Lemon meringue pie is the perfect dessert for any Spring or Summer get-together.
But, of course, if you ask me, you can enjoy lemon meringue pie any time of the year! The creamy, refreshing, and sweet treat is the perfect way to finish off any meal.
Plus, it’s a beautiful dessert with its cheerful yellow color and whipped white and toasted topping.
If you’ve ever baked a homemade lemon meringue pie or even purchased a store-bought one, you may have wondered if it’s okay to freeze before serving.
Generally speaking, you can freeze a lemon meringue pie. However, some bakers would advise against it since it can change the taste and consistency.
If you do decide to freeze your lemon meringue pie, you will want to ensure that you’re doing it correctly and disturbing the pie as little as possible in the process. You can do this by preparing the crust in a freezer-ready pie dish and freezing the pie in a pie storage container that will keep the meringue intact. Another option is freezing only the crust and filling, then preparing and adding the meringue topping just before serving.
Freezing is an excellent way to extend the life of your pie, so you can enjoy it for weeks or even months to come.
Many pie makers freeze their pies before selling them to keep them as fresh as possible, so there’s no reason why you can’t do it too.
In this article, we’ll explore the best way to freeze your lemon meringue pie, how to thaw it, and how to freeze the meringue topping.
Does Lemon Meringue Pie Freeze Well?
While many people don’t have an issue with freezing lemon meringue pies, some bakers feel that lemon meringue pie doesn’t freeze well.
The reason is that to make the meringue topping, you must use egg whites. Unfortunately, egg whites can be sensitive to freezing temperatures, and once thawed, the meringue topping may be soggy or develop a rubbery consistency.
Many people aren’t bothered by the consistency or don’t notice. However, if you think it may be an issue, you can make the meringue topping separately and add it just before serving.
Can Homemade Lemon Meringue Pie Be Frozen?
Yes, it is possible to freeze a homemade lemon meringue pie. However, for the best outcome, you’ll want to follow the instructions below.
Since homemade lemon meringue doesn’t take too long to prepare, it might make sense to plan to make it before you’re ready to serve your pie instead of freezing the meringue.
Even if you can’t taste the difference with a previously frozen meringue topping, one of your guests may have a more discerning pallet.
How Do You Freeze Lemon Meringue Pie?
If you would like to freeze a freshly made lemon meringue pie or if you’re looking to freeze some of a leftover pie, you can follow the steps below to ensure you keep your pie the freshest it can be.
Step 1: Cool Your Lemon Meringue Pie
If your lemon meringue pie is still warm, you will want to make sure to cool it down to room temperature before freezing.
The reason is that as the pie cools, it will release condensation. If you put the pie in the freezer too soon, it will make the crust soggy.
You also run the risk of defrosting surrounding items in your freezer with the warm pie.
Step 2: Transfer Your Pie To A Freezer Safe Dish
If your pie isn’t already in a freezer-safe pie dish, you can transfer it to one. However, as mentioned above, it’s highly recommended to bake your pie in a freezer-ready dish to avoid disturbing the pie or ruining the bottom crust.
Step 3: Place Pie In The Freezer
Once your pie is in a freezer-safe dish, you can place it in the freezer uncovered and allow it to freeze through for two hours.
If you’re only doing part of a pie, then you can put it in the freezer for 45 minutes per quarter of the pie. Don’t forget to set the timer!
Step 4: Store Your Pie
After two hours, remove the pie from the freezer. If you happen to have a freezer-safe pie storage container, this is the ideal way to store your pie because you won’t disturb the meringue topping.
If you don’t have a pie container, you can wrap the pie tightly in plastic wrap or carefully slide it into a heavy-duty gallon Ziploc freezer.
Make sure to remove any excess air from the bag before storing it.
Never place the frozen pie on its side, and make sure that you don’t put any other items on top of it.
A frozen lemon meringue pie will stay good in the freezer for up to three to four months, but you should eat it as soon as possible to get the best flavor and quality.
The instructional video from Monday Morning Cooking Club outlines some great tips for making a layered lemon meringue pie and tips on the best ways to freeze it.
Can You Freeze Lemon Meringue Pie Filling?
If you’re planning and don’t have time to prepare everything all at once, you can freeze your lemon meringue pie filling ahead of time.
As you know, many bakers like to freeze the pie filling separately and make the meringue topping just before they plan to serve.
If you make the topping ahead of time, you can place it into the pie crust, bake, then freeze in the same way you would a whole pie.
Can You Freeze Raw Lemon Meringue Pie?
You can freeze uncooked lemon meringue pie, but you will run the risk of compromising the taste and consistency of the pie. Therefore, some expert bakers would advise against it.
Since you use eggs in both the filling and the meringue, the freezer temperatures could break down the ingredients and cause the pie to become rubbery.
On top of that, the crust could become soggy if you choose to freeze your pie before cooking. The soggy crust could be more of a risk than a cooked pie due to the filling not being set.
For this reason, we recommend that you bake your pie before freezing it.
How To Thaw Lemon Meringue Pie?
The best way to thaw a frozen lemon meringue pie is by placing it into the refrigerator and allowing it to thaw thoroughly for several hours or overnight.
If your pie is in plastic or a pie box, there is no need to remove it. Instead, simply move it from the freezer directly to the fridge and let it sit.
Remember not to place any items on top of it while it thaws. Once it’s thawed, it will be at its prime and ready to eat!
How Long Does Lemon Meringue Pie Last In The Fridge?
If possible, you should enjoy lemon meringue pie the same day it is prepared. However, if you have leftovers or are not ready to eat your pie right away, it can be placed in the refrigerator.
If previously frozen and thawed, lemon meringue pie will last up to three days in the fridge. Never attempt to refreeze a once frozen lemon meringue pie.
If you have a freshly baked pie that has not been frozen previously, it will also last in the fridge for three days.
Does Lemon Meringue Pie Go Bad In The Fridge?
Lemon meringue pie will stay good in the fridge for up to three days. If the pie is still around after three days (by some miracle), it is best to throw it away.
Because of the eggs in the ingredients, lemon meringue pie can start developing dangerous bacteria if it’s left in the refrigerator too long.
Is Lemon Meringue Safe To Eat?
Uncooked meringues made with raw egg whites could contain Salmonella bacteria. If you become sick with Salmonella, you could experience nausea, diarrhea, cramping, and fever.
You will usually become ill with Salmonella from eggs yolks, but it can also transfer to the egg whites and make them unsafe.
To protect you and your family from becoming ill, make sure to either cook eggs to 160 degrees to kill Salmonella or use pasteurized eggs as these will be safe.
Purchased lemon meringue pies from bakeries or stores will be cooked, baked, or pasteurized and should be considered safe.
Final Thoughts
While you can freeze lemon meringue pie, you will want to ensure that you’re doing it the right way.
Lemon meringue pie is a beautiful dessert accentuated with the whipped, creamy, and toasted topping.
However, because it’s so delicate, it’s essential to make sure that you disturb the pie as little as possible when freezing and, if possible, make the meringue before you serve to prevent the topping from becoming compromised in any way.
If you take the time to freeze your lemon meringue pie carefully, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser once you serve it.
My name is Keren Tayler. I am a stay-at-home mama to three lovely girls, Sarah + Rachel + Hannah. Prior to becoming a mom, I had a successful career in the accounting field, steps away from becoming a CPA. I decided to give up on my career in order to raise my own kids (as opposed to letting a nanny do it, no judgment here :)) I learned a lot and I love sharing it with other moms. Along the way, I also became a Certified Food Handler.