Hands using a tool to juice a lemon
By CAITLIN EVANS
The Salt Trick To Leave Lemon Juice Fresh For Months
Lemons can be used in many ways, but they can go bad once they’re cut open. Luckily, there’s a way to make lemon juice last longer, and all you need is salt.
This extra step can add months to its shelf life. Just mix salt with lemon juice at a ratio of 2:1, meaning you'll need 1/2 teaspoon of salt per 1/4 cup of lemon juice.
Salt preserves lemon juice by preventing microbial growth and chemical reactions. Microbes need moist conditions, so the fewer water molecules, the lower the chance of bacteria.
The best salts to use are canning and pickling salt, as they don’t contain any iodine or anti-caking components. Using regular table salt can result in discoloration.
Salted lemon juice in an airtight jar can last for a couple of months in the refrigerator. When the time comes to use it, make sure to shake the juice to reincorporate the salt.