Lemon Juice
Lemon Juice is an acidic cooking liquid used for brightness and balance. Add gradually and taste as you go, especially near the end of cooking.
Identity
Acidic liquid
Add gradually to balance the dish.
Acid changes a dish quickly. Add a little, taste, and adjust near the end so the flavor stays bright without turning sharp.
Wikimedia Commons
Reference image
Lemon Juice reference image.

Source: Wikimedia Commons
Used In Recipes
Aloo Gobi (Cauliflower Potato Curry)
Aloo GobiAloo Gobi (Cauliflower Potato Curry)Medium
- lemon juice to serve ((optional))
Arugula and Wild Rice Salad
SaladArugula and Wild Rice SaladMedium
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 medium lemon), to taste
Baked Salmon
Baked SalmonBaked SalmonMedium
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice (plus more lemon slices for garnish)
Butter Chicken (Indian Chicken Makhani)
Butter ChickenButter Chicken (Indian Chicken Makhani)Medium
- ¾ to 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Chicken Biryani
Chicken BiryaniChicken Biryani (Home Style)Medium
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice ((optional))
Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup
SoupCreamy Roasted Cauliflower SoupMedium
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, or more if needed
Dal Fry (Restaurant Style)
Dal FryDal Fry (Restaurant Style)Medium
- 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice (or as needed (optional))
Masoor Dal (Red Lentil Dal)
Masoor DalMasoor Dal (Red Lentil Dal)Medium
- 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice (to serve)
Paneer Tikka Masala
Paneer Tikka MasalaPaneer Tikka Masala (Sanjeev Kapoor)Medium
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice ((skip if your yogurt is sour))
Pasta e Fagioli (Italian Pasta and Beans)
Pasta E FagioliPasta e Fagioli (Italian Pasta and Beans)Medium
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 medium lemon)
Roasted Carrots with Farro, Chickpeas & Herbed Crème Fraîche
Carrots With FarroRoasted Carrots with Farro, Chickpeas & Herbed Crème FraîcheMedium
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Roasted Cauliflower and Farro Salad with Feta and Avocado
Farro SaladRoasted Cauliflower and Farro Salad with Feta and AvocadoMedium
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon), plus more for serving
Samosa (Punjabi Potato Samosa)
SamosaSamosa (Punjabi Potato Samosa)Medium
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice ((or ½ tsp amchur or chaat masala))
Spaghetti Squash with Chickpeas and Kale
Spaghetti Squash with Chickpeas and KaleSpaghetti Squash with Chickpeas and KaleMedium
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Tandoori Chicken (Smoky Restaurant Style)
Tandoori ChickenTandoori Chicken (Smoky Restaurant Style)Medium
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice ((or 1 teaspoon amchur/ dried mango powder or use ½ teaspoon chaat masala))
Veg Biryani | Vegetable Biryani
Veg BiryaniVeg Biryani | Vegetable BiryaniMedium
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice ((optional))
Substitutions
Acceptable
White Wine Vinegar -> Lemon Juice
White wine vinegar, sherry vinegar, or fresh lemon juice, to taste
The source lists this as an alternative in the same ingredient row.
Source: Chicken Marsala
Acceptable
Lemon Juice -> Orange Juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice or orange juice
The source lists this as an alternative in the same ingredient row.
Source: Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp