Zest Is Best with 26 Bright Citrus Recipes for Every Course

Lemon, lime, orange, and even grapefruit—citrus brings a bright, zesty kick to just about anything, from desserts to appetizers to main dishes. These recipes hit that sweet-and-tart balance that keeps things interesting. They’re bold, fresh, and never too heavy, with just the right amount of tang to wake up your taste buds. Whether you’re baking a pie, whipping up a quick starter, or cooking dinner, citrus adds that punchy flavor that always stands out.

Mandarin Orange Caramel Creme

A plate of caramel cream on a table. — Mandarin Orange Caramel Creme. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

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Love oranges? You’ll adore this Mandarin Orange Caramel Creme. It’s a creamy, orange-scented custard with a sweet, tangy caramel glaze—perfect for those who crave citrus desserts.
Get the Recipe: Mandarin Orange Caramel Creme

Lemon Lime Cream Pie With Blackberries

A key lime cheesecake garnished with lime slices, orange slices, blackberries, and whipped cream sits on a white plate with a blue checkered cloth underneath. — Lemon Lime Cream Pie With Blackberries. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

This Lemon Lime Cream Pie features a smooth, creamy filling topped with juicy blackberries. The citrus flavor shines through every bite, all tucked into a graham cracker crust. It is a delicious, cozy citrus dessert that’s perfect for any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Lime Cream Pie With Blackberries

Lemon Ricotta Muffins

Lemon muffins on a wooden cutting board. — Lemon Ricotta Muffins. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Add a fresh twist to your muffins with these Lemon Ricotta Muffins. Ricotta cheese and olive oil make them rich and flavorful, perfect for breakfast or a snack with a hint of Italian flair.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Ricotta Muffins

Blueberry Lemon Scones

Fresh blueberries and lemon make these scones an instant favorite. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack, these Blueberry Lemon Scones are easy to bake and packed with bright, crumbly goodness in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Lemon Scones

Mandarin Orange Scones

Orange scones on a cooling rack with oranges. — Mandarin Orange Scones. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Fresh mandarin flavor makes these Mandarin Orange Scones a bright way to start your day. They’re always a favorite scone recipe and easy to make and burst with citrus. Enjoy them for breakfast or an afternoon treat.
Get the Recipe: Mandarin Orange Scones

Orange Cranberry Scones

A cranberry scone placed on a white plate with two orange slices and a fork beside it. A striped cloth and another plate with food are visible in the background. — Orange Cranberry Scones. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

These Orange Cranberry Scones are packed with fresh and dried cranberries and bright orange flavor. They bake up golden brown with crumbly edges and are great for breakfast or a snack. It is a delicious way to enjoy a cozy morning with a warm oven scone.
Get the Recipe: Orange Cranberry Scones

Lemon Cake Pie

A slice of lemon pie with raspberry sauce on a plate. — Lemon Cake Pie. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Cake or pie? With this Lemon Cake Pie, you get both! A fluffy cake floats on top of tangy lemon custard, making it the ultimate dessert for citrus lovers.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Cake Pie

Chewy Lemon Iced Cookies

Lemon cookies with icing on a plate. — Chewy Lemon Cookies. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Enjoy these Chewy Lemon Iced Cookies for a soft, buttery treat. They pack in so much lemon, making them a favorite for any citrus lover. This recipe uses lemon juice and zest, so much LEMON!
Get the Recipe: Chewy Lemon Iced Cookies

Mountain Dew Bundt Cake

A yellow bundt cake with icing on a plate. — Mountain Dew Bundt Cake. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Lemon flavor and Mountain Dew come together in this easy Bundt cake. Drizzled with a creamy icing, it’s perfect for lemon lovers. Bake it for your next get-together or family dessert night.
Get the Recipe: Mountain Dew Bundt Cake

Mandarin Orange Bundt Cake

An orange bundt cake with a slice taken out. — Mandarin Orange Bundt Cake: Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

This Mandarin Orange Bundt Cake is packed with bright citrus flavor, thanks to sweet Mandarins. Topped with sweet orange drizzle, it’s a citrus dessert you’ll want to make again and again. Perfect for any festive occasion.
Get the Recipe: Mandarin Orange Bundt Cake

Lemon Shortbreads

A stack of round lemon cookies on a plate, with the top cookie partially eaten, revealing a soft, crumbly texture. — Lemon Shortbread Cookies. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

These Lemon Shortbread Cookies are a zesty, buttery treat that lemon lovers can’t resist. Slice and bake for a batch of cookies with a satisfying crunch. A great choice for a simple yet flavorful cookie.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Shortbreads

Lemon Bundt Cake

A slice of cake with icing and lemon zest on a white plate, accompanied by sliced strawberries. A yellow napkin and white teapot are visible in the background. — Lemon Bundt Cake. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

This Lemon Bundt Cake is packed with juicy lemon pieces and topped with a tangy glaze. It bakes up golden brown and slices beautifully for any occasion. A citrus dessert that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Bundt Cake

How To Make Lemon Sugar

Three jars filled with different types of body scrub on a table. — Lemon Sugar. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Want to add a quick burst of lemon flavor to your recipes? Try this simple two-ingredient lemon sugar! It’s the perfect addition to cakes, cookies, or even your favorite drinks.
Get the Recipe: How To Make Lemon Sugar

Mini Key Lime Bites

Close-up of a key lime pie tartlet with a graham cracker crust, filled with creamy lime filling and topped with lime zest. In the background, there are more tartlets on a white rectangular plate. — Mini Key Lime Cheesecake Bites. Photo credit: Thriving In Parenting

Mini Key Lime Bites bring a tangy twist to your dessert table. These zesty treats are easy to make and perfect for lively gatherings. Share the love – and the lime – with these tasty bites.
Get the Recipe: Mini Key Lime Bites

Lemon Posset

A glass dish of lemon pudding topped with fresh raspberries and lemon zest, placed on a white plate with a lemon wedge nearby. A bowl of raspberries is in the background. — Lemon Posset. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Creamy, citrusy, and simple—this Lemon Posset with Raspberries is pure indulgence. Just a few ingredients create this bright dessert. Enjoy this tangy treat after dinner or whenever you’re craving something sweet.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Posset

Baked Ricotta Cheese with Lemon

A blue bowl with a dish of mashed potatoes and herbs. — Lemon Baked Ricotta. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

This Baked Ricotta Cheese with Lemon and herbs is a creamy appetizer that’s perfect with bread or crackers. A cozy citrus dish with just the right amount of tang. We love this recipe for the burst of lemon flavor!
Get the Recipe: Baked Ricotta Cheese with Lemon

Orange Cranberry Sauce

A bowl of cranberry sauce garnished with orange zest and two cinnamon sticks, placed on a napkin with a spoon next to it. Oranges and cranberries are in the background. — Orange Cranberry Sauce. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Fresh Orange Cranberry Sauce brings a perfect balance of sweet and tart to your holiday table. It’s simple to make with just four ingredients. Always a welcome addition during the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Orange Cranberry Sauce

Whole Roasted Lemon Pepper Chicken

A whole roasted chicken seasoned with herbs sits in a skillet, garnished with fresh thyme. Lemon slices are visible in the background. — Lemon Pepper Roasted Chicken. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

This Roasted Lemon Pepper Chicken is juicy, flavorful, and perfect for family dinners. The zesty lemon and pepper seasoning makes it a dish you’ll make again and again. Prep it in minutes and enjoy a comforting, homemade meal.
Get the Recipe: Whole Roasted Lemon Pepper Chicken

Almond Flour Lemon Cookies

Rows of lemon cookies are cooling on a black wire rack. A partially bitten cookie with lemon zest on top is in the foreground. — Almond Flour Lemon Cookies. Photo credit: The Honour System.

These Almond Flour Lemon Cookies are soft, chewy, and gluten-free. They’re loaded with lemon flavor, making them a great citrus treat. A delicious lemon dessert for all occasions!
Get the Recipe: Almond Flour Lemon Cookies

Lemon Herb Vinaigrette

A spoonful of vinaigrette with herbs held over a jar, alongside a salad with cucumber slices and leafy greens on a plate. — Lemon Herb Vinaigrette. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Add some zesty flavor to your salads with this Lemon Herb Vinaigrette. Made with fresh lemon juice and herbs, it’s bright and refreshing. Perfect for drizzling over greens!
Get the Recipe: Lemon Herb Vinaigrette

Sparkling Grapefruit Jello

Two jars of grapefruit gelatin with mint leaves on a tray. — Sparkling Grapefruit Jello. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This sparkling grapefruit jello is a bubbly and super refreshing treat that proves making your own jello is incredibly easy. Bonus: you control the sweetness!
Get the Recipe: Sparkling Grapefruit Jello

Lemon Lime Mojitos

efresh with Lemon Lime Mojitos, a citrusy take on the classic cocktail. This bright, flavorful drink is infused with lemon, lime, mint, and rum. A perfect drink to enjoy on hot summer days.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Lime Mojitos

Lemon Curd

Quick and easy, the best Lemon Curd Recipe that is light, creamy, flavorful, and tangy is done in just a few minutes. Entirely gluten-free, low carb and perfect for people with diabetes, this delicious sugar-free lemon curd is Ideal not only for desserts but great for making ice cream or used as a spread on one of our bread slices.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Curd

Carrot Citrus Salad

Roasted rainbow carrots paired with oranges and Meyer lemons make this salad both refreshing and vibrant. Tossed in a citrus mustard vinaigrette, it’s a perfect way to brighten up your winter table.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Citrus Salad

Lime Jello Salad

Lime Jello Salad is a fun green dessert that is an old fashioned favorite. It is the perfect addition to any holiday or picnic.
Get the Recipe: Lime Jello Salad

Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad

A plate of kale salad with orange slices, pomegranate seeds, shredded chicken, and pine nuts on a white plate, placed on a pink napkin. — Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Crispy rotisserie chicken, fresh herbs, and bright citrus come together on a bed of Tuscan kale. Tossed in an orange dijon dressing, this salad brings some sunshine to your plate even when it’s sweater weather.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad