Sweet and Savory Lemon Recipes

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With these savory and sweet lemon recipes, you will love the mouthwatering tastes that come out in each and every bite! There are so many options that you will definitely find more than one recipe that you love!

From old-fashioned lemonade to pasta to yummy desserts, this roundup is for lemon lovers! A few of my favorite tried and true lemon recipes are Lemon Cupcakes, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and most of all, these Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings!

Collage of lemon recipes.

Give Me ALL the Lemons

These lemon recipes are AMAZING and taste SOO good. They are light and refreshing in every bite. Whether it’s for breakfast, brunch, dinner or dessert, the lemon adds the perfect touch! It is balanced just right and makes these meals savory and sweet in one sitting. In fact, these lemon recipes are so tasty and different that you could sook these recipes all in the same week and still not be sick of lemon flavor!

Sweet and savory lemon recipes are a huge hit no matter what time of year it is! Each recipe is built around the fresh taste of lemon. For lemon lovers, this is the perfect combination of recipes to help you soak in every last drop of freshly squeezed lemon juice right into a bowl or skillet. Then, you can make the most delicious lemon meals. I have rounded up my favorite recipes for you to start with that are so incredibly delicious, the hardest part will be deciding which one to cook first!

How to Pick The Best Lemons

Fruit can be so tricky to pick out! There is nothing worse than bringing home produce from the store to use that night in a recipe and finding out that it’s bad! Here are some quick tips on how to pick out the best lemons for your recipes!

  • Color: The brighter the better! You want the lemon to be all yellow with no green coloring.
  • Size: It is best to choose a lemon that is heavy for its size. The heavier the lemon and the thinner the skin is usually means there is more juice inside of the fruit
  • Smell: Smelling the fruit will also help know how strong and ripe the lemon is. So the stronger the smell, the riper the lemon!
  • Texture: he skin of a lemon should be bright and yellow with no wrinkles on it. The wrinkle means the fruit is old and a little bitter.

Fresh Lemons vs Lemon Juice

Some lemon recipes are specific with what they call for. Others just say “lemon juice”. So what exactly does that mean? Here are a few helpful tips for deciding which works better in your recipe!

  • Fresh lemon: Juice from a fresh lemon will be exactly that… Fresh. It still has that extra “zing” to it.
  • Bottle of lemon juice: bottlejuice tend to have a different taste to it. Because it has to be stored, a bottle of lemon juice has extra additives and perservatives which alter the taste. This makes the flavor not quite as potent.

Storing Lemons

There are a couple of different ways to store lemons to get the most out of them! Follow these instructions and you can be cooking with fresh lemons in your recipes all year long!

  • Refrigerator: Storing lemons in the refrigerator in a sealed plastic bag is the best way to keep lemons lasting longer. When stored at room temperature, lemons tend to harden after a week. If you are planning on using the lemons before that then the counter, pantry or basket outside of the refrigerator will work too.
  • Freezer: Freezing lemons will work as a whole but may become mushy when thawed. The juice does stay well and still tastes delicious. Lemon slices can be frozen easily by adding them to a ziplock bag laying flat in the freezer. Lastly, freezing the juice itself is just as simple by adding the squeezed juice into ice cube trays and freezing them. This is perfect for adding to water, cooking skillet or a flavored drink.

Lemon Baked Pancake with Berry Sauce

This Lemon Baked Pancake with Berry Sauce is such an easy breakfast for serving a crowd! Perfect for all your holiday brunches.
Ingredients: bag frozen berries (fresh is fine, too!), + 2 tablespoons water, pure maple syrup, corn starch, all purpose flour, large egg, milk, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, juice of 1 lemon, zest of 2 lemons

Easy Greek Lemon Chicken

Easy Greek Lemon Chicken is made with just a handful of ingredients in a cast iron skillet along with roasted lemon wedges that make an easy pan sauce.
Ingredients: chicken thighs, olive oil, garlic cloves, Kosher salt, black pepper, dried oregano, crushed red pepper, dried thyme, lemons

Blueberry Lemon Pound Cake

Blueberry Lemon Pound Cake! This pound cake is made lighter by using greek yogurt, and is loaded up with lemon flavor thanks to zest and fresh lemon juice! Juicy blueberries are baked right in. All drizzled with a luscious lemon glaze.
Ingredients: white granulated sugar, lemon zest, all purpose flour, salt, baking powder, vanilla greek yogurt, vanilla extract, eggs, lemon juice, vegetable oil, blueberries, all purpose flour, zest of 1 lemon, powdered sugar, lemon juice

Easy Sparkling Blueberry Lemonade

Easy Sparkling Blueberry Lemonade is quick to make and a delicious and refreshing drink for the summer!
Ingredients: superfine white sugar, water, and ½ cups fresh blueberries, lemon zest, ~7 whole large lemons freshly squeezed lemon juice, ice cubes, sparkling water or club soda

Perfect Lemon Curd

Lemon curd is a perfect combination of sweet and tangy with a smooth creamy texture. This lemony goodness comes together in a matter of minutes!
Ingredients: large eggs, sugar, freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, of salt, butter

Brown Butter Lemon Salmon

Brown Butter Lemon Salmon is a freshly seared salmon sautéed in olive oil, infused with a brown butter glaze with fresh parsley, thyme and rosemary herbs with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. This is the perfect balance of a light and tasty family meal!
Ingredients: salmon, olive oil, salt and pepper, butter, Juice of half lemon, thyme, parsley, rosemary

Lemon Tart with a Buttery Shortbread Crust

This sweet and savory lemon tart dessert is pure heaven and melts in your mouth with every bite! From the buttery shortbread crust, to the sweet and creamy lemon curd then topped with fresh fruit and powdered sugar, this dessert is rich and flavorful.
Ingredients: powdered sugar, flour, butter, Recipe Lemon Curd

Crispy Parmesan Chicken with Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta

Crispy, tender and juicy parmesan crusted chicken over the most incredible creamy lemon garlic pasta! This is a must make meal!
Ingredients: Chicken , butter, Italian Bread Crumbs, grated parmesan, flour, pasta of choice, heavy whipping cream, grated parmesan cheese, of one lemon, garlic powder, salt, pepper, Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Blueberry Lemon Poppyseed Muffins

Blueberry Lemon Poppyseed Muffins

Iced blueberry and lemon poppyseed muffins! So moist and delicious you'll want one every day for breakfast!
Ingredients: all-purpose flour, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda, salt, butter, light brown sugar, lemon zest, large eggs, plain greek yogurt, fresh blueberries, powdered sugar, lemon juice, vanilla

Winter Pomegranate Orange Quinoa Salad with Creamy Lemon Greek Yogurt Dressing

A mouthwatering winter salad with quinoa, spinach, mandarine oranges, and crunchy pistachios. Topped with a creamy lemon greek yogurt dressing and feta cheese this makes one unforgettable salad!
Ingredients: quinoa, spinach, mandarine oranges, pomegranate seeds, pistachios, crumbled feta cheese, juice from one fresh lemon, apple cider vinegar, sugar, minced garlic, plain Greek yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, salt, freshly ground black pepper

Watermelon Lemonade

Juicy, sweet, and just a little bit sour, this sparkling watermelon lemonade is the most refreshing summer drink. Serve it at your next get-together and I promise it will be a huge hit!
Ingredients: seedless watermelon, fresh lemon juice, granulated sugar, sparkling lemon flavored water, sparkling watermelon flavored water, ice cubes, lemon & watermelon slice

Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken Piccata

Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken Piccata is creamy lemony sauce-coated noodles with juicy lightly breaded chicken with a hint of garlic, all topped with savory capers!
Ingredients: large boneless skinless chicken breasts, flour, garlic powder, salt, pepper, linguine noodles or thin spaghetti noodles, chicken broth, heavy cream, salt and pepper, juice of 1 lemon, capers

Herbed Lemon Garlic Chicken Skewers

Fresh lemon, herbs, and garlic come together in this fast and flavorful marinade. Complemented with fresh and bright summer veggies in this amazing meal that is under 400 calories!
Ingredients: garlic, fresh lemon zest, lemon juice, minced fresh herbs, salt, pepper, extra virgin olive oil, medium zucchini, large red bell pepper, medium red onion, boneless skinless chicken breasts, lemon cut into wedges for serving

Lemon Garlic Butter Flank Steak with Mushrooms

Lemon Garlic Butter Flank Steak with Mushrooms is tender, juicy flank steak cooked in a buttery, lemon garlic sauce mixed with mushrooms for the perfect combination. It is cooked in a skillet to tender perfection and a meal that everyone will love! 
Ingredients: flank steak, olive oil, garlic cloves, sliced mushrooms, butter, chicken broth, juice of one lemon, of red pepper flakes, fresh chopped herbs for garnish

Perfect Lemon Bars

There’s nothing better than a buttery shortbread crust topped with a juicy lemon filling and a sprinkling of powder sugar. This classic recipe for lemon bars is the only one you’ll ever need! It’s happiness in bite-sized pieces.
Ingredients: butter,, confectioners’ sugar, plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour,, eggs, granulated sugar, grated lemon zest,, freshly squeezed lemon juice,, milk, Additional confectioners’ sugar for sprinkling on top

Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls with Lemon Cream Cheese Glaze

Delicious strawberry cinnamon rolls made with Pie filling and a quick and easy dough recipe! These will be in the oven in no time at all!
Ingredients: all-purpose flour, instant yeast, white sugar, salt, egg, water, milk, butter, Strawberry Pie Filling, cinnamon, sugar, cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, half and half, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla

Lemon Cupcakes

The AMAZING sweet and zesty flavors of these Lemon Cupcakes will have you hooked! Fresh lemon adds a pinch of summer to a classic, decadent treat.
Ingredients: granulated sugar, lemon zest, all purpose flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, sour cream, fresh lemon juice, vegetable oil, egg, vanilla extract, unsalted butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, salt, lemon zest, lemon juice, powdered sugar

Asparagus Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

This fresh asparagus salad is one of my favorites and I can't wait to show you how to make it. With lemon vinaigrette dressing drizzled on top this salad has a light and flavorful crisp crunch in every bite.
Ingredients: bunch asparagus, spinach, radish, cherry tomatoes, peas, red onion, feta cheese, olive oil, juice of one lemon, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper

Lemon Raspberry Poppyseed Bread

A delicious and moist lemon poppyseed bread that is bursting with fresh raspberries inside.  Drizzled in a lemon glaze, this will be one of the best quick bread recipes that you make!
Ingredients: all purpose flour + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, baking powder, kosher salt, low-fat buttermilk, sugar, large eggs, grated lemon zest, vanilla extract, vegetable oil, poppyseeds, fresh raspberries, powdered sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, milk

Skinny Lemon Icebox Bars

Delicious and creamy lemon cheesecake top a graham cracker crust and chills in the fridge. They are made with lightened up ingredients and make the perfect lemon dessert!
Ingredients: whole-grain graham cracker, melted unsalted butter, brown sugar, (8-ounce) ⅓ less-fat cream cheese, softened at room temperature, (14-ounce) fat-free sweetened condensed milk, finely grated lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, powdered gelatin, boiling water

Chick fil A Copycat Frosted Lemonade

A delicious and creamy frozen lemonade that tastes just like Chick-fil-A! This drink is so refreshing and perfect for summer!
Ingredients: Lemon Juice, Sugar, Water, Vanilla Ice Cream

Lemon Garlic Butter Herb Chicken with Asparagus

Lemon Garlic Butter Herb Chicken with Asparagus is the easiest 30 minute meal that is bursting with amazing flavor. Cooked in a buttery lemon garlic herb blend to tender juicy perfection with asparagus!
Ingredients: butter, Juice of one lemon, garlic cloves, freshly chopped oregano, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, boneless skinless chicken thighs, salt and pepper, bunch asparagus

Glazed Lemon Brownies

Quick and easy lemon brownies that are perfectly moist and chewy! The Lemon Glaze on top is the perfect finishing touch! It will be hard to stop at one!
Ingredients: butter, sugar, eggs, of Lemon juice, zest from ½ of a lemon, flour, baking powder, salt, powdered sugar, lemon juice, zest from ½ lemon

Lemon Chicken Pasta Salad

A simple chicken pasta salad with a delicious lemon herb dressing!
Ingredients: pasta, rotisserie chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, jarred marinated artichoke hearts, of 1 full English cucumber, kalamata olives, lightly packed fresh arugula, fresh flat leaf Italian parsley, small avocado, feta cheese, red wine vinegar, and ½ tablespoons dijon mustard, dried oregano, dried basil, garlic, honey, olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, Fine sea salt and freshly cracked pepper

Sparkling Pomegranate Lemonade

Sparkling pomegranate lemonade is the perfect sweet and tangy holiday beverage!
Ingredients: water, full cup white granulated sugar*, ~4-6 large lemons freshly squeezed lemon juice, unsweetened pomegranate-cranberry juice, and ½ cups sparkling lemon-flavored water, Pomegranate, Ice and additional lemons, Fresh mint

Pan Seared Salmon with a Creamy Lemon Dill Sauce

Pan Seared Salmon with a Creamy Lemon Dill Sauce is perfectly crispy and flaky salmon that is in the most amazing creamy lemon dill sauce.
Ingredients: Olive Oil, salt and pepper, 6 oz salmon fillets, garlic, heavy cream, chicken broth, Juice of one lemon, cornstarch, water, fresh dill

Buttery Lemon Shortbread Cookies with a Glaze

Buttery Lemon Shortbread Cookies with a Glaze are light and fresh with vibrant sweet and sour flavors that are surprisingly easy to create! Every bite is packed with a burst of lemon flavor and the shortbread has the perfect dense, buttery texture that will make this your new favorite cookie!
Ingredients: butter, powdered sugar, zest of one lemon, juice of one lemon, flour, salt, baking powder, flour, lemon juice, powdered sugar, zest of one lemon

Air Fryer Lemon Dill Scallops

Air Fryer Lemon Dill Scallops are going to change the way you eat scallops! These are chock full of flavor, tender, juicy and succulent!
Ingredients: scallops, olive oil, butter, garlic, juice of one lemon, dill, salt and pepper

Lemon Blueberry Poke Cake

Lemon Blueberry Poke Cake is a tender and moist lemon cake filled with lemon curd topped with a blueberry filling and whipped topping. This is a perfect summer cake and will be a hit wherever it goes!
Ingredients: box, package, and ½ cups whole milk, can, container, prepared lemon curd, Optional: 1 fresh lemon for zesting

Frozen Strawberry Lemonade

A delicious frozen strawberry lemonade that is cool and refreshing for summer!
Ingredients: frozen lemonade concentrate, ice cubes, water, strawberries

Lemon Almond Poppyseed Quick Bread

Lemon Almond Poppyseed Quick Bread is perfectly moisten and comes together quickly and easily. Glazed with a lemon glaze and topped with almonds, this bread will become an instant favorite!
Ingredients: flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, poppy seeds, milk, plus 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil, large eggs, pure vanilla extract, almond extract, lemon zest, powdered sugar, Heavy Cream, Lemon Juice, almonds

Triple Berry Chicken Avocado Salad with a Creamy Lemon Poppyseed Dressing

Triple Berry Chicken Avocado Salad with a Creamy Lemon Poppyseed Dressing is my all time favorite salad! Tender and juicy pan seared chicken with romaine lettuce, avocados, strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Topped with pistachio nuts, feta cheese and drizzled in the best creamy dressing!
Ingredients: chicken breast, romaine lettuce, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, avocado, pistachios, feta cheese, mayonnaise, 2% milk, Sugar, cider vinegar, Lemon Juice, poppyseeds

Lemon Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta

Lemon Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta is made in just one pot and ready in 30 minutes! Fresh shrimp is cooked in a buttery lemon garlic sauce and tossed in fresh parmesan cheese and pasta. It's unbelievably good and sure to become a new favorite!
Ingredients: linguine pasta, olive oil, butter,, garlic,, red pepper flakes, large shrimp, salt and pepper to taste, italian seasoning, baby spinach, parmesan cheese, parsley,, lemon juice

Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs and Veggies

Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs and Veggies is a hearty and flavorful meal! Filled with tender veggies and tuscan herbed spice chicken that all get cooked in a lemon garlic sauce.
Ingredients: red potatoes, bone-in, Tuscan-Style seasoning *see notes, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, chicken stock, Juice of 2 lemons, baby carrots, green beans, cornstarch, water, chopped fresh italian parsley

Lemon Berry Trifle

This Lemon Berry Trifle is perfectly tart and sweet, with a citrusy lemon cake, vanilla pudding, whipped cream and a load of berries! It’s the perfect dessert for Spring.
Ingredients: butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, unsweetened applesauce, plain Greek yogurt, juice of 1 lemon, all purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, zest of 2 lemons, 4 serving size package instant vanilla pudding, milk, fresh berries, sweetened whipped cream

Lemon Pie

Lemon Pie is sweet, a bit tart and totally refreshing! The perfect zingy, light, summertime dessert!
Ingredients: pre-made pie crust, cream cheese, sugar, eggs, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla, heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, Lemon zest to top

Blueberry Pie Muffin Bread with a Lemon Glaze

An amazingly moist muffin bread filled with blueberry pie filling. Topped with a crumb topping and drizzled in a lemon glaze this bread is incredible!
Ingredients: all purpose flour, baking powder, salt, vegetable oil, egg, vanilla, sugar, milk, can Lucky Leaf® Blueberry Fruit Filling and Topping, cold butter, flour, light brown sugar, powdered sugar, Heavy Cream, Lemon Juice

Lemon Garlic Cream Fettuccini

Delicious and creamy fettuccini with added lemon and garlic for the perfect twist.
Ingredients: fettuccini, butter, small onion, garlic cloves, lemon peel, heavy whipping cream, salt, pepper, cream cheese, lemon juice, fresh parsley, grated parmesan cheese

Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken

Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken is simple and easy to make in the pressure cooker and perfect for busy weeknights. The chicken cooks up tender and juicy in a buttery lemon garlic sauce.
Ingredients: boneless chicken thighs skinless or with skin* , garlic powder, olive oil , butter divided, onion, chopped, cloves, sliced or minced, Italian seasoning , Juice and zest of one lemon, homemade or low sodium chicken broth, **SEE NOTE Chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices for garnish, if desired

Homemade Lemonade

There isn't anything quite as refreshing as this Homemade Lemonade recipe, it's the BEST!  Summer is going to be so cool, with a glass of this by your side.
Ingredients: sugar, water, lemon juice, water, mint and lemon slices for garnish

No Bake Lemon Macaroon Cheesecake

No Bake Lemon Macaroon Cheesecake is a coconut filled cheesecake on top of a golden oreo crust. Topped with lemon curd and fresh whipping cream this easy to make dessert will be a huge hit!
Ingredients: 16 oz package vanilla sandwich cookies (Golden Oreos), unsalted butter, melted white chocolate chips, cream cheese, granulated sugar, shredded sweetened coconut, lemon curd, heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, shredded

Lemon Garlic Shrimp Scampi

Lemon Garlic Shrimp Scampi is a delicious 30 minutes meal that cooks in a buttery lemon garlic sauce and breaded with a parmesan bread crumb topping. A restaurant quality meal right at home!
Ingredients: garlic cloves, butter, olive oil, uncooked medium shrimp, lemon juice, pepper, dried oregano, grated Parmesan cheese, dry bread crumbs, minced fresh parsley, linguine pasta
Birdseye view of a glazed cake on a sheet of baking paper.

Glazed Lemon Pound Cake

This bright and zesty glazed lemon pound cake is buttery, soft and topped with an easy lemon glaze. It’s perfect for lemon lovers.
Ingredients: all purpose flour, baking powder, salt, unsalted butter, softened, white granulated sugar, large eggs, room temp, vanilla, lemon zest, lemon juice, buttermilk, room temp, powdered sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice

Lemon ‘Swig’ Sugar Cookies with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Amazingly soft and perfect lemon sugar cookies with the best lemon cream cheese frosting on top!
Ingredients: Butter, Vegetable Oil, Sugar, Powdered Sugar, Water, lemon juice, lemon zest, Eggs, Baking Soda, Cream of Tarter, Salt, Flour, cream cheese, butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, confectioners’ sugar

Apple Pomegranate Almond Salad with a Creamy Lemon Poppyseed Dressing

A mouthwatering salad with crisp apples, pomegranate, almonds, feta cheese and crisp spring greens. The Creamy Lemon Poppyseed dressing is TO DIE FOR! You are going to love this salad!
Ingredients: spring greens, sliced almonds, Apples of choice, crumbled Feta Cheese, pomegranate seeds, mayonnaise, 2% milk, Sugar, cider vinegar, Lemon Juice, poppyseeds

Lemon Bundt Cake

Easy and delicious lemon bundt cake with a buttercream frosting. This cake comes out perfectly moist and tender and is perfect for summer!
Ingredients: lemon cake mix, (3.4 ounce) instant lemon pudding mix dry, (full fat) sour cream, large eggs, vegetable oil, large lemons, lemon extract, water, white sugar, butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, lemon extract

Grilled Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp

Grilled Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp with Vegetables – a simple and tasty recipe for summer grilling. Juicy shrimp and tender veggies are coated in an amazing buttery lemon garlic blend that are grilled to perfection.
Ingredients: Olive oil for the grill, about 18 raw jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on, bell peppers, red onion, Coarse salt and ground pepper, smoked paprika, Metal or wooden skewers*, butter, finely minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, chopped fresh parsley

Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken

Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken is an incredible restaurant quality meal you can make under 30 minutes.  Tender and juicy chicken is drowning in a creamy lemon parmesan sauce and is a meal the family will go crazy for! 
Ingredients: Boneless, olive oil, garlic cloves, heavy cream, chicken broth, Juice from one lemon, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, parmesan cheese, cornstarch

Blueberry Lemon Cookies with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Soft, cake like cookies that are bursting with fresh blueberries and have a hint of lemon. These cookies melt in your mouth and are topped with the most amazing lemon cream cheese frosting!
Ingredients: all purpose flour, baking powder, salt, zest of 1 lemon, butter, granulated sugar, sour cream, large eggs, juice of 1 lemon, blueberries, butter, cream cheese, zest of one lemon, juice of one lemon, powdered sugar

Ooey Gooey Lemon Coconut Butter Bars

These bars are ooey and gooey and have a delicious lemon flavor! They are topped with a brown sugar butter coconut topping and are seriously AMAZING!
Ingredients: box, Large Egg, stick Unsalted Butter, Cream Cheese, Large Eggs, Vanilla Extract, Fresh Lemon Juice, Powdered Sugar, stick Unsalted Butter, Brown Sugar, Sugar, Sweetened Coconut Flakes, Unsalted Butter, Flour

Alyssa Rivers

I am Alyssa and the blogger behind The Recipe Critic. I started my blog in June of 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family.

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