4 Best Lemon Curd Substitutes

If you’re reading this, it’s likely because you’re missing lemon curd and want to find something that tastes like it. You might not want to use it, or you may not be able to.

Don’t worry! Because this article has four yummy lemon curd substitutes that you can use instead. Let’s look at these tasty alternatives that will make your favorite recipes taste even better. 🍋✨

Key Takeaways:

Here are the top 5 alternatives to lemon curd that you can use instead:

Lemon Yogurt

Lemon yogurt fits the bill perfectly. It imparts a tangy flavor and offers a lighter and more nutritious option.

Here are some clear steps on how to incorporate lemon yogurt as a substitute:

Ingredients:

• Yogurt (preferably plain or with minimal added sugar)
• Fresh lemon juice and zest (optional, for added lemony brightness)

How to Use Lemon Yogurt as a Substitute:

Choose Your Yogurt: Select a yogurt that suits your taste preferences. Look for plain yogurt with minimal added sugars for a healthier option. Optionally, you can also enhance the lemony taste by adding a bit of fresh lemon juice and zest if your yogurt isn’t quite tangy enough for your liking.

Topping for Pancakes and Waffles: Lemon yogurt makes an excellent topping for breakfast dishes. Simply spoon a dollop onto your pancakes, waffles, or even oatmeal to add a delightful, tangy twist. You can also drizzle some honey or maple syrup over it for extra sweetness.

Baking and Cooking: To use lemon yogurt in baked goods, follow your recipe instructions. You can substitute some or all of the liquid ingredients in your recipe with lemon yogurt. For example, if a recipe calls for buttermilk or milk, you can use lemon yogurt instead. This works well in muffins, cakes, and quick breads.

Lemon Zest and Juice (Optional): If you’d like to enhance the lemony flavor further, you can add a touch of fresh lemon juice and zest to the plain yogurt. Start with a teaspoon of lemon juice and a teaspoon of zest, adjusting to your taste. Mix these into the yogurt for an extra zing.

Lemon Juice and Sugar

Making a lemon juice and sugar substitute for lemon curd is an easy and quick solution, especially when you’re running low on ingredients or need a last-minute alternative.

Here’s a more detailed guide on how to make it:

Ingredients:

• Fresh lemon juice
• Granulated sugar

Directions:

1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Start by obtaining fresh lemons and juicing them to get the lemon juice. You’ll also need granulated sugar for this simple substitute.
2. Combine Lemon Juice and Sugar: In a bowl or a container, mix an equal amount of fresh lemon juice and granulated sugar. For instance, if you use 1 cup of lemon juice, add 1 cup of sugar. The key is to make sure the sugar dissolves completely in the lemon juice.
3. Stir Until Sugar Dissolves: Using a spoon or a whisk, stir the lemon juice and sugar together until the sugar fully dissolves into the lemon juice. This may take a minute or two of stirring.

And there you have it. Note that the quantity can be adjusted based on your specific needs.

Lime Curd

Lime curd, a splendid alternative to lemon curd, brings a zesty and delightful flavor to your culinary repertoire. Some even find it more vibrant and refreshing than its lemony counterpart. If you’re keen on crafting this citrusy wonder at home and discovering delectable pairings, here’s your guide:

How To Make Homemade Lime Curd

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of fresh lime juice (about 4-5 limes)
• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon of lime zest

Serving Quantity:

This recipe should yield approximately 1.5 to 2 cups of lime curd, depending on how thick you prefer it. You can adjust the quantity by scaling the ingredients up or down as needed.

Directions:

1. Squeeze the Lime Juice: Kickstart the process by extracting the juice from fresh limes. You’ll want enough lime juice to establish a rich and tangy base for your curd. Freshly squeezed juice is the optimal choice.
2. Whisk the Eggs and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, combine the eggs and sugar. Whisk them together diligently until you achieve a smooth and slightly frothy mixture.
3. Combine Lime Juice and Zest: Add the freshly squeezed lime juice and a touch of lime zest to the egg-sugar mixture. The incorporation of lime zest not only enriches the lime flavor but also imparts a delightful fragrance.
4. Cook on Low Heat: Transfer the mixture into a saucepan and place it over low heat. It’s vital to continue whisking the ingredients gently and consistently to prevent curdling.
5. Incorporate Butter: As the mixture starts to thicken, gradually introduce small pieces of butter. This addition of butter contributes to giving your curd a luxurious and creamy texture.
6. Continue Stirring: Keep the mixture over low heat while stirring continuously until it thickens to a custard-like consistency, a process that typically takes around 5 to 10 minutes.
7. Cool and Store: Once your curd achieves the desired thickness, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool. Afterward, you can transfer it to a jar or an airtight container and refrigerate it until it’s thoroughly chilled.

You should be able to make homemade lime curd after following these steps and keeping the serving sizes in mind.

Lemon Custard

Lemon custard, an excellent alternative to lemon curd, is known for its velvety, soft texture. It shares many ingredients with lemon curd but offers a unique twist on flavor and consistency.

This delightful custard is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of desserts, making it a wonderful addition to your culinary repertoire.

Here’s a guide on how to make lemon custard, including ingredients, serving quantities, and easy-to-follow steps:

How To Make Lemon Custard

Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 4-5 lemons)
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (for added flavor)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (cut into small pieces)
• Pinch of salt

This recipe will yield approximately 2 cups of lemon custard. You can adjust the quantities based on your needs.

Directions:

1. Prep Your Ingredients: Begin by gathering and preparing all your ingredients. You’ll need fresh lemons for juice and zest, eggs, sugar, butter, and a pinch of salt.
2. Whisk Eggs and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until they are well combined. This will form the base of your custard.
3. Add Lemon Juice and Zest: Pour in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and add the lemon zest to the egg-sugar mixture. The zest adds a burst of lemony flavor and a pleasant aroma.
4. Cook on Low Heat: Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and place it over low heat. Stirring constantly, heat the mixture gently until it starts to thicken. This should take about 10–15 minutes
5. Incorporate Butter: Once the mixture has thickened, add the small pieces of unsalted butter while continuing to stir. The butter will give your custard its rich, silky texture.
6. Cook Until Thick: Keep the saucepan on low heat and stir until the custard reaches the desired thickness. It should coat the back of a spoon, leaving a distinct trail when you run your finger through it.
7. Remove from Heat: As soon as your custard reaches the right consistency, remove it from the heat. Remember, custard will continue to thicken as it cools.
8. Cool and Serve: Allow the lemon custard to cool to room temperature before using it in your desired desserts. It can be used as a filling for cakes, tarts, and pastries or served on its own as a delightful lemony treat.

Lemon Zest and Cream Cheese

Lemon zest and cream cheese are another simple and flavorful alternative. This substitute mimics the creamy texture of lemon curd and offers a tangy, rich flavor. Follow these steps to make it:

Ingredients:

• Cream cheese (softened)
• Lemon zest

Directions To Make:

1. Gather Your Ingredients: Start by ensuring your cream cheese is at room temperature. This will make it easier to blend and create a creamy texture. You’ll also need freshly grated lemon zest, which provides the essential lemony flavor.
2. Mix Cream Cheese and Lemon Zest: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and the freshly grated lemon zest. The amount of lemon zest you add depends on your taste preferences, but start with about 1-2 tablespoons for a subtle lemon flavor.
3. Blend Until Smooth: Use a spoon or a hand mixer to blend the cream cheese and lemon zest together until you achieve a smooth, well-incorporated mixture. Ensure that the lemon zest is evenly distributed throughout the cream cheese.
4. Taste and Adjust: Taste the mixture and adjust the amount of lemon zest if you want a stronger or milder lemon flavor. You can add a little more zest if you desire a bolder taste.

Feel free to change the amount you make based on your tastes and certain recipes.

FAQs

Can I use lime juice instead of lemon juice in the substitutes?

Yes, you can use lime juice as a substitute for lemon juice in the substitutes mentioned. The lime juice will provide a similar tangy flavor.

How long can the substitutes be stored?

The storage time varies depending on the substitute. Homemade lime curd and lemon custard can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. The lemon juice and sugar mixture should be used immediately. The lemon zest and cream cheese mixture should be consumed within a few days.

How long can the substitutes be stored?

The storage time varies depending on the substitute. Homemade lime curd and lemon custard can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. The lemon juice and sugar mixture should be used immediately. The lemon zest and cream cheese mixture should be consumed within a few days.