Out of Limes? These 7 Substitutes Always Work (2024)

Emily Han

Emily Han

Emily Han is a Los Angeles-based recipe developer, educator, herbalist, and author of Wild Drinks & co*cktails and co-author of Wild Remedies. For recipes and classes, check out her personal site.

Andrea Rivera Wawrzyn

Andrea Rivera WawrzynAssociate Food Editor, The Kitchn

Andrea is the Associate Food Editor at The Kitchn. She is a lifelong chef and full-time clog enthusiast. Her passions include grabbing more books at the library than she can read in the time allotted and the relentless pursuit of the perfect burrito. She lives in Salem, MA with her husband and two cats.

updated Apr 24, 2024

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Out of Limes? These 7 Substitutes Always Work (1)

Limes bring both freshness and tart flavor to everything from key lime pie to classic guacamole. And what’s a Mexican margarita without lime juice? So what’s one to do if you’re about to grill up some tequila-lime chicken and find yourself without any limes?

First thing’s first, the best lime substitute depends on what you’re cooking. A good substitute for limes in a cookie may not work in a savory sauce, for example. When looking for a substitute, consider the primary function of the lime in your recipe. Are you after its citrusy flavor, brightness, or acidity? This can help you decide which substitute will work best.

The obvious choice if you’re out of limes is lemons. Lemons have a similar, but distinct flavor from limes and make an ideal substitute. If you don’t happen to have the perfect swap however, read on for other good substitutes.

Lime Zest Substitutes

  • Other types of citrus zest. All citrus does not have the exact same flavor as limes, but they can deliver a similar fresh, citrusy flavor. Try lemon, orange, or even grapefruit zest.
  • Lime oil. Food-grade lime oil can provide a concentrated burst of flavor. For baked goods and desserts, try 1/4 teaspoon of oil for every 1 teaspoon of lime zest. For fresh dishes like salads, you may want to use just a couple drops.
  • Ground lime. Ground black lime, also known as dried lime or loomi, is used as a spice in Middle Eastern cooking. Lacking the sweetness of fresh lime, black lime has a deep sour lime flavor with a slightly fermented, umami note. It is particularly good for savory dishes.

Lime Juice Substitutes

  • Other citrus juices. In most dishes, a 1:1 substitute of lemon juice will work just fine. Depending on the recipe you could also try grapefruit juice or orange juice, bearing in mind that these are sweeter than lime. Calamansi lemons and tiny kumquats are also good substitutes. In all cases, freshly squeezed juice is recommended.
  • Vinegar. Try apple cider, white wine, or other mild vinegars if the primary function of the lime is acidity (like a shrimp ceviche). Vinegar can be more powerful than lime juice though, so start with half the amount called for, then adjust to taste.
  • Bottled lime juice. Pasteurized and lacking in oomph, bottled juice is usually best avoided. In a pinch, however, look for 100 percent, undiluted lime juice.
Out of Limes? These 7 Substitutes Always Work (2024)

FAQs

Out of Limes? These 7 Substitutes Always Work? ›

Lime Juice Substitutes

Can I use vinegar instead of lime? ›

If you've ever set out to make a recipe that calls for a bit of lime juice only to discover you don't actually have any in your fridge, vinegar can make an easy substitute. Like lime juice, vinegar is acidic, so in recipes that need the lime for acidity, this can work well.

What can I use if I don't have lemons or limes? ›

What can people use as lemon juice substitutes?
  1. Lime juice.
  2. Apple cider vinegar.
  3. Orange juice.
  4. Grapefruit juice.
  5. Celery juice.
  6. White wine vinegar.
  7. Other tips.
  8. Summary.
Jul 29, 2021

What is a good substitute for fresh lemon juice? ›

Lime or orange juice: use equal amounts to replace lemon juice in almost any recipe with no changes needed. Vinegar: use half the amount of vinegar to replace lemon juice and replace the remaining liquid with water if needed. White wine: only for cooking, use an equal amount of dry white wine to replace lemon juice.

What is a key lime juice substitute? ›

In general, when substituting the lime and lemon juice mixture for Key lime juice, you should adjust the amount so it is 2 to 3 times less than the amount of Key lime called for in a recipe. In other words, if you need 3 tablespoons Key lime juice, you will use 1 to 2 tablespoons lime and lemon juice mixture.

What to use if there is no lime? ›

Lime Juice Substitutes

In most dishes, a 1:1 substitute of lemon juice will work just fine. Depending on the recipe you could also try grapefruit juice or orange juice, bearing in mind that these are sweeter than lime. Calamansi lemons and tiny kumquats are also good substitutes.

What is a substitute for lime in fajitas? ›

Most fajita marinades are made with lime juice, but I prefer lemon juice. However, if you are a lime juice aficionado, go for it; your fajitas will still be delicious! Other fajita seasonings include smokey ground cumin, garlic, and onion powder, hot sauce, olive oil and, of course, salt and pepper.

What flavors replace lemon and lime? ›

Orange juice is close to lime juice as a lemon juice substitute and can be used in most recipes in the same 1:1 ratio. Similarly, grapefruit juice is another great option. The reason it's second to lime juice is that orange juice is still citrus but less tart and sweeter, which gives it a different flavor profile.

Can I use apple cider vinegar in place of lemon juice? ›

However, this may alter the taste and acidity of your dish. For instance, both lemon juice and apple cider vinegar can be used interchangeably in salad dressings. With lemon juice, you'll get a brighter, citrusy profile. Apple cider vinegar provides a tangier, punchy flavor.

What is a good substitute for lime in guacamole? ›

Apple cider vinegar: This has a slightly sweet and tangy flavor that can be a good substitute for lime juice in guacamole. Use about half as much vinegar as you would lime juice. Orange juice: This has a sweet and citrusy flavor that can add a unique twist to your guacamole.

Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh? ›

It's (Almost) Never Okay To Use Store-Bought Citrus Juice

The stuff you squeeze by hand has less time to oxidize and no funny preservatives, which means its flavor is brighter and more pronounced compared to the bitter or muted bottled versions.

Can I use white vinegar instead of lemon juice? ›

Substitute white vinegar for lemon juice at 1/2:1 ratio. ½ part white vinegar for every 1 part lemon juice. Substitute lemon extract for lemon juice at a 1/2:1 ratio and replace the rest with water. ½ part lemon extract and ½ part water for each 1 part lemon juice.

What is the difference between a lemon and a lime? ›

Lemons are significantly larger, while limes are smaller. Limes tend to be round in shape, whereas lemons are more oblong or oval-shaped. In terms of taste, lemons are generally a bit sweeter than limes. While limes have a more acidic and tart flavour, lemons have a more bittersweet taste.

Which vinegar is the best substitute for lime juice? ›

Some vinegars make for a great substitute, while others don't quite provide a welcome flavor profile. Stick with mild vinegars as these tend to work better as alternatives to lime juice. White wine vinegar is a great option here. This variety has a lighter, fruity flavor and works well in salad dressings.

Can I use bottled lime juice instead of fresh? ›

But the juice will start to oxidise. Not massively, but enough to make the taste difference between these products after a couple of hours, actually pretty negligible. If actually any taste difference at all.

Is a key lime just a lime? ›

Key limes—also known as Mexican limes or West Indies limes—are small, spherical limes that grow in tropical and subtropical regions. They're light yellow (not green) when ripe and contain more seeds than regular limes. Their skin is also very thin, which means they don't store well.

What's the difference between vinegar and lime juice? ›

lime juice has citric acid and vinegar has ethanoic or acetic acid. During a chemical reaction, if the products have more chemical energy than the reactants, Q.

What is a good substitute for lime in soil? ›

Applying wood ashes also will raise soil pH. Wood ashes contain up to 70 percent calcium carbonate, as well as potassium, phosphorus, and many trace elements. Because it is powdery, wood ash is a fast-acting liming material.

Can vinegar be used to eliminate lime stains? ›

Apply vinegar or lemon juice directly onto a cloth and scrub the limescale until it comes away. Alternatively, mix one part lemon juice or vinegar to four parts water. Put the solution in a spray bottle and spritz it onto tiles and plugholes. Leave this to soak for up to an hour for stubborn scale deposits.

Is vinegar a good substitute for lemon juice? ›

To substitute white wine vinegar for lemon juice, use a 1:1 substitution – for every tbsp of lemon juice, add a tbsp of white wine vinegar. Best Used In: Salad/Vegetable Dressings. Sautés.

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