How Much Juice is in One Lemon?

On average, one small lemon has 2-3 tablespoons of juice, but this can vary. Read on to learn more, and how to get the most juice from your lemons.

How Much Juice is in One Lemon?

Fresh lemon juice is always better than bottled concentrates, but measuring the bottled version is so much easier. 

However, once you know how much juice is in one lemon, there's no reason to pick the bottled version. 

The amount of juice you get from one lemon depends on several factors, such as the size, ripeness, and variety of the lemon.

Here's an average to use as a guideline:

• 1 small lemon: 2 to 3 tablespoons of juice
• 1 medium lemon: 3 to 4 tablespoons of juice
• 1 large lemon: 4 to 5 tablespoons of juice

To fill 1 cup with lemon juice, you'll need 16 tablespoons of juice, or about 4 large, 5 medium, or 8 small lemons. 

How to Get the Most Juice

The two most common lemon varieties are Eurekas and Lisbons, with Eurekas typically producing more juice. They are thin-skinned and usually juicer and have a more intense flavor than other varieties.

To maximize the juice yield, try any of the following tips:

• Choose heavy, soft, but not squishy lemons. (Smaller is often juicier)
• Store lemons for juicing in the freezer. When they freeze, the juices expand and break the cell walls. Once they're thawed, juicing is easier.
• Microwave fresh lemons for 10 to 15 seconds, or frozen lemons for 30 seconds. The heat will cause the juice to expand and break the cell walls, making juicing easier.
• Use pressure to roll the lemon on the counter or a cutting board to break down the inner membranes and set the juice free. Use your hands or a rolling pin. 

There you have it! No more excuses for using bottled lemon juice, and with fresh lemons, you get the zest as a bonus!