Alton Brown's Lemon Curd Recipe

This Alton Brown-inspired lemon curd recipe is bursting with bright, zesty lemon flavor. Triple the batch and can it for homemade sunshine all year long! Learn how to make this incredibly smooth and creamy lemon curd that's perfect for tarts, cakes, or simply spooned over your favorite dessert. Freezer-friendly for up to a year!

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Calories 1901.4 kcal
Protein 31g
Rating 4.8 (4 Reviews)
Alton Brown's Lemon Curd 34

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Alton Brown's Lemon Curd

  • 4 large egg yolks
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 large lemons) and zest of 2 lemons
  • 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) unsalted butter

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How to Make Alton Brown's Lemon Curd

  1. Add 1 inch of water to a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
  2. While the water is heating, whisk together 4 large egg yolks and ¾ cup granulated sugar in a medium metal bowl until light and pale, about 1 minute.
  3. Measure ½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 large lemons). If necessary, add cold water to reach a total of ⅓ cup of liquid.
  4. Add the lemon juice and the zest of 2 lemons to the egg yolk mixture; whisk until smooth.
  5. Reduce heat to low. Place the metal bowl on top of the simmering saucepan (making a double boiler), ensuring the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water.
  6. Whisk constantly until the curd thickens, about 8-10 minutes. The mixture should be pale yellow and coat the back of a spoon. It will be thick enough to leave a trail on the spoon when you lift it.
  7. Remove the bowl from the heat immediately. Stir in 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) of unsalted butter, one tablespoon at a time, ensuring each addition is fully melted before adding the next.
  8. Strain the curd through a fine-mesh sieve (optional, for extra smooth texture).
  9. Pour the lemon curd into a clean container. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the curd to prevent a skin from forming.
  10. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or frozen for up to 1 year.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

35 g

Sugar

823g

Fat

328g

Carbs

74g