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5-Ingredient Recipes

Short ingredient lists, big flavor. These recipes lean on lemon to do work that would normally take a longer shopping list, which makes them good for busy nights, small kitchens, and beginners.

With so few ingredients, quality matters more. Use fresh lemons rather than bottled juice wherever you can, and good olive oil or butter when they are in the recipe.

A glass pitcher of pale cloudy limeade with visible flecks of lime peel, glasses filled with ice beside it, lime wedges garnishing the rim5 min
Drinkvegan

Brazilian-Style Blended Limeade

A glass pitcher of pale golden calamansi juice with ice, small halved calamansi fruits floating on top and garnishing the rim10 min
Drinkvegan

Filipino-Style Calamansi Juice

A tall glass of sparkling ginger lemon fizz with ice, topped with a sprig of fresh mint and a ginger slice3 min
Mocktailsnon-alc

Ginger Lemon Fizz

Glass of Indian spiced lemon water with ice, mint, and a lemon wheel5 min
Drinknon-alc

Indian Spiced Lemon Water

A tall glass of iced lime drink with lime slices and ice, condensation on the glass, on a light wooden table5 min
Drinkvegan

Indonesian-Style Iced Lime Drink

A small glass jar of bright green yuzu kosho paste with visible flecks of citrus zest and chili, a small spoon resting on top15 min
Condimentvegan

Japanese-Style Yuzu Kosho

Two small shot glasses filled with a cloudy amber apple cider vinegar and lemon blend, fresh lemon halves nearby5 min
Wellness Shotsvegan

Lemon Apple Cider Vinegar Shot

Four small glass shot glasses of cloudy golden lemon ginger cayenne shot on a light surface, with fresh lemon halves, a knob of ginger, and a pinch of red cayenne beside them10 min
Wellness Shotsgluten-free

Lemon Ginger Cayenne Wellness Shot

Four small shot glasses filled with a golden yellow liquid, arranged in a row on a wooden surface10 min
Wellness Shotsvegan

Lemon Ginger Turmeric Wellness Shot

Two small glass shot glasses filled with a golden, slightly cloudy lemon olive oil blend, fresh lemon halves and a small dish of olive oil in the background5 min
Wellness Shotsvegan

Lemon Olive Oil Wellness Shot

A stack of pale yellow lemon rice krispie treat squares on parchment paper, with visible lemon zest flecks throughout20 min
Sweet & Bakeddessert

Lemon Rice Krispie Treats

Two small glasses of pale, cloudy lime coconut water shot on a light surface, with lime halves, an orange half, and a split coconut beside them5 min
Wellness Shotsvegan

Lime Coconut Water Electrolyte Shot

Three small glass shot glasses of bright yellow pineapple lemon ginger shot on a light kitchen counter, with pineapple chunks and a lemon half beside them10 min
Wellness Shotsvegan

Pineapple Lemon Ginger Wellness Shot

A tall glass of pink raspberry lemon spritz with fresh raspberries and ice, sitting on a light wooden surface5 min
Mocktailsnon-alc

Raspberry Lemon Spritz

Sparkling lemon-mint mocktail in a tall glass with ice and a mint garnish on a marble counter5 min
Mocktailsnon-alc

Sparkling Lemon-Mint Mocktail

A shallow bowl of pale yellow whipped lemon hummus with a swirl of olive oil in the center, a light dusting of paprika, fresh lemon zest on top10 min
Savory Sidesvegan

Whipped Lemon Hummus

Three small glass shot glasses of pale yellow yuzu ginger shot on a light surface, with a small bottle of yuzu juice, a whole yuzu, and a knob of ginger beside them10 min
Wellness Shotsvegetarian

Yuzu Ginger Wellness Shot

Guides to go with these recipes

Small bowls of lime wedges, white vinegar, and citric acid powder arranged as lemon juice substitute options

Best Lemon Juice Substitutes for Baking and Cooking

A full mesh bag of lemons spilled out onto a kitchen counter next to a cutting board and knife

What to Do With a Bag of Lemons Before They Go Bad

Questions about 5-ingredient recipes

Do salt, pepper, and water count as ingredients?

It varies from recipe to recipe, so check the ingredient list on the page. Basic pantry seasonings are usually the extras.

Can I swap ingredients in a short recipe?

Like-for-like swaps are fine, such as one herb for another. With so few ingredients each one matters, so bigger changes will noticeably change the result.

What if I am out of fresh lemons?

Bottled lemon juice can stand in for the juice in many savory recipes, but you lose the zest. See the substitutes guide for options.