When Life Gives You Lemons: 20 Easy Lemon Recipes for Weight Loss

Lemons are a powerful aid to your weight loss plan. The tart citrus fruit brightens the taste of so many healthy ingredients, yet it doesn’t add extra calories. In fact, lemon juice is a Free Food on your Nutrisystem plan, so you can enjoy as much of it as you want. Fresh lemon adds flavor to breakfasts, lunches and dinners, as well as satisfying snacks, desserts and refreshing drinks. To help you enjoy more of this bright and sunny fruit in your diet, we’ve gathered this list of 20 fresh lemon recipes to add some zest to your menu.

1. Lemon Thyme Vinaigrette

Pass on the high-fat salad dressings and overly sweet marinades and instead use the sparky taste of lemon to boost the flavors of salads, chicken, turkey and fish recipes. This simple vinaigrette also features zesty shallots, zingy mustard and earthy thyme, all blending together to elevate the taste of many different dishes. Click here for the full recipe! >

2. Strawberry Lemon Icebox Cake

What could be better than a delicious no-bake lemon cake that is made with six ingredients and four steps? How about this treat, which brings together juicy fresh strawberries, real lemon zest, creamy Greek yogurt and crispy graham crackers? Now here’s the best part: you can enjoy this irresistible dessert and stay on track to your weight loss goal. Click here for the full recipe! >

3. One-Pan Lemon Chicken Rice Skillet

Love lemon chicken recipes? The tart, acidic taste of lemons brings out the flavor of lean chicken breast in a variety of dishes. We put them together in this one-pan meal that also features mild-tasting zucchini, butter, garlic and parsley, plus a serving of high-fiber rice. Because you cook it all in one skillet, the clean-up is as easy as the preparation. Click here for the full recipe! >

4. Lemon Poppy Seed Energy Bites

On busy mornings or those days when you need an afternoon pick-me-up, Lemon Poppy Seed Energy Bites are the tasty way to fuel up. The base is made with filling ingredients like oats, cashews and raisins, while lemon juice and crunchy poppy seeds—a classic cake combination—turn them into a treat that no ordinary granola bar can match. Click here for the full recipe! >

5. Strawberry Lemon Mousse Cups

You could bring this treat to a party and everyone would rave about the perfectly balanced flavors of sweet strawberries, tart lemons and the creamy, fluffy texture of the rich mousse. Only you have to know it’s made with healthy ingredients like Greek yogurt, canned coconut cream and natural sweetener. Because each serving has a mere 95 calories, you don’t even have to wait for a party to enjoy it yourself. Click here for the full recipe! >

6. Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Haddock

Fresh lemons and zesty lemon pepper pump up the flavor of haddock, while the air fryer turns the breadcrumb coating crispy without adding extra calories or fats. If you’d like, you can substitute other varieties of light and flaky white fish, such as flounder or cod. Click here for the full recipe! >

7. Lightened Up Lemon Bars

Sweet and tart lemon bar recipes hit the spot when you’re craving a light, refreshing dessert or snack. Our version is made with healthier ingredients like whole wheat flour and unsweetened applesauce, so you stay on track with your weight loss plan. Click here for the full recipe! >

8. Virgin Jalapeno Lemon Margarita

Any day becomes fiesta time with this sweet and spicy lemon mocktail. You can enjoy it whenever you want because it’s made with light lemonade rather than calorie-laden sugary syrup. The fresh jalapeno slices add a spicy kick that perks up your taste buds. If you want to make it extra refreshing on a hot day, you can put this mix in the blender with plenty of ice and then sip on a frozen “slushie.” Click here for the full recipe! >

9. Lemon Coconut Cheesecake Bites

If you thought you couldn’t indulge in the pleasures of lemon cake recipes when you’re trying to drop excess pounds, this recipe is good news for you. The filling includes cream cheese, along with tangy Greek yogurt and the spark of real lemon zest and juice. Each batch makes 20 scrumptious bites that you can share or save for another day. Best of all, there’s no baking necessary. Click here for the full recipe! >

10. Healthy Lemon Salmon with Green Beans

An elegant meal like this does not have to take hours in the kitchen to prepare and it needn’t weigh you down with loads of calories. Salmon is a PowerFuel with plenty of lean protein that’s the foundation of a satisfying yet sophisticated dish. We love it with the bright taste of lemon baked right into it, spiced up with a bit of garlic and accompanied by crunchy green beans and a side of rice. Click here for the full recipe! >

11. Blueberry Lemon Chia Jam

The jellies and jams you find in the supermarket are likely to be loaded with sugar, artificial flavorings and loads of empty calories. Pass on those and instead make yourself this easy and healthful spread with sweet blueberries, tart lemon juice and super-nutritious chia seeds, which help thicken the jam. It’s easy to make on the stove in minutes or in the refrigerator overnight. Click here for the full recipe! >

12. Lemon Blueberry Tart

You can enjoy luscious homemade desserts without derailing progress to your weight loss goal. This sweet tart starts with a firm crust of whole-wheat pastry flour flavored with real vanilla. The filling is lemony cream cheese and the topping is made with fresh blueberries that add natural sweetness to this tart. Click here for the full recipe! >

13. Berry Lemonade Mocktail

Here’s a refreshing, low-calorie way to chill out on a warm, sunny day: mix up a batch of these cool and fruity drinks, made with sweet blueberries and raspberries, real lemon juice and fizzy lemon seltzer. They’re so quick and easy to prepare and because they’re alcohol-free, you can enjoy them any time of the day. Click here for the full recipe! >

14. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Kebabs

Shrimp are a lean protein source with a mild taste that take on the flavors of other ingredients. We matched them with the complementary tastes of zesty garlic, tart lemon juice and fresh herbs to make a simple yet satisfying Flex meal. You can cook this dish in minutes in the oven or, for even more flavor, cook them briefly on the grill. Click here for the full recipe! >

15. Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes

Breakfast turns into a meal fit for a fancy brunch when you whip up a batch of these Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes. Lemon zest, lemon juice and poppy seeds add flavor and texture that elevate the pancakes above ordinary flapjacks. The batter is made with bananas and eggs, so the pancakes are as filling as they are delicious. Click here for the full recipe! >

16. Lemon Raspberry Yogurt Parfait

This light and airy lemon dessert is ideal for enjoying with warm weather and sunshine. Lemon and raspberry create the perfect combination of sweet and sour. It also features protein-rich Greek yogurt and crunchy granola for a sweet treat that’s easy to prepare. Click here for the full recipe! >

17. Raspberry Lemonade Slushie

Whip up this easy summertime drink that fits into your weight loss plan! Featuring just a handful of simple ingredients, including lemon juice, frozen raspberries, sweetener, ice and water, you can easily create a healthy raspberry lemonade slushie to help you cool down on a hot summer day. Click here for the full recipe! >

18. Healthier Raspberry Lemon Scones

This Healthier Raspberry Lemon Scones recipe is made with a few Nutrisystem-approved ingredients and won’t totally derail your weight loss goals. Say goodbye to Sunday morning stops at the local bakery—these Raspberry Lemon Scones can be whipped up in the comfort of your own kitchen. Click here for the full recipe! >

19. Lemon Zest Ricotta Cream

When life gives you lemons, make Lemon Zest Ricotta Cream! If you’re searching for sweet lemon recipes to get in your protein, this creamy, dreamy and lemony idea will be your go-to treat. This customer submitted recipe is a quick and easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth without sabotaging your weight loss. Click here for the full recipe! >

20. Tropical Shrimp Salad with Lemon Herb Dressing

Enjoy summer on a plate with this tropical shrimp salad! It features tropical fruit, romaine lettuce and tender shrimp, along with a homemade lemon herb dressing made from lemon juice, olive oil, white wine vinegar, thyme and black pepper. It’s the ultimate lunch or dinner for warm weather! Click here for the full recipe! >