Does Lemon Curd Need To Be Refrigerated? Best Way To Store Lemon Curd
Lemon curd is a delicious and versatile condiment made from lemons, sugar, butter, and eggs. It can be used to top pancakes or waffles, spread on toast or scones, or simply eaten by the spoonful!
If you have a jar of lemon curd in your pantry, you may be wondering if you need to refrigerate it.
So, does lemon curd need to be refrigerated? The answer is that lemon curd will last longer if refrigerated, but it’s not necessary.
Of course, like any other food, the best way to store them is to put them in the refrigerator to prolong their shelf life. In this article, we will find out how long to keep it in the refrigerator. In addition to that, we will investigate what to look for to determine if lemon curd is still good or bad.
What is Lemon Curd?
If you’re not familiar, lemon curd is made from a combination of whole eggs, egg yolks, sugar, and lemon juice. The ingredients are cooked together until the mixture thickens, and the eggs are warmed to a safe temperature without being fully cooked. Once the mixture has thickened, it is chilled and usually filtered.
Why is Lemon Curd So Popular?
Lemon curd is a tart and tangy treat that has been gaining popularity in recent years. Its rising popularity is due to a variety of factors. Some of the reasons below are:
- Well, firstly, it tastes absolutely delicious! The sharpness of the lemons is balanced perfectly by the sweetness of the sugar, resulting in a flavour that’s completely irresistible.
- People like lemon curd because of its versatility. Lemon curd can be used as a filling for cakes and pies, spread on toast or scones, or simply eaten straight from the jar with a spoon. Lemon curd can be used in sweet or savoury dishes, as well as in both baking and cooking.
- It’s also relatively easy to make at home, and there are now many different flavors of store-bought lemon curd available.
- Another reason for lemon curd’s popularity is that it’s easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients: lemons, sugar, eggs, and butter. This makes it a great choice for those who are looking for an allergy-friendly or vegan-friendly dessert option.
Does Lemon Curd Need to be Refrigerated?
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, lemon curd does not need to be refrigerated if it is going to be used within 2-3 weeks. If you plan on keeping it longer than that, it should be stored in the fridge.
Lemon curd can last up to 6 months in the fridge, so if you want to make a big batch and have it on hand for a while, go ahead and store it in the fridge. Just be sure to give it a good stir before using, as the ingredients may separate over time.
Lemon curd contains raw eggs, which can lead to food poisoning if not stored properly. Refrigerating lemon curd prevents the growth of bacteria and keeps it safe to eat.
Lemon curd also contains butter, so lemon curd has dairy. As with any food that contains dairy, it can go rancid if left out of the mini fridge. Refrigerating lemon curd will keep it fresh and prevent it from spoilage.
How Long Does Lemon Curd Last? (Lemon Curd Shelf Life)
If you’ve had some lemon curd for a long time and are afraid that it may have gone bad, you need not worry. This is because lemons as the main ingredient will make your lemon curd good for a few days. These fruits keep well for a long time.
But how long is it going to last? Lemon curd has a different shelf life depending on whether it has been opened or not.
Lemon curd that hasn’t been opened can stay in the fridge for about 2 to 3 weeks. Lemon curd is freezer-friendly. Pour it into a freezer bag and freeze for up to three months after allowing it to cool.
However, lemon curd only lasts for around 1-2 weeks after being opened. Obviously, there is the matter of where to keep it. Once opened, lemon curd should be stored in the refrigerator to avoid the formation of germs and mold.
So, if you want to use lemon curd often, it’s best to keep a jar that hasn’t been opened on hand.
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| If you open a jar of lemon curd and don’t think you’ll be able to use it all up in the next week or so, you might want to freeze it. Lemon curd that has been frozen can be thawed as needed and used within a few months. |
How to Tell if Lemon Curd is Bad, Rotten, or Spoiled?
Store-bought lemon curd usually lasts longer than homemade curd. This is because during the manufacturing process, nitric acid has been added to prolong its shelf life.
Nonetheless, both store-bought and homemade lemon curd can go bad if not stored properly. Here are a few ways to tell if your lemon curd has gone bad, rotten, or spoiled.
The first way to tell if lemon curd has gone bad is by its appearance. If the lemon curd is lumpy, watery, or has changed colors, it has most likely gone bad and should be thrown out.
The second way to tell if lemon curd has gone bad is by its smell. If the lemon curd smells sour or off, it has probably gone bad and should not be eaten.
If you are unsure whether the lemon curd is still good, the best way to test it is by tasting a small amount.
How to Use Up Leftover Lemon Curd?
There are few things more delicious than homemade lemon curd. But what do you do with the leftover curd? If you have leftover lemon curd, don’t let it go to waste!
Fruit Salad
You can use it to make a delicious fruit salad. Start by chopping up some fresh fruit, such as apples, grapes, and bananas. Then, add the lemon curd and mix everything together. The result is a sweet and tangy salad that’s perfect for a summer picnic or potluck.
Pour into a Pie or Tart Shell
One great way to use up leftover lemon curd is to pour it into a pie or tart shell and bake it until golden brown. This easy lemon curd recipe is sure to please any lemon lover and is a great way to use up those extra curds.
Make Buttercream Frosting
There are only a few simple ingredients needed for this recipe. Among the most adaptable frostings is buttercream. It can be used on cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and even pancakes! Lemon curd buttercream frosting is perfect for summertime desserts. The tartness of the lemon pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the buttercream.
This recipe is so easy to make, you’ll never buy store-bought frosting again! Simply whip together some softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, and lemon curd. That’s it! If you want a little extra zing, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Conclusion
Lemon curd is a versatile topping that can be used as a filling for cakes or to fill tart shells, as a glaze over scones, or spread on a slice of toast.
When a jar of lemon curd has been opened, it’s advisable to consume it within six months. Therefore, it’s not a good idea to make lemon curd from scratch and store it for a long period of time.
However, if you do so, you can substitute fresh lemons with bottled lemon juice and use either whole eggs or egg yolks in the lemon curd recipe. Another option is to use lemon juice and zest in the recipe.
Homemade lemon curd should be kept cold at all times. Store store-bought lemon curd can be kept at room temperature as long as it is unopened. Once you’ve opened it, you must place it in the refrigerator.
