How to Make Preserved Lemons

Prepare the Jar: Start by grabbing a large canning jar, around 32 ounces, which should fit 7 to 10 Meyer lemons. Sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of kosher salt at the bottom of the jar. If you're making a smaller batch, you can use a smaller jar. A canning jar with a rubber gasket is ideal to prevent the lid from corroding.

Clean and Slice the Lemons: Rinse the lemons thoroughly and scrub them clean. Reserve 1 or 2 lemons for juicing later. For each lemon, cut off a thin slice from both ends so they have a flat base. Stand the lemon upright and slice it lengthwise, almost all the way through, keeping it attached at the base. Rotate the lemon 90 degrees and make another lengthwise cut, as if quartering the lemon, but again, don't cut all the way through.

Salt the Lemons: Gently open the lemons without detaching them. Fill each crevice with a generous amount of kosher salt, approximately a tablespoon per lemon. Press the lemons closed to keep the salt inside.

Pack the Jar: Place a few lemons into the prepared jar, pressing them down with a muddler, tongs, pestle, or sturdy spoon to release their juices and make room for more lemons. Continue packing the jar tightly with the salted lemons, pressing down to ensure they are covered in juice.

Add Extra Juice if Needed: If the lemons aren't completely covered by their juices, squeeze the reserved lemons and pour the juice over the top. This ensures that the lemons remain submerged, which is crucial for proper preservation.

Seal and Store: Sprinkle an additional 2 tablespoons of kosher salt over the top and seal the jar tightly. Store it at room temperature, ideally in a pantry, for at least 3 weeks. During the first two weeks, gently shake the jar daily and turn it upside down to mix the salt and juices.

Using the Lemons: Once the lemons have softened, they are ready to use. Typically, you would use the peel and discard the flesh, but the entire lemon is edible. If desired, rinse the peel before use to reduce the saltiness, though this step is optional.