End your search for a basic lemon jelly recipe here. We kept it to only four ingredients—lemons, water, sugar, and liquid fruit pectin—for the traditionalists out there who want only pure lemon flavor with no add-ons. Of course, if you are looking for more jelly flavor adventures, we have those too. if you like your jellies on the sweeter side, you could substitute Meyer lemons for the lemons called for in this recipe. Meyer lemons are smaller than regular lemons, so make sure you squeeze enough of them to get the volume of juice called for in the recipe.

As lemons are highly acidic, to can them as a lemon jelly, you'll use the boiling-water canner versus a pressure canner, which is used for low-acid foods. Though it takes a little while to bring the water in a canner to a full boil, you can get that started on another stove burner while you make the jelly itself. Then when your recipe is made, just process the jars for 5 minutes and let them cool. The bright, sunny color of the jelly will bring a smile to your morning as you spread it on your toast or a biscuit. It could also be used in thumbprint cookies or other sweets.

Tips for the Best Lemon Jelly

For the best lemon jelly, keep these tips in mind:

• Choose the freshest lemons: Choose ripe, bright lemons for the most vibrant flavor.
• Be patient: Give the zest time to steep and infuse for the most lemony flavor.
• Adjust the sweetness: Adjust sugar levels slightly based on tartness preferences or the sweetness of your lemons.
• Avoid scorching: Use a heavy-bottomed pot and stir often to avoid scorching or sticking.
• Test the consistency: Place a spoonful of jelly onto a chilled plate to test the consistency before canning.
• Avoid overcooking: Overcooking can cause the pectin to break down, causing a runny jelly.
• Sterilize: Sterilize the jars before using to avoid contamination.
• Seal tightly: Make sure to seal and process properly for the longest storage.

Ways to Use Lemon Jelly

There's just no end to the ways you could use this citrusy lemon jelly, whether you incorporate it into your favorite breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert:

• Breakfast: Slather over toast, breakfast pastries, English muffins, scones, biscuits, and more. You can also use it as a citrusy pancake or waffle topping, or swirled into yogurt parfaits.
• Sandwiches: Spread onto sandwiches in the place of other jams and jellies.
• Glaze: Use as a glaze on meat, chicken, or fish.
• Food gifts: Label and gift the jars for holidays or other special occasions.
• Desserts: Use to fill thumbprint cookies, as a lemony cake filling, cheesecake topping, or as a bright addition to a cheese board.