Limes are such a diverse and delicious citrus fruit. They are similar to lemons, but they have a tangy, bitter flavor that makes them the perfect addition to any meal, savory or sweet. There are many uses for lime juice, ranging from cocktails to refreshing dinner ideas.
You’ll never have to throw away your unused limes again! In this article, we’ll cover the 15 best uses for lime juice, so make sure you stock up!
Uses For Lime Juice
1. Replace Salt
One of the best uses for lime juice is replacing your salt.
Most of us consume far too much sodium each day, which we know isn’t good for us. It can raise blood pressure and possibly increase the risk of heart disease. However, salt is a staple seasoning that brings out the flavors in food.
Luckily for us, lime juice has this same effect— drizzle a bit of lime juice in anything from grilled vegetables to fish to get the full flavor experience.
Lime juice also nicely brings out the flavors in curries, soups, Thai food, seafood, chicken, and even fruit, while adding a refreshing taste. You can’t go wrong!
2. Salad Dressing
Salads could always use some acidity! Instead of the usual lemon juice or balsamic vinegar, try using lime juice for your next salad dressing.
Lime juice has a more interesting flavor profile than lemon juice because it’s acidic, bitter, and sweet at the same time.
Mix some lime juice with extra virgin olive oil for a simple, low-calorie dressing, or make a cilantro-lime vinaigrette if you want something more flavorful!
Limes are high in vitamin C and antioxidants, so they are rich in flavor and nutrients!
Some other popular lime juice salad dressings include chili-lime dressing and honey-lime vinaigrette.
3. Mojitos
There are so many uses for lime juice, but the list wouldn’t be complete without the classic mojito.
Limes are both sweet and sour, making them the perfect ingredient in many cocktails. You can also make mojitos without alcohol for a refreshing summer drink that everyone can enjoy. All you need is lime juice, fresh mint, tonic water or club soda, some sugar, and rum.
Make sure to use freshly squeezed lime juice and add some lime wedges to get the refreshing zest that this cocktail needs.
If you want to make things more interesting, try making a raspberry or passionfruit mojito, but nothing beats the classic!
4. Flavored Water
Add some lime juice and fresh mint to your water to make it flavorful and refreshing.
Staying hydrated throughout the day is essential for good health, but drinking plain water all day can get boring. Adding lime juice can help motivate you to keep drinking water and enjoy it a bit more!
Make a big pitcher of your flavored water and keep it in the fridge. You can also add other fruits and vegetables, such as berries or cucumber. It’s like a limeade but healthier with no added sugars!
5. Guacamole
No guacamole is complete without lime juice! The creamy, rich dip needs a bit of acidity to balance it out, and a spritz of fresh lime juice does just that.
Once you mash up your avocados, add onions, tomatoes, salt, lime juice, and some garlic. You can garnish with cilantro or other spices if you prefer.
Lime juice is a natural preservative and helps keep the avocados from turning brown, as long as you store it in an air-tight container.
Serve this delicious dip with nacho chips or raw veggies for a healthy and easy-to-share appetizer at parties.
6. Lime Popsicles
Like most citrus fruits, limes are refreshing, but they also have an added tartness that makes them extra delicious to use in desserts.
Make easy lime popsicles for your next summer treat. You can make a creamy popsicle with a bit of full-fat milk or coconut milk if you want a dairy-free, tropical-tasting alternative. If you want a water-based popsicle, omit the milk.
Combine with other tropical fruits or berries to make a delicious treat that is also full of antioxidants and vitamins.
7. Key Lime Pie
Perhaps one of the most well-known uses for lime juice in desserts is the famous key lime pie. It’s sweet, tropical, and has a hint of bitterness that makes it unique.
Key lime pie is also a lighter dessert option when compared to those rich, chocolatey treats. Key limes are best for this recipe because they tend to be sweeter than other types of limes, but you can use whatever you have at hand.
If you don’t like pie or want to try something different, try other key lime desserts, such as key lime yogurt parfaits, cupcakes, or smoothies!
8. Smoothies
If you want to transport your mind to the tropics and warmer weather, add some lime juice to your morning smoothies. It breaks the sweetness of other ingredients, such as bananas and milk.
Some delicious combinations include kiwi lime, strawberry lime, and a tropical smoothie with mangoes, pineapple, and a drizzle of lime juice.
Lime juice is an excellent way to get extra micronutrients into your smoothies, such as vitamin C, which helps with skin health and immunity.
9. Cilantro-Lime Rice
Many uses for lime juice involve Mexican cuisine, from salsas to tacos and even margaritas.
Cilantro is also a delicious and aromatic herb used in many Mexican dishes, and the two ingredients together make the perfect combination.
Cilantro-lime rice is a delicious base for burritos or a side dish for your seafood, black beans, or chicken. If you’re a Chipotle lover, save some money and make their famous cilantro-lime rice at home.
Cook any long-grain white rice you have, such as Basmati rice, and mix in lime juice, lime zest, and fresh cilantro. It’s that easy!
10. Season Fish
The next time you make fish, finish it off with a spritz of lime juice.
We often use lemon juice to bring out the flavors in seafood, but lime juice tastes even better for certain fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and tuna.
It’s always best to add citrus juice after the fish has finished cooking to avoid curing it. If you choose to marinate your fish in lime juice, don’t leave it for too long, or it will become tough and chewy.
Lime juice pairs well with cilantro, chili, and garlic. Many Thai and Latin American seafood dishes use lime juice, so there are plenty of delicious recipes to try out there.
11. Lime Sorbet
Nothing is more refreshing on a hot day than frozen treats. Fruit sorbets are lighter and easier to make than ice cream, making them the perfect choice.
They are also dairy-free and vegan— so anyone can have them.
Lime sorbet is one of the most popular flavors because it’s sweet, refreshing, and a bit tangy. All you need to make this sorbet is lime juice, water, and sugar! Top with some fresh mint to take this easy dessert to the next level.
12. Ceviche
Lime and seafood are the perfect pair, and nothing solidifies that fact better than ceviche.
Ceviche is a raw seafood dish marinated in citrus juice— usually lime. The lime juice cures the raw seafood, essentially “cooking” it while adding a tangy, citrus flavor to the dish.
Add some spices and toppings, such as cilantro, chili, and onions, and you have a beautiful seafood dish.
Although this dish is popular in Peru, many other cuisines also make ceviche with their own twist— try them out and see which flavors you like best!
13. Salsa
If you want to make homemade salsa, you will need fresh lime juice.
Homemade salsa is much better than the store-bought jars— it is packed with fresh flavors and contains no artificial preservatives.
Lime juice is essential for many Mexican and Latin American dishes— it adds that authentic zest that no other citrus fruit can replace.
If you prefer your salsa less liquid and chunkier, try making a pico de gallo. Either way, lime juice is a necessary ingredient!
14. Limeade
You don’t need lemons in the house to make a delicious, refreshing drink— anything lemons can do, limes can do (maybe even better!). Next time you have lots of limes at home, make a limeade drink.
Because limes are generally sweeter than lemons, you can use less sugar. It’s the perfect drink for a hot summer day. Invest in a citrus squeezer to get the most juice out of your limes, so nothing goes to waste!
15. Fruit Salad
We know that lime juice makes an excellent salad dressing, but it also works wonders as a fruit salad dressing. Chop up your favorite fruits and pour in some fresh lime juice.
The lime juice also helps prevent any bruising or browning of the other fruits in your salad, such as apples and bananas.
Lime juice also pairs well with some individual fruits— pour some lime juice on your watermelon to bring out its sweet flavors and make this summery fruit even more refreshing and juicy!