This easy lemon icebox pie is the perfect dessert for those lemon lovers in your life! It's honestly a 3 ingredient lemon pie -- the vanilla is optional.
If you use a store-bought pie crust it goes together in about 3 minutes. The hardest part about it is waiting for it to chill completely.
Table of Contents
- So….I just finished pouring the filling into the pie shell and licking the bowl-OMG
- 🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- 🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
- 📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- 🔪 How to make lemon icebox pie: instructions for success
- 💭 Insider tips: things to know
- 🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
- 🎥 Watch and cook: step-by-step video tutorial
- 🥫 Leftover love: how to store lemon icebox pie
- Why Eagle Brand
- 👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
- 📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
- 📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
- 📖 Recipe
- Lemon Icebox Pie
- 💬 Comments
Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.
🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- Tangy lemon pie is quick and easy with just 4 ingredients.
- Perfect for summer but great anytime you need a quick, easy dessert. I like to keep one in the freezer all the time for those "just in case" moments.
- If you want the pie to be firmer whisk 2 egg yolks into the sweetened condensed milk before adding lemon.
I like to serve this easy, no-bake dessert partially frozen in the summer time.
🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
This simple pie goes together fast. You can keep all of the ingredients on hand without any problem. Nothing unusual or hard to find here!
- Crumb crust of your choice - I like this homemade graham cracker crust but you can buy one to make it even easier.
- Lemon juice can be fresh squeezed or whatever you usually use.
- Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk or your favorite.
- Vanilla
- Lemon zest
Have a little more time? Try this lemon meringue pie - it's amazing.
📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- Try pouring cherry or blueberry pie filling over the top just before serving.
- You can substitute limes and lime juice for the lemon for a lime pie.
- Try different flavors of cookies for the crumb crust: gingersnaps, 'Nilla Wafers, cinnamon graham crackers, etc.
- Fresh lemon juice is great but I don't notice that much difference from using a good, bottled juice.
🔪 How to make lemon icebox pie: instructions for success
This lemon pie is so quick and easy! It's a great recipe to start with when your kids want to learn to make things in the kitchen. Most 10-year-olds can do this without help.
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page. Click on the image to see it full size.
Add the sweetened condensed milk to a bowl. Mix in the vanilla until smooth.
Add the lemon juice and lemon zest.
Stir until it begins to thicken. Pour into the prepared pie crust.
Chill overnight or freeze.
💭 Insider tips: things to know
- If you want the pie to be firmer whisk 2 egg yolks into the sweetened condensed milk before adding lemon.
- You don't need a mixer for this. Just whisk the filling until it gets thick.
- Don't use an off-brand sweetened condensed milk. Sometimes the quality isn't quite as good and they won't set up.
- Be sure to let this chill for at least 4 hours. Overnight is better.
Marye's Tip o' the day
I have used 2 raw egg yolks in this when I want a firmer filling. I do not bake the pie & I've never had a problem with salmonella. However, you should do what you feel comfortable doing - the USDA doesn't recommend eating raw egg.
🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
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🎥 Watch and cook: step-by-step video tutorial
Hey y'all! Don't forget to check out my latest video where I guide you through each step of this delicious recipe. It's always great to have a visual guide, right? And as always, my cooking show, Restless Chipotle Kitchen, has got your back. If you're looking for more yummy ideas, dive into our full recipe collection on YouTube. You're gonna love it!
🥫 Leftover love: how to store lemon icebox pie
Refrigerate the pie, tightly covered with plastic wrap, or in an airtight container, for up to 5 days.
You can freeze for up to 3 months, too.
One of the things that I like best about this lemon icebox pie is that you can serve it chilled or frozen. I personally like it better frozen on a hot summer day!
I take it out about 20 minutes before I want to serve it... less if it is a very hot day. I thaw it just until it softens a little but still has the consistency of ice cream.
🤫 Marye's secret for zhuzhing it up -
Try making the crumb crust with lemon sandwich cookies! Extra lemon flavor and it's delish!
zhuzh: verb. To make something more interesting or attractive
Why Eagle Brand
Lemon icebox pie has been served on countless tables and caused countless families to smile at dinner time.
This Southern recipe has been around for close to 100 years.
I have tweaked it a TINY bit by adding vanilla. I think it calms the tartness of the lemon down a little, soothes it, and makes it more enticing. Feel free to leave it out.
Y'all know that I am not real freaky about brand names except there are some that I feel are higher in quality and produce a better finished product.
You can get the Eagle Brand or you can use what you like best but if you get an off-brand of sweetened condensed milk I will not guarantee the recipe. I like Eagle Brand.
It's been around forever and the results are always good. They didn't sponsor the post or pay me... I just like the product that they create. End of sermon.
👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!
I never have. This is a very creamy lemon filling. If you like a firmer lemon custard you can whisk in 2 or 3 egg yolks. If you use the egg yolks you should probably stay away from the pie if you are pregnant or immunocompromised.
You must keep this pie chilled until you are ready to serve. The pie cuts perfectly when it first comes out of the fridge but if you leave it out it will become somewhat loose and runny.
Nope! I've used gingersnap crust, 'Nilla Wafer crust, and regular pie crust. It all comes out great!
⏲️ Marye's time saving hacks -
This is super quick and easy plus it freezes well. Keep a pie or two on hand in the freezer for quick and easy desserts any time.
📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
No bake pies are the sweetest answer to one of Texas's hot summers! This one has been around a long time because it's both easy and delicious!
I like to serve it partially frozen with a big ole spoonful of homemade whipped cream on top.
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Lemon Icebox Pie Recipe
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 1 crumb crust, premade graham cracker crust from the store is fine
- ¾ cup lemon juice, bottled or from fresh lemons
- 2 cans Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Mix the Eagle Brand and vanilla.
- Add the lemon juice and lemon zest, stirring with a whisk until it thickens.
- Pour into the chilled pie crust.
- Chill for 4 hours or freeze overnight.
- If frozen allow to stand at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving.
Notes
- If you want the pie to be firmer whisk 2 egg yolks into the sweetened condensed milk before adding lemon.
- You don't need a mixer for this. Just whisk the filling until it gets thick.
- Don't use an off-brand sweetened condensed milk. Sometimes the quality isn't quite as good and they won't set up.
- Be sure to let this chill for at least 4 hours. Overnight is better.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
First Published: May 30, 2015... Last Updated: October 13, 2024 for editorial improvements, added tips and helps, and readability.
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Lemon Icebox Pie
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william l burgess says
Can you leave out lemon zest and it will still be good
Marye says
Yes, you can omit lemon zest from this lemon pie but it won't be quite as lemony.
Mary says
This pie is a staple in my family. No family gathering is without at least one or two, but I always added 1 egg yoke per can of condensed milk.
Beverly says
I have a question. Probably a stupid question but I don't bake much. Do you need to use lemon juice from real lemons or can you use store bought lemon juice in the container?
Marye says
You need to use real lemon juice but you can buy the lemon juice from the store - you don't need to squeeze it yourself.
Tracy says
Can sweetned condensed coconut milk be used for a vegan version? This looks and sounds sooooo good would love to try it dairy-free!!
Dirk says
I substituted condensed coconut milk. It still turned out great! Also, I opted not use pie crust as well. Still wonderful!
Tracy says
Awesome!! Thanks so much for the quick response!! Trying this weekend!!
Jan says
Is there suppose to be cream cheese in this recipe???
Marye says
No?
Lisa says
It’s a good idea. How much lemon juice? How much vanilla??
Marye says
Hi Lisa - the whole recipe plus instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom. You can even print it out.
Sherry says
This has always been my favorite pie! I had to stop keeping Lemons on hand because I love to eat them!! Dentist said this was not good at all for my teeth. 🙁 I love Lemon ANYTHING. From cookies to this pie to pound cakes to icing to lemon cake in a box, with lemon icing...if its lemon. I will eat it. (and the garnish too, if its a lemon slice!)
Sherry 🙂
Lizabeth says
My husband's grand-aunt used to make this pie, but she folded in a couple cups of whipped topping to make it fluffy. Soooo good!
Marye says
Yum!! I'll have to try that next time!
Wendy says
Everyone loved it.. easy to make..
Rich says
Favorite... I’m not a big fan of lemon, but key lime AWESOME not just any lime juice gotta b ‘Nellie &Joes Key West key lime juice ♥️It
Donna says
Add 8 oz of cream cheese to this recipe and you'll never fix it any other way.
Michael Bechtler says
I've done this several years ago. Got the recipe from a dear friend I've known for over 40 years. Her recipe was 1 can Eagle Brand condensed milk, 1/4 cup lemon juice + zest and 1 small can of crushed pineapple (well drained) and put filling in a baked pie crust. After set put Cool Whip on top and sprinkle more lemon zest on top......mmmmmm good
Helen says
Thanks, love your lemon pie recipes, going to try them all.
Pam Thornburg says
Mine never set or thicken.
Marye says
Oh no! I've never had that happen. Did you use the Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk?
Scott says
I THOUGHT MY MOM USED EGGS
Marye says
She may have - this recipe doesn't.
Scott says
Enjoy that ritch pie my mom mad for my b,day and loved it.Know she's gone and going to try this.
Marye says
Hope you love it.
Stacy Hopkins says
So I accidentally bought fat free easel brand condensed milk. Will it be okay in this recipe or should I go back out?
Marye says
I've never used it so I don't know how it would work, Stacy. :/
Julie wolfe says
I couldn’t find cans of evaporated milk. Small bottle. ( shopped a day before Xmas eve) was wondering how many ounces does recipe call for?
Marye says
First of all - you CANNOT use evaporated milk. You want sweetened condensed milk. Eagle Brand, Wal-mart brand...whatever. Just make SURE it's SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK... it's not the same as evaporated.
Hank Hill says
there are two sizes of eagle milk - you say "cans", oz's would be helpful
Marye says
Hi Hank, I've never seen but one size -however it's the 14 oz size.
Mary says
I have been looking for this recipe for years. My mother taught me as a young girl but I had forgot how to make it . I have a lemon tree and so excited to find the recipe at last. I am 80 yrs old but sure I have a few more years to make this pie.
Marye says
It's a good one!