Citrus juice, lime peel, orange peel, citrus extract, candied citrus peel, lemon oil, dried lemon zest, lemongrass and grapefruit rind are the best substitutes for lemon peel.

Lemon is one of the easily available fruits which is used not just for the taste and flavor it adds to the cuisine but also for the numerous health benefits it comes with. Using lemon in your daily diet ensures active immune system and also increases iron absorption due to its rich vitamin C and citric acid content. Nonetheless, it’s just not the lemon juice that is beneficial for health but its peel is also an underrated yet healthy part of the fruit. People who know the benefits that come with lemon peel use it in various ways like in cuisine, beauty packs, DIYs, etc. In this article we will hence learn about the other easily available substitutes of lemon peel in your cuisine, in case you run out of some while cooking.

In this article:

Nutritional Benefits of Lemon Peel
When not to Substitute Lemon Peel?
11 Best Substitutes of Lemon Peel

Nutritional Benefits of Lemon Peel

The amazing nutritional benefits that lemon peel provides to our health are as follows:

• Lemon peel contains small amounts of calcium that helps to maintain strong bones and cellular communication.
• The vitamin C content of lemon peel is good for your immune system
• Lemon peel contains potassium that helps the cells inside our body to communicate properly.
• Lemon peel also as fiber in it which ensures a healthy digestive system
• Lemon peels are said to lower blood pressure and considered good for the heart.
• Lemon peels consist of limonene and other flavonoids that prevent cancerous tumors related to mouth, pharynx, larynx, and stomach.

When not to Substitute Lemon Peel?

If you need to substitute lemon peel in small amounts then using other available options can be of no harm, but if you need it in large quantity then you need to think and decide according to the type of recipe. For example, if you are to use lemon juice or extract as a substitute in large quantity then the consistency of your dish might change, and if you use the juice in dishes containing baking soda or powder, it will result in the formation of air bubbles and changes the overall texture. Therefore, choose your substitutes according to the requirement of your recipe.

11 Best Substitutes for Lemon Peel

Citrus Juice

Citrus juice can do the same job for you as lemon peel though it may not give you similar texture. The juice adds a tarty and tangy flavor to your dish. For 1 teaspoon of lemon zest you can substitute it with 2 teaspoons of citrus juices. Any of the orange juice, lime juice or lemon juice can be used.

Lime Peel

If you don’t want to compromise on the texture and flavor of your recipe, then substitute lemon peel wit lime peel to get your work done. Since lime belongs to the same family it will adjust perfectly into your dish. Add 1 teaspoon lime peel to substitute 1 teaspoon of lemon peel.

Orange Peel

Orange peel might add a little sweetness to your recipe but it also gives you the needed amount of tarty flavor when used in the right amounts. If you have to substitute lemon peel in seasonings, then orange peel can do your work easily. Adjust the quantity according to your liking for sweetness.

Concentrated Juices

Unlike lemon peel or citrus juices, concentrated juices contain stronger flavor. Therefore use it in smaller quantity compared to the natural juice or zest. Use ½ teaspoon to replace 1 teaspoon of lemon peel.

Citrus Extract

Another amazing substitute of lemon peel is citrus extracts. Lime and orange extracts can also be used as options. Since the extracts have more stronger flavor use it in smaller quantity compared to the lemon peel. Use 1 teaspoon of citrus extract to replace 1 teaspoon of lemon peel.

Candied Citrus Peel

You might now find candied lemon, lime and orange peels available in the market which will work as a substitute of lemon peel. Since candied peels are cooked with sugar they might also add little sweetness to the dish, hence use only ¾ of candied peels in place of 1 teaspoon of lemon peel.

Lemon Oil

For recipes which require lemon peel in large quantity, lemon oil can be a great substitute, since it provides similar taste and texture. Use 1 teaspoon of lemon oil in place of 1 tablespoon of lemon peel.

Dried Lemon Zest

If you are out of fresh lemon peel, you can replace it with dried lemon zest and get the similar flavor and taste. Use dried lemon zest as 1-1 substitute for fresh lemon peel.

Lemon-Flavored Herbs

There are a variety of lemon-flavored herbs available which provide you with similar flavor in dishes that don’t need to be cooked. Lemon basil, lemon balm, lemon verbena have similar taste like lemon peel except without the strong flavors. You can replace lemon peel with these herbs in salads and soup dressings.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass has tougher flavor compared to the herbs, therefore it requires a careful preparation. You can replace lemon peel with lemongrass in dishes like soups, stews, baked dishes, sauces and salads. You can either pound the stalks of lemongrass to release the lemon peel flavors, or chop up the grass and put it in your dish in limited quantity.

Grapefruit Rind

Grapefruit rind is not the most amazing substitute of lemon peel, since it as a bitter taste unlike other citrus family fruits. If you are out of all the above substitutes, use grapefruit rind in a very small amount enough to provide the flavor.

Reference

https://www.organicfacts.net/lemon-peel-substitute.html