Avoid This Lemon Storage Trick—It’s Not Effective

In the past, while cleaning out my pantry or fridge, I’d often find a few stray citrus fruits that had gone moldy and were no longer usable. Determined to stop wasting these flavorful treasures, I searched for the best way to store lemons and limes.

One method that caught my attention suggested storing whole citrus fruits in water in the fridge to keep them fresh for up to three months. Despite my hesitation about using up precious fridge space with a large container, I decided to give it a try. As a comparison, I left one whole fruit next to the water-filled container, in the fridge but not submerged.

Does Storing Lemons and Limes in Water Actually Work?

So, how did the citrus fare in the end? Here’s the short version: the fruits stored in the water turned an unappealing brown after just three weeks—nowhere near the promised three months. The fruit left out next to the container also started browning, but it was less so, and importantly, it wasn’t as slimy or suspicious. I ended up using the lime that wasn’t in the water, but tossed the other fruits out with the bathwater.

More importantly, I discovered that storing lemons and limes this way isn’t very safe. Similar to how keeping avocados in water is risky, immersing citrus in water creates an ideal environment for bacteria like listeria or salmonella, which could be present on the fruit’s skin.

In short, I’m happily skipping this lemon and lime storage ‘hack,’ and I recommend you do the same. If you’re really set on storing lemons in water, try making preserved lemons instead.

The Best Way to Store Whole Lemons

As detailed in this guide and confirmed in my own kitchen, the ideal way to store citrus like lemons and limes is in an airtight container in the fridge. This method will keep them fresh for up to a month. I typically use a zip-top bag. Be sure to keep them away from ethylene-producing fruits, like apples and bananas, which can cause premature ripening.

Even better? Don’t let your citrus sit around for too long! Here are some recipes to help you use up lemons and limes, so they don’t end up neglected and lonely in the fridge for weeks:

• Roasted Lemon, Garlic, and Chicken
• Lemon Rosemary Salmon
• Lemon Asparagus Pasta
• The Best Lemon Bars
• Perfect Lemon Curd
  
• Whole Lemon Blender Cake
• Key Lime Pie
• Grandma's Lemon Meringue Pie
• Best Homemade Lemonade Ever
• The Perfect Margarita