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Meyer lemons are much sweeter than other lemons and have an intoxicating aroma that helps to make these plump, smooth-skinned, canary yellow fruits a favorite for use in a variety of recipes. Right now is the perfect time to bask in these glorious fruits, and at Moon Valley Nurseries, we grow and carry lemon trees bursting with Meyers so that you can revel in this addictive fruit - they are the perfect cross between a lemon and a sweet mandarin orange!

A native of China, these yellow beauties are entering their harvest peak here in the Southwest, and when you’re searching for a burst of lemon flavor without the acidic bite, Meyer lemons are an ideal substitute. These are fun to cook with. In fact, their thinner peel makes it much easier to squeeze the sweet juice and enjoy the floral scent that surpasses other lemon varieties. And yes, feel free to eat them whole, peel and all!

They’ve been a favorite landscape tree for decades. Recent years has seen them in the spotlight for their use in culinary delights. Food and Lifestyle maven Martha Stewart has helped to popularize these fruits with recipes such as her Lemon Pine-Nut tart, which with one bite, sends you into heavenly sensory overload. Below are at least twenty things you can do, including some of our favorite Meyer Lemons recipes!

Plant a Meyer Lemon Tree and Look What You Can Do!

1. Make fresh-squeezed Meyer Lemonade
2. Squeeze the juice over fish
3. Add them to a salad dressing
4. Grate the zest and use it over risotto or as the perfect complement to steamed vegetables
5. Candy the peel – click here for a super easy recipe!
6. Infuse your favorite olive oil with a Meyer lemon peel
7. Since they have a lower acidic level, they are ideal for marmalade or lemon bars, and you can make these sweet foods using less sugar!
8. Grate the zest into ice cube trays, fill them with juice, freeze them, and use them to add a burst of flavor to cocktails or water
9. Make lemon chiffon cupcakes
10. Make Meyer Lemon Pine-Nut Tart – click here for Martha Stewarts recipe!
11. Drop some slices into a pot of iced tea for added flavor
12. Cut them into thin slices, remove the seeds and roast them with root vegetables, fish or chicken
13. Bake a Meyer lemon meringue pie!
14. Make Meyer lemon cake – click here for recipe!
15. The acid of a squeezed Meyer can bring out the flavor of fresh cut papaya or guava
16. Make Meyer Lemon Salsa Verde, pair it with homemade Hass avocado guacamole and impress guests at your next party – click here for a delectable recipe!
17. Make an All-Purpose Lemon Vinegar Cleaner - Tip: fill a glass container with cut-up lemon peels, add vinegar, cover the peels and seal with a tight-fitting lid. Let sit for two weeks then strain the peels from the vinegar and add water,. We recommend a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar.
18. Use the peels or a slice as a garbage disposal deodorizer and keep it smelling fresh!
19. Use them to ant-proof your kitchen. Scatter small slices of lemon peel around door entrances, near cracks, holes or any place where ants may enter – ants do not like lemon!
20. Make a Meyer Lemon Beurre Blanc ( a hot emulsified butter sauce) - click here for a recipe for use with salmon!
21. Share a box of lemons with neighbors, friends, and family.

What do you like to do with Meyer lemons? We’d love to know! Leave us a comment below!