Lemon Meringue Pie (Make Ahead!)

By Becky Hardin

Published Mar 24, 2021

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For me, there’s no better way to end Easter brunch than with a classic lemon meringue pie. Wonderfully fresh and full of vibrant flavors, it is truly a show-stopping dessert. But when I was making it, I wondered, how can I make this ahead without the meringue weeping? Folks, I’ve figured it out, and I’m here to share all my tips and tricks with you for less stress in the kitchen!

What’s in This Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe?

Fresh lemons are what give this pie its bright and fresh flavor. I really can’t recommend getting the real thing enough for the best flavor. I tried with bottled juice, and the flavor just wasn’t up to snuff.

• Pie Crust: Use a pre-baked and cooled store-bought or homemade pie crust.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens both the filling and the meringue topping.
• Lemon: Fresh lemon juice and zest add a punchy citrus flavor to the filling.
• Water: Combines with cornstarch to help thicken the filling and stabilize the meringue.
• Cornstarch: Binds to free water in the filling to thicken it up.
• Eggs: You’ll need 8 egg yolks for the filling and 4 egg whites for the meringue. Save the remaining 4 yolks to make some hollandaise sauce or homemade mayonnaise for next-day ham sandwiches.
• Butter: Unsalted butter adds richness to the filling.
• Cream of Tartar: Stabilizes the meringue topping so it doesn’t collapse.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a hint of warmth and sweet flavor to contrast the freshness of the filling.

Can You Make Lemon Meringue Pie The Day Before?

I’ve constantly wondered how to avoid a deflated, weepy lemon meringue pie. Making it the day of just isn’t an option for me when my oven is already stuffed with a giant Easter ham. But making the fresh filling and fluffy meringue separately was the simple solution I needed to solve my weepy woes!

Now, I just scoop the meringue on top of the filling and pop it in the oven while everyone’s eating, and it’s ready just in time for dessert!

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How to Store and Reheat 

With this recipe, I have found that I can make the filling a day ahead of time, and the meringue and baked pie crust will both keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Once assembled, I recommend enjoying the pie ASAP, as it will begin to weep once the filling and meringue come in contact.

I do not recommend freezing this pie, though, as both the filling and the meringue topping do not freeze well.

Serving Suggestions

This classic fresh and creamy dessert is honestly perfect all by itself. I like it best with a mimosa or bellini to wash it all down.

Notes from the Test Kitchen

If you’re making this pie all in one day, I highly recommend prepping the meringue as the pie cooks so that you are ready to put it on top as soon as the pie comes out of the oven. Placing the meringue directly on the hot filling (no chilling required) kickstarts the cooking process, helping ensure the meringue cooks all the way through and doesn’t weep on the day of.

Recipe Card

Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe

4.62 from 59 votes

Prep: 30 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Total: 50 minutes mins

Servings: 12 slices

Author: Becky Hardin

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Wonderfully fresh and full of vibrant flavors, this classic lemon meringue pie is a show stopping dessert. Make it ahead of time to wow your friends and family!

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

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Equipment

• Kitchen Scale (optional)
• Pie Pan
• Fine Mesh Sieve
• Stand Mixer
• Baking Sheet
• Kitchen Torch (Click for my favorite) (optional)

Ingredients 

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For the Crust

• ▢ 1 9-inch pie crust 213 grams (homemade or store-bought), prebaked & cooled

For the Lemon Filling

• ▢ 1¼ cups granulated sugar 250 grams
• ▢ 1 cup fresh lemon juice 227 grams, from 6 lemons
• ▢ ½ cup water 114 grams
• ▢ ¼ cup cornstarch 28 grams
• ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ 4 large eggs 200 grams, separated (whites reserved for meringue below)
• ▢ 4 egg yolks 56 grams
• ▢ 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest 12 grams, from 2 lemons
• ▢ 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 42 grams, room temperature and cut into pieces

For the Meringue (an Italian Meringue)

• ▢ ½ cup water 114 grams
• ▢ 1 cup granulated sugar 200 grams
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
• ▢ ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 grams

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Instructions 

For the Pie Crust

• The crust needs to be blind-baked (prebaked) before adding the filling. If using store-bought pie crust, prepare the crust per package directions and cool completely before filling.
  1 9-inch pie crust
  
• If using homemade, follow the directions to your favorite pie crust.

For the Filling

• In a large saucepan set over medium heat, whisk sugar, lemon juice water, cornstarch, and salt until cornstarch dissolves. Bring to a simmer, whisking occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture becomes translucent and just begins to thicken.
  1¼ cups granulated sugar, 1 cup fresh lemon juice, ½ cup water, ¼ cup cornstarch, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 4 large eggs
  
• Vigorously whisk while adding the yolks.
  4 egg yolks
  
• Add the zest and butter and stir until combined. Once again, bring the mixture to a simmer while stirring constantly. Cook another 2 minutes, or until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon without it sliding off the spoon.
  2 tablespoons grated lemon zest, 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  
• Strain the filling through a fine-mesh strainer into the prepared pie shell. Remember to scrape the excess filling from the underside of the strainer into the shell. Place plastic-wrap directly on the surface of the filling, and place in the fridge to cool until set (at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours).
  

For the Meringue

• Preheat oven to 400°F and adjust oven rack to middle position.
• In the small saucepan set over medium-high heat, add the water and sugar. Bring to a vigorous boil. Once the syrup is boiling vigorously, cook for exactly 4 minutes (set a timer). The mixture should be syrupy and slightly thickened. Remove from the heat after 4 minutes and set aside. (At this time, it isn’t necessary, but I found it helpful to pour the sugar syrup into a 2-cup, heatproof, measuring cup).
  ½ cup water, 1 cup granulated sugar
  
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the balloon whisk attachment, beat the reserved 4 egg whites at medium speed until frothy, about 1 minute. Add the salt and cream of tartar, and gradually increase the speed to medium-high, about 2 minutes, or until whites hold soft peaks.
  ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
  
• With the mixer running, slowly pour the hot syrup down the inside of the bowl and into the whites (avoid the whisk so the syrup won’t splash).
  
• Add the vanilla and continue beating until the meringue has cooled and is very thick and still shiny, about 7-10 minutes.
  ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  
• Once the lemon filling is cooled and set (see above), mound the meringue over the filling and then work your way around the edge being sure the meringue butts up against the crust. Once the meringue is all around the edge of the crust, mound more meringue toward the middle, pressing down slightly to ensure there are no air pockets and the meringue completely covers the filling.
• Add as much meringue as you like, then use a tablespoon or rubber spatula to create peaks all over the meringue.
  
• Place the pie on a baking sheet (for easier handling) and bake until peaks turn golden brown with white meringue showing through.
• Remove the pie to a cooling rack.
• At this point, the pie is beautiful and can be left alone to cool, but… if you'd like a more dramatic presentation, use a kitchen torch to toast the meringue where wanted. Be very careful to be ready to blow out any meringue that catches fire and to go slowly. Practice makes perfect.

Becky’s Tips

Original recipe Cooks Illustrated Mile-High Lemon Meringue Pie

• This pie, like all Lemon Meringue Pies, is best the day it is assembled. Unlike most lemon meringue pies, the lemon filling can be made one day ahead and stored refrigerated in an airtight container.
• The pie crust can be cooked and stored (in the pie tin) in an airtight container (or zipper-style bag) up to two days before.
• The assembled Lemon Meringue Pie will keep a few days in the fridge, but the meringue and/or the lemon filling will begin to weep. It is best eaten the day it is assembled. If perfection isn’t necessary (ie: if not making to share) the pie will still be delicious – just not ideal.

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 305kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 4gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 134mgSodium: 242mgPotassium: 91mgFiber: 1gSugar: 38gVitamin A: 266IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How to Make Lemon Meringue Pie Step by Step

Bake the Crust: The crust needs to be blind-baked (prebaked) before adding the filling. If using store-bought pie crust, prepare a 9-inch refrigerated crust per package directions and cool completely before filling. If using homemade, follow the directions to your favorite pie crust.

Cook the Filling: In a large saucepan set over medium heat, whisk 1¼ cups of granulated sugar, 1 cup of fresh lemon juice, ½ cup of water, ¼ cup of cornstarch, and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt until cornstarch dissolves. Bring to a simmer, whisking occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture becomes translucent and just begins to thicken.

Add the Egg Yolks: Vigorously whisk while adding 8 egg yolks.

Add the Zest and Butter: Add 2 tablespoons of grated lemon zest and 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter and stir until combined. Once again, bring the mixture to a simmer while stirring constantly. Cook another 2 minutes, or until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon without it sliding off the spoon.

Chill the Filling: Strain the filling through a fine-mesh strainer into the prepared pie shell. Remember to scrape the excess filling from the underside of the strainer into the shell. Place plastic-wrap directly on the surface of the filling, and place in the fridge to cool until set (at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours).

Make the Sugar Syrup: Preheat oven to 400°F and adjust oven rack to middle position. In the small saucepan set over medium-high heat, add ½ cup of water and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Bring to a vigorous boil. Once the syrup is boiling vigorously, cook for exactly 4 minutes (set a timer). The mixture should be syrupy and slightly thickened. Remove from the heat after 4 minutes and set aside.

Whisk the Egg Whites: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the balloon whisk attachment, beat the reserved 4 egg whites at medium speed until frothy, about 1 minute. Add ¼ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of cream of tartar, and gradually increase the speed to medium-high, about 2 minutes, or until whites hold soft peaks.

Add the Sugar Syrup: With the mixer running, slowly pour the hot syrup down the inside of the bowl and into the whites (avoid the whisk so the syrup won’t splash).

Beat the Meringue: Add ½ teaspoon of vanilla and continue beating until the meringue has cooled and is very thick and still shiny, about 7-10 minutes.

Top and Bake the Pie: Once the lemon filling is cooled and set, mound the meringue over the filling and then use a tablespoon or rubber spatula to create peaks all over the meringue. Place the pie on a baking sheet (for easier handling) and bake until peaks turn golden brown with white meringue showing through.

More Pie Recipes To Try

• Homemade Apple Pie
• McDonald’s Strawberry Cream Pie
• Caramel Pie
• Strawberry Jello Pie