Instant Pot Lemon Curd Recipe (2024)

I never knew how easy it was to make Lemon Curd until I made it in my Instant Pot.

And to be quite honest, I probably would have never made it if it wasn’t so easy to make cheesecake in it.

Ever since I got my first 6 quart Instant Pot Duo a few years ago, I have made more cheesecakes than I had my entire life.

We love to make Oreo cheesecake and pumpkin cheesecake. But our absolute favorite cheesecake of all time is Lemon Cheesecake.

It is so light and refreshing and makes for a perfect sweet treat after dinner.

But it is even better when topped with lemon curd!

What is Lemon Curd?

Lemon curd is a sweet preserve with a thick consistency made from lemons, butter, eggs, and sugar.

It is most commonly used in desserts as a topping or filling. Think lemon tarts, donuts filled with lemon curd, or a drizzle over yogurt for a sweet treat as a few examples.

In the grocery store, you can find lemon curd next to the jams and jellies.

And although it looks and sounds elegant, it is super easy to make!

In fact, the traditional method of making lemon curd is on the stove top. And it comes together in minutes.

Making Lemon Curd In The Instant Pot

So you may be wondering if it is so easy to make on the stove, why in the world would you make it in your Instant Pot?

And the answer is simple…. Because it requires constant whisking over a hot stove top.

In the middle of summer, the last thing that I want to do is turn on my stove, let alone stand over top of it attending to a pot that needs constant attention.

When I make it in the pressure cooker, I set the pressure cook button and walk away.

No need to stand over the stove trying not to sweat when I can just walk away and come back when it is finished.

Okay, not completely finished, but you get the point.

The only thing left to do once the lemon curd comes out of the Instant Pot is to stir in the butter.

Then in the refrigerator it goes until it is cold and thickened!

A Couple of Hints To Making Smooth And Creamy Lemon Curd

However, in order to make sure that your lemon curd turns out perfect, here are a few hints to follow.

Be sure to zest your lemon before you squeeze the juice out of it. I know this sounds silly, but it is very difficult to zest a lemon that has been cut in half.

You could use a peeler, but I love to use a lemon zester. This prevents me from digging too deep into the skin of the lemon.

You only want the yellow portions, not the white pith area that lies beneath. The white portion would cause your lemon curd to become bitter.

Once you have your lemon zest, it is time to juice them.

Roll your lemon on the counter top with the palm of your hand pressing down. This will help release the juices inside.

Then use your favorite juicer (we like to use a wooden reamer) to extract as much juice as you can.

Simply add the juice to the egg and sugar mixture and mix well.

Cover Your Bowl

Be sure to cover the bowl tightly with aluminum foil so no extra moisture is added to the lemon curd during the cooking process.

Add the bowl to a long handled cooking trivet and lower it into the liner of the Instant Pot.

Once the cooking and keep warm time expires, use silicone mitts to remove the bowl.

At this point, the curd will look more like a custard – don’t panic! Simply whisk it and add the butter, one section at a time.

Within minutes, you will have smooth lemon curd that is ready to chill in the refrigerator.

And remember, the curd will thicken as it cools.

Now you can enjoy this delicious sweet treat on whatever your heart desires!

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