Lemon Meringue Pie is the perfect dessert recipe for any season, with zesty and citrusy lemon curd and a fluffy layer of meringue inside a flaky pie crust. Make this lemon pie with a buttery homemade pie crust or use store-bought if you are short on time.
The lemon curd is rich and custardy with refreshing and bold lemon flavor from freshly squeezed lemon juice and zippy lemon zest. Each layer is satisfying to make, and you’ll love seeing the meringue expand into a cloud-like fluff. For more desserts made with meringue, try my homemade baked Alaska, meringue cookies recipe, or Eton Mess recipe.
What You Need to Make This Recipe
Pie Crust – homemade or premade pie crust can be used. The lemon curd and meringue fit perfectly in a 9-inch pie crust, so double-check the size of your pie dish before adding your crust. Try my buttery pie crust recipe for a flaky and tender crust.
Cornstarch – thickens the lemon curd layer to a silky smooth and velvety texture. For the smoothest curd, break up any clumps before you measure this ingredient.
Lemon Juice – freshly squeezed lemon juice is a must for this recipe. The taste of fresh lemons is unparalleled and you’ll also need lemon zest, so skip the bottled juice!
Granulated Sugar – classic white sugar adds sweetness to both layers and gives the meringue structure with a glossy finish.
Eggs – separated. The yolks will be used for the lemon curd and whites will be whipped into the fluffy meringue. Use eggs at room temperature for the best meringue texture.
How to Make Lemon Meringue Pie
1. Prebake your pie crust before starting your filling. If using a store-bought crust, prebake according to the package instructions. If using a homemade crust, roll the dough into a 12-inch circle. Place the dough in a 9-inch pie dish, tuck the excess pie dough under, and crimp the edges. Poke the bottom of the crust all over with a fork. Freeze for 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 425°F while freezing. Line the frozen pie shell with aluminum foil and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Place on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and pie weights and continue baking the crust until golden brown on the edges and the bottom appears dry, about 15 to 20 minutes more.
2. Once your crust is baked, let it cool completely.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks until smooth and set aside.
4. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
5. Slowly whisk the water, lemon juice, and lemon zest into the sugar mixture until the cornstarch is dissolved. Place over medium heat and whisk frequently until thickened and starting to bubble, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
6. Temper the egg yolks by slowly pouring about 1 cup of the hot lemon mixture into the egg yolks while whisking.
7. Slowly pour the tempered egg yolk mixture into the pot while whisking. Place over medium-high heat. Continue whisking until the mixture is thickened enough for the whisk to leave a defined trace and the mixture starts to bubble, about 2 minutes.
8. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter until fully melted and combined.
9. Pour into the baked pie shell.
10. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F. While the filling is still hot, make the meringue. Combine the egg whites and cream of tartar in the mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until frothy. Slowly add in the sugar. Continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 5 minutes. Spread the meringue over the top of the lemon filling, making sure it goes all the way to the edge and touches the crust. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the meringue starts to turn golden brown.
Pro-Tips For Making This Recipe
- Add color to the meringue with a kitchen torch. Torch the top of the meringue instead of baking it to add additional golden brown color and a toasted marshmallow flavor. Torching the meringue will also showcase the stunning wavy texture.
- Separate the eggs carefully. Meringue requires pure egg whites without any yolk. Carefully separate the eggs one at a time using a small bowl. If any egg yolks break while you separate them, set that yolk and white aside for another purpose. The smallest amount of yolk can hinder the meringue from expanding and rising.
- Spread the meringue all the way to the edges over the hot pie filling. The fluffy meringue layer should completely cover the lemon curd filling and be in contact with the pie shell. This will help the meringue to seal to the top of the pie and reduce the chance of the meringue weeping if the pie is stored.
- Slice the pie with a hot knife. The meringue will slice the most smoothly when cut with a hot knife. Dip your knife in a glass of hot water for a few seconds to warm the blade. Carefully wipe the blade clean and return to the water to warm it again between cuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Leftovers will keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Place a few toothpicks in the top of the pie and then drape plastic wrap over the pie before refrigerating.
Lemon meringue pie is delicious in every season, and the cloud-like top needs no additional garnishing. Serve with a citrusy hot tea or refreshing iced tea with lemon wedges. For a larger dessert spread, you can serve this pie with fresh fruit, cookies, or scones, or alongside a few other pies. Make a pie display by using various heights of cake stands to hold each pie.
To keep your pie crust crisp when using a curd, prebake your pie crust and allow it to cool before filling it. A completely cooled crust will hold up better to curd or wetter fruit fillings. You can also use an egg wash on the crust to help create a moisture barrier. Before baking, beat one egg with a splash of heavy cream or milk, then brush the crust with the egg using a pastry brush.
If you love this recipe try these out!
If you’ve tried this Lemon Meringue Pie recipe, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!
Lemon Meringue Pie
Video
Equipment
- 9-inch pie pan
- Medium pot
- mixing bowl
- Electric hand or stand mixer
- Baking Sheet
- Foil
- pie weights
Ingredients
- 1 9-inch pie crust
For the Filling:
- 1¼ cups granulated sugar (250g)
- 5 egg yolks
- 6 tablespoons cornstarch (35g)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1¼ cups water (300ml)
- ¾ cups lemon juice (180ml)
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter cubed (56g)
For the Meringue:
- 4 egg whites
- ¼ teaspoons cream of tartar
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100g)
Instructions
- Prebake your pie crust before starting your filling. If using a store-bought crust, prebake according to the package instructions. If using a homemade crust, roll the dough into a 12-inch circle. Place the dough in a 9-inch pie dish, tuck the excess pie dough until, and crimp the edges. Poke the bottom of the crust all over with a fork. Freeze for 20 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F while freezing. Line the frozen pie shell with foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Place on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and pie weights and continue baking the crust until golden brown on the edges and the bottom appears dry, about 15 to 20 minutes more. Remove and let cool completely.
For the Filling:
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks until smooth and set aside.
- In a medium pot, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Slowly whisk in the water, lemon juice, and lemon zest until the cornstarch is dissolved. Place over medium heat and whisk frequently until thickened and starting to bubble, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Temper the egg yolks by slowly pouring about 1 cup of the hot lemon mixture into the egg yolks while whisking. Slowly pour the tempered egg yolk mixture into the pot while whisking. Place over medium-high heat. Continue whisking until the mixture is thickened enough for the whisk to leave a defined trace and the mixture starts to bubble, about 2 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter until fully melted and combined. Pour into the baked pie shell.
For the Meringue:
- Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F.
- While the filling is still hot, make the meringue. Combine the egg whites and cream of tartar in the mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitting with a whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until frothy. Slowly add in the sugar. Continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 5 minutes.
- Spread the meringue over the top of the lemon filling, making sure it goes all the way the edge and touches the crust.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the meringue starts to turn golden brown.
Notes
- Add color to the meringue with a kitchen torch. Torch the top of the meringue instead of baking it to add additional golden brown color and a toasted marshmallow flavor. Torching the meringue will also showcase the stunning wavy texture.
- Separate the eggs carefully. Meringue requires pure egg whites without any yolk. Carefully separate the eggs one at a time using a small bowl. If any egg yolks break while you separate them, set that yolk and white aside for another purpose. The smallest amount of yolk can hinder the meringue from expanding and rising.
- Spread the meringue all the way to the edges over the hot pie filling. The fluffy meringue layer should completely cover the lemon curd filling and be in contact with the pie shell. This will help the meringue to seal to the top of the pie and reduce the chance of the meringue weeping if the pie is stored.
- Slice the pie with a hot knife. The meringue will slice the most smoothly when cut with a hot knife. Dip your knife in a glass of hot water for a few seconds to warm the blade. Carefully wipe the blade clean and return to the water to warm it again between cuts.
Absolutely love this recipe 😍 turned out beautiful the first time😋. Thank you💚.
I made the lemon pie and it’s great! I really enjoy your recipes! It would be even better if you don’t put down the calories of each dessert. It makes me feel fat haha
just perfect. lemony but still sweet
I made this thing and it is awesome! My only complaint was that there was waaaayyy too much meringue, or I had a small pie dish. I just baked the rest of it as meringue drop cookies and it was delicious. I made my own crust with almond flour, since I have gluten problems, but it was yummy nonetheless.
OMG! John, I did it. I made my first lemon meringue pie. Well, actually I have not made the meringue yet because I’m following your instructions and will make it and add to the pie tomorrow. The filling is absolutely delicious. It is tangy and sweet but not too much of either. It’s perfect. THANK YOU for sharing yet again another delicious masterpiece!?
I want to honor my Nanna this Thanksgiving… I was wondering if this delish pie could be turned into bars. Your crust is so gorgeous and I would like to do it justice.
It can yes! might be easier to cut with a cookie crust though 🙂 Happy baking!
your recipes are easy to follow, you use both imperial and metric measurements; a must these days, and the results are nearly always perfect. I enjoy watching your videos and often find both useful and practical hints during your demonstrations. I guess you would call me a “mature” cook and have been cooking and baking for many years. Your site is one of my few “go to” sites whenever I need a good recipe and great techniques. thank you!!
I substituted the water with puréed prickly pear strained through a mesh. I also used my own crust recipe. The end result was this gorgeous purplish red prickly lemon meringue pie that was absolutely delicious! Fantastic recipe and easy to follow video.
So good you are my go too when I bake ,I bake always make everything from scratch .i discovered you and love your concept makes perfect sense.i will make your lemon pie and share it with many.
This luscious lemon pie has my name on it. I needed this recipe to enjoy my bounty of gorgeous homegrown lemons!