Shellfish Free Cornstarch Lemon Curd
Bright, tangy, and impossibly silky, this lemon curd is the kind of thing you'll want to spoon straight from the jar. It gets its luscious, glossy body from cornstarch rather than egg yolks, which means the whole thing comes together on the stovetop with just a whisk and a little patience. Fresh lemon juice and zest do all the heavy lifting on flavor, giving you that sharp citrus punch balanced by butter and sugar in every bite. The technique is straightforward — whisk, cook until translucent and thick, then finish with cold butter pieces for a smooth, velvety texture. Straining the finished curd through a fine-mesh sieve is the small extra step that makes it look and feel genuinely professional. Spread it on toast, swirl it into yogurt, fill a tart shell, or layer it into a cake — it's endlessly versatile and keeps beautifully in the fridge. Every ingredient here is clean and simple, so there's zero guesswork about what's in it.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 3–4 lemons)
- 1 tbsp lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- ¼ tsp fine salt
- ½ cup water
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions
- 1
Whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a small saucepan until evenly combined. Add the water and lemon juice and whisk until the cornstarch is fully dissolved with no lumps visible.
- 2
Set the saucepan over medium heat and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and turns from cloudy to translucent, about 6–8 minutes. Once it begins to bubble, continue whisking for 1 full minute — the curd should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and hold a clear line when a finger is drawn through.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!