Grapefruit Curd: Homemade Citrus Curd Recipe (2024)

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Grapefruit curd is delicious, easy to make, and a wonderful way to use up citrus. Learn how to make and use this homemade grapefruit curd recipe and use it for tarts, pavlova, cakes, and other desserts!

Grapefruit Curd: Homemade Citrus Curd Recipe (1)

Citrus Curd to Brighten Winter Days

It’s winter time, and you know what that means. It’s citrus season!

We are lucky enough to have friends and family in the southern part of the country who send us homegrown citrus during the winter, which is always an exciting package to get!

Bright, fresh citrus can really make a dreary winter day more bearable.

Recently we got a bunch of super juicy grapefruits, and while I’m perfectly happy eating a half of one every day with my breakfast, I wanted to do something a little different with them this time.

After looking up a bunch of different recipes, I settled on grapefruit curd!

If you didn’t know already, a fruit curd is a spread that you would use in a similar way as jelly or jam. It is most often made with citrus as the fruit component, and also contains sugar, egg yolks and butter.

It is creamy and delicious, sweet yet tart. I absolutely love it! The best part is that it’s fairly simple to make.

You can also make this recipe with any type of citrus juice, it doesn’t have to be grapefruit. Lemon curd is probably the most common version.

Related: 12 Ways to Preserve Citrus: Drying, Canning, Fementing and more!

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Grapefruit Curd Recipe

Here I’ll show you how to make grapefruit curd, which is made just like lemon curd, but with grapefruit instead.

This recipe is adapted from 101 Cookbook’s Ginger Grapefruit Curd Recipe. I left the ginger out of this one, but feel free to add it if you’d like!

The day you’re going to make this curd, try to remember to pull the butter and eggs out of the fridge to let sit at room temp for a few hours. It’s not essential, but it will make everything blend a little better.

Zest and Juice the Grapefruit

The first step is to zest the grapefruit. A Microplane makes the job so much easier. I don’t know what I ever did without mine!

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Then juice the grapefruits, enough to make 1 cup of juice. Mine were really juicy so I only needed to use two.

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Make the Grapefruit Curd

Simmer the grapefruit juice down to ½ cup.

If you don’t have time for this step it is ok to skip it and and just start with 1/2 cup of juice from the beginning, but I think doing it makes for a much more flavorful curd.

Cream together the butter and sugar in a metal bowl. You will be making a double boiler with this bowl, so use one that will fit on top of a saucepan.

Add in the egg yolks and eggs, one at a time, stirring to combine each one. A whisk helps.

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Stir in the grapefruit zest and pinch of salt, and slowly add in the grapefruit juice and lemon juice, stirring as you go.

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Heat the Grapefruit Curd in a Double Boiler

Put a couple of inches of water into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Place your metal bowl on top of the saucepan for a makeshift double boiler.

Stir the curd constantly, as you don’t want the eggs to scramble.

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After about ten minutes, the curd should start to thicken up. Once it’s thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, it’s done. It will thicken even more as it cools.

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Jar the Grapefruit Curd

Pour into a pint jar, or two half pints, and refrigerate. It will keep for about two weeks in the fridge.

Now you have lovely grapefruit curd!

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This is such a treat to have. It makes a great gift, as well!

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This grapefruit curd has such an amazing grapefruit flavor!

If you are a big fan of grapefruit you will love this, I promise.

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I’ve been eating it on sourdough toast every morning… sometimes even twice a day. It’s that good!

It’s also delicious slathered on a scone or biscuit. The perfect treat!

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This is a great way to use up any excess citrus you might have. Lime would be wonderful, as would Meyer lemon or orange.

Citrus curd is so simple to make and so tasty!

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It doesn’t take much time to make, and it will make you feel a little more fancy when you eat it.

Time to have a tea party with scones and grapefruit curd!

More Citrus Recipes

Love citrus fruit? Then you’ll love these zesty recipes!

  • Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies
  • Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
  • Rosemary Champagne co*cktail with Blood Orange

Grapefruit Curd: Homemade Citrus Curd Recipe (14)

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4.89 from 9 votes

Grapefruit Curd

Grapefruit curd is delicious, easy to make, and a wonderful way to use up citrus. Learn how to make and use this homemade grapefruit curd recipe and use it for tarts, pavlova, cakes, and other desserts!

Course Condiment

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Chilling Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 12 servings

Calories 94kcal

Author Colleen @ Grow Forage Cook Ferment

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 1 cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
  • 2 Tbsp fresh grapefruit zest
  • 5 Tbsp softened butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 egg yolks at room temperature
  • 2 eggs at room temperature
  • pinch salt
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

  • Zest the grapefruit using a microplane, then juice the grapefruits until you have one cup of juice.

  • Simmer the grapefruit juice over medium heat until reduced by half.

  • Cream the butter and sugar in a metal bowl. Add in the egg yolks and eggs one at a time, whisking after each one.

  • Stir in the zest and pinch of salt, then slowly add in the grapefruit juice and lemon juice, stirring as you go.

  • Fill a saucepan with a few inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Place the metal bowl on top of the saucepan for a makeshift double boiler. Stir the curd constantly so it doesn't curdle.

  • Continue to heat the curd and stir frequently for about ten minutes. It should thicken as it cooks.

  • Once it has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, it's done. It will continue to thicken as it cools. Pour into a pint jar and refrigerate.It will keep for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

  • You may substitute lemons, limes, or oranges for the grapefruit.
  • The day you’re going to make this curd, try to remember to pull the butter and eggs out of the fridge to let sit at room temp for a few hours.
  • This recipe is adapted from 101 Cookbook’s Ginger Grapefruit Curd Recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 2Tablespoons | Calories: 94kcal

Grapefruit Curd: Homemade Citrus Curd Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long does homemade curd last in the fridge? ›

Store lemon curd in a jar or airtight container, and keep in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks. You can freeze lemon curd for a month or more, letting it thaw in the fridge before using.

Why won't my curd thicken? ›

Remember that curd will thicken more once cooled. If your cooled curd is not thick enough, you can reheat it to thicken. Put it over a low heat, stirring constantly. Ensure it coats the back of a spoon before taking it off the heat.

What causes the bitterness in grapefruit? ›

Naringin, the principal bitter ingredient of grapefruit juice, has been implicated in the regulation of cytochrome P-450 enzymes. Increased taste acuity for both Prop and naringin was associated with greater dislike for each bitter compound.

What not to mix with grapefruit? ›

Some statin drugs to lower cholesterol, such as Zocor (simvastatin) and Lipitor (atorvastatin). Some drugs that treat high blood pressure, such as Procardia and Adalat CC (both nifedipine). Some organ-transplant rejection drugs, such as Neoral and Sandimmune capsule or oral solution (both cyclosporine).

What flavor mixes well with grapefruit? ›

Grapefruit: Pairs well with banana, basil, black pepper, caramel, coconut, ginger, lemon, lime, melon, mint, papaya, pineapple, pomegranate, raspberry, rosemary, strawberry, thyme, tropical fruits, and vanilla.

How do you know if homemade curd has gone bad? ›

Excessive clumping or curdling: yogurt should have a smooth texture, so a clumpy or curdled consistency is a sign of spoilage and a tip-off to throw the yogurt away. Excessive liquid: Yogurt typically has a small amount of liquid on its surface (which can be poured off if preferred).

What is the difference between curd and yogurt? ›

Curd typically has a looser texture and a milder flavour, as its fermentation process is less controlled. Yoghurt, on the other hand, undergoes a more controlled fermentation, resulting in a thicker, custard-like consistency and a distinct tangy taste.

Can we eat 20 days old curd? ›

According to the National Dairy Council, when yogurt is properly stored in the refrigerator below 40 degrees, it can safely be consumed for seven to 14 days after purchase. Make sure you check the temperature of your fridge to ensure it's accurate.

How to tell when curd is done? ›

You'll know the curd is ready when it noticeably thickens in consistency and coats the back of a wooden spoon.

What to do when curd does not set? ›

If the milk does not set well, try again with fresh milk in different ways by increasing the culture, keeping it in a warmer place, adding your culture to warmer milk. Making good curd at home comes by experimenting & experience.

Why don't people like grapefruit? ›

The answer is simple—grapefruit is bitter, due to a relatively high amount of a bitter chemical called naringin. The good news is you don't have to let the bitter flavor of grapefruit ruin this delicious and nutritious fruit for you, and you don't have to douse it with sugar to do it.

What makes grapefruit taste better? ›

Drizzle honey or agave syrup over the fruit.

"The sweet syrup interacts with the fruit's juices to form a balanced, pleasant sweet-tart combo," she says. Start by drizzling the fruit with a teaspoon of honey or agave, and add a little bit more if needed.

Is grapefruit healthier than orange? ›

Oranges are a great source of vitamin C, while grapefruits provide more dietary fiber. If you're looking for a fruit that is high in antioxidants, grapefruits are the better choice. If you need a source of vitamin C, oranges are the way to go.

What do people sprinkle on grapefruit? ›

Salt Is the Secret to Sweeter-Tasting Grapefruit

While it may seem counterintuitive, salt — not sugar — can make grapefruit taste less bitter and more sweet. Sure, sugar can drown out the bitterness and sour flavor if you sprinkle it on thick enough, but salt actually balances these tastes rather than covering them up.

What sugar to put on grapefruit? ›

Combine brown sugar and cinnamon (or cardamom) in a small bowl. Brush each grapefruit half with butter, then sprinkle with about 2 teaspoons of the sugar mixture.

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