Replace each teaspoon of lemon zest called for in your recipe with 1/2 teaspoon of lemon extract or two tablespoons of lemon juice. It will give you the closest flavor match possible. ... Since the flavor is more concentrated than fresh zest, use one-third as much as the recipe calls for.

Is lemon zest necessary?

When You Shouldn't Substitute Lemon Zest

While you can skip a small amount of lemon zest altogether, the bright boost of flavor it brings to a dish is unmatched. And there's no reason to go without it because lemons store so well.

Does lemon zest make a difference?

The white pith is bitter and unpleasant, while the zest has the bright flavor of the fruit. ... It's the colorful zest that adds the bright acidic flavor of the fruit. And speaking of zest, here's a neat tip. When grating the zest of a citrus fruit, grate the whole thing, even if you only need a small amount.