Turkey Free Cornstarch Lemon Curd
Bright, tangy, and impossibly silky, this lemon curd delivers that classic sunshine-yellow spread without a single egg or poultry-derived ingredient in sight. Most traditional lemon curd recipes rely heavily on egg yolks for thickening, which can make them a no-go for anyone avoiding turkey and other animal products in that category — but here, cornstarch does all the heavy lifting beautifully. The result is a glossy, spoonable curd that sets up firm and smooth, with a clean lemon flavor that tastes anything but compromised. Fresh lemon juice and zest give it real brightness, while the butter whisked in off the heat adds that rich, velvety finish you'd expect from a classic version. Straining it through a fine-mesh sieve is the move that takes it from homemade to genuinely bakery-quality. Spread it on scones, swirl it into yogurt, layer it in a tart shell, or eat it straight from the jar — no judgment here.
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!