Sweeter and more fragrant than regular lemons, Meyer lemons are perfect for everything from preserves to desserts. Meyer lemon season is fleeting, so get them while you can and brighten the dark days of winter with these delicious Meyer Lemon Recipes today!
What is a Meyer lemon, and what makes it so special?
Meyer lemons are thought to be a cross between a regular lemon and a mandarin orange. This uniquely balanced citrus infuses a bright, naturally sweet, slightly tart punch to everything they touch.
In addition to being sweeter than a regular lemon, Meyer lemons are generally smaller, with a scent that noses more civilized than mine describe as “a spicy bergamot* fragrance that tastes and smells more like an herb or a spice.”
(Like the Meyer lemon, a bergamot is "sweet lemon," somewhat orangey in color, with a flavor much sweeter than regular lemons. Bergamot essential oil is what makes that unique flavor in your cup of Earl Grey tea.)
Is there any interesting history behind the "Meyer" name?
Funny you should ask...
Once upon a time, there was a young man named Frank Meyer who grew up in Holland and later emigrated to the United States seeking a life of peace and harmony.
(So far, Frank sounds like my kind of guy.)
Frank loved plants and walking, and in 1905, he was hired by the US Department of Agriculture as an Agricultural Explorer. Basically, Frank's official assignment was to walk across China, and study, learn, and document the lessons and farming practices of this 4000-year old agricultural society as he observed them.
Being an Agricultural Explorer wasn't always easy, and the job was often fraught with danger. Frank was mauled, robbed, attacked by everything from bedbugs to bears, and even accused of being "the devil."
Nevertheless, Frank brought home a hundreds of hardy and novel plant discoveries from Asia, including soybeans, persimmons, wild pears, and asparagus. None of his discoveries, though, is so well known as the unique, seasonal citrus that now bears his name.
It all happened in 1907, in a small village near Beijing, when Frank Meyer spotted a small tree with bright yellow fruit in a doorway. Upon tasting the bright little citrus fruit, he found it to be sweeter than a lemon and more tart than an orange, and immediately knew it was something very special. Frank sent cuttings back to the US, where it soon became known as the Meyer Lemon.
[Read more about Frank's adventures in The Mysterious Life and Death of Frank Meyer, the Man Behind Meyer Lemons.]
FAQs
Meyer lemons are a seasonal crop. In the United States, they start arriving in grocery stores around the end of November and disappear by late March.
If you can't find Meyer lemons in the store, you can substitute regular lemons. Be sure to taste your recipe as you go, because regular lemons are much more tart than Meyer lemons. You may need to add a little additional sugar to your whatever you are making.
You can also substitute a tangerine for a Meyer lemon.
Meyer Lemon Recipes
Small Batch Preserved Lemons with Bay Leaves & Cardamom
Take advantage of winter citrus season and add a bit of sunny brightness to your meals with a small batch of these quick & easy Preserved Lemons scented with Bay Leaves & Cardamom.
Gluten-Free Lemon Curd Tart
This luscious Meyer lemon curd tart is gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free! This lemon pie is made with a tender almond flour crust and garnished with fresh mixed berries.
Meyer lemon roasted carrot strings with lemon garlic sauce
These roasted carrot strings are bright, fresh and lemony with a little bit of crunch; a really fun way to eat your carrots!
Meyer Lemon Roast Chicken
Meyer Lemon Roast Chicken is a delicious way to perk up your weekly meal plan ~ the flavors are bright and sunny, and the whole dish looks as beautiful as it tastes!
Meyer Lemon Glazed Blueberry Pound Cake
Start with a pound cake mix studded with fresh blueberries for a pop of summer berry flavor, enhanced with sour cream for extra moistness, drenched in a Meyer lemon syrup and finished off with a Meyer lemon glaze and candied Meyer lemon slices that complements the berry flavor, and every bite will be a taste of heaven!
Lemon Cream Cheese Bundt Cake
Brighten your holiday season with this rich and moist Meyer Lemon Cream Cheese Bundt Cake. It feels like springtime and tastes amazing under a layer of lemon glaze.
Meyer Lemon Ricotta Pound Cake (with video)
You don’t need frosting or glaze on this delightful Meyer lemon ricotta pound cake. Sweet and salty, soft and moist, it’s perfect with your coffee in the morning or your favorite tea in the afternoon.
One Pan Meyer Lemon Chicken Bake
This easy one-pan meal combines roast chicken, asparagus and baby potatoes with tangy Meyer lemons. It delivers loads of delicious, lemony flavour with minimal prep (and even better, minimal dirty dishes to clean up!)
Pressure Cooker Easy Lemon Curd
Instant Pot and Pressure Cooker Easy Lemon Curd is sweet and tart and is delicious on cakes and cupcakes. It is ready in less than 15 minutes in your Pressure Cooker.
Meyer Lemon Sablés
Meyer Lemon Sablés, with their characteristic “sandy” texture, are buttery rich with a delicate hint of lemon from lemon zest.
Meyer Lemon Pie
This easy lemon pie is a tart dessert made with whole Meyer lemons! Simply blend the filling ingredients together in a blender, bake, and serve!
Meyer Lemon Cake with Homemade Candied Peel Topping
This Meyer lemon cake recipe has Meyer lemon flavor in the cake, and frosting, and is topped with candied Meyer lemon peel.
Meyer Lemon Lavender Jelly
Combine tart and slightly sweet Meyer lemons with floral lavender for this delightful winter jelly perfect on toast and scones.
Meyer Lemon Shaker Pie for "Pi" Day
Meyer Lemon Shaker Pie is an oldie but goodie. Lemon Shaker pie is simple, straightforward and beautiful, just like Shaker design.
Meyer Lemon Olive Oil Cake
This Meyer Lemon Olive Oil Cake is luscious, not too sweet, tangy and has just a little crunch of cornmeal.
Meyer Lemon Margarita - A Twist On A Simple Margarita Recipe
Meyer Lemons add a twist to a simple margarita recipe giving it a little bit of sweetness but with the same burst of citrus flavor every margarita is known for.
Dried Citrus Zest (What to do With Citrus Rind/Citrus Peel)
Dried citrus zest is a perfect way to save citrus rind/peel. When you grow organic citrus fruit, it’s a shame (or a sin) to throw away the beautiful peel!
Three Citrus Vanilla Marmalade
Winter citrus is my favorite way to brighten the gloom of the season. Make this sweet, colorful, and highly adaptable Three Citrus Vanilla Marmalade any time you need a little pick-me-up on a cold day!
Meyer Lemon and Ginger Marmalade
A bright and sunny 'beginner' marmalade for those who haven't quite been able to go full on Seville.
Instant Pot Meyer Lemon Chutney
Meyer lemons are just perfect for this chutney, made in a slow cooker. Their sweetness combined with the spices in this recipe makes this a one-of-a-kind dish to savor.
Luscious Southern Meyer Lemon Bars
Luscious Southern Meyer Lemon Bars are fresh as sunshine and full of Vitamin C. These scrumptious lemon bars made with Meyer lemons are also guaranteed to brighten anyone’s day.
Meyer Lemon Bars
These Meyer Lemon Bars are deliciously lemony on a crumbly shortbread crust.
Meyer Lemon & Cranberry Shortbread Hearts
Surprise your Sweetheart with some homemade sunshine! These Meyer Lemon & Cranberry Shortbread Cookies are perfect for Valentine’s Day – or any day!
Meyer Lemon Mascapone Baked Cheesecake with Saskatoon Sauce
The ultimate creamy cheesecake, made with Mascarpone and brightened up with sunny Meyer Lemons. Don’t forget the Saskatoon Sauce!
Pressure Cooker Meyer Lemon Cheesecake
A rich, dense and tartly sweet, New York Style Meyer Lemon Cheesecake is made with wholesome ingredients and makes a wonderful dessert.
Meyer Lemon Tart with Gingersnap Crust
When life gives you Meyer lemons, you need an easy lemon tart recipe! One bite of this luscious, tangy Meyer Lemon Tart with its crisp, crunchy gingersnap crust will have your taste buds singing the Hallelujah chorus and wanting more.
Meyer Lemon Zucchini Muffins
These Meyer lemon zucchini muffins are a bright citrusy taste of spring. Easy to make, relatively healthy and addictively good.
Lazy Girl's Meyer Lemon Meringue Tart
Making classic lemon meringue easier with puff pastry and tastier with Meyer Lemons!
Meyer Lemon Tom Collins Cocktail
This twist on the classic Tom Collins drink uses Meyer lemons for a slightly tart, slightly sweet Meyer lemon cocktail you can enjoy all winter long into spring.
Sous Vide Homemade Limoncello
Homemade limoncello can take weeks to fully develop the flavors of the Meyer lemons. This easy recipe for sous vide limoncello will give you a delicious liquor in less time.
Meyer Lemon and Rosemary Tom Collins
Meyer Lemon and Rosemary Tom Collins is a refreshing seasonal recipe that has a hint of rosemary and the bright taste of Meyer Lemon.
Meyer Lemon Old Fashioned
Simple, meyer lemon old fashioned recipe! A bright and refreshing spin on the classic old fashioned cocktail with rye, bourbon, or whiskey.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won't cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!
Sharon says
Lemon recipes aren't just for the summer! These recipes prove that they should be part of your meal plan all year long!
Renée ♥ says
They certainly can be!
Monica says
That blueberry cake with the lemon glaze is making my mouth water! I just bought a bag of meyer lemons from Aldi so I will definitely be making some of these recipes!
Courtney says
I have never heard of Meyer Lemons before but I must try them now! I am not the best cook or baker but am for sure going to have to try the tart and any of the beverages!
Scarlet says
I love lemons and Meyer lemons are just the best. I can't wait to try these recipes. THanks!
Alisha Rodrigues says
This post had so much knowledge in there. Meyer Lemons are so special and love the collection of recipes you've shared along
Renée ♥ says
Thank you, Alisha! Meyer lemons certainly have an interesting history, don't they?
Jenn says
Sweet and savory, I love ALL things Meyer lemon. I can't wait to try some of these recipes!
Sophia says
I love lemon! All these recipes look so tasty, I can't wait to try some of them!
Anita says
Everything looks delicious, and I happen to just bought a large bag of Meyer lemon from Costco. I'll be going through this post slowly and will sure to make some of these recipes. 🙂
Kelly Anthony says
I'm excited about Meyer lemon season and this great collection of recipes using the slightly sweet fruit.
Heather says
We use lemons so often in our recipes! Especially with fish and chicken. Yum!
Renée ♥ says
They are so uniquely wonderful!
Nicole Claesen says
I love Meyer Lemon and always look forward to it's arrival in the stores around Thanksgiving. I had not idea about Frank Meyer - absolutely fascinating!
I definitely want to try the Meyer Lemon Meringue Tart! I also want to do Meyer Lemon Bars, it will remind me of my Grandma. Thanks for sharing all of these delicious recipe ideas!
Renée ♥ says
Thank you! Those food memories, like your Grandma's lemon bars, can evoke such strong, sweet memories.