Meyer Lemon Substitute

Don’t worry if you can’t locate Meyer lemons in your neighborhood! Many lemon-like fruits may be used in place of lemons. You may also use Eureka lemon juice, Mandarin orange juice, Lemon-tangerine juice, or ordinary lemon juice. This article discusses the advantages of each lemon-like fruit. If none of these seem suitable, there are a few more possibilities you might consider.

What is Meyer Lemon?

Meyer lemons are said to be a mix between a conventional lemon and a mandarin orange. The fruit is roughly the size of a lemon, occasionally slightly smaller, and has a smooth, deep yellow skin. When completely developed, the thin peel may become practically orange. This lemon’s flesh and juice are sweeter than conventional lemons and may be eaten raw or cooked. Because the peel is thin and lacks a thick, bitter pith, the entire lemon (except the seeds) may be utilized. Because Meyer lemons are considered a speciality item, they are more costly than normal lemons.

Meyer lemons were initially brought to the United States from Beijing, China in the early twentieth century. They were named for Frank N. Meyer, a US Department of Agriculture employee who identified and returned the plant to the US.

Meyer lemons were formerly utilized mainly as ornamental houseplants in China. However, they swiftly gained popularity once chefs such as Alice Waters began incorporating them as a component in their cuisine.

Substitutes for Meyer Lemon

1. Eureka Lemon

If you can’t obtain Meyer lemon, Eureka lemon may be substituted for its sweet, tart taste. These lemons are frequently accessible in supermarkets and may be substituted for Meyer lemons. They may be used in sweets and beverages and are equally good for cooking and baking. Simply add a few drops of sugar to their juice before using in recipes. Because Eureka lemon is less sweet than Meyer lemon, use additional sugar.

While the Eureka lemon is accessible all year, it is at its finest in late winter and early spring. It was named for Thomas Garey, who cultivated the tree, and is also known as citrus lemon. Eureka lemons, like Meyer lemons, are utilized in a variety of cuisines and beverages. The most well-known use of Eureka lemon is meringue pie. This fruit may also be used in marinades, sauces, and garnishes.

2. Mandarin Orange

In a pinch, substitute Meyer lemon for Mandarin orange in a dish. The citrus fruit is similar to tangerines in many ways, but it is less acidic and has a more delicate taste. You may create lemonade with both the zest and juice, and you can zest the lemons to add their subtle acid taste to a dish. There are several advantages to utilizing Meyer lemons instead of oranges.

Lemon juice is a typical substitute for Mandarin orange. Because it is sweeter than tangerine juice, it may be used in salad dressings or as a sweet glaze on meats or vegetables. You may easily use normal lemon zest with the shredded Meyer lemon peel. While they have a similar taste, they vary significantly. To see whether a Meyer lemon alternative is appropriate for your cuisine, experiment with a few different options.

3. Lemon-Tangerine Juice

Don’t panic if you can’t locate Meyer lemons to make lemonade. Many lemon-tangerine juice substitutes are available to quickly replace the citrus taste. They both include a lot of vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber and may be utilized in a variety of dishes. Lisbon lemon juice is a good replacement for Meyer lemons. This lemon comes from Brazil and Mexico and has no genetically modified components. They are also huge and thin in texture, and they produce a fantastic pesto sauce.

Meyer lemons have golden flesh and thin peel and are smaller than normal lemons. Unlike conventional lemons, the lemons are more costly and difficult to locate. Furthermore, their thin skin makes shipping problematic. If you’re in a pinch, consider a Meyer lemon substitute: 1 tablespoon lemon and tangerine juice. After you’ve prepared the replacement, grab the lemon with a knife and squeeze off the juice. The trick is to cut it across the length of the lemon, not up and down.

4. Regular Lemon

If you want to try a lemon alternative but aren’t sure how, a Meyer lemon may let you taste the traditional citrus fruit without all of the harshness. Because this lemon is native to China, utilize it gradually in your dishes if you want to use it. If you want to utilize it in cooking, try its juice, which is somewhat sweeter than the usual kind.

While Meyer lemons are typically available from January to May, they should be stored in the refrigerator for two weeks before use. To keep them fresh for later, drink juice or zest them before using them. To utilize them, you may also freeze the lemon juice or zest to keep them fresh for longer periods of time. They will also create delicious lemon vodka and marmalade.

5. Lemon from Lisbon

Lisbon lemons are widely accessible on the market. To be honest, Lisbon and Eureka lemons are practically similar, making them interchangeable. Again, diluting it and adding sugar to sweeten it will assist to lessen the acidity. When switching Meyer lemon with Lisbon lemon, proceed slowly.

Start with a tiny bit of juice, for example, then add more as required. Lisbon lemons (together with Meyer lemons) are the best option for tartness.

6. Grapefruit

Next on our list is grapefruit. Although grapefruit might be intimidating to newbies, it can be utilized in a variety of dishes. This fruit is great for individuals who appreciate the taste and zest of lemon. Grapefruit is extensively cultivated in the United States, Brazil, and Mexico. There are almost a hundred distinct types, including Marsh, Duncan, and Star Ruby. The fruit is often yellow or pink in color and quite juicy.It’s also worth mentioning that grapefruit has a thick skin. Grapefruit is also high in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants.It may even help with weight loss.

7. Oranges from Valencia

This fruit has a thick skin and is quite juicy. Valencia oranges are grown in countries such as Brazil, Greece, South Florida, and Mexico, among others. It’s crucial to keep in mind that dried or frozen fruits lose taste. This kind is quite juicy and goes well with other fruits.

This fruit may be used in sweets as well as salads and rice dishes. Valencia oranges are also high in vitamin C and antioxidants.

Meyer Lemon Recipes to Try

1. Crinkle Meyer Lemon Cookies

Meyer lemon crinkle cookies are soft and buttery, rolled with powdered sugar, and flavored with delicious Meyer lemon zest and juice.

2. Yogurt Cake with Meyer Lemon

This easy-to-make loaf cake with Greek yogurt and citrus olive oil comes together fast (no mixer necessary) and bakes up soft and delicious.

3. Bars of Lemon Sugar Cookies

Lemon sugar cookie bars are the perfect treat for any occasion! These buttery soft cookie bars with delightful lemon icing swirls on top.

4. Coffee Cake with Meyer Lemon

The lightest and fluffiest coffee cake, cooked to golden and buttery perfection, with a delicate crumb and ribbons of fresh Meyer lemon curd.

5. Puffs of Meyer Lemon Cream

Meyer lemon cream puffs are a lightened-up version of conventional cream puffs. These delightful pastries are loaded with whipped cream and Meyer lemon curd.

6. Earl Grey Tea Cake with Meyer Lemon

This simple and delectable tea cake made with Meyer lemon and Earl Grey tea is ideal for any occasion!

7. Sheet Cake with Meyer Lemons

This Meyer lemon sheet cake recipe is the only one you’ll ever need! This simple lemon cake is perfumed with Meyer lemon zest and topped with lemon icing swirls.

8. Bars with Meyer Lemon Crumbs

Tangy and vibrant Meyer lemon curd meets buttery crust and crumbs in these delectable Meyer lemon crumb bars! Serve sprinkled with powdered sugar!

9. Danish Braid with Meyer Lemon

This Meyer lemon Danish braid bakes up golden and fluffy with a wonderful cream cheese-Meyer lemon curd filling.

10. Lemon Meyer Rolls

These fluffy yeasted buns with sweet and tangy Meyer lemon filling and icing are a lemon dream, scented with freshly squeezed Meyer lemon zest and juice.

How do Meyer Lemons Differ from Regular Lemons?

There are various differences between Meyer and normal lemons that might help you identify them.

To begin with, a Meyer lemon has a rounder, smaller, and yellower look than a typical lemon and is around the size of an orange.

In contrast to the thick and yellowish skin of an average lemon, the skin of a Meyer lemon is silky, aromatic, and thin, with deep yellow skin and yellow-orange pulp.

We discover dark yellow pulp and 10 seeds when we cut open a Meyer lemon. When these two fruits are completely mature, Meyer becomes a dark yellow with an orange hue.

Second, since Meyer lemons contain less acid, they have a sweeter taste than normal lemons.

Meyer lemon is 1.3 less acidic than normal lemon, according to a pH test (with 2.33 and 2.23, respectively).

Can Meyer Lemons be Substituted for Regular Lemons?

Frank Meyer, a United States Department of Agriculture employee, imported Meyer lemons to the United States from Beijing, China in the early twentieth century. They’re supposed to be a natural hybrid between a regular lemon (Eureka or Lisbon type) and a mandarin orange, and they’re usually available from December to May.

In our Lemon Posset and Lemon Pound Cake recipes, we used both Meyer lemons and normal lemons to test how they compared in the kitchen. Meyer lemons, which are sweeter and more flowery, were an enticing replacement for ordinary lemons in both circumstances. In our Lemon Vinaigrette recipe, however, the Meyer lemons created a weak dressing that lacked the acidic punch and aggressiveness required to stand up to the rich olive oil.

Why are Meyer Lemons so Expensive?

While common lemons such as Lisbon and Eureka are readily available all year, Meyer lemons are more infrequent. So, when do Meyer lemons come into season? Meyers lemon season runs from December through May.

Because of their limited season and more fragile nature (which makes transportation more difficult), they are often more expensive than year-round regular lemons.

How Much Quantity of Tangerine is Required to Substitute?

2 tangerines generated much more zest than 1 Meyer lemon.1 lemon + 2Perhaps because our tangerine is much larger than the lemon. Instead of using half of each fruit, start with equal parts lemon and tangerine juice. Taste and make any required changes. The same goes for zest: 1

For each Meyer lemon, combine 2 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon tangerine juice. (Drbabs, who has been thus shrewd and resourceful for years, replaces orange juice with lemon juice.)2 tsp tangerine zest + 1 tspTo gain a feeling of size and quantity, consider how much juice and zest a normal Meyer lemon yields. A tiny Meyer lemon yielded 1 teaspoon of zest and 2 tablespoons of juice. As a consequence, you will need 1

Conclusion

If you can’t locate or afford them, we recommend one of these alternatives. In most recipes, Eureka lemons, grapefruit, Lisbon lemons, Valencia oranges, and lemon peels may be substituted. They’re also cheap and commonly accessible. Costco, Amazon, and local fruit markets are all excellent choices that provide all of the possibilities we outlined. This post is related to Substitute Lemon Juice for Lemon Zest 

That brings us to the end of our list of the greatest Meyer lemon replacements. We hope that after reading this post, you will know what to replace for Meyer lemon if it is unavailable. Meyer lemons are well-known for their zest and taste.