Sous Vide Lemon Curd Recipe | Savoring The Good® (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Sarah Mock As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe

Lemon curd is a custard-like mixture made from fresh lemon juice, sugar, butter, and egg yolks and used as a filling or spread. With this sous vide lemon curd recipe there is no stirring, straining or arm cramps.

Sous Vide Lemon Curd Recipe | Savoring The Good® (1)

Don’t lose this recipe! Enter your email below and we will email this recipe to you, plus more yummy recipes weekly.

This lemon curd recipe is cooked in mason jars. Seriously the silkiest lemon curd I have ever made. There was no need to pass this through a fine-mesh strainer to get our any coagulated egg bits.

If you love lemon curd you are going to want to add this Lemon tart and this rhubarb curd to your recipe box! Be sure to check out my complete collection of sous vide recipes.

Jump to:
  • Sous Vide Lemon Curd
  • Why is the sous vide method better than the traditional cooking method?
  • Lemon Curd Ingredients:
  • What is lemon curd used for?
  • What is the difference between lemon curd and lemon pie filling?
  • What can I do about the foam that forms on the curd when it is in the food processor?
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 Sarah Mock
  • Comments

Sous Vide Lemon Curd

Lemon curd is a custard-like mixture made from fresh lemon juice, sugar, butter, and egg yolks and used as a filling or spread. There is a lot of specific temperatures that need to be met and a lot of arm work can go into whisking lemon curd. With this sous vide lemon curd recipe there is no stirring, straining or arm cramps. If you don't have a sous vide circulator, you can check out my recipe for a traditional lemon curd recipe.

Why is the sous vide method better than the traditional cooking method?

The sous vide cooking method will keep the ingredients at a constant temperature, cooking the curd smooth as silk. Plus there will not be overcooking of the egg yolks because the water is kept at a constant temperature.

This recipe is outstanding….a great lemon flavor & smooth texture..
This was my first attempt at making lemon curd and it went well.

★★★★★ ~ Ann

Lemon Curd Ingredients:

  • Egg Yolks
  • Lemons (zested & juiced)
  • Lemon Juice, fresh squeezed
  • Sugar
  • Butter, melted and cooled
Sous Vide Lemon Curd Recipe | Savoring The Good® (2)

What is lemon curd used for?

Lemon curd is known as being served at tea time with scones, in tarts, or in the filling of layer cakes. But don't forget to use lemon curd as a filling for crepes, on top of pancakes or waffles or even used to fill cookies.

Sous Vide Lemon Curd Recipe | Savoring The Good® (3)

What is the difference between lemon curd and lemon pie filling?

Lemon pie filling is usually thickened with flour or cornstarch whilelemon curdis thickened by tempering egg yolks, lemon juice, andzest. Lemon curdis similar topie fillingbut the texture is smoother, thicker and the lemon flavor is more intense.

Sous Vide Lemon Curd Recipe | Savoring The Good® (4)

More sous vide dessert recipes:

  • Sous vide oreo cheesecake
  • Sous vide peanut butter cheesecakein jars
  • Turtle cheesecake
  • Grasshopper cheesecake
  • Homemade clotted cream
Sous Vide Lemon Curd Recipe | Savoring The Good® (5)

What can I do about the foam that forms on the curd when it is in the food processor?

If there is still a bit of foam or bubbles on the top of the lemon curd, and it bothers you, firmly rap the jars on the counter to pop the bubbles. Or you can use a kitchen torch to quickly remove them. Neither of these options is necessary, it is more about getting a smooth texture from top to bottom.

Sous Vide Lemon Curd Recipe | Savoring The Good® (6)
Sous Vide Lemon Curd Recipe | Savoring The Good® (7)
Sous Vide Lemon Curd Recipe | Savoring The Good® (8)
Sous Vide Lemon Curd Recipe | Savoring The Good® (9)

Sous Vide Lemon Curd Printable Recipe:

📖 Recipe

Sous Vide Lemon Curd Recipe | Savoring The Good® (10)

Sous Vide Lemon Curd

Sarah Mock

With the help of sous vide, you can make smooth as silk lemon curd. My sous vide lemon curd recipe is cooked in mason jars.

4.49 from 122 votes

Print Recipe

Note From Sarah

There is more to a recipe than just the recipe card. Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!

Prep time for the recipePrep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook time for the recipeCook Time 1 hour hr

total time to prep and cook the recipe.Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Sous Vide

Cuisine French

Makes 3 servings

Per Serving 1064 kcal

Ingredients

  • 10 Egg Yolks
  • 6 Lemons (zested & juiced)
  • 1 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 1 ½ Cups Sugar
  • 1 ½ sticks Butter (melted and cooled)

Instructions

  • Separate the yolks from the whites and save the whites for another recipe.

    10 Egg Yolks

  • Zest 6 lemons and measure out¼ cup of zest.

    6 Lemons

  • In a food processor, blend the sugar and the lemon zest until the sugar is a fine powder and the zest has infused the sugar.

    1 ½ Cups Sugar

  • With the food processor running, pour in the 1 cup of fresh lemon juice

    1 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice

  • Add the egg yolks, one at a time, allowing each one to incorporate fully.

  • While the food processor is still running, pour the melted and cooled butter into the yolk/lemon juice mixture.

    1 ½ sticks Butter

  • Strain the mixture through a super fine mesh strainer to help remove any foam.

  • Fill half pint jelly jars with the lemon curd mixture.

  • Place a lid and ring on top of the jars and make the ring finger tight.

  • Heat the sous vide to167 °F / 75 °C.

  • Once heated, carefully lower the jars into the water with a jar lifter. Make sure there is water completely surrounding the jars.

  • Cook for 1 hour.

  • Carefully remove from the water and allow to rest to cool to room temperature and then store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 1064kcal | Carbohydrates: 128g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 63g | Saturated Fat: 35g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 769mg | Sodium: 398mg | Potassium: 463mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 108g | Vitamin A: 2330IU | Vitamin C: 146mg | Calcium: 153mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition Disclosure

Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

published Jan 18, 2018

Sous Vide Lemon Curd Recipe | Savoring The Good® (11)

👩🏻‍🍳 Sarah Mock

CEO/Owner/Founder/Culinary Blogger

Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 14 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.

    More Ultimate Collection of Sous Vide Recipes

    • Sous Vide Filet Mignon
    • Beef Liver And Onions Recipe
    • Best Sous Vide Beef Recipes
    • Best Sous Vide Brisket Recipe (24 Hour Brisket)

    About Sarah Mock

    Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 14 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply

    1. Ann

      Sous Vide Lemon Curd Recipe | Savoring The Good® (16)
      This recipe is outstanding….a great lemon flavor & smooth texture..
      This was my first attempt at making lemon curd and it went well.
      One question….a firm waxy crust about 1/4” formed on the top when it cooled.
      Could this have been due to the quality of the butter. it was easily removed and didn’t change the wonderful taste of the curd.

      Reply

      • Sarah Mock

        I am so glad you loved this recipe as much as I do! I am not sure about the crust...it might have to do with the amount of headspace there is in the jar. I try and keep as little headspace as possible in these. I hope that is helpful.

        Reply

    2. Mm

      Can you cook it longer to pasteurize? That’s a lot of curd to eat in 2 weeks!

      Reply

    3. Hank

      Sous Vide Lemon Curd Recipe | Savoring The Good® (17)
      Great recipe, all Sarah’s recipes are sensational.

      Reply

      • Sarah Mock

        Aw! Thanks Hank. I appreciate the feedback. Sarah

        Reply

    4. Aenea

      I've made this sous vide lemon curd recipe and it worked great! You mentioned a rhubarb curd and I was wondering if you were willing to share the recipe.

      Reply

    Sous Vide Lemon Curd Recipe | Savoring The Good® (2024)

    FAQs

    Can you overcook lemon curd? ›

    Your lemon curd could get chunky and grainy if you let it overcook. One thing you should remember while making lemon curd is that you should never let it reach a point where it starts boiling. The ideal temperature for lemon curd is 170 degrees Fahrenheit, and it shouldn't cross that.

    Why didn't my lemon curd get thick? ›

    If your lemon curd hasn't thickened, it may not have been heated enough. It can take up to 30 minutes of constant stirring to cook lemon curd, especially if it's a large batch. Remember that curd will thicken more once cooled. If your cooled curd is not thick enough, you can reheat it to thicken.

    How long before lemon curd goes bad? ›

    How Long Does Lemon Curd Last? If the homemade lemon curd is stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it should last for about one month.

    What is the shelf life of homemade lemon curd? ›

    Lemon curd will keep in your refrigerator for up to a month according to the National Center for Home Food Preservation. You can also store it in the freezer for up to 1 year. To thaw, transfer your curd from the freezer to the fridge 24 hours before you need it.

    How to avoid eggy taste in lemon curd? ›

    Although lemon curd uses egg yolks and/or egg whites, the final product shouldn't taste eggy. If it does, it may mean that you've overcooked your eggs. In saying that, traditional lemon curd does have a distinct after taste which doesn't sit well with some.

    Why does my lemon curd taste like metal? ›

    Why does my lemon curd taste metallic? A metallic aftertaste is usually the consequence of the lemon curd coming into contact with a metal (especially while it's hot). This could be a metal whisk, a metal bowl, a metal (or metal-coated) saucepan, or a metal sieve.

    What temp does lemon curd thicken? ›

    After about 5 minutes over the heat and while you're stirring constantly, the curd will begin to thicken on the bottom. Once it reaches 165-170 F and you note that it covers the spatula without running completely off, it's done, take it off the heat. Slice the butter into the bowl and set the sieve back over it.

    How to tell when lemon curd is done? ›

    Lemon Curd should thick enough to coat the back of a spoon when it's hot and should thicken up to pudding-like consistency when it's chilled. The curd can take up to 10 minutes to thicken to the consistency of pourable pudding, so be patient (remember it will thicken more once it cools).

    Why is my lemon curd not bright yellow? ›

    The color of the lemon curd is depending on the egg yolks that you use, and if the yolks color is more orange than yellow, then your lemon curd will turn dark yellow- orange color and not bright yellow.

    Can you freeze uncooked lemon curd? ›

    Yes, you can freeze lemon curd! Once your fresh curd is chilled, just pop the airtight, freezer-safe container in the freezer. Lemon curd can be stored in the freezer for up to one year.

    Why did my lemon curd turn green? ›

    If your lemon curd turned green, it likely had a reaction to something metal. Avoid using a copper or aluminum pan as those will react with the lemon juice and cause the discoloration in the lemon curd, and could even cause a slightly metallic aftertaste.

    Is Dickinson's lemon curd discontinued? ›

    About Us. Dickinson's Family fruit spreads brand has been discontinued and is no longer being sold. Explore our similar fruit spread portfolio, featuring Smucker's high-quality, jelly, jam, preserves, and natural fruit spreads.

    Can lemon curd sit out overnight? ›

    In a covered, airtight container for up to one week. It doesn't really freeze well. Lemon curd does contain eggs and dairy (butter), so I'd be ok leaving it out for the day if I plan on serving it, but anything overnight definitely would need to be refrigerated.

    Can I use 15 days old curd? ›

    Yogurts are made by conventional manual methods, when stored at 2 - 6 degrees Celsius in the refrigerator, they will be used for 5-7 days. If you put them in the freezer, they can be used for 10-14 days without worrying about the quality.

    Is it OK to reheat lemon curd? ›

    A double boiler technique is highly effective for reheating the lemon curd in a saucepan, especially when not reheating the whole tart. Fill a saucepan with a small amount of water and place it on the stove. Then, put the lemon curd into a heatproof bowl that fits onto the saucepan without touching the water beneath.

    How to know when lemon curd is done? ›

    Lemon Curd should thick enough to coat the back of a spoon when it's hot and should thicken up to pudding-like consistency when it's chilled. The curd can take up to 10 minutes to thicken to the consistency of pourable pudding, so be patient (remember it will thicken more once it cools).

    Can you fix runny lemon curd? ›

    Problem: My Lemon Curd is Too Runny

    The curd wasn't cooked long enough to allow the egg to thicken, or not enough butter was added. How to fix it: To thicken runny lemon curd, put the curd back into your saucepan, place over the lowest possible heat, and stir constantly.

    What happens when you heat lemon curd? ›

    If you over-heat the lemon curd, the egg proteins can coagulate and you will see little bits of cooked egg. You can try to strain the curd to remove the bits of egg, but it will affect the overall consistency.

    Is it safe to eat runny lemon curd? ›

    Texture: Any signs of separation or a watery consistency can indicate spoilage. Smell: A sour or off-putting aroma is a clear signal that the lemon curd should not be consumed. Taste: Any deviation from the typical tangy, sweet lemon taste can suggest spoilage.

    References

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Mr. See Jast

    Last Updated:

    Views: 6535

    Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

    Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Mr. See Jast

    Birthday: 1999-07-30

    Address: 8409 Megan Mountain, New Mathew, MT 44997-8193

    Phone: +5023589614038

    Job: Chief Executive

    Hobby: Leather crafting, Flag Football, Candle making, Flying, Poi, Gunsmithing, Swimming

    Introduction: My name is Mr. See Jast, I am a open, jolly, gorgeous, courageous, inexpensive, friendly, homely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.