Lemon juice is a popular and versatile ingredient used for cooking, baking, cleaning, and health remedies. When a recipe calls for lemon juice, it’s important to know how much juice you can expect to get from lemons. In this article, we’ll look at how much lemon juice is typically in 2 lemons.
Quick Answer
On average, you can expect to get between 2-4 tablespoons (30-60 ml) of juice from 2 medium sized lemons. However, the exact amount can vary based on the size and juiciness of the lemons.
Factors That Affect Lemon Juice Yield
Several factors impact how much juice you can get out of a lemon:
- Size – Larger lemons tend to produce more juice than smaller ones.
- Variety – Some lemon varieties and hybrids, like Meyer lemons, are juicier.
- Freshness – Fresher lemons have higher juice content.
- Temperature – Room temperature lemons yield more juice.
- Juicing Method – Some techniques extract more juice (rolling, microwaving, etc.).
So when following a recipe, the specific lemon variety and juicing method can impact the juice quantity. That’s why most recipes provide a range for lemon juice to account for natural variability.
Juice in a Typical Lemon
Let’s take a closer look at how much juice is in a single medium lemon:
- 1 medium lemon = 3-4 tablespoons (45-60ml) juice
- 1 large lemon = 5-6 tablespoons (75-90ml) juice
- 1 small lemon = 2-3 tablespoons (30-45ml) juice
A medium lemon is about 3 inches (7.5cm) in diameter. Using a juicer or reamer, you can expect around 1 ounce (30ml) or 2 tablespoons of juice per medium lemon. Larger lemons over 3.5 inches (9cm) may produce up to 50% more juice.
Juice from 2 Lemons
Since most recipes call for the juice of 1-3 lemons, knowing how much you get from 2 lemons is useful. Here’s a breakdown of the typical juice yield from 2 lemons:
- 2 small lemons = 4-6 tablespoons (60-90ml) juice
- 2 medium lemons = 6-8 tablespoons (90-120ml) juice
- 2 large lemons = 10-12 tablespoons (150-180ml) juice
On average, juicing 2 medium-sized lemons will produce about 3-4 fluid ounces (90-120ml) or 6-8 tablespoons of juice. If following a recipe that calls for “juice of 2 lemons”, using this range will help ensure you add the right amount.
Tips for Getting the Most Juice from Lemons
Here are some tips to help maximize the amount of juice you get from lemons:
- Roll the lemon on a hard surface before juicing to break down membranes.
- Microwave lemons for 30 seconds to soften.
- Juice lemons at room temperature, not straight from the fridge.
- Use a wood reamer or juicer, not just squeezing.
- Strain the juice through a sieve to catch extra pulp and juice.
Following these steps can increase lemon juice yield by over 50% compared to squeezing alone. Plus you’ll get clearer, pulp-free lemon juice.
Substituting Lemon Juice in Recipes
In a pinch, you can substitute bottled lemon juice in recipes that call for fresh squeezed. Here are some substitution ratios:
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice = 1 tablespoon bottled
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest = 1/2 teaspoon bottled lemon juice
- Reduce any added sugar or sweetener in the recipe by 1/2 teaspoon per tablespoon lemon juice substituted
Bottled lemon juice has a more concentrated, sour taste compared to fresh. So you may want to start with less bottled juice and adjust to taste. For the best flavor, use a high-quality bottled brand without preservatives.
How Much Lemon Juice in a Lemon?
Here is a quick summary of the typical lemon juice yield from lemons:
- 1 small lemon = 2-3 tablespoons juice
- 1 medium lemon = 3-4 tablespoons juice
- 1 large lemon = 5-6 tablespoons juice
On average, you can expect around 1 tablespoon of juice per 1 inch diameter of a lemon. Larger, juicier lemons can produce up to 50% more juice compared to smaller lemons. To maximize the juice yield, roll lemons before juicing and strain the pulp.
Lemon Juice Nutrition Facts
Lemon juice is low in calories but packed with beneficial nutrients including:
- Vitamin C – One tablespoon of lemon juice provides over 7% of your daily vitamin C needs. This important antioxidant promotes immunity and skin health.
- Potassium – With about 1.5% of your RDI per tablespoon, lemon juice is a good source of potassium, which supports heart and nerve function.
- Folate – Also known as vitamin B9, folate is essential for cell growth and DNA production. A tablespoon of lemon juice provides 1% of your daily folate needs.
- Antioxidants – Lemons contain antioxidant compounds like hesperidin and d-limonene, which have anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities according to research.
Lemon juice also has antimicrobial properties. Research shows lemon juice may be effective against bacteria, viruses, and fungi thanks to its low pH and citric acid content.
Uses for Lemon Juice
Here are some popular uses for the lemon juice you get from 2 lemons:
- Vinaigrettes and sauces – Add 2-4 tablespoons lemon juice to balance flavor.
- Marinades for meats and vegetables – Mix 2-3 tablespoons juice with oil, herbs and seasonings.
- Baking – Add lemon juice to cakes, cookies, tart fillings.
- Citrus water – Infuse still or sparkling water with lemon juice as a refreshing drink.
- Dressings and dips – For ranch, hummus, baba ghanoush, etc.
- Cleaning – Disinfect, deodorize, and brighten with lemon juice mixed with water.
- Hair and skin care – Use as a clarifying rinse or exfoliating treatment.
Lemon juice adds bright acidity and flavor to both sweet and savory recipes. Its antimicrobial properties also make it a good natural cleaner and disinfectant. Start with 2-4 tablespoons lemon juice for most applications.
Common Lemon Juice Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about lemon juice:
Does lemon juice go bad?
Yes, lemon juice will eventually go bad though it lasts longer than lemons themselves. Fresh squeezed lemon juice will last up to 6 months in the fridge and 1 year in the freezer before losing flavor and nutrients. For optimal freshness and taste, use within 1-2 months.
Is lemon juice acidic or alkaline?
Lemon juice has an acidic pH around 2-3, making it a very acidic food. While acidic in nature, some alternative medicine practitioners believe lemon juice has an alkalizing effect on the body when digested.
Does lemon juice tenderize meat?
Yes, lemon juice can help tenderize tougher cuts of meat. The acid partially breaks down muscle fibers. Let meat marinate in lemon juice for at least an hour, or up to 24 hours for maximum tenderizing effect.
What is a lemon wedge?
A lemon wedge is a lemon cut lengthwise into 4-6 segments. It allows diners to squeeze fresh lemon juice on seafood, drinks, entrees and more. Restaurants typically provide 1 wedge per 4-6 ounces of water or serving of food.
Can lemon juice lighten hair?
Yes, some people use lemon juice as a homemade hair lightener since the citric acid can gradually brighten and lighten hair. However, lemon juice can cause dryness and damage. Consult your hair stylist before use.
Conclusion
To summarize, you can expect around 3-4 tablespoons (45-60ml) of juice from an average medium lemon. Juicing two lemons will produce about 6-8 tablespoons (90-120ml) or 3-4 fluid ounces of fresh lemon juice. Factors like lemon size, variety, freshness and juicing method impact the exact yield. When following recipes, use a range of 2-4 tablespoons lemon juice for the amount in “juice of 2 lemons”.
Lemon juice is a versatile ingredient that adds bright flavor and nutrients like vitamin C to recipes. Know how much juice two lemons provides so you can better substitute bottled juice and ensure you add the right amount for recipes. Use fresh lemon juice within 1-2 months for the best flavor and citrus kick.
