Substitutes for Lemon Juice (2024)

A guide for choosing the right substitute for lemon juice whether you are cooking, baking, making a co*cktail, or canning.

Use lemon juice and lime juice interchangeably in our pico de gallo, lemon chicken piccata, Lemon Basil Chicken and Rice and a host of other main dish recipes.

Substitutes for Lemon Juice (1)

Are you in the middle of a recipe and suddenly realize you’re out of lemon juice? There’s nothing worse than running out of a vital ingredient just as you’re preparing a meal.

Whether you are cooking, baking, making a co*cktail, or canning, there are many different substitutes for lemon juice you can try before making an unnecessary trip to the store. This article will help you choose the best lemon juice substitute for your needs.

Substitutes for Lemon Juice (2)

Substitutes for Lemon Juice:

Best Option: Lime Juice

Lime juice wins the spot for best overall substitute for lemon juice because of its similar taste (just a little sweeter) and acidity level. You can use it in both savory and sweet dishes, as well as co*cktails.

  • Substitute lime juice for lemon juice in equal amounts (1:1 ratio)

If you are looking for more recipes to use lime juice, check out our Key Lime Pie or these Honey-Lime Chipotle Chicken Fajita bowls

What else can I use as a substitute for Lemon Juice?

  • Orange juice in equal amounts (1:1 ratio)
  • White wine (1/2:1 ratio)
  • White vinegar (1/2:1 ratio)
  • Lemon extract (1/2:1 ratio + replace the rest with water)
  • Lemon zest (1/2:1 ratio + replace the rest with water)
  • Cream of tartar (1/2:1 ratio)

Cooking:

When cooking savory dishes, lime juice and orange juice make a good substitute for lemon juice. Replace the lemon juice with lime juice in equal amounts (e.g. 1 teaspoon for 1 teaspoon). Or, you could substitute the lemon juice with half as much white wine or white vinegar. Keep in mind that vinegar is best if used to substitute for a small amount of lemon juice, since too much will give your dish a strong vinegar taste.

Baking:

In baking recipes, lime or orange juice can be used as substitutes for lemon juice in equal amounts. However, keep in mind they may give sweet desserts a slightly different flavor. Use it in small amounts to add some acidity or to help your recipe to rise, but not in a dessert that is meant to have a strong lemon flavor.

Lemon extract (mixed with water) can also be a great substitute for lemon juice in baking. It is highly concentrated—you won’t need as much to get a yummy lemon flavor.

You can also substitute the lemon juice with half as much cream of tartar, which is an acidic, powdered substance found in the baking aisles at the store.

Lemon zest may also work well, especially if lemon is the predominant flavor of your recipe.

Note: If you are using lemon extract, cream of tartar, or lemon zest as a lemon juice substitute, you will want to replace the additional lemon juice with some additional liquid so the recipe doesn’t turn out too dry. For example, you would replace 1 teaspoon of lemon juice with ½ teaspoon lemon extract and ½ teaspoon water.

co*cktails:

When making co*cktails, substitute lime or orange juice for lemon juice in equal parts to get a bright, citrusy flavor. Orange juice is sweeter and less tart than lemon juice, so keep in mind if you are using a lot that it may turn out with a strong orange flavor.

Canning:

Lime juice is also the best substitute for lemon juice when preparing fruits for canning. It has a very similar pH level to lemon juice that will help your canned goods to stay safe for long-term storage.

What can I substitute for lemon zest?

If your recipe calls for lemon zest and you need a substitute, replace each teaspoon of lemon zest with ½ teaspoon of lemon extract, or two tablespoons of lemon juice.

Here are some of our favorite recipes using lemon juice:

  • Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata
  • Easy Strawberry Lemonade
  • Lemon Meringue Pie
  • Perfect Lemon Bars

You can alsoFOLLOW MEonFACEBOOK,TWITTER,INSTAGRAMandPINTERESTfor more great recipes!

Recipe

Substitutes for Lemon Juice (3)

5 from 5 votes

Substitutes for Lemon Juice

A guide for choosing the right substitute for lemon juice whether you are cooking, baking, making a co*cktail, or canning.

Print Pin Review

Author Lauren Allen

Course side course

Cuisine American

Servings 1 part lemon juice

Prep 2 minutes mins

Total 2 minutes mins

Save Recipe

Ingredients

For orange juice:

  • 1:1 ratio

For white wine:

  • 1/2:1 ratio

For white vinegar:

  • 1/2:1 ratio

For lemon extract:

  • 1/2:1 ratio + replace the rest with water

For lemon zest

  • 1/2:1 ratio + replace the rest with water

For cream of tartar

  • 1/2:1 ratio)

Instructions

  • Substitute Orange juice for lemon juice in equal amounts (1 part orange juice for every 1 part lemon juice).

  • Substitute white wine for lemon juice at a 1/2:1 ratio. ½ part white wine for every 1 part lemon juice.

  • Substitute white vinegar for lemon juice at 1/2:1 ratio. ½ part white vinegar for every 1 part lemon juice.

  • Substitute lemon extract for lemon juice at a 1/2:1 ratio and replace the rest with water. ½ part lemon extract and ½ part water for each 1 part lemon juice.

  • Substitute lemon zest at a 1/2:1 ratio and replace the rest with water. ½ part lemon zest and ½ part water for each 1 part lemon juice.

  • Substitute cream of tartar at a 1/2:1 ratio. ½ part cream of tartar for every 1 part lemon juice.

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About The Author

Substitutes for Lemon Juice (8)

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

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Substitutes for Lemon Juice (2024)

FAQs

Substitutes for Lemon Juice? ›

Apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, and rice vinegar can all be substituted at a ½:1 ratio. If your recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, then, sub 1 tablespoon vinegar and replace the rest with water if needed. Usually you won't need to add any extra liquid but it depends on the recipe.

What can be substituted for lemon juice? ›

Apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, and rice vinegar can all be substituted at a ½:1 ratio. If your recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, then, sub 1 tablespoon vinegar and replace the rest with water if needed. Usually you won't need to add any extra liquid but it depends on the recipe.

What acid can replace lemon juice? ›

¼ teaspoon powdered Citric Acid is equivalent to 1 Tablespoon lemon juice. 1 teaspoon powdered Citric Acid is equivalent to ¼ cup lemon juice (4 Tablespoons). Citric Acid lowers pH and imparts tartness to the fruit mixture, but it doesn't add a particular flavor.

Can I use lemon oil instead of lemon juice? ›

Lemon oil is not lemon-infused oil, but rather highly aromatic oil that is pressed from lemon rinds; as such, it is used in recipes to replace lemon zest (and not juice). Lemon oil is much more potent than lemon extract, which is lemon oil diluted in alcohol.

What can I use instead of lemon lime juice? ›

What can people use as lemon juice substitutes?
  • Lime juice.
  • Apple cider vinegar.
  • Orange juice.
  • Grapefruit juice.
  • Celery juice.
  • White wine vinegar.
  • Other tips.
Jul 29, 2021

What can I use if I don't have lemon extract? ›

5 Easy Lemon Extract Substitutes
  • Grated Lemon Peel. Grated lemon peel works just as well as lemon extract. ...
  • Vinegar. Vinegar is ideal for replacing lemon extract in virtually any recipe. ...
  • Lemon Juice. Lemon juice substitutes lemon extract in most recipes. ...
  • Lime Juice. ...
  • Cream Of Tartar.
May 2, 2022

Is vinegar the same as lemon juice? ›

Exploring the difference between lemon juice and vinegar reveals that while both can affect glucose levels, vinegar, with its acetic acid, is more potent than lemon juice's citric acid. If vinegar doesn't appeal to you, lemon juice is a viable alternative, though it's less powerful.

What is a substitute for lemon juice in chicken salad? ›

When cooking savory dishes, lime juice and orange juice make a good substitute for lemon juice. Replace the lemon juice with lime juice in equal amounts (e.g. 1 teaspoon for 1 teaspoon). Or, you could substitute the lemon juice with half as much white wine or white vinegar.

Is apple cider vinegar as acidic as lemon juice? ›

While lemon is sour and citrusy, apple cider vinegar comes with a milder acidity. It rather has a fermented and fruity taste.

When should you not use lemon oil? ›

Pregnant and nursing women and those taking prescription drugs are especially advised not to use Lemon Essential Oil without the medical advice of a physician. The oil should always be stored in an area that is inaccessible to children, especially those under the age of 7.

How many drops of lemon essential oil equal one lemon? ›

Limonene is found only in the rind of the lemons and citrus fruits. It's super cleansing and is an amazing detoxifier! It takes approximately 25 lemons to make one 5ml bottle of lemon oil! 1 drop is equivalent to the juice of 2 lemons!!

How much lemon oil equals lemon extract? ›

Lemon Extract Substitute: Lemon Essential Oil

If it is (many are!), start by substituting 1/8 teaspoon of essential oil for every 1 teaspoon of lemon extract, then add more, 1 drop at a time, until you reach the right level of lemon.

What is a substitute for lemon juice in co*cktails? ›

The #1 Best Substitute for Lemon Juice is Lime Juice.

It can be used at a 1:1 ratio level. Lime juice will work for both savory and sweet dishes and in co*cktails. If you plan to preserve something (to keep it fresh longer or for canning), substitute lime juice works well because of its similar pH level.

Can balsamic vinegar replace lemon juice? ›

That being said, like wine vinegar, it tends to work best as a substitute for lemon juice in marinade, dressing, sauces, and savory seafood or chicken dishes. Balsamic is not an ideal lemon juice substitute for baking.

Is bottled lemon juice the same as natural lemon juice? ›

However, if you've ever tasted bottled lemon juice, you'll notice that the flavour is a little off – not bright and lemony like the real stuff. This is because bottled lemon juice usually contains additives and preservatives such as Sodium Metabisulphite (E223) or Potassium Metabisulphite (E224).

Is lemon pepper a good substitute for lemon juice? ›

Because it contains lemon zest and is shelf-stable, it also makes for a good lemon juice substitute in savory dishes. Lemon pepper can also sit in your pantry until the time calls.

Can I make jam without lemon juice? ›

Unfortunately, now that the pectin is dissolved and free, the strands of pectin repel each other because they carry an electric charge that is negative. Without a little help, the pectin strands can't come together to form a network that will set your batch of jam — that's where the lemon juice comes into play.

What is a substitute for Meyer lemon juice? ›

If you want to make a Meyer lemon recipe but don't have any on hand, you can substitute a mix of equal parts fresh lemon juice and orange juice or tangerine juice. You can also substitute equal parts lemon zest and orange, tangerine, or mandarin zest for a grated Meyer lemon peel.

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