Easy Lemon Curd Recipe (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free) (2024)

Published: Apr 26, 2022 by Felicia Lim · This post may contain affiliate links

Make this easy lemon curd recipe in under 10 minutes (thanks to the microwave!). It’s perfect for topping yogurt or ice cream, making simple lemon bars, or lemon meringue pie. You can even eat it alone by the spoonful! No matter which way you choose to eat this 5-ingredient lemon curd, it’s going to be one delightful burst of citrus! Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.

The Smell and Taste of Citrus Lemon

In the midstof the of summer 2014, Juan and I did a road trip along the Amalfi Coast in Italy. One of my most vivid memories of our trip to Italy was the abundance of lemons literally everywhere.

There were lemon trees heavy with ripe lemons; lemons that had fallen on the ground; the smell of lemons bottled in digestive limoncello (Italy’s signature post-meal digestive drink); the taste of lemons in ice-cold lemon slush that saved us time and again from the unbearably harsh heat; or as part of lemon-scented soap.

In fact I love lemons so much that most of my favorite desserts include lemon in some form.

Here are some of the best lemon recipes on the blog – apparently readers love these too!

• Gluten-Free Lemon Muffins
• Gluten-Free Lemon Meringue Pie
• Gluten-free Lemon Yogurt Cake
• Gluten-Free Lemon Cornmeal Cake
• Gluten-Free Vegan Lemon Cheesecake

What is Lemon Curd?

Lemon curd, in very simple terms, is basically a dessert spread and topping whose main ingredients include egg yolks (or whole eggs), sugar, lemon juice, and zest.

It’s one of those things that you’ll be glad to have on hand, because it comes it extremely handy for topping yogurt or ice cream, or making a lemon tart, lemon bars, or even lemon meringue pie.

Microwave Lemon Curd

I use my microwave multiple times a day – from warming up leftovers for lunch, cooking a chocolate mug cake for one, making microwave peanut butter fudge, to heating up my rice pillow which helps to relieve muscle aches.

So naturally, when I needed some lemon curd a while back, I figured that it should be possible to make my own lemon curd in the microwave as well.

Those who know me know that I like to keep things as simple as possible, and that’s why I can’t wait to share this super easy microwave lemon curd with you. It’s a recipe that I’ve adapted from My Baking Addiction, to make it slightly less sweet and also converted it to be dairy-free.

Why This Recipe Works:

• Just 5 Ingredients: This simple recipe only requires 5 basic ingredients (nothing fancy required)! Since there are so few ingredients involved, I recommend that you use the best quality ingredients you can get your hands on. In this case, make sure you use fresh lemons for the juice and zest (as opposed to bottled lemon juice), fresh eggs, and good quality coconut oil.

• Ready in 10 Minutes: With the help of a microwave, this easy lemon curd is made in just 10 minutes! Which is amazing for when you need a jar of lemon curd in a jiffy! Even if it’s your first time making homemade lemon curd, you don’t have to worry because it’s so easy to make!

• Amazing Flavor: Lemon lovers, this is for you! With an intense tart lemon flavor, this curd is sure to be a perfect addition of bright citrus taste to anything you drizzle it on or fill it with.

• Totally Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free: The best part is that this lemon curd is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten and lactose intolerances can enjoy it without worries!

Ingredients Required for Lemon Curd

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for this easy lemon curd recipe.

(For exact measurements and quantities, please scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Ingredient Notes/Substitutions:

• Eggs:Eggs play an essential role in this homemade lemon curd recipe for the color and texture. I haven’t made this lemon curd recipe without eggs, so I honestly don’t know how it will turn out.

• Sugar:I used white granulated sugar. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend that you use Lakanto monkfruit sweetener (a sugar substitute that is zero-glycemic index).

• Lemon Juice and Zest:Since we’re making lemon curd, the lemon flavor is essential. I prefer using fresh lemon juice and lemon zest for the optimal flavor.

• Coconut Oil:I preferrefined coconut oil(because it is more neutral in flavor), as opposed toextra virgin coconut oil(which has a stronger coconut taste and smell). If you’re not lactose-intolerant, you can use unsalted butter in place of coconut oil in equal quantities.

How to Make Lemon Curd (In the Microwave)

1. Combine Ingredients in Heatproof Bowl

Combine the sugar and eggs together in a large microwave-proof bowl, and whisk well with a wire whisk until combined. Add the lemon juice, zest, and melted coconut oil together and mix well.

(Tip: Make sure to use a heatproof glass bowl. Do NOT use a metal bowl which is dangerous and can blow up in the microwave, nor a plastic bowl which will melt in the microwave!)

2. Cook in Microwave

Cook the lemon mixture on high heat in the microwave for 1-minute intervals, whisking well after each minute. This should take between 3 to 7 minutes, depending on the strength of your microwave.

(Tip: You’ll know the lemon curd is ready once the mixture is thick and coats the back of a metal spoon.)

3. Strain the Curd

Strain the lemon curd through a fine mesh strainer to ensure that it becomes as smooth and silky as possible.

(Tip: Do not skip this step even if you feel lazy, as it is worth the 2 minutes of effort!)

4. Cool Completely Before Storing

Transfer the lemon curd to a glass jar and let it cool completely before covering it with a lid. Store lemon curd in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks (for the Best Homemade Lemon Curd):

• Strain the Curd: While straining the cooked curd may take an extra minute or two, it’ll make a big difference to the texture. For best results, I highly recommend straining the curd to remove any lemon zest will ensure a smooth and creamy texture.

• Use As Topping: Of course, you can eat this delicious gluten-free lemon curd on it’s own, but it’s also perfect for drizzling a spoonful over yogurt, ice cream, or even granola!

• Use As Filling: You can use this homemade curd as a filling for lemon meringue pie, lemon bars, or even making lemon curd tarts! You can also buy pre-made mini tart crusts and fill them with this gluten-free lemon curd. Feel free to spread this creamy lemon curd between layers of cake to make a lemon blueberry cake.

• Make Lime Curd: If you prefer to use limes instead, go ahead and swap out the lemon juice and zest with equal amounts of lime juice and zest.

Recipe FAQs:

Gluten-Free Lemon Desserts You’ll Love:

• Lemon Meringue Pie (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Gluten-Free Lemon Yogurt Cake
• Gluten-Free Lemon Cornmeal Cake
• Gluten-Free Vegan Lemon Cheesecake
• Easy Gluten-Free Lemon Muffins
• Grain-Free Honey Lemon Shortbread
• Grain-Free Lemon Poppyseed Bread
• Gluten-Free Lemon Ricotta Bread
• Grain-Free Lemon Sandwich Cookies

Gluten-Free Desserts to Indulge In:

P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!

Print

Recipe Card powered by