How Much Juice is in a Lemon?
Many of the recipes that I post during the summer (and the holidays) call for using freshly squeezed orange, lemon or lime juice. Subsequently, one of the most common questions that show up on those recipes is:
“How much juice can you get from one lemon/lime/orange?”
It’s a great question, as knowing the answer can help you figure out how many of those citrus fruits to purchase for any given recipe, and if you need to substitute bottled juice in a pinch, then you know how much you’ll need. Keep in mind that you might run across some extra-large or extra-small fruits, which could yield a bit more or less juice than the amounts listed below.
Here is the rundown, along with an easy-to-read (and pin!) graphic:
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1 lemon = 3 tablespoons
1 lime = 2 tablespoons
1 orange = ⅓ cup
[For a downloadable PDF version, click here.]
Dinner with friends and this has 24 hour fitness prices
inspired me! I have a sandwich press as well so could do several batches at once
I put them in the microwave first and get more than that usually. Also always get citrus with thin skins because they have more juice. I use the reamer or squeeze handled thing.
Thank you! I have a Myer’s lemon tree that produces softball-sized fruit that can give up to a half-cup of juice so I have learned to be cautious when a recipe calls for “juice or zest of 1 lemon”. Having measurement equivalents will be helpful.
Love this! I need lemons for a cake and have been wondering what I’ll need.
What a useful thing to know! I find that it depends on the size of the fruit too. Thanks for sharing!
I put my lemon or lime in the microwave for about 15 or 20’seconds before squeezing. Then roll on the counter before cutting. Also, cutting diagonally into sixths instead of in half makes it much easier to extract the juice.
The table is very helpful. Thanks!
I think it depends on the type of citrus too. I have a Meyer lemon tree and can get 1/2 cup out of one lemon, maybe more. I always like it when there is an actual measurement listed rather than something like “1/2 lemon”. I also use an electric juicer and microwave them whole for about 15-20 seconds before to get more juice.
I find I get more juice from lemons when I roll them a bit before squeezing– and I agree with Laurel–electric juicer provides more than other methods.
Thank you!! Sometimes the simplest thing is a much needed one!!!
Sometimes I get zip out of a lime. They seem to get dried out easier or something. If I use my ancient Black & Decker citrus juicer I get WAY more out than if I use a simple reamer, or that Mexican squeezer that sort of turns the rind inside out. Hubby and I did a test once with a big bag of small limes. I used the Black & Decker and he used the Mexican squeezer and I got tons more juice.
Haha, this is great, Michelle! People ask me this all the time on my recipes, so I started putting in the amounts as a guide. Same thing with zests. Love the graphic! I’ll be pinning that :-)