Lemon Meringue Pie

A classic dessert featuring a buttery pie crust filled with tangy lemon curd and topped with fluffy, toasted meringue. This recipe combines fresh lemon juice and zest for a bright citrus flavor, finished with a beautifully piped meringue topping.

8 servings

2 hr 37 min

Published October 4, 2025

Ingredients

•1 whole Blind-Baked Pie Crust
•1 cup sugar
•⅓ cup cornstarch
•2 whole large eggs
•4 whole large egg yolks
•4 lemons lemon zest
•1 cup fresh lemon juice
•1 tsp kosher salt
•3 Tbsp chilled unsalted butter
•4 whole large egg whites
•¾ cup sugar
•½ tsp kosher salt
•¼ tsp cream of tartar

Cooking Instructions

1.
Whisk sugar and cornstarch in a large saucepan to combine. Add eggs and egg yolks and whisk vigorously, making sure to get into corners of pan, until smooth and pale. Whisk in lemon zest and juice, salt, and 11/2 cups water.
5 min
2.
Place saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer, whisking often and making sure to get into corners of pan, 8-10 minutes (mixture should be bubbling and thickened). Reduce heat and continue to simmer, whisking constantly, 3 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes, whisking every minute.
18 min
3.
Add butter to filling and whisk until melted and fully incorporated. Scrape filling into pie crust; smooth surface. Chill until cold and set, at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.
120 min
4.
Combine egg whites, sugar, salt, and cream of tartar in the bowl of a stand mixer or another large heatproof bowl; set over a large saucepan filled with 1" simmering water (bowl shouldn't touch the water). Heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved and mixture is warm to the touch, about 4 minutes.
4 min
5.
Fit bowl onto mixer fitted with whisk attachment (or use an electric mixer) and beat on medium-high speed until meringue is more than tripled in volume and medium peaks form, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip (or a resealable plastic bag will work-just snip off a corner after bag is filled). Pipe meringue over filling and toast with a kitchen torch or under the broiler.
10 min
6.
Do Ahead: Pie (without meringue) can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.

Ingredients

•1 whole Blind-Baked Pie Crust

•1 cup sugar

•⅓ cup cornstarch

•2 whole large eggs

•4 whole large egg yolks

•4 lemons lemon zest

•1 cup fresh lemon juice

•1 tsp kosher salt

•3 Tbsp chilled unsalted butter

•4 whole large egg whites

•¾ cup sugar

•½ tsp kosher salt

•¼ tsp cream of tartar

Cooking Instructions

Whisk sugar and cornstarch in a large saucepan to combine. Add eggs and egg yolks and whisk vigorously, making sure to get into corners of pan, until smooth and pale. Whisk in lemon zest and juice, salt, and 11/2 cups water.

5 min

Place saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer, whisking often and making sure to get into corners of pan, 8-10 minutes (mixture should be bubbling and thickened). Reduce heat and continue to simmer, whisking constantly, 3 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes, whisking every minute.

18 min

Add butter to filling and whisk until melted and fully incorporated. Scrape filling into pie crust; smooth surface. Chill until cold and set, at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.

120 min

Combine egg whites, sugar, salt, and cream of tartar in the bowl of a stand mixer or another large heatproof bowl; set over a large saucepan filled with 1" simmering water (bowl shouldn't touch the water). Heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved and mixture is warm to the touch, about 4 minutes.

4 min

Fit bowl onto mixer fitted with whisk attachment (or use an electric mixer) and beat on medium-high speed until meringue is more than tripled in volume and medium peaks form, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip (or a resealable plastic bag will work-just snip off a corner after bag is filled). Pipe meringue over filling and toast with a kitchen torch or under the broiler.

10 min

Do Ahead: Pie (without meringue) can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.