Brighten Up Your Meals With 7 Ways to Use Citrus Zest

Bread crumbs can zhuzh up pasta, veggies or proteins, but don’t just throw on plain bread crumbs! Spice them up with your favorite seasonings, a little salt and pepper and, of course, citrus zest for plenty of flavor that will round out your favorite recipes.

From rimming your margarita glass to sprinkling over veggies or a fruit salad, sugar or salt blends are a great way to add a little something special to any meal or beverage. Just combine the sugar or salt with finely zested citrus for a flavorful, fragrant blend.

You’re probably used to squeezing in some fresh lemon juice to a homemade salad dressing or vinaigrette, but you can also add some bright, acidic flavor by whisking in zest, too. Add both the citrus juice and zest for more flavor.

From a homemade pound cake with lemon glaze to a vanilla cake with orange buttercream frosting, your favorite baked goods can get a simple yet incredible upgrade just by mixing in a little citrus zest to the icing or frosting. Orange and lemon are popular for adding to icing and frosting, but don’t be afraid to experiment with grapefruit, pomelo, yuzu and other tasty citrus. No matter which citrus you choose, the bright, acidic flavor will help balance out all the sweetness of the desserts.

Similarly, you can add some zest to homemade whipped cream for more exciting flavors. Place a generous dollop of your citrusy whipped cream over ice cream, fresh fruit, pies, brownies or other desserts. Even whisking some citrus zest into store-bought whipped cream can give it an upgrade.

You’ve garnished your cocktails or mocktails with lime wedges and orange peels, so why not sprinkle on some fresh zest? Especially for drinks with foam, the delicate touch of the zest looks elegant while adding a subtle fragrance and brightness to the cocktail or mocktail.

Dry rubs are blends of spices added directly to the outside of proteins before cooking them. From pork to fish to tofu, dry rubs can add powerful flavors to any protein you like. But by adding in some citrus, say orange or lemon zest, you can take the flavor profile to the next level by introducing some acidity to the mix.