Classic Lemon Meringue Pie

ByDavid Loa

Make this classic lemon meringue pie with a buttery crust, silky homemade lemon filling, and fluffy golden meringue. A beautiful old-fashioned dessert everyone loves!

Classic Lemon Meringue Pie

Ah, lemon meringue pie—that perfect combination of tart, creamy, sweet, and fluffy. Honestly, it’s one of those desserts that looks like you spent all afternoon in the kitchen, but once you get the steps down, it’s actually quite manageable.

I usually make this pie when I want something a little more special than a chocolate or fruit dessert. There’s something about that bright lemon filling underneath a cloud of toasted meringue that feels so homemade and nostalgic.

And that golden, swoopy meringue on top? That’s my favorite part. 🍋

The filling is smooth and intensely lemony without being overwhelmingly sour, while the sweet meringue balances everything beautifully.

Ingredients

For the Pie Crust

  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 3–4 tablespoons ice-cold water

Or: use one 9-inch refrigerated or store-bought pie crust to make things even easier.

For the Lemon Filling

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 5 large egg yolks
  • ½ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Meringue

  • 4 large egg whites, at room temperature
  • ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Method

1. Prepare the Pie Crust

If you’re making homemade crust, combine the flour, salt, and sugar in a bowl.

Add the cold butter and work it into the flour using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Add the ice water one tablespoon at a time, mixing just until the dough comes together.

Don’t overwork it.

Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it, and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

2. Roll and Bake the Crust

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

Roll the chilled dough out on a lightly floured surface until it’s large enough to fit a 9-inch pie dish.

Transfer it carefully into the dish and gently press it into the bottom and sides.

Trim and crimp the edges.

Prick the bottom several times with a fork.

Line the crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans.

Bake for about 15 minutes.

Remove the weights and parchment, then bake for another 5–8 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden.

Set aside to cool slightly.

If using a store-bought crust:

Bake according to the package directions until lightly golden and fully cooked.

3. Make the Lemon Filling

In a medium saucepan, whisk together:

  • Sugar
  • Cornstarch
  • Salt

Gradually whisk in the water until smooth.

Place over medium heat and cook, whisking frequently, until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble.

Let it gently boil for about 1 minute, continuing to whisk.

4. Temper the Egg Yolks

Place the egg yolks in a separate bowl and whisk them lightly.

Slowly pour about ½ cup of the hot sugar mixture into the yolks while whisking constantly.

This gently warms the yolks instead of shocking them with the hot mixture.

Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan while whisking.

Cook for another 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, until thick and smooth.

5. Add the Lemon

Remove the saucepan from the heat.

Stir in:

  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Lemon zest
  • Butter
  • Vanilla extract

The filling should be silky, thick, and beautifully bright yellow.

Pour the hot lemon filling directly into the baked pie crust.

6. Make the Meringue

This is where you get that gorgeous fluffy topping.

Make sure your egg whites are at room temperature and that your mixing bowl is completely clean and grease-free.

Add the egg whites and cream of tartar to a large mixing bowl.

Beat on medium speed until soft peaks begin to form.

Gradually add the sugar, about one tablespoon at a time, while continuing to beat.

Increase the speed and beat until the meringue is glossy and forms stiff peaks.

Beat in the vanilla.

7. Cover the Lemon Filling

Spoon the meringue over the hot lemon filling.

Spread it all the way to the edges of the crust.

This is important because the meringue should touch the crust around the entire edge. It helps prevent the meringue from shrinking away from the sides while baking.

Use the back of a spoon to create pretty peaks and swirls.

8. Bake the Meringue

Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).

Bake the pie for approximately 12–15 minutes, or until the meringue is beautifully golden brown.

Keep an eye on it during the final few minutes because meringue can go from golden to too dark surprisingly quickly.

9. Cool Completely

Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool at room temperature for about 1 hour.

Then refrigerate for at least 3 hours before slicing.

I know it’s hard to wait when the pie smells this good, but honestly, letting it chill properly makes a huge difference. The lemon filling needs time to set.

Cooking Tips for Perfect Lemon Meringue Pie

Use fresh lemons

Freshly squeezed lemon juice makes a noticeable difference. Bottled lemon juice just doesn’t give the same bright, fresh flavor.

Don’t skip the lemon zest

The zest contains flavorful oils that give the filling an extra lemony punch.

Add meringue while the filling is hot

This helps the meringue adhere to the filling and reduces the chance of it separating.

Spread meringue completely to the edges

Make sure it touches the crust all around the pie. This helps keep the meringue in place.

Don’t underbeat the meringue

You want stiff, glossy peaks. If the meringue is too soft, it may collapse or weep after baking.

Don’t rush the cooling

A properly chilled pie slices much more cleanly than one that’s still warm.

Avoid making the meringue on a humid day if possible

Humidity can make meringue more prone to becoming sticky or weeping.

Serving Suggestions

I usually serve lemon meringue pie well chilled and completely plain because it really doesn’t need anything else.

But you can also add:

  • Fresh lemon zest
  • A few thin lemon slices
  • Fresh berries
  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Raspberries
  • A small scoop of vanilla ice cream

A cup of hot coffee or tea alongside a slice is pretty much perfect.

How to Store Lemon Meringue Pie

Store leftover pie covered loosely in the refrigerator.

It’s best enjoyed within 2–3 days.

Because of the meringue, I don’t recommend freezing the finished pie—the texture can become watery or unpleasant after thawing.

Approximate Nutrition Information

Per serving, based on 8 slices:

  • Calories: 390–420
  • Protein: 5–6g
  • Carbohydrates: 58–62g
  • Fat: 16–18g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Sugar: 37–42g
  • Sodium: 250–300mg

Nutrition is an estimate and will vary depending on the pie crust, ingredients, and serving size.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does my lemon meringue pie get watery?

This can happen if the filling isn’t cooked long enough, the pie isn’t cooled properly, or moisture develops between the filling and meringue. Make sure the filling is thick before adding the meringue and allow the finished pie to cool completely.

2. How do I stop the meringue from shrinking?

Spread the meringue all the way to the edges of the crust while the lemon filling is still hot. Also, make sure you’ve beaten the egg whites to stiff, glossy peaks without overbeating them.

3. Can I use bottled lemon juice?

You can, but I strongly recommend fresh lemons. Fresh juice and zest give the pie a much brighter flavor.

4. Can I make lemon meringue pie ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, it’s best made several hours ahead so the filling has plenty of time to set. I usually make it earlier in the day and refrigerate it until dessert.

5. Why is my meringue weeping?

Weeping can happen because of undercooked filling, excess moisture, humidity, or improperly whipped egg whites. Using room-temperature egg whites, adding the meringue to hot filling, and baking it properly can help.

Final Thoughts

There really is a reason classic lemon meringue pie has stayed popular for so many years. It’s bright, creamy, sweet, slightly tangy, and topped with that irresistible fluffy golden meringue.

Honestly, I love the contrast in every bite—the crisp buttery crust, smooth lemon filling, and soft toasted meringue all work together perfectly.