Looking for a quick and easy way to make delicious lemon curd? Look no further than this easy microwave lemon curd recipe!
With just four simple ingredients and under five minutes of cooking time, you can have a tangy, creamy, buttery, and sweet spread that far surpasses anything you can buy in the shops.

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Homemade lemon curd (or lemon cheese as my Nana called it) is utterly divine. I often find myself eating spoonfuls of it straight from the jar!
Making it using the microwave method, means you don’t have to invest in a double boiler, or worry about the eggs scrambling. It really is so easy and quick to make!
My family enjoys it on toast, scones, bagels, muffins, French toast, cakes, pancakes, and I even use it in desserts (like these no bake lemon curd tarts or microwave lemon sponge pudding)!
👩🍳 Why not use some homemade lemon curd in my zesty lemon curd loaf cake?
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What is Lemon Curd?
Lemon curd is a thick, creamy, and tangy spread that is made from lemon juice, sugar, butter, and eggs. The mixture is traditionally cooked over low heat until thickened and then strained to remove any lumps or pieces of egg.
Lemon curd has a bright yellow colour and a smooth texture that makes it perfect for spreading or using as a filling for cakes and tarts. It has a distinct citrus flavour that is both sweet and sour, making it a popular ingredient in many desserts and baked goods.
✔️ Why should you try it?
- It's quick and easy: Making lemon curd using the microwave method is so simple - it takes only a few minutes to prepare, with no complicated steps or special equipment required.
- It's versatile: It's a versatile ingredient that can be used in many different ways, from spreading it on toast or scones to using it as a filling for cakes and tarts or incorporating it into other desserts.
- It's delicious: Lemon curd has a tangy, sweet flavour that is irresistible to most people. It's also rich, creamy, and buttery, making it a delicious treat to enjoy any time of day.
- It's homemade: Making your own lemon curd means you know exactly what goes into it, and you can control the sweetness and consistency.
- It's a great gift: A jar makes a thoughtful and delicious gift for friends and family.
🥘 Ingredients

Lemons - freshly squeezed lemon juice is the star ingredient in lemon curd, providing its fresh, tangy flavour. Choose lemons that are firm, smooth-skinned, and heavy for their size, as these tend to be the juiciest.
Eggs - lemon curd made on the hob usually only requires yolks, but this microwave version needs the whole egg.
Sugar - caster sugar dissolves easily and creates a smooth texture. Granulated sugar can also be used, but may take longer to dissolve.
Butter - unsalted butter is added to the lemon curd mixture to give it a rich, creamy flavor and texture. It's important to use unsalted butter to avoid over-salting the curd.
🔪 Instructions
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Whisk the eggs and sugar in a large microwaveable bowl until pale.
Two: Stir in the melted butter (cooled), lemon juice and lemon zest. Whisk to combine thoroughly.
Three: Microwave on full power in 1-minute increments, whisking each time. You want the lemon curd to coat the back of a metal spoon - then you know it's done. It took just 3 minutes for my lemon curd to come together but the exact time it will take you will depend on the wattage of your microwave.
Four: Decant into a sterilised glass jar and store it in your fridge.

💭 Top tips
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice: The quality of your lemon curd will depend on the quality of the lemons you use. Bottled lemon juice is not recommended as it can have a slightly bitter or artificial taste. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavour.
- Use unwaxed lemons and a fine Microplane grater: To get the most flavour and aroma out of your lemons, try to use unwaxed lemons and use a fine Microplane grater to zest them. This will ensure that you get the maximum amount of zest without any large pieces of zest visible in your curd.
- Ensure your eggs are at room temperature: Cold eggs can cause the mixture to curdle or separate. To avoid this, let your eggs come to room temperature before starting the recipe.
- Cool your melted butter: Make sure your melted butter is cooled down before adding it to the mixture. If it's too hot, it can cause the eggs to scramble and ruin the texture of your lemon curd.
- Whisk between each 1-minute burst in the microwave: To ensure even cooking and prevent any lumps from forming, whisk the lemon curd mixture between each 1-minute burst in the microwave.
- Strain the curd if necessary: If you notice any rogue bits of scrambled egg in your lemon curd, don't worry! Simply strain it through a fine sieve before pouring it into jars.
- Store in sterilised jars: To ensure the best shelf life, store your lemon curd in sterilised jars. This will help prevent any bacteria from growing and ensure that your lemon curd stays fresh for as long as possible.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Lemon curd is so versatile, here are some ways to use lemon curd!
- Serve it on French toast, bagels, teacakes, and scones.
- Stir it through Greek yogurt for an easy dessert.
- Drizzle it on buttermilk pancakes for a weekend breakfast treat.
- Use it in cakes, muffins, trifles, lemon bars, and mini tartlets.
- Make lemon curd ice-cream or lemon buttercream.

📖 Variations
Try making orange or lime curd using the same recipe but swapping the lemons for oranges or limes!
🥡 Storage
Store - the homemade lemon curd will keep in airtight sterilised jars in the fridge for up to 14 days.
Freeze - the curd can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost it in the fridge overnight before serving.

❓ FAQs
The lemon curd may seem like it is a bit thin after the first few 1 minute bursts in the microwave, but persevere and it will thicken up. Remember it continues to thicken on cooling too, so factor that in.
The lemon curd should be glossy and syrup-like and coat the back of a wooden spoon.
Once in jars, place pieces of cling film (plastic wrap) on top of the curd to prevent a skin from forming.
Wash your jars (and lids) in hot soapy water, but do not dry them. Leave them to stand upside down on a roasting tray while they're still wet. Pop the tray of clean, wet jars and lids into a preheated oven at 160-180ºC for about 10 mins.
Freshly squeezed lemon juice is recommended for the best flavour.
😋Related recipes
Love lemons? Here are some more delicious lemon recipes to try!
- Lemon and Blackberry Muffins
- Lemon Curd Loaf Cake
- Lemon Biscuits
- No Bake Lemon Tarts
- Lemon Bars
- Microwave Lemon Sponge Pudding
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Recipe
Easy Microwave Lemon Curd Recipe
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Equipment
- Citrus Juicer
- Whisk
- Sieve
Ingredients
- 200 g Caster Sugar
- 3 Eggs large
- 200 ml Lemon Juice about 4 large lemons
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest very finely grated
- 110 g Unsalted Butter melted and cooled
Instructions
- Whisk the eggs and sugar in a large microwaveable bowl until pale and fluffy.200 g Caster Sugar, 3 Eggs
- Stir in the melted butter (cooled), lemon juice and lemon zest. Whisk to combine thoroughly.200 ml Lemon Juice, 110 g Unsalted Butter, 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest
- Microwave in 1-minute bursts, whisking each time. You want the lemon curd to coat the back of a spoon - then you know it's done. It took just 3 minutes for my lemon curd to come together but the exact time it takes you will depend on the wattage of your microwave.
- Decant into sterilised jars and store in the fridge.
Notes
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice: The quality of your lemon curd will depend on the quality of the lemons you use. Bottled lemon juice is not recommended as it can have a slightly bitter or artificial taste. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavour.
- Use unwaxed lemons and a fine Microplane grater: To get the most flavour and aroma out of your lemons, try to use unwaxed lemons and use a fine Microplane grater to zest them. This will ensure that you get the maximum amount of zest without any large pieces of zest visible in your curd.
- Ensure your eggs are at room temperature: Cold eggs can cause the mixture to curdle or separate. To avoid this, let your eggs come to room temperature before starting the recipe.
- Cool your melted butter: Make sure your melted butter is cooled down before adding it to the mixture. If it's too hot, it can cause the eggs to scramble and ruin the texture of your lemon curd.
- Whisk between each 1-minute burst in the microwave: To ensure even cooking and prevent any lumps from forming, whisk the lemon curd mixture between each 1-minute burst in the microwave.
- Strain the curd if necessary: If you notice any rogue bits of scrambled egg in your lemon curd, don't worry! Simply strain it through a fine sieve before pouring it into jars.
Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date with what's cooking in the Effortless Foodie kitchen! You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram too!
Traci
I love how quick and easy this is! Now there's no excuse to not make lemon curd any time of the day. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Amanda Dixon
I had no idea you could make lemon curd in the microwave, and it still looks so decadent and creamy. Will definitely make this throughout the summer!
Jess
I love anything lemon! The fact that this is made in less than 5 minutes is AMAZING!
Liz
I had no idea this could be made in the microwave! Such a perfect summer dessert!
Beth
I love this recipe! It's so much quicker than making it on the stove. Such a big hit here! I'll definitely keep this recipe on hand!
Lesley
I'm a huge fan of lemon curd, and love that your recipe is make in super fast time - only 5 minutes!
Choclette
Ooh this looks so good. I love homemade fruit curds. Haven't made lemon for years, but now I really want to.
Kate - Gluten Free Alchemist
Oh my goodness. I had no idea you could make lemon curd in the microwave, That's genius!
Kate
Oh my, I would NEVER have thought of making curd in the microwave, what a brilliant idea. Can't tell the difference!
Carrie Carvalho
I LOVE lemon curd but never thought to make it myself. Such a straightforward and easy recipe, I'll be making it all the time now!
Kat (The Baking Explorer)
Love how quick and easy this is!
Jo Keohane
What a great idea! Love this. Will definitely be trying, lemon curd is so popular in our house. Thanks for posting!
SU
Have tried a few Microwave Lemon Curd recipes but this one is the only one that worked! And it tastes delicious. Thank You. Will be making this again very soon.
Beth Sachs
Hi Sue. So glad you liked the recipe!
Jeanette Gunter
Have just made it, so good, so much quicker and easier than making it on the gas oven, many thanks.