Tried and tested tips for freezing lemon curd and other homemade fruit curds, including best containers, safe freezing, defrosting and recipes.
Freezing is a great way to preserve food and extend its shelf life. And the good news is that fruit curds including home made fruit curds can be easily frozen to keep them for longer. Lemon curd is probably the most known type of curd, which is a delicious spread that can be used on a toast or as a topping or filling for desserts and other baked treats.
I often make my own homemade fruit curds, so in this blog post, I wanted to explore whether it’s possible to freeze lemon curd and other fruit curds, and if so, how to do it properly to ensure the best results and your lemon curd will last a good time.
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What is lemon curd
Lemon curd is a tangy and sweet fruit spread made from lemon juice, eggs, butter, sugar, and lemon zest. It is often used as a topping or filling for cakes, scones, or pastries.
You can buy lemon curd in most food shops, but you can also make it at home. The home recipe is not that difficult to make although it does take a bit of practise to get it right. You are welcome to try my tried and tested fruit curd recipes with step by step photos and directions.
HOMEMADE FRUIT CURD RECIPES
Does lemon curd freeze well? The short answer
Yes, lemon curd freezes very well and can be stored in the freezer for up to a year without undergoing any texture changes once defrosted, as long as it is kept in a tightly-sealed container.
The creaminess of lemon curd stands up to the freezing process quite well, and when thawed, it loses almost none of its original taste and texture, although you might give it a quick stir in case the curd separates a little whilst defrosting.
My proven and tested tips for freezing lemon curd
Use an airtight container
Like with other liquid foods, it’s is important to use an airtight container for freezing lemon curd to prevent any spilages, freezer burn and to keep the curd from absorbing any other odors in the freezer. See my notes below for best containers to use for freezing lemon curd.
Leave space at the top
Make sure that you leave a little bit of space at the top of the container to allow for expansion as the curd freezes. If you don’t leave some space, the curd could push the container lid open and if you don’t check your freezer regularly you might end up with partly spoiled lemon curd.
Label and date the container
I always forget when I’ve put my lemon curd in the freezer, so I’m label and date the container so that I know how long it has been in the freezer for. I also always make sure I take out the oldest frozen lemon curd to make sure that they don’t stay in the freezer for longer than needed.
Freeze in small portions
If you plan to use the lemon curd in smaller amounts, consider freezing it in smaller portions so that you can thaw only what you need. I tend to make smaller amounts of my homemade curds anyway, but find that even halving it and freezing them in two batches helps me to prevent any wastage later on.
Thaw slowly in the fridge
When you are ready to use the lemon curd, thaw it slowly in the refrigerator overnight rather than leaving it in the room temperature. This will help to preserve its texture and flavor and you also wont’ have any problems with potential spoilage, which might happen if you forget to leave it in the room temperature for too long.
Do not refreeze
I really wouldn’t recommend to re-freeze lemon curd once it’s been thawed, because it could affect its quality and you also might end up re-freezing lemon curd that’s not at it’s best condition and potentially make you feel ill later on.
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The best containers for freezing lemon curds
There are several types of containers that can be used for freezing lemon curd. Here are some of the best options that I use all the time:
Plastic containers
Use plastic containers, such as soup containers, smoothie beakers or smaller tubs with airtight lids that are specifically designed for freezer use. These containers are available in various sizes and shapes, and they are easy to stack and store in the freezer.
Make sure that when you are choosing your container, choose one that allows for extra space on the top. When, you fill the container with the lemon curd, leave about 1/2 inch of headspace to allow for expansion during freezing.
Glass jars
Use only straight-sided glass jars with wide mouths that are designed for canning or freezing. These jars are available in various sizes and shapes, and they are easy to stack and store in the freezer.
Don’t forget to leave some space on the top and only fill the jar with the lemon curd, leaving about 1 inch of headspace to allow for expansion during freezing.
Don’t use regular glass jars or glass jars that are not specifically sold for use in freezer. If you use glass that’s not suitable for freezing the glass can easily shatter (as the temperature drops in the freezer) and you might end up with spoiled lemon curd and it will be very difficult to clean up your freezer afterwards.
Freezer bags
Use stronger freezer bags that are specifically designed for freezer use. These bags are available in various sizes and shapes, and they are easy to stack and store in the freezer.
When using freezer bags, fill the bag with the lemon curd, squeeze out any excess air, and seal the bag. When you get to defrost the lemon curd, you might like to put the bag in a bowl or large cup to stand up, just in case when the lemon curd starts to defrost in the fridge it doesn’t leak out from the top of the bag.
Ice cube trays
These are one of my favourite containers to use for small amounts of lemon curd. I sometimes use my homemade curds to sweeten my breakfast smoothies and one cube of lemon curd is just the right size to pop in one glass.
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How to freeze lemon curd step by step
Cool the lemon curd
If you are making your own lemon curd or other fruit curds at home, allow the lemon curd to cool down completely first.
Choose a freezer-safe container
Choose a freezer-safe container with a tight-fitting lid or a freezer bag depending on how much lemon curd do you have to freeze.
Portion the curd
Portion the lemon curd into the container or bag making sure that you leave some space on the top. If using a container, place a layer of plastic wrap over the curd to keep it airtight as well as using an airtight container lid. If using a freezer bag, squeeze out any excess air before sealing.
Label the container
Label the container with the date and contents. Make sure that you use suitable labels for freezer, that won’t come off from the containers when you freeze them.
Freeze the curd
Place the container or bag into the freezer and freeze for up to a year. If you are freezing your lemon curd in the bag, I find it best to lay it flat on something else that’s already frozen in the my freezer (like a pizza box or any larger container). This way your bag will freeze flat and then you can remove it anywhere you need to within your freezer. If you just pop the bag anywhere in the freezer it will take the shape of anything that’s underneath and then it will be more difficult to store later on.
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How long can you freeze lemon curd for?
Lemon curd can be stored in the freezer for up to a year without undergoing any texture changes once defrosted, as long as it is kept in a tightly-sealed container. However, it is always best to use frozen food within a reasonable time frame to ensure the best quality and taste.
What’s the best way to defrost lemon curd
The best way to defrost lemon curd is to transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator (fridge) and allow it to thaw slowly overnight. This will help to preserve its texture and flavor. Once thawed, stir the lemon curd to ensure a smooth texture. Avoid thawing lemon curd at room temperature or in the microwave, as this can cause it to separate or become grainy. If you overheat lemon curd by mistake in the microwave it might also curdle and you won’t be able to revived.
Can you refreeze lemon curd
It is not recommended to refreeze lemon curd once it has been thawed. Once thawed, lemon curd can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. However, refreezing it can cause a change in texture and flavor, and may also increase the risk of bacterial growth.
The only exception I would make is if your freezer had problems and you ended up with partly defrosted (but not completely thawed) lemon curd you can place it back to the freezer once it starts working again. This is the same if you are defrosting your freezer and need to temporary remove all your frozen food.
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Do other fruit curds freeze well?
Yes, other fruit curds can also be frozen and stored for later use. Fruit curds such as lime curd, raspberry, orange curd, passionfruit curd and any other homemade fruit curds can be frozen and stored in the freezer for up to a year. When thawed, they will lose almost none of their original taste and flavour.
I find that sometimes I need to stir the curd, when it’s fully defrosted as it can sometime slightly separate, but other than that I’ve never had any problems with freezing my homemade curds.
Can you freeze lemon curd in glass jars?
Yes, you can freeze lemon curd in glass jars, but only use glass jars that are specially made for freezer use. Don’t use regular glass jars or glass jars that you are not sure if they are freezer save as these can expand under cold temperature in your freezer and break.
Purposely made freezer glass jars are a convenient and easy way to store lemon curd in the freezer. When freezing in glass jars, it is important to leave some space at the top of the jar to allow for expansion as the curd freezes. It is also important to use jars with straight sides and wide mouths to make it easier to remove the frozen curd. When thawing the lemon curd, it is best to thaw it slowly in the refrigerator to preserve its texture and flavor.
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Can you freeze homemade lemon or other fruit curds?
Yes, you can freeze homemade lemon or other fruit curds. Freezing is a great way to preserve homemade lemon or other fruit curds and extend their shelf life and I’ve done it many times with my homemade fruit curds. Follow the same instructions as for freezing lemon curd.
Does lemon curd change consistency when you freeze it and defrost it again?
Freezing lemon curd can sometimes slightly alter its texture, making it a bit more gelatinous. However, when properly stored and thawed, the texture of the lemon curd should remain smooth and creamy, and it should lose almost none of its original taste and texture. It is important to thaw the lemon curd slowly in the refrigerator to prevent any further changes in texture.
This blog post was originally written on 16 August 2023 and last updated on 16 August 2023
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