This lemon curd is so easy and made with one pot and a whisk — the perfect bright, citrusy addition to any dessert!

So every once in a while I get a craving for lemon curd that cannot be ignored.
You, too?
I think lemon desserts just feel healthier when you’re eating them. It’s like, how can something that tastes like sunshine be bad for me? It just can’t.
So I was looking for a lemon curd recipe I’ve used in the past (on Pinterest, obviously, where one looks for everything). And I came across the recipe from Saveur that I had used the last time, and I came across my original pin in one of my Pinterest boards, and my notes were basically, “great recipe, though I changed it a bit.”
And so I decided that since the reason for this here blog was for me to have a place to document these “changes”, I had better figure out what I’d changed and create my own version here.
I did some research, scanning Pinterest for other lemon curd recipes, and I couldn’t believe how many steps they involved. Microwave versions that involved way more hassle than just stirring it up in a pot until thick, and others that just had way too many steps. I remembered that the recipe from Saveur had the simplest method, and so I started there.
I used whole eggs instead of just yolks because, well, I just hate having parts of things leftover in my fridge. Like that half open jar of tomato paste way in the back of your fridge. (I know, I know. You could freeze it! But do you? I know I don’t.)
And I halved the recipe because I know that if I make 4 cups of lemon curd, Imma eat 4 cups of lemon curd. With a spoon.
Easy Lemon Curd
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- 5 eggs
- 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 4 tbsp butter cubed
Instructions
- In a medium pot, combine sugar, zest and eggs with a whisk. Add lemon juice and whisk until combined.
- Place over medium heat and cook, whisking constantly, until thickened (5-10 minutes).
- Remove from heat and stir in the butter. Press through a sieve into a bowl. Press plastic wrap onto the surface of the curd and refrigerate until chilled — at least 5-6 hours.
- Store in the fridge for up to 1-2 weeks.
Nutrition Information
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Shinee says
Yay for lemon curd! I’ve been eating lemon curd for couple weeks now. Haha Love the simplicity of it, Ashley!
Ashley says
Haha, thanks Shinee! Looks like we’re both lovers of the easy way! 😀
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
The lemon curd looks amazing girl! And thank you for helping me celebrate!
Ashley says
Anytime friend!
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says
This looks amazing Ashley! I am all for making recipes easier and lemon curd is one of those things that always sounded hard to me. I can’t wait to try this!
Ashley says
Thanks Jessica!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Homemade lemon curd is my weakness. I love how easy this is and could easily eat this by the spoonful. It looks so so good!
Ashley says
I definitely do grab a spoon and dig in… 🙂 Thanks Kelly!
Sherri@The Well Floured Kitchen says
I do love how easy this is! And it looks so amazing – I can definitely see myself eating the whole thing!
Ashley says
Thanks Sherri!
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says
Lemon curd is amazing. I can eat the stuff by the spoon full or smothered over angel food cake slices. Yumm. Great recipe.
Ashley says
Thanks Kathy!
Back for Seconds says
Oh how I love lemon curd!!!
My Kitchen Craze says
I feel like every time I come over to your blog you teach me new things. Love that!! I’ve never made or heard of curd until I started my blog about 2 years ago. Love that you used whole eggs. I feel you about the tomato paste. I always end of throwing it away because I didn’t freeze it. Darn it. I need to make this curd asap. It reminds me of laying in the sun on the beach. 🙂
Ashley says
Thanks Cyndi! I’m a big fan of no-waste recipes 🙂
Michelle { A Latte Food } says
I love lemon curd! And I could totally eat it by the spoonful too!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
I feel you on the ‘if it’s lemon it’s healthy’ mindset. This lemon curd looks delicious and I love how simple it is and how there are no weird leftover ingredients 🙂
Stacey @ Bake Eat Repeat says
That lemon curd looks delicious Ashley! I’ve never made it with whole eggs, I’ll have to try that! Because it IS annoying to have stuff sitting in the fridge that you always forget to actually use before it’s no good!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Why don’t you just go ahead and make the whole batch and I’ll eat the other half. Deal?
Annie @ ciaochowbambina says
If I had known it could be this simple I would have made it long ago! Thank you for sharing your recipe! Love it!
Ashley says
Thanks Annie! I like the easy way of everything 🙂
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Ashley! I must admit I’ve never made lemon curd. I love it and I guess the reason I haven’t made it was the complexity of most recipes. Your recipe, however, is definitely in my “to do” list!
Ashley says
Thanks Dorothy! I’m all about keeping things simple 🙂
Becky | The Cookie Rookie says
YUM! I love few things more than lemon curd! I had no idea it could be this simple!
Joanie @ ZagLeft says
It’s hard for me NOT to eat lemon curd straight from the jar with a spoon – I love it. This recipe sounds perfect – I love that you used the whole egg – I never end up using the leftover portion either 🙂
Nora @ Savory Nothings says
Homemade lemon curd is the BEST and it’s so easy to make! The hardest part is not eating it all as soon as it comes out of the pot 😀
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Love how easy this lemon curd is to make! Simple recipes are always best! 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I love how easy this lemon curd is to make, Ashley! For some reason, I’ve never thought to make my own before, but I bet it’s delicious. I could see myself putting this on just about anything, but especially just eating it with my spoon! Pinned!
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
I’ve never made homemade lemon curd, but you’ve convinced me to try it out, Ashley. I adore the jarred version and use it in thumbprint cookies a few times a year. Thank you for sharing. 🙂