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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    How To Use Citrus Fruit and Zest

    Published: Jan 25, 2024 by Cinde LittleThis post may contain affiliate linksLeave a Comment

    All home cooks can get stuck in a rotation of making the same old dishes. (Boring!) In this post, How To Use Citrus Fruit and Zest, I want you to see new ways to use it and try something. From meatballs to muffins, citrus adds a bright fresh taste wherever you use it.

    A cutting board with peeled citrus fruit and a plate of orange and grapefruit segments. this gluten free recipe

    Citrus fruit year is available year round but when it's in season the fruits are juicier and the variety is amazing. Juicy Cara Cara oranges, blood oranges, satsumas, clementines, ruby red grapefruits, Meyer lemons and Key limes and more, are waiting to be tried. Here's a recipe roundup with 15 of my favourites.

    Jump to:
    • 🍊 How To Cut Citrus Supremes
    • 🍋 Tips for Zesting Citrus Fruit
    • 🥶 Freezing Citrus Zest
    • 🍊🍋 15 Citrus Recipes; Lemon, Lime, Orange & Grapefruit

    🍊 How To Cut Citrus Supremes

    Citrus supremes surrounded by whole oranges and grapefruits.

    I've been cutting oranges and grapefruits like this for years but never knew they were called supremes. It's simply a method of cutting to remove all the membrane and pith from the outside of the fruit. The last step is to remove each section from the membrane and you have citrus supremes.

    In my kitchen we think it's worth the effort. Just give it a try!

    🍋 Tips for Zesting Citrus Fruit

    The zest is the coloured part of the peel only, none of the white pith. It has a high amount of fibre and vitamin C and adding a small amount can perk up meatballs, pasta dishes, muffins and more.

    I use an old-fashioned hand zester with several holes at the top to make long strips of zest like you see in this video. I freeze the strips then use it right out of the freezer chopped as fine as I need for each recipe.

    Of course I have a rast, the popular tool you see on cooking shows that people often call a Microplane grater. Microplane is actually the brand name. There are many other brands available as well as different sizes to choose from.

    I use my rast when I'm finishing a dish with a little zest on top. Hold the rast firmly in one hand, then rub the fruit back and forth across the holes and let the zest fall right on top of your dish.

    A rast can also be used to grate Parmesan cheese, chocolate, garlic, ginger and more.

    Add citrus zest to muffins, pancakes, cookies and scones. Try lemon or lime zest in marinades, on roast potatoes, fish dishes or chicken is heavenly. Try it in anything, you can’t go wrong.

    🥶 Freezing Citrus Zest

    Zest citrus fruit as often as you can. I try to remove the zest of oranges, lemons and limes before I use them for anything. I put that zest right into the freezer and always have some on hand when I need it. It will keep for months but try and use it.

    I have a small container in my freezer for each type of zest and they stay there whether they're full or empty.

    🍊🍋 15 Citrus Recipes; Lemon, Lime, Orange & Grapefruit

    1
    Pork and Shrimp on Lemongrass Skewers
    Pork and Shrimp Lemongrass Skewers
    A little orange zest brightens up this flavourful appetizer.
    Check out this recipe
    2
    A platter of spicy Thai meatballs in lettuce cups garnished with fresh mint leaves and a dish of cilantro ponzu sauce on the side.
    Spicy Thai Meatballs in Lettuce Cups
    With orange zest in the meatballs and the citrusy ponzu sauce this is a tasty, healthy appetizer.
    Check out this recipe
    3
    A composed Grapefruit and Avocado Salad on a bed of arugula with red onion slivers and black olives.
    Grapefruit Avocado Salad with Tomato Cumin Dressing
    This unique combination makes a beautifully composed winter salad that will stand out on any buffet table.
    Check out this recipe
    4
    A lettuce lined platter of Mexican Avocado Orange Salad.
    Mexican Avocado Orange Salad
    This green salad bursting with citrus flavour will go with any Mexican inspired meal from tacos to pork carnitas.
    Check out this recipe
    5
    A plate of Cranberry Orange Lettuce Salad.
    Cranberry Orange Lettuce Salad
    This salad has a simple Orange Poppy Seed Dressing that, like most dressings, can be made in two minutes. Maybe one if you're fast.
    Check out this recipe
    6
    A plate with pieces of baked Arctic Char covered in citrus sauce with whole segments of fruit and a sprinkling of chives.
    Arctic Char with Citrus Sauce
    This is a winter recipe that highlights a variety of citrus fruits when they are in season. Learn to cut citrus supremes and you've got an easy main course dish to add to your meal rotation that is worthy of serving to friends.
    Check out this recipe
    7
    A platter of Mexican Pork Carnitas surrounded by tacos filled with the pork.
    Gluten Free Pork Carnitas
    Pork Carnitas is the Mexican version of pulled pork; succulent strings of pork piled onto homemade corn tortillas with all the toppings!
    Check out this recipe
    8
    A board with slices of Grilled Flank Steak and bell peppers with lime wedges and cilantro.
    Grilled Flank Steak with Chipotle Honey Sauce
    Grilled Flank Steak with Chipotle Honey Sauce is a Mexican-style steak with lime, cilantro and chipotle chiles in adobo sauce. Must try!
    Check out this recipe
    9
    A piece of hazelnut lemon halibut garnished with arugula and lemon slices.
    Hazelnut Lemon Halibut
    Lemon zest in the breading is brilliant!
    Check out this recipe
    10
    A plate with two pieces of cooked chicken with adobo paste.
    Grilled Chicken with Adobo Paste
    I guarantee this is the best damn rub you’ll make all summer! And every summer after that. Gluten free cooks have reusable grilling sheets to cook on any grill.
    Check out this recipe
    11
    A white plate of Persian Chicken Stew sprinkled with pomegranate arils and fresh parsley.
    Persian Chicken Stew (Fesenjan)
    Known as Fesenjan, this dish is rich and flavourful with toasted walnuts, pomegranate molasses and a hint of orange. The sparkling pomegranate arils create a spectacular presentation and learning the pomegranate hack is always fun for everyday cooks.
    Check out this recipe
    12
    A large martini glass filled with cranberry orange salsa.
    Cranberry Orange Salsa
    Cranberry and orange is a perfect match. Try this with nachos or fish tacos.
    Check out this recipe
    13
    A white tray of Cornmeal Raspberry Muffins and freshly picked raspberries.
    Gluten Free Cornmeal Raspberry Muffins
    Lemon zest adds a burst of citrus to these muffins.
    Check out this recipe
    14
    Gluten free Orange Cupcakes with orange icing on a pedestal tray, each topped with a small piece or orange.
    Gluten Free Orange Cupcakes with Orange Icing
    These cupcakes are bursting with citrus flavour. Rather than a flour blend this recipe uses sorghum flour and potato starch. With vegetable shortening in the icing, instead of butter, these cupcakes are gluten free, dairy free and rice free.
    Check out this recipe
    15
    Four dishes of Lemon Curd with fresh strawberries and blueberries.
    Homemade Lemon Curd (Lemon Butter)
    Lemon curd can be as simple as serving it while standing at the kitchen counter or as decadent as you can imagine in any fancy dessert.
    Check out this recipe
    16
    A piece of gluten free Lemon Meringue Pie cut and ready to serve.
    Gluten Free Lemon Meringue Pie
    Yes, you can make gluten free Lemon Meringue Pie with billowy meringue piled high on top of a luscious lemon filling. Just give it a try!
    Check out this recipe
    17
    A small Mason jar filled with Key Lime Pie.
    Gluten Free Key Lime Pie in a Jar
    Seasoned celiacs love anything served in individual portions. No one else needs to know that you're doing it to avoid cross contact.
    Check out this recipe

    __________________________________________________________________________

    New here? I've got help to get you from overwhelmed and frustrated to confidently cooking gluten free food the whole family wants to eat. Subscribe and get your free resource, 29 Tips for GF flour.

    Send me those 29 Tips!

    🎉 I made it into the Top 100 Gluten Free Blogs for 2025 and the Top 40 Gourmet Food Blogs. To learn all the ways I can help you click here, Everyday Gluten Free Gourmet.

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    Let me know in the comments below if you found something new you want to try.

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