Housemade Preserved Lemon Paste
Ottolonghi’s genius is a gift.
This preserved lemon paste delivers all the bright, complex flavor preserved lemons bring to dishes—and it takes just 25 minutes using fresh fruit. You just simmer lemon slices with juice and salt, then blend it up.
What you get is this spreadable paste that keeps for weeks and tastes like the real deal—that salty, funky, bright umami that makes everything better. No months of waiting or hunting down jars shipped from far away.
We've tried several published versions of Ottolenghi's technique and this reflects our preferred approach—an adaptation through use of his original idea, not our recipe. We always make at least a double batch, but if we're being honest and batching up our preserved lemon ricotta pancakes, we quadruple it.
Housemade Preserved Lemon Paste
Yields 8 tablespoons (120ml) of concentrated citrus paste
Time: 25 minutes total | Storage: 2-4 weeks refrigerated, 6 months frozen
What You'll Need
2 large lemons (ends trimmed, sliced ¼-inch thin, seeds removed)
8 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 2-3 additional lemons)
2 tablespoons sea salt
1-2 tablespoons water (optional, for thinning)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (for storage)
The Process
Prep (10 minutes) Wash lemons thoroughly and trim the ends. Slice into thin ¼-inch rounds, removing all seeds as you go. Juice your additional lemons to get the fresh juice needed. Zest and peel the lemons before juicing to freeze for future use and save the spent halves for our most used home cleaning product.
Cook (15 minutes) Combine sliced lemons, fresh lemon juice, and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, cooking for 1-2 minutes until the salt dissolves. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 12 minutes until the rinds look translucent and tender.
Process & Store Let cool slightly, then transfer everything to a food processor. Blend until you have a smooth, thick paste. Add a tablespoon of water if needed to reach a spreadable consistency. Pack into a clean jar, top with a thin layer of olive oil, and refrigerate.
How We Use It
This paste is our secret weapon. We stir it into the ricotta for those lemon ricotta pancakes, but that's just the start. Swirl a spoonful into hummus or yogurt. Mix it into salad dressings for instant depth. Toss it with roasted vegetables or grains. Spread it on toast with avocado. Use it as a marinade base for fish or chicken.
A little goes a long way - start with a teaspoon and taste. Once you have a jar in your fridge, you'll find yourself reaching for it constantly. It's that bright, salty, funky flavor that makes everything taste more interesting.
Make It Last
The paste keeps for 2 weeks in the refrigerator with that olive oil layer protecting it. For longer storage, portion into ice cube trays and freeze for up to 6 months. We always make extra because once you start using it, you'll find excuses to add it to everything.
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Our recipes prioritize whole, seasonal ingredients with high nutritional density - crafting vegetable-forward dishes rich in fiber and protein that celebrate vibrant modern global flavors. We source from producers and purveyors who share our commitment to local, regenerative, and sustainable food systems, complemented by ingredients from our own gardens. As a foundation for gut health, we layer fermentation and preservation techniques throughout our recipes while avoiding added sugars and heavily processed ingredients. We focus on ingredients you can pronounce and trace to their source.
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We create, adapt, test, and photograph all recipes with minimal waste and maximum efficiency as a core principle. What you see is the actual dish - no artificial styling, no wasted food.
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We developed and photographed this recipe or recipe adaptation and Hudson Valley-grown ingredients on the traditional and unceded territories of the Mohican, Munsee Lenape, and Esopus peoples, who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial.
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We develop and adapt our recipes using ingredients and tools we grow, purchase and test ourselves. We occasionally evaluate products offered to us, with editorial decisions guided by our standards, not commercial considerations. Some links may generate commissions, but our recommendations stem from authentic experience and editorial conviction.
