Lemons are one of those ingredients that we can’t live without. They’re an easy way to brighten up a heavy dish like stew, their juice is essential for salad dressings or marinades and we love the sweet-and-tangy vibe they bring to desserts. The only problem with lemon juice is that extracting it is a little messy. Things can get sticky after you cut one in half, and any leftovers are likely to dry out in the fridge.
We know about an easier way to juice a lemon by tossing the whole thing into the food processor, but that method still requires knives and strainers. So when we saw this hack on TikTok that promises to juice a lemon with nothing more than a barbecue skewer, we were intrigued.
Does This Lemon Hack Work?
To our complete and total amazement, this hack works! Poking a tiny hole in a lemon resulted in a thin stream of lemon juice that was free from seeds. Our hands, cutting boards and knives were clean, and we didn’t need to use a citrus reamer or strainer. The best part: Because we only poked a tiny hole in the lemon, we were able to preserve the leftovers without them drying out. We popped the rest of the lemon in an airtight bag and stored it in the fridge for access to fresh lemon juice all week long.
Unfortunately, the hack didn’t work as well with grapefruits, oranges or limes. The grapefruits were too large to squeeze, the oranges too soft and the lime too dense. But the lemons were just right, making them the Goldilocks winner of this incredible hack.
How to Juice a Lemon Without Cutting It
You’ll need:
- A lemon
- A clean skewer, knitting needle, chopstick or similar
Step 1: Roll the lemon
Roll the lemon on the counter or cutting board. You don’t need to use a ton of force here, just enough to loosen the membranes inside the lemon and release the juices.
Step 2: Poke the non-stem end of the lemon
Using the skewer, poke the non-stem end of the lemon — the side that pops out a little bit. Push the skewer in as far as you like, but at least an inch into the lemon. Be careful not to poke the skewer all the way through the lemon and poke your hand!
Step 3: Squeeze, and be amazed
Turn the poked side of the lemon towards a bowl and squeeze to create a thin stream of lemon juice. Keep squeezing until you have enough juice.
Step 4: Store the leftover lemon
Place the lemon in an airtight bag and store it in the refrigerator if it still has juice to give. Pull it out and give it a squeeze the next time you need a little lemon juice.
As a bonus, since the lemon isn’t cut in half, you could still zest the lemon without making a mess.
Use This Hack in These Lemon Recipes
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Lemon Supreme Pie
A friend and I often visit a local restaurant for pie and coffee. When they stopped carrying our favorite lemon supreme pie, I got busy in the kitchen and created this version, which we think tastes even better! The combination of the cream cheese and tart lemon is wonderful. —Jana Beckman, Wamego, Kansas
Slow-Roasted Lemon Dill Chicken
The lemon and dill in this slow-cooked recipe give the chicken a bright, fresh taste. Pair the entree with a side of noodles or a mixed green salad. —Lori Lockrey, Pickering, Ontario
Giant Lemon Sugar Cookies
These wonderfully chewy cookies have a light lemon flavor from both the juice and zest. The sanding sugar on top adds sparkle and a bit of crunch. —Michael Vyskocil, Glen Rock, Pennsylvania
Lemonade Icebox Pie
You will detect a definite lemonade flavor in this refreshing lemon icebox pie. High and fluffy, this dessert has a creamy smooth consistency that we really appreciate. It's the dessert that came to mind immediately when I put together my favorite summer meal. —Cheryl Wilt, Eglon, West Virginia
Zesty Lemon Curd
There are lemon trees in our backyard, so I'm always on the prowl for new ways to use the fruit. When we shared some of our homegrown citrus with neighbors—Canadians who were spending the winter here—the wife "repaid" us by giving us this recipe! The curd keeps well, and it can be used for any meal. My husband likes it on waffles and toast for breakfast, but it's also a great dessert topping on plain cake or ice cream. —Jean Gaines, Bullhead City, Arizona
Artichoke & Lemon Pasta
While sailing in the Mediterranean, we tasted a lemony artichoke pasta. I developed my own version of it that our guests love. Try it with shrimp and kalamata olives. —Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
Blueberry Lemon Trifle
A refreshing lemon filling and fresh blueberries give this sunny dessert sensation plenty of color. Don't worry about heating up the oven—this trifle doesn't require baking. —Ellen Peden, Houston, Texas
Shortbread Lemon Tart
For a change from ordinary lemon bars, we added grated orange zest to both the crust and filling and turned the recipe into a tart. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pistachio-Crusted Salmon with Lemon Cream Sauce
Nutty pistachios add color and crunch when sprinkled on salmon. The cream sauce gives the dish a lemony smooth finish. —Ann Baker, Texarkana, Texas
Lemon Orange Cake
I like to bake this lovely three-layer cake instead of a more traditional pie for Thanksgiving. It has that tangy Florida citrus flavor and isn't any more difficult to make than a two-layer cake. —Norma Poole, Auburndale, Florida
Lemon Roasted Fingerlings and Brussels Sprouts
My trick to roasting veggies is to choose ones that cook in the same amount of time. Other combinations to try? Cauliflower florets with baby carrots or okra with cherry tomatoes. —Courtney Gaylord, Columbus, Indiana
Lemon Tea Cookies
These sandwich cookies taste rich and buttery and have a lovely lemon filling. The recipe has been in our family since the 1950s, when my mother got it from a French friend in her club. —Phyllis Dietz, Westland, Michigan
Lemon Gelato
On a recent trip to Italy, I became addicted to gelato. My favorite choice was lemon because Italian lemons have an intense flavor. This recipe brings back memories of our vacation. —Gail Wang, Troy, Michigan
Cilantro & Lemon Marinated Chicken Kabobs
Cook the onions first so there’s plenty of room on the grill for the chicken skewers. Give the whole platter a spritz of lemon for a sunshiny delight. —Moumita Ghosh, Kolkata, West Bengal
Orange & Lemon Wafer Cookies
These light citrus cookies go so well with a cup of coffee or tea after a heavy holiday meal. —JoAnn Belack, Bradenton, Florida
Lemon Blueberry Tart
You'll love this amazing combination of flavors. Lemon adds a zesty counterpoint to the tart's fruit topping and lovely, buttery crust. —Erin Chilcoat, Somerset, New Jersey
Roasted Green Beans with Lemon & Walnuts
I first tasted roasted green beans in a Chinese restaurant and fell in love with the texture and flavor. This is my Americanized version and it's always a big hit at our holiday table. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Corn on the Cob with Lemon-Pepper Butter
Roasting fresh-picked corn is as old as the Ozark hills where I was raised. My Grandpa Mitchell always salted and peppered his butter on the edge of his plate before spreading it on his corn, and I did the same as a kid. Today, I continue the tradition by serving lemon-pepper butter with roasted corn—it's a favorite! —Allene Bary-Cooper, Wichita Falls, Texas
Lemon Cream Cake
Drizzling limoncello liqueur over the layers before frosting adds a puckery punch to this refreshing confection. —Amy Frederick, Island City, Oregon
Lemon Snowdrops
I save my snowdrop cookies for special occasions. The crunchy, buttery sandwich cookie has a puckery lemon filling. —Bernice Martinoni, Petaluma, California
Simple Lemon Parsley Potatoes
For a simply delicious side dish, I often prepare these potatoes. I like the fact that there are few ingredients and they take such little time to prepare.—Dorothy Pritchett, Wills Point, Texas
Lemon-Lime Mousse
For a light and refreshing dessert after any meal, try this tangy citrus treat. —Kathryn Anderson, Wallkill, New York.
Almond-Coconut Lemon Bars
Give traditional lemon bars a tasty twist with the addition of almonds and coconut. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Asparagus with Tarragon Lemon Sauce
With its fresh taste and minimal prep work, I'm sure you'll love this easy asparagus recipe. —Patricia Swart, Galloway, New Jersey
Streusel-Topped Lemon Tart
A sweet streusel topping pairs well with citrusy slices of this tart. It's a spectacular spin on basic lemon bars and appears on my menus for both family and company. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Grilled Pistachio-Lemon Pesto Shrimp
Besides tasting great with shrimp, this pesto can be used on pasta or spread on a portobello mushroom or garlic bread topped with melted mozzarella. —Amy Jo Dale, Long Beach, California
Lemon Broccoli
Add a hint of citrus to your vegetables with an attractive side dish. Ideal with most any entree, this time-saving specialty dresses up broccoli, pimientos and onions with a dash of lemon. —Tonya Farmer, Iowa City, Iowa
Strawberry Lemon Shortcake
I love a good strawberry shortcake, but this recipe is my favorite by far. The citrus zest in the dough adds a refreshing zip to the sweet dessert. —Nancy Hooper, Glen Burnie, Maryland
Grilled Lemon-Dill Shrimp
This grilled shrimp is one of my go-to recipes when I stare at the freezer and draw a blank. Add veggies if desired, but grill them separately. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida
Roasted Herb & Lemon Cauliflower
A standout cauliflower side is easy to prepare with just a few ingredients. Crushed red pepper flakes add a touch of heat. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
Light & Lemony Scampi
A touch more lemon helped me trim the calories in our favorite shrimp scampi recipe. For those who want to indulge, pass around the Parmesan. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Lemony Coconut Frozen Yogurt
Whenever I crave something cold to beat the heat, I whip this yogurt together and share with family. Everyone enjoys the sweet relief! — Caitlyn Heinz, Ovid, New York
Lemon Grilled Salmon
This tender and flaky fish is wonderful to serve to family and friends. A savory marinade that includes dill gives the salmon mouthwatering flavor and since it can be grilled or broiled, you can enjoy it all year round! —Aelita Kivirist, Glenview, Illinois
Mom's Lemon Custard Pie
My mother often made this lemon pie back when we were growing up. You might say it's stood the test of time, because today it's still my 75-year-old brother's favorite! The beaten egg whites give it a delicate texture and make this custard pie quite unique! It's a great way to top off any meal. —Jeannie Fritson, Kearney, Nebraska
Cranberry Lemon Sandwiches
I bake cookies all year long, so my friends and family call me the "Cookie Lady"! Whenever I bake these for Christmas, I make three batches...one to keep at home for my husband and two to give as gifts. —Patricia Michalski, Oswego, New York
Lemon Cream Cupcakes
Instead of a layer cake, serve guests these delicate cupcakes tinged with a tangy lemon flavor. —Ruth Ann Stelfox, Raymond, Alberta
Lemony Bacon-Artichoke Dip
Move over, spinach-artichoke dip! Bacon adds an extra layer of smokiness to this fabulous recipe. You might want to double the recipe because you probably won't have any leftovers. —Heidi Jobe, Carrollton, Georgia
Lemon Red Potatoes
Butter, lemon juice, parsley and chives enhance this simple side dish. I usually prepare these potatoes when I'm having company. Since they cook in the slow cooker, there's plenty of room on the stove for other dishes. —Tara Branham, Austin, Texas
Lemon Coconut Cupcakes
Lemon plus coconut equals big smiles in this cupcake equation. These zesty gems are a hit with my family, friends and neighbors. —Debra Henderson, Booneville, Arkansas
Asparagus and Green Beans with Tarragon Lemon Dip
Tarragon balances the tangy flavor from lemon in the creamy sauce covering colorful asparagus and green beans. I serve this as a side dish as well as an appetizer. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Lemon-Blueberry Pound Cake
Pair a slice of this moist cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It's a staple at our family barbecues. —Rebecca Little, Park Ridge, Illinois
Lemon-Thyme Bread
Lemon and thyme go together like milk and cookies. Fresh thyme is best, but if you must use dried, reduce the amount to 1 tablespoon and crush it between your fingers before adding it to the batter. —Cathy Tang, Redmond, Washington
Iced Honey Lemon Cookies
Grated lemon peel in the batter and on the icing of these soft cake-like cookies gives them their fresh citrus flavor. The recipe makes about three dozen of the tender treats. —Betty Thompson, La Porte, Texas
Lemon-Berry Ice Cream Pie
I love the combination of fresh strawberries and lemon curd in this ice cream pie. It's so refreshing, especially in an easy make-ahead dessert like this. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Salmon with Dill Sauce & Lemon Risotto
I love the classic combination of lemon and fish, and this dish is delicious and easy to throw together at the end of a long day. —Amanda Reed, Nashville, Tennessee
Bake-Sale Lemon Bars
The recipe for these tangy lemon bars comes from my cousin Bernice, a farmer's wife famous for cooking up feasts. — Mildred Keller, Rockford, Illinois
Garlic Lemon Shrimp
You'll be amazed that you can make this simple, elegant pasta in mere minutes. Serve with crusty bread to soak up all of the garlic lemon sauce. —Athena Russell, Greenville, South Carolina
Macadamia Lemon Bars
These bars enjoy a lot of compliments among my friends and family. I almost have to make them for all of our get-togethers. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Basil-Lemon Chicken
Even though I'm not known for my green thumb, I've somehow managed to keep a kitchen herb garden going. I chose this skillet lemon basil chicken to debut my first batch of fresh herbs. —Juli Snaer, Enid, Oklahoma
Florida Citrus Meringue Pie
Why limit a great dessert to just one kind of citrus fruit? Thanks to orange and lemon, this lovely pie packs a bold sweet-tart flavor! —Barbara Carlucci, Orange Park, Florida
Lemon Butter Spread
My grandmother, who was a great cook, brought this recipe with her from England. I use it as a spread on toast, for filling in a cake or on top of ice cream. —Gloria Costes, West Hills, California
Turkey Cutlets in Lemon Wine Sauce
After I ate something like this at a local Italian restaurant, I figured out how to make it at home for my family. Now I serve it a lot since it's so quick to make—and they're so happy I do. —Kathie Wilson, Warrenton, Virginia
Lemon Chicken with Orzo
Here's a dish that's light and summery but still filling. My kids love all the veggies...for real! If you like a lot of lemon, stir in an extra splash of lemon juice just before serving. —Shannon Humphrey, Hampton, Virginia
Lemon-Garlic Hummus
You'll need just five ingredients to blend together this smooth and creamy bean dip. It's delicious and quick to make. —Kris Capener, Ogden, Utah
Lemon Mushroom Chicken
There's a lot of flavor in this dish. The best part? It doesn't seem light at all! —Carrie Palmquist, Canova, South Dakota
Lemon Butter Cookies
These tender cutout cookies have a slight lemon flavor that makes them stand out from the rest. They're very easy to roll out compared to other sugar cookies I've worked with. I know you'll enjoy them as much as we do. —Judy McCreight, Springfield, Illinois
Lemon-Butter Brussels Sprouts
Kick up these stovetop lemon Brussels sprouts with fresh lemon zest. Even my toddler will eat this up! — Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Lemon Tart with Almond Crust
Our state produces an abundance of lemons, and everyone is always looking for new ways to use them. This beautiful tart is my delicious solution to the excess-lemon problem! —Lois Kinneberg, Phoenix, Arizona
Tilapia & Lemon Sauce
Serve this lemon tilapia with any tossed salad full of your favorite vegetables and buttered bread. It's easy, quick and unique. And it's a big hit with company, too. —Susan Taul, Birmingham, Alabama
Dad's Lemony Grilled Chicken
Lemon juice, onions and garlic add tangy flavor to chicken when firing up the grill. —Mike Schulz, Tawas City, Michigan
Lemon Vinaigrette Potato Salad
I developed this recipe for a friend who needed a potato salad that could withstand Fourth of July weather. The vinaigrette was a safe and delicious alternative to traditional mayonnaise-based potato salads. I've also substituted fresh thyme for the basil. Any fresh herbs would be great! —Melanie Cloyd, Mullica Hill, New Jersey
Crab Cakes with Fresh Lemon
Fresh lemons and lemon juice bring out all the great flavors in these crispy crab cakes. But be careful not to overcook or they'll be dry, instead of moist and delicate. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Shortbread Lemon Bars
I've put together two family cookbooks over the years, and this recipe ranks among my favorites. These special lemon bars have a yummy shortbread crust and a refreshing flavor. I never hesitate to make this dessert for guests since I know it will be a hit. —Margaret Peterson, Forest City, Iowa
Rosemary-Lemon Grilled Chicken
Here's a simple dish with big bold lemon and rosemary flavors that's made with very few ingredients. It's great by itself but can also be used on top of salad greens as another creative dinner option. —Debbie Carter, Kingsburg, California
Lemon Custard Cake
This custard cake recipe comes from my grandma and is nice to whip up when unexpected company stops in. It's a cool, creamy dessert that tastes like you fussed. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Lemon-Parsley Baked Cod
After trying a few baked cod recipes, this was the first fish recipe that got two thumbs up from my picky meat-only eaters. The tangy lemon gives the cod fish some oomph. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Lemon-Butter Tilapia with Almonds
Sometimes I want a nice meal without a ton of effort or wait time. Thankfully, I've got this lemony, buttery fish that's super fast and totally tasty. —Ramona Parris, Canton, Georgia
Summer Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
This refreshing recipe goes well with grilled fish or chicken. We enjoy the lemon vinaigrette dressing at room temperature, so I make it first and let it rest on the counter while I toss the salad together. —Julie Kirkpatrick, Billlings, Montana
Lemon-Lime Salmon with Veggie Saute
A fresh squeeze of lemon juice brightens so many flavors—acid is one of the most important influencers in how a dish tastes. If one acid is good, two is stronger: Add lemon and lime juice when you bake salmon, cooking the supporting cast of vegetables separately until crisp-tender. —Brian Hill, West Hollywood, California
Slow-Cooked Lemon Chicken
Garlic, oregano and lemon juice give spark to this memorable main dish. It's easy to fix—just brown the chicken in a skillet, then let the slow cooker do the work. I like to serve this dish to company. —Walter Powell, Wilmington, Delaware
Lemonade Pudding Fruit Salad
I first made this for a family reunion, and now it's always requested for our family gatherings. The sweet and tangy lemonade-pudding coating goes well with any fruit, so feel free to substitute your favorites. —Rhonda Eads, Jasper, Indiana
Greek-Style Lemon-Garlic Chicken
I love celebrating my Greek heritage with this super simple and scrumptious Sunday dinner idea. Prep time is a breeze and the ingredient list is relatively short for such a flavorful one-dish meal. Each time I make this I'm transported back to my ya-ya, who gave me the special honor of squeezing the lemons! —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri
Broccoli Slaw with Lemon Dressing
Our family absolutely loves broccoli, so I'm so happy there's finally a slaw mix in stores that uses broccoli stems. I like this slaw best after 20 minutes or so to allow the flavors to meld. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts
Lemony Salmon Patties
Topped with a zippy white sauce, these little patties bake up golden brown in a muffin pan. They're impressive enough for company but easy enough that I can prepare them any time we like. —Lorice Britt, Severn, North Carolina
Lemon Chicken with Rice
Start the night right with this mouthwatering dish from our Test Kitchen! Lemon pie filling is the secret ingredient to the moist chicken’s full-flavored sauce. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Lemon Almond Asparagus
I love this timesaving way to dress up fresh asparagus. Drizzle butter and lemon juice over the spears before topping them with almonds and lemon zest strips. —Linda Barry, Yakima, Washington
French Lemon-Apricot Tart
If you like the tang of citrus, you’ll love this lemon tart. The apricot preserves on top add a nice bit of sweetness. —Peggy Lunde, Costa Mesa, California
Lemon-Roasted Chicken with Olive Couscous
If you can find preserved lemons, try them instead of the plain lemons for an even more authentic flavor in this North African-inspired recipe. —David Feder, Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Lemon-Roasted Squash with Tarragon
Roasting really brings out the flavor of butternut squash and zucchini. I drizzle them with lemon juice, oil, garlic and seasonings, then pop them in the oven. —Carrie Farias, Oak Ridge, New Jersey
Basil-Lemon Crab Linguine
I always add herbs to pasta to really punch up the flavor. This linguine looks and tastes like it's from a five-star restaurant. We love it. —Tonya Burkhard, Palm Coast, Florida
Lemon Cheesecake Tarts
To make these cute tarts even quicker, add the filling to store-bought phyllo tart shells. —Sarah Gilbert, Beaverton, Oregon
Lemon & Thyme Roasted Chicken
I love lemon and thyme together so I decided to roast a chicken with that combo. The seasoning is simple, and the meat comes out moist and tender. —Pam Nelson, Beaverton, Oregon
Lemon 'n' Lime Strawberry Ice
I love this icy dessert anytime, but it's especially good in the summer. It's the perfect refresher after dinner. —Marie Rizzo, Interlochen, Michigan
Spicy Lemon Chicken Kabobs
When I see Meyer lemons in the store, it must be spring. I like using them for these easy chicken kabobs, but regular grilled lemons still add the signature smoky tang. —Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada
The post How to Juice Lemons Without Cutting Them AT ALL appeared first on Taste of Home.
Lindsay D. Mattison