Meyer lemon curd is a sweet-tart condiment that is incredibly easy to make. I'm going to show you how to make Meyer lemon curd, and how to preserve it with home canning.
My lemon tree is prolific this year, yielding over six bushels of stunning Meyer lemons, since December. I'm counting my blessings to live in a climate that's conducive to growing citrus. These backyard beauties have kept me busy the past few months with a list of scrumptious recipes...lemon tart, habanero lemon jelly, lemon icing, lemon cookies, canned lemon juice, lemon marmalade, and a whole slew of other lemon recipes.
I've put off canning curd before due to food safety issues related to the recipe. The recipe calls for butter and in home canning, 98% of the time, that's a no, no. Butter (fats and dairy) go rancid and develop bacteria if left in a jar unrefrigerated. Rest assured, I researched the recipe at the National Center for Home Food Preservation to find this "Tested" recipe.
This Meyer lemon curd recipe is safe for food consumption not to mention, the flavor and creamy texture will knock you out!
Despite assurances, I still keep my jars of canned Meyer lemon curd in the refrigerator. However, the stuff's never around long enough to go bad.
Meyer Lemon Curd
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 40
- Total Time: 50
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups sugar (super fine), optional
- ½ cup lemon zest (freshly zested), optional
- 1 cup bottled lemon juice ( I used ½ cup fresh squeezed meyer lemon juice and ½ cup bottled, make at your own risk and be sure to refrigerate after canning)
- ¾ cup unsalted butter. chilled, cut into approximately ¾ " pieces
- 7 large egg yolks
- 4 large whole eggs
Instructions
- Wash jars, rims and lids according to manufacturer's instructions. Sterilize clean jars in a large stock pot or professional water canner. Place jars in pot and and cover with water, boil jars for 15 minutes. Leave in pot over medium heat until ready to use.
- Heat a separate water canner with enough water to cover filled jars by 1 -2 inches. Heat water to 180 degrees F. by the time jars are ready to be added for processing. Use food thermometer to monitor heat.
CAUTION: THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT STEP WHEN CANNING LEMON CURD
- Do not heat the water in the canner to more than 180 degrees F. before jars are added. If the water in the canner is too hot when the jars are added, the process time will not be long enough. The time it takes for the canner to reach boiling after the jars are added in expected to be 25-30 minutes for processing lemon curd. Process time starts after the water in the canner comes to a full boil over the tops of the filled jars.
- If using lemon zest: Combine lemon zest and sugar and set aside for about 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld
- Heat water in the bottom of a double boiler until a gentle boil. The water should not boil vigorously or touch the bottom of the top of the double boiler pan in which the lemon curd is to be cooked. Hot steam is sufficient for the cooking process to occur.
- In the top of the double boiler, on the counter away from the heat, whisk egg yolks and whole eggs together until thoroughly mixed. Slowly whisk in the sugar and zest, blending until smooth. Blend in the lemon juice and then add the butter pieces to the mixture.
- Place the top of the double boiler over boiling water in the bottom of the pan. Stir gently but continuously with a silicone spatula or cooking spoon, to prevent mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Continue cooking until the mixture reaches 170 degrees F. Use food thermometer to monitor heat
- Remove double boiler pan from heat and place on a heat protected surface. Continue to gently stir until curd thickens (about 5 minutes). Strain curd through a mess strainer into a clean stainless steel or glass bow; discard zest
- Fill hot curd into cleaned half-pint jars, leaving ½ inch headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace if needed. Wipe rims of jars with a clean damp cloth or paper towel; apply two-piece metal canning lids.
- Place filled jars into 180 degree water bath, be sure water is over the tops of jars, when water has come to a full rolling boil, process jars for 15 minutes.
- Remove jars from canner and allow to cool on a dry kitchen towel, store in a cool dry place for up to 3 months
Notes
- For best quality, use lemon curd within 3-4 months. Discoloration may occur over time, discard contents anytime visual changes occur.
- Processed curd can be frozen for up to 1 year without quality changes when thawed.
- Yields: 3-4 half-pint jars
If you enjoy the Meyer lemon curd, you might also like Paleo Lemon Curd. To see the recipe click the photo.
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