Lemon Balm: The Frugal Herb

Growing and using lemon balm is a frugal and delicious venture. It’s very easy to grow, comes back every year and has multiple uses. It’s lemon scent, makes it a pleasant herb to have in your garden or in a hanging basket. The lemon balm leaves are very pretty and when used to make sachets, they freshen musty drawers and closets. I love using lemon balm leaves to add a subtle lemon flavor to hot and iced teas. Though my favorite way to use lemon balm is combining it with fresh lemon to make lemon balm jelly.

Lemon Balm Aroma & Cleaning Uses

Ok folks I’m not gonna lie, lemon balm has a lemon aroma that reminds me of lemon pledge (the spray you dust your wood furniture with). Though the aroma is beneficial when combined with its antiviral and antibacterial properties for making disinfectant wipes (see below). For edible uses, I’ve discovered lemon balm is best offset with fresh lemon juice and lemon zest.

Here’s a great link for more lemon balm uses…

https://sixdollarfamily.com/ways-to-use-lemon-balm#:~:text=Lemon%20balm%20makes%20a%20fantastic,you’re%20good%20to%20clean!

Give Lemon Balm a Trim

My lemon balm plant had gotten a little “leggy” with long branches containing patches of lemon balm leaves extending from the plant. An indication that it was time to give the plant a trim. I just used scissors to cut the branches off near the base. Though you can cut and use the leaves at any time.

Fresh Lemons: The Frugal Fruit

I scored a marked down package of fresh lemons at our local neighborhood market. With the normal price of 79 cents per lemon, the marked down package of 3 lemons for 49 cents was an awesome deal. This bargain will definitely make my batch of lemon balm jelly even more frugal and delicious, not to mention enhancements to other meals.

Don’t Waste That Lemon

I’m sure you’re getting to know me by now, I don’t waste anything. So, after I zested and juiced all the lemons and used what I needed in the recipe, here’s what I did with the rest….

I put the remaining juice into ice cube trays, froze them and transferred the cubes to zip top bags. I will use the lemon juice cubes…

• in any recipe that calls for lemon juice by thawing the cubes
• in jugs of iced tea or lemonade
• added to foil packets of grilled & broiled fish or chicken
• in a pan to sauté vegetables

The lemon zest I placed on wax paper and froze it in a zip top bag. The frozen lemon zest will be used in or sprinkled on these foods for extra flavor…

• cakes
• cupcakes
• cookies
• frostings
• muffins
• scones
• dips
• tartar sauce
• cocktail sauce
• broiled fish
• roasted vegetables

The remaining lemon halves (after zesting and juicing), I froze in a zip top bag and will use them when making…

• mulled apple cider
• mulled wine
• Or I may just to boil them in water with cloves on top of the stove to add a fresh warm spicy citrusy aroma to our home

The Lemon Balm Jelly Recipe

And now to my favorite way to use lemons and lemon balm…for making jelly! I take no credit for this lemon balm jelly recipe. I found this really good recipe online (link below). The only thing I can take credit for is the addition of the fresh lemon zest with the lemon balm. Trust me, it makes a huge difference. This lemon balm jelly is incredibly delicious, you won’t be able to stop yourself from finding ways to enjoy it. The soft lemon flavor is like a lemon drop candy. It’s not overpowering in a lemon pucker sort of way. It is super delish on toast, biscuits, scones and pancakes. And it’s also wonderful brushed on grilled pork chops. It’s versatile for sweet and savory applications.

https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/jam/lemon-balm-jelly.html

• 1 cup of lemon balm leaves packed, roughly chopped
• 3 cups of water
• A lemon juiced
• 1 heaping tbsp lemon zest-my addition for a more natural lemon flavor
• One box pectin*
• 4 cups sugar

*I used a pouch of Ball liquid pectin vs the powdered versions, as it works best for me. Hint: purchasing liquid pectin can be a bit expensive. So, it is best purchased in quantity at the end of the canning season when the stores mark it down. It has a long shelf life, so it’s ok to store it for awhile.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ball-6-oz-Real-Fruit-Liquid-Pectin/16930174

Follow basic jelly canning instructions

To keep the jelly longer, be sure to follow basic hot water canning instructions in the recipe. If you don’t use the canning method, be sure to keep it refrigerated-use it right away or give jars of it to family and friends (like I did). Either way, this is a frugal and delicious jelly for sure! I hope you are able to make it and enjoy it as much as I do. No need to pucker up, this lemon jelly is sweet and wonderful!

Here’s another frugal and delicious jelly idea…