelf life.

lemon slices on freeze dryer tray

How long do freeze dried lemons last?

Freeze dried lemons can last 1-3 year if stored in a jar with an oxygen absorber, but if they are stored in mylar bags they can be stored for up to 20 years!

freeze dried lemons on trays

How can I make organic freeze dried lemon powder.

Start with getting organic lemons. They best source is right from your own backyard to ensure that they haven’t been sprayed with anything. Puree the whole lemons, freeze dry the puree, then grind the chunks into freeze dried powder.

organic freeze dried lemon powder in water

You May Also Like:

Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Review (Extremely Honest)

How to Freeze Lemon Juice

Lemon Curd Cake

Freeze Dryer V. Dehydrator: Which is better?

How to Freeze Dry Eggs

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Filed Under: Freeze Drying, Preserve the Harvest Tagged With: freeze dried lemon juice, freeze dried lemon powder, freeze dried lemon slices, freeze dried lemons, harvest right freeze dryer, how to freeze dry lemons, how to preserve lemons, lemon juice, what to do with lemons

Previous Post: « How to Freeze Lemon Juice (The Simple Way)
Next Post: Home Canned Lemonade Concentrate »

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