3 Minute Microwave Lemon Curd

Nothing tastes quite as vibrant as homemade lemon curd ~ the vibrant flavor is 100% better than store bought. And sometimes a great recipe can become even better with the advent of new technology or a new technique. Turns out the microwave does a better, quicker job of making lemon curd. The texture is perfect, and the flavor is especially vibrant.

Microwave lemon curd ingredient notes

Curd isn’t jam’s cousin—it’s a whole different thing. Where jam gets its texture from fruit and sugar alone, curd uses eggs for richness and body, turning juice into something silky, spoonable, and almost custard-like.

FRESH LEMON JUICE ~ I don’t recommend using bottled juice, the flavor just isn’t as good. You can use regular or Meyer lemons.

LARGE EGGS ~ they’re the backbone of curd ~ they thicken the mixture as they gently cook, transforming liquid juice into a silky non-dairy custard!

SUGAR ~ tempers the acidity of the lemon and stabilizes the eggs as they cook.

BUTTER ~ adds body, enhances mouthfeel, and gives the curd its characteristic glossy finish. I use salted butter because even in sweet curds a small amount of salt enhances the fruit flavor.

3 top tips for microwaving lemon curd

1. Measure accurately.
2. Microwave for 1 minute at a time, whisking or stirring in between.
3. Stop when it is thickened and coats the back of a spoon. (An instant read thermometer is VERY handy: eggs begin to thicken around 160°F (71°C) and fully set by 170–175°F (77–80°C) ~ that’s your sweet spot for smooth curd.

Why wattage matters

Microwave wattage affects how fast and how quickly your lemon curd cooks. Knowing your wattage will help you follow this recipe. The microwave I used for this recipe is 1200 watts. Anywhere from 1000 ~ 1200 is pretty standard for newer microwaves. But even if yours is lower, you can still make this, it will just take a minute or two longer.

How to find your microwave’s wattage

Check the sticker

• Look inside the microwave door, on the back, or underneath the unit.
• You’re looking for something like “1000W” or “1200W.”

Google it

• Find the model number (usually on the same sticker) and search “[your model] wattage” online.

How to use your microwave lemon curd

• with scones
• on pound cake
• in a pavlova
• in a trifle
• as a cookie filling
• as a cake filling
• as a crumble bar filling

No, you can’t can curd

Fruit curds aren’t safe for home canning because they contain eggs and butter, which makes it too unpredictable for reliable home preservation.

Best practice: Store curd in the fridge for up to 10 days, or freeze it for longer storage.

Some folks are still wary of the microwave

Microwave cooking is safe and well-studied over decades of research. It heats food by agitating water molecules ~ nothing more ~ and often retains more nutrients than other methods like boiling or sautéing. Microwaving is one of the safest ways to cook!

Make lemon curd on the stove

My curd can also be made the traditional way, on the stove.

1. Cook the curd
   • In a saucepan, whisk together the lemon juice, sugar, egg and yolks. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon—about 5–10 minutes. Don’t let it boil.
2. Add the butter
   • Remove from heat and whisk in the butter, a few pieces at a time, until smooth and glossy.
3. Strain 
   • Strain your curd through a fine mesh sieve. This will remove any solids and leave a velvety smooth texture.
4. Let cool 
   • Then refrigerate until cold before using.